Black Beauty & Hair magazine

Issue: April / May 2005.

Bridal Special: Cultural Roots.

Locks can be just as elegant when doing special occasion styles, says Morris Aberdeen of natural hair salon Morris Roots.

Traditionally, the image of locks hasn’t been one of versatility, beauty or sophistication. And surely this is what’s called for on this special day. Every bride at her wedding wishes to look and feel like a princess. You’re the one person who lights up the room and all eyes will be on you. With well kept locks, all that’s required is to wash and condition the hair, twist or roll into a chignon or let loose to achieve a wavy look.

PRIDE magazine

Issue: December 2004.

Fashion, Beauty & Health: Hair Trends.

All you need to know before you go natural.

Morris Roots Award-winning stylist and natural hair expert Morris Aberdeen on the direction of natural hair for 2005.

What styles can we expect to see more of in 2005?

Locs are going to be the next catwalk style. People are looking back at the history of Egyptians and Rastafarians for inspiration.

As natural becomes more popular, what techniques will emerge?

I am developing a two-file row technique. Single style locs, two-strand twist and basket weave up dos are also very poular. Movement is important – clients want to wear their hair in styles that flow.

What advice can you give women who want to go natural?

I always ask people to sit down and think about why they want to convert to natural hair. If it’s for fashion purposes, you will soon get bored. You need a certain type of confidence and attitude to wear natural styles. There are no fringes or strands of hair to hide behind, a lot of emphasis is placed on your face. I always ask clients to come in for a consultation and maybe even try natural extension to ease themselves in slowly.

What are the best products to use on natural hair?

We have a range at the salon called Morris Roots. Black Erath, Nubian Natural and Back To Eden also make good products. The other option is to mix your own scalp treatment with essential oils, jojoba and tea tree oil.

To book an appointment or consultation with Morris, call 020 8672 8003.

LockIt Up! Pride & Beauty

Have you ever looked around lately and noticed the number of people who have made ‘natural’ the preferred way to wear their hair? What’s more is that each year, hundreds of us are specifically choosing locks. You dont have to look very far these days to see a dazzling array of head turning locks styles on your high street, in magazines, even in your circle of friends.

So what’s the attraction? As little as twenty years ago choosing to have a head of ‘dreadlocks’ typically meant risking negative reactions from your closest family and friends. Positive images were hard to find in popular press. Of course, a range of high profile celebrities has contributed to changing perceptions about locks. But in reality, the decision to locks-up is a much more personal process.

Most people gravitate towards locks because they are seeking/embracing a more Afro-centric way of expressing their beauty. Ask a group of people to describe their locks and words like ‘pride’, ‘culture’ and ‘beauty’ will crop up again and again.

Rising awareness of health issues has also been a major factor. Increased information about the harmful effects od chemically treated hair has frightened many people into seeking out natural alternatives. Natural styles like the afro, cornrows, twist or Bantu Knots can now be maintained and nurtured with growing ranges of complimentary herbal products.

large numbers of people have been inspired by the creativity of a new generation of natural stylists/Lockticians who are exploring ways of cultivating, styling, colouring and cutting locks/natural hair. The use of tools (Sisterlocks, comb-twisted locks, lock latching) has taken maintenance and styling to another level.

If you’re interested in starting and maintaining your own locks here are some tips to get you on your way.

• The whole process of growing locks can take 3-12 months, depending on the type of hair. Coarse hair tends to lock more easily than curly hair. Patience is the key.
• Start with at least an inch to two inches of virgin hair.
• Shampoo, condition and blot dry – leaving the hair slightly damp.
• Moisturise your hair using a base oil (jojoba, sweet almond, evening primrose). Avoid using wax based products as they clog pores and create dryness.
• Have hair twisted – single or double twists are good options for starting locks.
• Start from the nape of the neck in horizontal rows and work your way towards the front of the head.
• Use a nylon or silk scarf at night to keep hair in place and retain moisture.
• Moisturise your scalp as often as needed.
• Visit your locktician every 3-6 weeks to have new growth re-twisted.
• Wash or cleanse your hair every 3-6 weeks depending on the texture.

Picture: Hair by Morris Roots

Good Hair Day

UK Stylists Beat The Best In America

Three of Britain’s best natural hair stylists are celebrating after beating off stiff competition from hairdressers in the United States at an international hair show

Andela Plummer, of Sour 2 Sweet Hair Salon in Tottenham, north London, won the World’s Best Braider category at the World Natural Hair Health and Beauty Show in Atlanta, Georgia.

The 35 year old, who has braided r&b singer Usher and Labour MP Oona King among others, flew out to America with hair locking expert Morris Roots and top barber Pekka to compete among the worlds top stylists.

Roots who has groomed the locks of Choice FM presenter Angie Le Mar and soca artist Bunji Garlin, came second in the Creative Lock Styling category, and Pekka, who co-owns his barbershop Diligence, was also second in the ‘Keep It Real’ Barbering competition.

The trio are the first British hairdressers to win awards in the annual international hair show.

Plummer, whose idea it was to enter the competition, told New Nation: Before all of us left we all said we were going to support each other whatever happens.

None of us were looking to get second and first place.

Each stylist was judged on hair, make-up and outfit as well as the confidence of the model to carry off the look.

Roots, whose designs were inspired by Kenyan Masai warriors and Ethopian women, said the Americans were surprised that the three British stylists had won the awards.

He said: I think in Britain locks has not matured the way it has in America for the reason that America has a long history of black people and slavery as opposed to Britain.

With Angela, Pekka and I going there and coming away with important places it allows the [American] people to look at the talent here and appreciate what we’ve got.

I think they were surprised. The work, to them, should have come from America.

He added: We are trying to say to them that we’ve also got the skill and the knowledge and it should be looked upon with respect.

To win, Plummer and Roots had to complete a quarter of their model’s hair within two hours and 40 minutes and Pekka, 30, who has been cutting hair for 15 years, was given 45 minutes to complete his model’s hair design from scratch.

They all took home trophies and Plummer won $1000 (