My Sisterlocks Hair Color
Several people have asked me how I got my hair colored, what color was used to achieve it, how it was applied, and whether the texture of my hair changed after coloring. My hair was colored almost a year ago and before I made my decision, I talked to multiple sisterlock consultants and sisterlock sistas who already had colored locs for advice.
I am extremely happy that I decided to color my sisterlocks. With this change, my hair confidence went up even higher. In this post, I’ll share how to know when it’s the right time to dye sisterlocks, how to get your sisterlocks colored just like mine, and what to expect when adding color. I’ll also answer all the questions I received regarding my hair coloring process.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission (at no cost to you) for purchases made through these links.,
After 4 years, I was ready for a change in my sisterlocks. As gorgeous as my sisterlocks were, I was just tired of the same style, and too lazy to try something different. To make my life easier, I wanted an easy and quick change I could see immediately without doing much work.
When is the Best Time to Add Hair Color to Sisterlocks?
How do you know when your locs are ready to get color? I was always conflicted with this answer because I heard mixed opinions about when was the right time to color my sisterlocks.
First, it was recommended that I at least wait until after the first year in my sisterlock journey to get color added. Then, it was recommended that I wait until the ends of my locs were completely locked, meaning the ends were closed and no longer loose.
I waited a long time, probably a lot longer than others, for my ends to close. It wasn’t until year 4 that the majority of my ends were finally closed. All 100% of my ends were not completely closed, but I would say about 89% were. So that’s when I made my decision to go ahead and get color added to my sisterlocks.
I share more tips about knowing when the right time to color sisterlocks in my blog post, What are Sisterlocks? 13 Questions Answered.
Unclosed (Unloc'd) Ends
Closed (Loc'd) Ends
The Day Before I Got Hair Color Added to My Sisterlocks
How Long Did I Have Locs Before Getting Hair Color?
I had my sisterlocks for 4 years before I had color added to my. I hit my 4 year sisterlockaversary on October 27th, 2021. Then I booked my coloring appointment a few days later on November 3rd, 2021.
What Research Did I Do?
Researching the Impact of Hair Color on Sisterlocks
Coloring locs is different than coloring unlocked hair. So I did some research to learn more about how color could impact my sisterlocks.
I knew there was a risk of damage, hair breakage, and a change in hair texture. However, I thought that if I found a skilled professional colorist who knew how to color sisterlocks, I’d reduce the risk of damaging my sisterlocks.
Finding a Hair Colorist to Color My Sisterlocks
I did not have a hard time finding a hair colorist who specialized in sisterlocks. The first thing I did was I asked my sisterlock consultant if she knew of anyone who colored sisterlocks. She recommended @locsofcolour who had been doing color for over 20 years.
Not only was @locsofcolour a colorist, she was also a sisterlocks trainee and a cosmetologist. So she understood everything about hair and color for both locked and unlocked hair.
When I spoke with her about coloring services, she also provided me example pictures of her work specifically coloring sisterlocks. So I felt confident that she could do the job very well.
Finding Examples of Hair Color to Show the Colorist So They Know Exactly What I Wanted
I also researched the color that I wanted and how I wanted the color to be applied. I came across one of my favorite sisterlock hair crushes @sisterlock_queen and fell in love with her sisterlock color.
I absolutely loved how the color was spread out like highlights but also loved how the color did not start at her roots. The color started at least an inch away from her roots. It also looked like she had 3 different colors in her hair which I loved also.
What Did I Tell the Colorist to Get My Hair Color Like That?
When my loc colorist and I discussed what I wanted for my color, I sent her pictures of what I was looking for. I told her that I wanted to have 3 colors.
- My Natural Hair Color
- Light Blonde Highlights
- Honey Light Brown Lowlights (lighter than my natural hair color)
I requested that she do two different color highlights in my hair and to also not highlight my entire head. I wanted her to keep my natural hair color too, like about 50%, while 25% was blonde highlights and the other 25% was light brown highlights.
I asked her to not dye the hair directly from the root, I wanted her to apply the color about 1 inch away from my scalp because I didn’t want to have that choppy, harsh line that separates the color from the new growth.
The Coloring Process
How Expensive Was it?
For my colorist specifically, her coloring services, at the time that I got color, started at $85 for a single process color service. But if the hair required lightening or bleaching, then the cost started at $120. For double colors, it cost $160, which is the price that I ended up paying.
