The Knotty Truth: Ananda Cann

1. What was your inspiration to grow locks?
Locs have always been gorgeous to me. I have admired them ever since I was a little girl, but what actually inspired me to loc my hair is the low maintenance of locs. When I was in undergrad at Hampton University I was a loose natural. I mainly wore my hair in two strand twists. This was due to the fact that it was an easy, cute, low maintenance hair style. I became accustomed to the ease of waking up in the morning and having my hair already ready for the day.  However, on the weekends I would have to take out my twist, wash, detangle and then retwist my hair again. This was a very time consuming process.

When I was accepted into graduate school, I knew I would not have time to retwist my hair every weekend. I was also concerned with finding a local hair stylist experienced with natural hair. That's when I decided this was a time to start my loc journey! 


2. How long did it take for you to begin your lock journey, once you knew that’s what you wanted?
It took me about a month. I really wanted to make sure this is what I really wanted to do. My interest in locing my hair started during the pandemic lock down. I just finished undergrad so I had time and availability to do research and ask my family and friends for advice. 

Since I was starting a new chapter in my life, I wanted to start the transition before I left for Graduate school.

3.What was the greatest opposition you faced when starting your lock journey
I was hesitant about locing my hair at first. I was not sure how other people would receive my loc journey. Although natural hair is more common, I was not sure how it would be accepted in different environments. I had supportive friends and family who supported my journey.

4. How did you overcome it?
I overcame this opposition by speaking with friends, family, and Soror Michele (The Knotty Truth). Soror Michele (The Knotty Truth) was very supportive and talked me through her loc journey. It is always great to have someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in this process. I also spent a week or so thinking things over and shortly realized my concerns were my own internal fears. The loc journey was in my heart. I stepped out on faith and proceeded on. 

5. How long do you intend to keep your locks?
I plan on keeping my locs forever. My locs will forever be a part of me. I made that decision the day I installed the two strand twist. 

6.What do you enjoy most about your lock journey?
Watching my hair change every month is what I enjoy the most. I love the uniqueness of every baby loc. I love that I can just throw them in a bun or low pony-tail when I have class. Also, I love compliments and talking to others that are inspired to loc their hair.


You can follow my loc journey on instagram @_wanda.nanda_