lvinabellalocs - Tumblr blog

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Apologies

Dear followers,

My sincere apologies for being away for so long. I actually have no idea why I wasn’t posting. 

I am hosting a week long contest to show my appreciation for all of you here, on twitter, and on Etsy. All you have to do is go on Twitter, retweet with the hashtag #lainabellalocs to win 8 blue synthetic dreadlocks! Go visit my twitter for more information @laine_ellis 

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Summer is HERE

Hello all you fest-heads!

Festival season is here! Don't let yourself attend a music festival this year without being prepared. For anyone who is looking for some dreadlock extensions for upcoming festivals, please check out some of my work here on tumblr and LvinabellaLocs on facebook. If you're looking for custom work, make sure you give yourself a few weeks at least to make sure your extensions arrive before the festival does. And from May 1st, 2015 until August 31st, 2015 get 15% off orders on Etsy (LvinabellaLocs) by using the code SUMMER15. Let me add some love to your festival experience!  

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Protective Style

Dreadlock extensions, faux locs, box braids, weave, crochet braids etc. There are so many protective styles you can use to protect your hair from dry, bitter winters, or hot, dry summers. This is a huge part of the natural community; protecting their hair in order to retain length. This isn't just for those in the natural community. Protective styling can benefit everyone with every hair type.

I find that the loc extensions are great for all hair types. It doesn't require you to braid any of your hair underneath a wig, or to attach more hair. This is really great for those who have straight, angel-like hair. It still allows your hair to receive the natural oils coming from your scalp, while retaining length the longer you have the extensions in for. I remember measuring my hair length from my nape and my temples before putting the dreadlock extensions in. After about 2 months of having my hair protected from manipulation and heat, having been in the dreadlock extensions, I gained almost and inch and a half of length. And better yet, I retained all of it!

Believe it or not, there are more exciting benefits to having your hair look super hot in dreadlocks. Hair length retention is one of them.

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This is a set of crocheted human dreadlock extensions added to my own real dreadlocks. They were still somewhat new so these babies were a bit fluffy still.

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Dreadlocks attached to real locs

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Synthetic dreadlocks attached to real dreadlocks on myself.

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Dreadheads, non-dreadheads, please take the survey. Your feedback is important!

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Here is a quick review from Jo, who loves her loc extensions :) they were added to her already existing locs for a fuller look.

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Dreadlock Prices

I keep scrolling through blogs or instagram pages that have people asking why dreadlock extensions are so much money. I know some people might wonder why I'd even walk anyone through this process, but it's important for buyers to understand what goes into making them. Please keep in mind I'm only able to talk for myself, but this can be used as a general outline.

If you look on Etsy or any online place, you'll find that a full set of synthetic dreadlocks can range from $70CAD to $300CAD. And to many, dreadlocks might look so similar in style, that they don't know what it is that sets them apart. If I'm using these numbers as an example, here is how pricing may work out. For a full set of dreadlock extensions, let us say a seller may has to buy 5 or 6 bags of synthetic hair. (Totally depending on length an thickness of said dreadlocks). Depending on where the seller lives or how much their local beauty supply store sells each bag of hair for, it can cost around $10 per bag, if not more. Right there, the seller is spending around $60. That isn't including any hair elastics or accessories they may have to buy. Now, the labor is what the seller pays their bills with. Imagine that each dreadlock takes anywhere from 10 minutes to 45 minutes to make. This gap in time depends on what method they use to create and finish their work. (Ex. backcombing vs. crocheting). So, 60-ish dreadlocks can be made using the 5-6 bags of hair, which costs $60 already. This process can take a few days to make. Imagine being paid less than minimum wage for work that you're proud of, but having your buyers tell you it's still not worth the money. Pretty insulting. Each seller has to make a profit. Wouldn't it be great if we could just make everyone happy by making the extensions without having to worry about our own financial situations? lol. If only.

If you're stuck in a place where you don't fully understand why you're paying what you're paying but you are trying to justify spending whatever amount on quality work, but can't figure it out, ask. No seller will deny you any information if you are seriously considering their work, right? Most people are on a budget. And that's totally okay! Sellers understand that 100%!

This is just a little info post. I'm here to give you the info you need to make an educated decision. Shop around. Ask questions. Know exactly what it is you're looking for, don't just settle because it seems like that's the only option. You'll never be satisfied, and that totally blows for a seller to hear. We want buyers to be 100% satisfied with the products being sold.

:)

LvinabellaLocs

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Here is progress I thought was neat. The colourful dreadlocks were made in 2010 and on the right, are my natural styled extensions attached to my real ones made in 2013. Two different styles, still super awesome. IG: lvinabella

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A set made for a client earlier this year. Colours: dark brown to light brown ombre, and auburn accents.

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Welcome

I decided to make a little blog for my small business. I'm finding it hard to branch out and promote my dreadlock extension business.

I've been making dreadlocks since about 2009. I was always so in love with the look. The almost, I'm a badass rebel, kind of look. Every time I looked at my older sister, I saw exactly that. She was, and still is, the free spirit that everyone wishes they could be like. So, since 2009, I began playing with synthetic fibres so that I could mimic my sisters hair. It always looked so fake, looking back now, but I loved every minute I had them in my hair. I fooled around with colours, thickness and length. I literally had every neon colour in my head at once, at a length where I had to pick up each lock, and put it over my shoulders to the front so I didn't sit on them when I went to the bathroom.

Over the years, I began perfecting this art. The art of creating this knotted, medusa-like mess. And I will continue to master different styles, but until then, I've found MY style. And after making them, wearing them and putting them through extreme wear and tear, I've figured out how to make them last years and years with little to no damage. I use a method, which a lot of people use these days, called crocheting. I backcomb the synthetic hair, and begin to crochet it until it begins to knot. I also use a method known in the natural community called interlocking. I use both of these methods to create the perfect dreadlock, in my own opinion of course. Afterwards I seal the locks. This is such a lengthy process. But the results look better than a half-ass, whipped together in 30 minutes, version. No offense to anyone who likes this look. I certainly did at one point in my life. I have also done this with real human hair and the results and look are incredible. I've worn both synthetic and human hair locks in my head, and also have had real dreadlocks myself. Twice. I combed them out both times for personal reasons, but they were mature nonetheless and I didn't have to chop them.

Anyways, this blog will be a way for my to show my work, and post information for people who have questions. There are so many blogs out there who will say one thing, and then others that will say the complete opposite, and that leaves people so confused. I have worked in the hair industry for years, and have made dreadlocks even longer, so if there's anyway I can help educate anyone or simply make some dreadlocks for someone, I'll do it.

Feel free to look at my Etsy shop for sales or custom orders : LvinabellaLocs and also my IG : lvinabellalocs for more photos.