What Hair Color Products Were Used?
My hair colorist used two colors from the Redken line in Butter Cream (09GB) and Macchiato (05NW). These colors matched so well with my natural hair color.
How Long Did The Coloring Process Take?
The coloring process took about 3 hours. It felt like it went by fast because we were talking the whole time. First she separated out the locs. For color, she used the two Redken colors Butter Cream (09GB) and Macchiato (05NW). After the coloring was finished, then she did my final wash.
Did I Love the Color Immediately After?
At first, I was in shock that I even got the color done haha! It was so new to me and I had to adjust to what I saw in the mirror, just as with any other dramatic change.
I definitely loved it but I will say, I loved the color even more as each day came. Especially when I added curls to it and did braid outs. Now that’s what really did it for me. I was blown away at how voluminous my hair looked with curls and color!
Hair Color With a Braid Out
Hair Color With Curl Formers
Hair Color With Pipe Cleaner Curls
After the Hair Color
How Did My Sisterlocks Feel After the Color Was Applied?
After getting color applied to my sisterlocks, I did notice a bit of dryness throughout the hair. However, it wasn’t anything significant and it didn’t bother me. I knew I would experience dryness from the color so it wasn’t a major shock to me.
Did I Experience Any Changes in My Hair?
Hair Texture
I do believe the hair texture changed. I immediately noticed a difference in my ends. After the coloring process, some of my loose ends became perfectly coiled spirals.
Slippage
After getting color, a handful of my locs did experience slippage. Slippage is when the loc slips and becomes loose. Basically it’s like when a loc goes from loc’d to unlocked. The slippage happened to the ends of some of my locs and I also had some slippage in the middle of some of my locs. In terms of an amount of locs that were affected, I’d say about 10 locs.
Breakage
I did experience some breakage after getting my sisterlocks colored. Some of my ends broke off. I’ll admit, I am a hand in hair person and I do touch my hair a lot, it’s a bad habit. I noticed that after the color, if I touched my hair, the ends would just slide right off really easily.
I never had experienced that problem before, so I know for sure that it was a result of adding color. In terms of an amount of locs that were affected, I’d say about 15-20 locs.
Has the Hair Color Faded?
No, it’s been almost a year since I had color added to my sisterlocks and I haven’t seen any of the color fading. The only thing is that the color has grown out a bit from where it was first applied.
Post-Color Hair Maintenance
Did My Hair Routine Change After Getting Hair Color?
At first I didn’t change anything to my hair care routine after adding color to my sisterlocks. But after going to my first sisterlock retightening since getting the color and speaking to my sisterlocktician, she recommended that I start using the Design Essentials line.
What Products Did I Use After Getting Hair Color?
Shampoo
My sisterlocktician had already been using Design Essentials to wash my hair during my retie appointments. I changed my hair care products to make sure that I added extra moisture to my colored hair. I started using three new Design Essentials shampoos for MATURED Sisterlocks.
- Honey Creme Moisturizing Shampoo (Moisturizing)
- Peppermint & Aloe Therapeutics Anti-Itch Shampoo (currently unavailable)
- Oat Protein & Henna Shampoo (Deep Cleansing)
Shop Shampoo
Conditioner
Another great hair product that my sisterlocktician started using on my color treated hair was the Infusium 23 Pro Leave-In Treatment. This leave-in was perfect for color treated hair and helps with repairing damaged hair. It strengthens and repairs the cuticle. My sisterlocktician would use this leave-in treatment after she shampooed my hair.
Shop Leave-In Treatment
Hair Color Results Comparison
Final Thoughts About Adding Hair Color to My Sisterlocks
My hair color has increased my love for my sisterlocks. I love how it looks now and it keeps getting better and better every day. I made the decision to add color to my mature sisterlocks because I wanted to. There’s definitely pros and cons to it, and it may not be a decision for everybody. But hopefully you can use my experience to help you make your decision on whether or not you would add color to your sisterlocks one day.
Would you ever add blonde highlights to your sisterlocks? Let me know in the comments!
Darlesha
Your hair looks amazing and I’m glad that you included the whole process good and bad.
Christelle
thank you for this article. it answers a lot of questions
Tina Abernathy
Excellent and informative article. I’m in love with color and always have been. I’m only 3 months locked and can’t wait to color, especially my roots which have “silver highlights”. LOL GRAY!
I’m thinking of putting a rinse on the roots. Any advice?