Every Style Issue #5

Every

Style has- a

Story

Issue #5: “How It’s Done”

Featuring Sisterlocks Master Stylist

Calla Johnson

Every Style

has a Story

Issue #5: “How It’s Done” Master Stylist: Calla Johnson Some people are not big on words, they just get stuff done!

That would be the case for our Master Stylist, Calla Johnson.

It’s not that she is shy or can’t find the words to use or anything like that. In fact she is quite articulate when it comes to styling, coloring, cutting and maintaining natural hair, and especially Sisterlocks. It’s just that talking about it is one thing and actually demonstrating mastery is quite another.

To put is briefly, Calla would simply rather show you how it’s done!

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“Practical, adaptable, contemporary styling that is unafraid to push the limits. That’s how Calla gets it done!”

Dr. JoAnne Cornwell Sisterlocks Originator

T

oday, Calla lives in Atlanta and enjoys a sense of belonging. That doesn’t seem the least bit surprising to those who know her. Atlanta is a happenin’ place, and Calla is a happenin’ kind of woman! She is business minded, socially engaged and she has a youthful approach to life, kind of like the city itself.

It’s also not surprising that her approach to styling reflects these qualities too. It’s practical, current and ready to push the limits whenever the need arises. Her styles are also about creative adaptation, as you’ll see in the following pages.

This trait is something Calla developed over time, starting long before she moved to Atlanta.

Calla was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There, the social environment was pretty much the polar opposite to Atlanta. She refers to her early experience there as “very diverse and very cold!” There was little or no focus on ethnicity and at the same time, the people in her life didn’t focus on healthy, natural hair care. Obviously, Calla could have come away with lots of negative feelings, but she chose to go with positive side of things. For example, because she was not so much into braids, weaves and the over-use of heat and chemicals, her hair remained healthier. Furthermore, she did not have to develop a relationship with her natural hair (like most of us!) Natural hair is what she knew best!

When she moved to Atlanta in 1994, her plan

was to get a BA in Interior Design. However, as a single parent of two children, she needed a useful skill to put food on the table. It was not a far stretch from interior design to hair design, so, cosmetology school it was! By the time she had graduated in ‘96 she could begin putting together the two most powerful elements of her skill set - a deep comfort level working with natural hair and a strong background as a stylist.

At that time though, over 2 decades ago, it was very unusual for cosmetologist to be interested in natural hair. Calla’s perseverance ultimately led her to Taliah Waajid’s ground-breaking natural hair and braiding salon. “I felt the natural spirit there, and I knew this is where I needed to be.” There, she learned about natural hair care and braiding from the best.

This is also where she learned about Sisterlocks because people would sometimes come into the salon asking about it. One day, she picked up a book with something in it about Sisterlocks, and the rest is history. She took our 4-day consultant training course, and three months later she had a large enough Sisterlocks clientele to leave the salon and start building her own practice.

Calla’s skills as a Sisterlocks stylist are truly ‘top drawer.’ The beauty of this is not just in the styles themselves. We also see this in the selfless way she shares her knowledge with others. “My focus now is educating young entrepreneurs who would like to start a new life in natural hair care.” Sweet!

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Two Heads, 12 Amazing Looks

Hannah loves just plain Freestyle!

Part it left. Part it right. Part it down the middle, but just enjoy the casual freedom of this timeless look for short to medium-length hair.

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Nyima rocks an Asymmetrical Crest.

What about the back? Let’s see .... Flat twist? Basket weave? Fish tail braid? Your choice.

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Styled by: Calla Johnson Sisterlocks Master Stylist

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What’s that in Nyima’s hair, you ask? Well,

it’s Marley Hair synthetic fiber. Normally this material would be dyed to match the person’s textured hair color, then woven, braided or intertwined into the hair to produce a fuller look. But why match the color when you can use it as a fun accent, giving an unexpected contrasting color? Nyima’s spiral rod set leaves plenty of options for adornment. Plus, once the hair piece is removed Nyima’s hair is still style-able.

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As a change-up from look #2, Calla decided to flip

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Nyima’s front crest to the other side, and use a loose, over-the-ear cascade as a counter-balance. Separating the front area from the back also gives both areas more definition.

