Loc'd Man: Reggie

Tell us a little about yourself? (ex. name, age, state, school)

Well my name is Reggie. I’m 28 years young, from St. Louis, MO. I’m currently a graduate student at Lindenwood University getting an M.A. in Communications with a Promotions emphasis. iWrite.

How long have you been growing your locs?

This is actually my second time loc’ing my hair. The first time I had them for about 2.5 years. With my current locs, it will be three years in March.

What do you use on your hair, product wise, to maintain it?

I use a couple different products depending on the season, or how my locs are doing. Lately, I have been using Ixora Botanical Beauty’s Macani Miracle Butter. I mostly use butters and creams for twisting my hair. As for shampoos, I have been using Shea Moisture products as of late.

How often do you have to wash and re-twist your loc’s and who styles them?

I usually wash my hair at least once a week, because if not, I get build-up. As for re-twisting, I will usually get them done every 2-3 weeks. Usually either my mother does them, or I go to a shop here in St. Louis called Uhuru Natural Hair Salon.

What do you think about women with natural hair? Do you care if your woman is relaxed, natural or loc’d?

I love women with natural hair. I don’t care whether a woman wears her hair natural, permed, or loc’d as long as it is healthy. I tend to shy away from women who wear excessive weave, and am mostly attracted to women with natural hair or locs. Overall, I’m just an advocate of wearing your crown however it fits you!

Do you think women who choose to loc their hair are sexy?

I think they can be, yes. Having locs doesn’t, of course, automatically make you sexy, but I have seen/met several sexy women with locs! Sexy is more an attitude than simply a hairstyle.

What are the pros and cons about having your hair loc’d?

Well some pros  are that locs are one of the styles that you definitely develop a sort of relationship with. Loc’ing helps to teach you patience, determination, and diligence. Some cons are that it takes patience, determination, and diligence. If you don’t have or cannot develop those characteristics, having locs will be a very frustrating journey for you.

What made you decide to loc your hair? Have you always had hair or did you start your loc’s from “scratch.”

I had always wanted to loc in high school, but I was in ROTC and couldn’t. After graduation, I wanted to do something for me. This was back before loc’ing became a “fad” and I wanted something that made me stand out and appear unique. Prior to, and after the first time I cut my locs off, I wore my hair in a fade.

What makes a woman’s hair beautiful to you?

A woman’s hair is beautiful to me when it fits her personality. For instance, I think it takes a certain attitude to be able to rock a TWF (teeny weeny fro) or short hairstyle. Sometimes it takes a different kind of woman to wear her hair in a huge twist-out or fro-hawk. How your attitude and demeanor matches your crown is what makes it beautiful to me.

Do you have any advice for my readers who are considering loc’ing their hair?

If you’re considering loc’ing your hair, my first suggestion would be to do your research! There are several ways to loc your hair, a myriad of products, etc. You have to find what wprks for you. Just because it worked for @_____ on Twitter doesn’t mean it’s what is best for you. Second, I would advise that loc’ing is a commitment. You will have your times when you’re frustrated with your hair length, texture, etc., and want to cut them off. You will have times when you simply don’t want to do your hair. Many people think locs/natural hair is easier than how they’ve been wearing their hair. I would say it’s harder.

Where can we find you on the web?

I can be found on Twitter/Instagram under the name “kidnoble.” I can be found on Facebook under “Reggie Noble,” and I blog sparingly at http://internalchroniclesofme.blogspot.com.