So, you’ve done your research.
You’ve had your consultation.
You’ve checked your budget, made your plan, and you’re finally ready to begin your loc journey.
Then the day comes—the installation is done—and you look in the mirror… and reality hits.
For many people, that first look is a shock. It’s not the “big, full, bouncy” look we’ve been conditioned to expect. You see more scalp than you’re used to. The parts are neat, the locs are fresh, but your hair might look smaller, lighter, or different than what you imagined.
And that’s okay.
At VivaLoKs, we don’t call this the “ugly phase.”
We call it the Beautiful Beginning.
This Is the Moment of Truth
For years, many of us have hidden behind wigs, extensions, braids, and puffy styles. Those styles are beautiful too—but they can make us forget what our real selves look like underneath.
So when you finally see your true self—your natural hair, your scalp, your face—it can feel unfamiliar. You might even feel disappointed at first. I know, because I’ve been there.
The day after I locked my hair, I was tempted to reach for a wig. The “scarpy” look felt too different. I missed the fullness. I missed the comfort of hiding.
But something made me stop. I looked again in the mirror and said to myself:
“My nose is the same. My eyes are the same. My smile is the same. The only thing that’s different is my hair—my real, natural hair.”
And in that moment, I decided to embrace it. I chose to walk out of that door and own my new beginning. I’ve never looked back since.
The Freedom That Follows
The next morning, I got ready for work—and I suddenly had so much time. I kept thinking, “Am I forgetting something?”
Then it hit me. I didn’t have to “do” my hair.
No gels, no edge control, no blow-drying, no styling. Just me—ready to go.
That moment was priceless.
It made me realize how much time, energy, and mental space I had been giving to my hair every day just to look “presentable.” I finally understood what true hair freedom feels like.