Fool ‘em with a loose, curly look in front and a Flat twist, Basket weave braid or Fish tail braid in back.

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Styled by: Calla Johnson Sisterlocks Master Stylist

Built with Intention

There are sooooo many variations

on the Mohawk style! However, in the hands of an accomplished stylist like Calla, we might not recognize the resemblance. Check out this beauty of a variation!

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Combine a top knot with freestyle and what do you get? A fashion statement that says “cute,” “casual” and supremely “confident!”

Bangs? Not really. It’s just a partial

top knot with the end left open and arranged to cascade over the forehead.

Clever, Calla!

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Styled by: Calla Johnson Sisterlocks Master Stylist

The Top Knot is Tops!

Embed yout top knot within an

explosion of freestyle ends. It’s sort of a top knot within a top knot.

Two for one!

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Now, Let’s Have Some REAL Fun! “Cute tufts on top of twists.” (Try saying that three times really fast!)

Luckily, creating a tuft on top of a twist is actually easier than saying it.

Just coil a few loose locks around a tuft of hair. Go part way up, leaving the ends loose. Use your imagination on how to arrange them. Here we have four top tufts (another tonguetwister!) with loose sides and back.

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Styled by: Calla Johnson Sisterlocks Master Stylist

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Make small variations to reflect your mood. Pull the sides back (left) or create an asymmetrical accent (below)

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One Head, 5 Great Looks #1 = Curly Freestyle You can’t go wrong with a head full of gorgeous Sisterlocks fresh from a roller set. That’s your foundation.

Follow the next 5 steps to get

from here to the stuning style on the opposite page. Calla makes it look easy!

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Styled by: Calla Johnson Sisterlocks Master Stylist

#2 = Asymmetrical Curly Cascade

Step #1 #1 - After parting off your section, start creating a lateral basket braid over the left ear.

Step #2 #2 - As you move around to the back, be sure to keep the level of the braid close to your section part.

#2 (Continued) #3 - Continue around to the right ear - no farther (See next page for detail.) The braid finishes off in a cluster of curls. #4 - Arrange the remaining ends in a cluster. #5 - Arrange the top to finish off.

Step #3

Step #4

Step #5 14

Styled by: by: Calla Johnson Sisterlocks Master Stylist Styled Calla Johnson Sisterlocks Master Stylist

#3 = A Crown of Ropes!

NOW, TAKE DOWN AND START AGAIN!

#1 Create a basket woven braid moving from the nape of the neck up to the crown area. #2. Stop at the apex, leaving the hair loose on top to shape up later. #3. Now create your ‘ropes’ on both sides by twining several locks around each section of hair. Leave loose hair on the ends here too.

Step #2

Step #3

Step #1

Step #4 #4. Create a few ropes on top too, just in front of the loose hair you left on top. #5. Shape up the loose hair on top.

Step #5 16

Step #6

#6. Now, wrap and twirl your ropes into an attractive nest arount the loose curls.

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THE NEXT STYLE IS EASY!

#4 = A Quick Rope Twist-up Ready ...

Set

TA-DA!

...

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And, finally ...

Step #1

#5 = A Mohawk-Inspired Inverted Braid Step #2

The Grand Finale in Four Steps

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#1. The Take-down. #2. Replace the basket-woven back section with an inverted braid. #3. Extend the braid right to the tip of the hair in front. #4. Shape that end into a neat asymmetrical coil.

Step #3

Step #4

Styled by: Calla Johnson Sisterlocks Master Stylist

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The WIN That Started it All

In 2007 when Sisterlocks created the

“Master Stylist” concept, we knew there were talented people like Calla out there who were ready to help take Sisterlocks to the next level in styling. We just didn’t know how talented they were!

All of the invited stylists were top notch, but Calla put the icing on the cake with her wedding-themed presentation of styles. Her versatility in styling is what took her over the top.

Remember, many of the styles that are common with Sisterlocks and other natural systems today were being INVENTED back in 2007. Calla was definitely a major force in that innovation.

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Styled by: Calla Johnson Sisterlocks Master Stylist

Show Off What You’re Workin’ With

Calla’s work shows off her superior styhling skills, especially when she is presented

with challenges like too much or too little thickness. Really short, or really long hair will test a stylist’s skills too.

