Dear Neurotic Hair Diva...

Brunsli,

What do Sisterlocks feel like? Do they feel like yarn or fuzzy braids? Are they soft and easy to twirl around your finger? How would your husband describe the feel of your hair?

I've read your entire blog BTW, and I recall him saying your hair doesn't smell like burnt anymore. I would prefer the smell of locked hair to permed or pressed hair anyday.

I would imagine locks that have been dyed feel rough to the touch. They look rough. And dry, like if the wind blew too hard, they would break off and fall to the ground into a million pieces. With the exception of Golden_08, I don't like the look of dyed locks.

Does your hair feel heavy when it's wet?

I'd ask someone else these questions but you post regularly. And you like talking about your hair.

Shavonne

Dear Shavonne,

I don't possibly know how you think I like talking about my hair. I mean, it's just hair, no big deal, right?

My hair feels kind of like yarn. Not that yarn we used to make art projects out of as kids, but those soft yarns that they have in the fancy knitting stores. Going into a store like that, I want to knit myself a hat! But, then I think, if I knit, I should crochet, and if I crochet, then I should do my own roots when my hair grows in. And that's not going to happen. So, that's the story of why I don't knit.

But I digress. Different Sisterlocks feel different. We all have different textures of hair, which I think we forget, because we are so used to changing our textures with relaxers. My hair has been described as fluffy, and even though I've had it like this for quite some time, I still get a kick out of grabbing a fistful and squeezing. It's kind of like a cashmere sweater. However, the downside of having squeezable hair is that strangers like to touch it too. I had to dodge a few grubby hands reaching for my hair in Ohio and scold their owners.

My hair isn't that heavy. When it's wet and I have it in a ponytail, I can feel the weight of it. Usually this is followed by swinging my head really fast, and giving Breadfruit a shower with the water that flies off of my hair. He loves this, as you might imagine, and laments that no kindergartens will accept 26-year-olds.

Locks look dry because they aren't shiny. To shine, the hair strands must line up the same way to reflect light. But, when hair is matted, it goes in all different directions and won't reflect light. That has taken a bit of getting used to, but I don't miss the hair goop, curling irons, and relaxer burns that having shiny hair required.

Be careful twirling locks around your finger. You might end up wrapping someone around your little finger too! As for Breadfruit's opinion of what my hair feels like, I'll let him comment.

Signed,
The NHD