DIY Loc tool Kit

As seen in the image, this is a basic Loc tool kit to have on hand at home when you have Locs, it is an absolute must if you are a do it yourselfer. Listed top to bottom / left to right:

1. Peculiar Roots Loc Brush (soft boar's hair).

2. Mini rubber bands

3. Coil comb for starter loc coils and retwist, you use a comb to assist in retwist.

4. Steel tip comb (best for clean parting).

5. Rat-tail fine-tooth comb

6. Needle nose tweezers (used to remove lint).

7. Bead threader for Loc jewels and bead installment.

8. Application brush

9. Edge brush

10. Hair scissors

11. Fabric covered hair scrunchie

12. Crochet Needle Hooks, single, double and triple (used to repair Locs).

13. Interlocking threading tools

14. Interlocking loop latch hook

15. Gator clips (to help section hair).

16. Duck bill clips (to help section hair).

17. Double prong mini clips (used to hold Locs in retwisted position).

When you have the right tools in your kit, you will have a great journey. Loc brushing is great for keeping your Locs soft and keeping your frizz under control. I personally bought my brush from Peculiar Roots website, which can be bought singular or in the Loc brush kit. Loc brushing is recommended for fully Loc'd hair, but it can be used for starter Locs at least 3 months along. Brushing should be done with a soft boar's haired brush and should be brushed gently.

Mini rubber band are typically used for loc styles. Tip: do not over tighten them; this can cause damage and breakage. One or the most common Loc styles that require the use of mini rubber bands is the 2-strand twist and loc braids. These styles are also great for anchoring your Locs in place after a retwist, to allow your hair time to lock.

The Coil comb with the cylinder-shaped handle, is great for starting Locs: it's the best option for the do it yourselfer to use when starting their own Locs with the coil method. Some like to use a narrow-tipped comb to assist with their retwist as well, this is an excellent choice for that purpose. while we are on the subject of combs, the Steele-tipped comb is one of the best combs to have in your kit. In order to create the perfect part, you will need a sturdy and firm tip to achieve this goal and the Steele-tipped comb does that for you. This comb is one of the best choices for Sister locks. Another great option for a good parting comb is the Rat-tail-fine-tooth comb.

A common condition that occurs with having Locs, is collecting lint. Now there are a number of reasons why lint builds up on and in the Locs. We will discuss that in further detail in next week's blog. But the needle tip tweezers are definitely useful to have in your kit, it helps you to remove lint from the surface of you Loc or lightly embedded into the loc.

The bead threader is the best tool to use when you are placing loc jewels and beads on your Locs. It is very easy to use and keeps your loc from breaking. It is especially helpful with ticker Locs and Locs with curly ends.

The application brush is a great tool to have in your kit. I use it for coloring, but more so, I use it to apply conditioner. Once a month I do a deep conditioning with Moroccan Oil Mask (available on the Peculiar Roots website). I use the application brush to accomplish an even spread on my Locs. The application brush keeps the conditioner layer thin and from clumping up. The purpose of the edge brush is for those who like slayed edges, or to evenly disburse Loc pomade for retwisting. So, it sort of has the same purpose as the application brush, if you think about it.

Now, moving on to the Hair Scissors, clipping ends doesn't end because you have Locs, split ends still occur, and trimming is common with Locs. Using hair scissors are VERY important because they are extra sharp and will not break or damage your Locs. When handling hair with scissors, it is important to always use hair scissors to avoid damage and breakage. Fibric scissors are for fabric, craft scissors are for crafts, but hair scissors are for hair. Your Locs will thank you for it, invest in a good set of hair scissors.

Fabric covered scrunchies are best to use, not only on Locs, but ALL hair. Using them helps to avoid breakage. Rubber tends to rub against the hair, and the friction of the rubber causes damage to the hair. It is also imperative not to tighten them too much, the tension of tightness can cause too much pull and breakage can then occur at the root.

Crochet Needle Hooks are the necessary tool for repairing thinning or broken Locs. Therefore, it is crucial to have them in your Loc kit. Its thin needle hooked tip, is designed to weave fine hairs together to bond and repair thin and broken Locs. Having a single, double and triple are great to have for various sized Locs. I slight motion back and forth through the Loc is all you need to do for this technique. It is important not to rush and to be extra careful, the tip is very small and can easily pierce your skin. It hurts tremendously if you pierce your skin. If you are not confident in using this tool, I strongly recommend asking for help.

Interlocking is an alternative method to maintain Locs. It can be done by hand or with the use of special tools. One tool commonly used, is the interlocking threading tool, which looks much like an oversized sewing needle. The second most commonly used tool, is the interlocking crochet loop latch hook. I will discuss interlocking in more detail in an upcoming blog titled Loc Maintenance techniques.

The final tools introduced for your kit, are the different sized clips. They assist as an additional set of hands to keep your Locs in place as your work in each section on each individual Loc. Other items you must keep in your kit are:

1. Build up free clarifying and detoxing shampoo

2. Loc formulated conditioner

3. Moisturizer

4. Conditioning Oil

5. Build up free Loc pomade or Loc gel

Some of the items in the tool kit I listed above, such as the Loc Brush, bead threader, edge brush, fabric cover scrunchies and needle tip crochet hooks and all the bonus items on the second list are available on the Peculiar Roots website (use pammielocs10 discount code at checkout). It is important to have the right tools to maintain and keep up your beautiful crown. Feel free to comment to this blog, if you have any further questions. Until next week.