So I Took the Pipe Cleaners Out….
I decided to take the pipe cleaners out lastnight and here’s some pics of how they look. To say that they are waaayyyy better than the wrap-a-loc job I received from my consultant(s) (there’s more than 1 person there that works on my hair…it’s pretty random since they’re all certified). OMG, I could’ve purchased a few extra X-mas gifts with that $75. I am loving this. In a few days, I’ll release the curls and become a black version of Shirely Temple!!
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For those who want a more detailed explanation of how I put the PCs in and took them out, continue reading….
I sectioned off 6 parts of my head first and took on 1 section at a time. I started off using 3 locs/1 pipecleaner, but after doing that I noticed they looked too small so I increased it to ~5 locs/2 pipecleaner for each “wrap”. I actually cut my pipecleaners in half and then folded the tip before applying to my hair for safety. If I was to do it again, I wouldn’t worry about cutting them and just fold them in half. I slept in them for 2 nights and it was ok for me, definitely more comfortable than sleeping with Bantu Knots if you ever had those. Although I was trying to wait until Christmas to show my folks my new do, I decided to take them down on the 3rd day (which was yesterday) because they started to become a nuisance. Also, I was anxious to see what my curls look like.
It was soooo easy for me to take out, I think mainly because I was cautious of how putting them in would affect taking them out. With the way I put them in, all I had to do was 1) unbend the top part of the pipecleaner closest to my root, 2) unbend the bottom part of the pipe cleaner at the tip, 3) hold the hair at my root while pulling the pipecleaner up and out. Only 2 out of my whole head gave me problems with some snagging and that’s because the bottom close to the tip was raveled in with the pipecleaner. I’ve been SL’d for over 1 year and my hair is not nearly what anyone would call mature so with my soft hair, I knew some snagging was bound to occur, but again, I planned for it very well. Altogether, I think it took me over 2 hours, but I’m not quite sure about the timing because I wasn’t really watching the clock. All know is that I got home form purchasing the rods, put my ACV rinse together, washed/rinsed my hair, got to work on wrapping the SLs, then I went to the club with my bf rocking the new look!
Overall, I like the look it gave, but I don’t see myself doing this very often because of how much time is involved.
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:21 AM
[...] So I Took the Pipe Cleaners Out…. [...]
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:33 PM
I’m glad to know that the pipe cleaners did not all get caught or put lint in your locs. I have purchased the wrapalocs and find that the tips of even the new ones come off. Good to know there’s a cheaper and just as effective option out there. I don’t use it often because it takes almost 2 hours to put them in.
December 23rd, 2008 at 8:18 PM
Girl, you WORKED those pipecleaners!! I LOVE pipecleaner curls better than anything!!
I have used the WrapALoc tools and I like them too. However, in YOUR experience, I feel like you bought those WrapALoc tools that went into your hair for $75. That was just wrong…
Anywhoo… NECESSITY IS the mother of invention, is IT NOT??! You live and you learn. Thanks for sharing your experience and your newly acquired PC techniques with all your readers.
January 12th, 2009 at 7:38 PM
[...] So I Took the Pipe Cleaners Out…. [...]
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Thank you for writing these post for me. I too have used the bendable rod and the look was wuite but only lasted for two or three day. A girlfriend of mine’s told me about Wrap-A-Loc and I went on the website and I was amazed on how the price for just the bundle pack. But I am a DIY myself and if I can get the same look for cheaper price then that is what I am going to try. Thank you for confirming my choice for me. I will purchase the PC and post what the outcome was and again thank you for the suggestion.
April 5th, 2010 at 4:37 PM
Girl, I think you have started something! I have regular dreads but they are VERY long now. They are sitting on my butt now to be exact so styling is no longer as easy as it once was. I am now pretty limited to the straight natural look or the crinkle look by braiding while wet and unbraiding. I have been trying to find something new w/o having to cut them and I stumbled across the wrap-a-loc website. The price of that product is RIDICULOUS! I am also a DIY so I kept browsing to find a cheaper way and here I find your blog. Girl that PC look is FABULOUS. Do you know if they come in a 10inch length? I am at work now but as soon as I get off I am on my way to Michael’s. Thank you sister!
April 5th, 2010 at 5:04 PM
Thanks for your comment Shinika. I haven’t been keeping up with the blog (as you can see), but I do have some updated photos of this look (did it again last Nov/Dec). http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2157143&id=5010862&l=f34c97e554
As far as 10 inch length, pipe cleaners come very long (at least 12 inches). I simply cut mine to size as needed. In this post, I had to cut them in half, but as my hair grew longer, I cut at various places depending on the length of the locs.