Cosmetology School

A Cosmetology license is not required, but is strongly recommended for you to become a professional loctician. I started doing hair in 1999 has a hair braider. I was junior in high school when my mother took me to get my first hair braider's license. I serviced for 15 years with only that license. I worked in cosmetology salons next to stylists doing weaves, relaxers, and color. This is where I sharpened my skills doing locs. Little did I know, I was illegally operating as a cosmetologist.

The title "loctican" wasn't really heard of at that time, nor was it popular to be doing locs. Technically all I could do under a braiders license was shampoo hair, use grease (yes Blue Magic grease!) and use a comb and brush.

Adding hair extensions, hair coloring, and using other styling products were restricted. Those services required a Hair Wrapping License. I gained a good level of success with a braider's license but I also lost some great opportunities because I didn't have a cosmetology license.

I went back to school in 2016 for a full cosmetology license. It was one of the hardest things for me to do at that point in my life. To be honest, I didn't enjoy cosmetology school AT ALL! Imagine being a stylist for 15 years, owning 2 salons, competing in hair shows, styling on hair teams, having NFL and RnB artist clients, becoming an award winning locticain/braider, and now you are back to roller sets and jerry curls!

THAT was my life and I was miserable. I knew every day I wasn't going to do ONE jerry curl service when I graduated. I also knew I had to follow through in order to go to the next level in my career. 14 months later, I became a cosmetologist!

Yaayyyy me!

The opportunities that have opened up just from having a cosmo license is amazing. I became a cosmetologist specializing in locs. You need a cosmo license for the industry, but the schools don't teach you how to do locs. It's important you seek continuing education with a loctican. Ask questions and model techniques from your mentor.

The goal is to be well-versed with styles and techniques so you can have longevity in the industry. Research your state's requirements to obtain a license.