Hair accessories and hair pieces can really come in handy in these cases. Above we see that a barely-medium length style can pop just with the use of an accessory and a creative back angle on the up-do. The cutie below gets to rock a bun, thanks to a form that her short locks are wrapped around, finished off with a bow accessory to camouflage any loose ends.

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The Magic of the Mask Hair extensions have been with us for a very

long time. There are African cultures where these were constructed with natural fibers.

Extensions used today in natural hair styling are manufactured to replicate our hair texture.

Calla prefers Marley hair when building an elaborate style on her Sisterlocks clients.

Left above shows actual hair length. Right above shows extended hair volume.

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Above shows actual hair length.

Right shows finished style with integrated Marley hair done in braids.

Styled by: Calla Johnson Sisterlocks Master Stylist

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Building it Right

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Styled by: Calla Johnson Sisterlocks Master Stylist

Who would have imagined 10 years ago? Yes,

a

big problem for natural sisters today is having TOO MUCH hair! Sisterlocks wearers are experiencing that more and more. Many who used to be able to whip their hair up into a ‘french twist’ now find that they end up with a huge mound of hair.

Well, this style shows onw way that Calla deals with that.

Top/Left: Form a nice, tight flat twist using half of the hair.

Middle/Left: Wrap the remaining hair around the first twist. This gives the twist a good form and a solid foundation.

Bottom/Left: Finish off the front with pin curl style half-bangs.

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Roller Set - A Good Foundation

And in closing, here is a piece of good, practical advice from Calla: If you want

a lasting style, start out with clean hair. Set the hair using Sisterlocks Setting Lotion or Styling Spray as your styling aid. Allow the hair to dry COMPLETELY before styling.

This basic roller set places the rollers at angles according to how you want the shape of the finished style to look. On the opposite page our model shows off the variations you can get from this type of set. The framed pictures go with the flow of the initial set. The pictures of the model in orange show a sassy adaptation that can be achieved with very little effort.

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Styled by: Calla Johnson Sisterlocks Master Stylist

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“Master Stylists like Calla are, first and foremost, Certified Sisterlocks Consultants.”

When you get Sisterlocks, you’re committing to a natural hair management system that is not cheap!

Why would you trust your hair gorgeous locks to someone who has not demonstrated that they are professional all the way?

Sisterlocks has become an institution within the natural hair community precisely because so many of our practitioners commit to uphold our high standards. These are the Consultants you should trust - with your time, with your money, and with your belief in honesty, directness, fairness and skill.

As a client, you should not settle for anything less!

How can you FIND a Certified Sisterlocks Consultant?

Our Info Center has answers!

How can you BECOME a Certified Sisterlocks Consultant?

Our Info Center has answers!

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Q: Calla, tell us, what is your favorite Sisterlocks product?

A: I love the reconstructor, moisture treatment, and herbal moisture spray. There are

many product brands on the market today, but clients need to gain knowledge from their professional consultant or stylist. Not all clients have the same needs when it comes to products. When clients are starting locks of any sort, that requires different product than a client who may have had their locks for many years. Also, some clients have hair and scalp conditions that may not be able to tolerate certain ingredients. The Sisterlocks product line offers a range of products to address each clienet’s specific needs.

Go to THIS PAGE in our Info Center for more on how to use our products,

25% OFF! Retail Only

Order Calla’s favorite Sisterlocks products online and receive her special discount! Just use this coupon code at checkout: CallaLovesThis

Did you find yourself really IDENTIFYING with many of the things in Calla’s eBook? Let her know by sending her a quick note to:

calla@sisterlocks.com

Are you a stylist too? Attach a few pictures of your best Sisterlocks styles!

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Published by Sisterlocks® © Copyright 2017 by Sisterlocks®- All Rights Reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information or reprint authorization, contact the publisher at: 2043 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92104 Email: legal@sisterlocks.com / Website: www.sisterlocks.com Credits: Cover / Content design by Dr. JoAnne Cornwell Creative Design and Content Consultation: Neche Agency Photography: John Byrd, Dennard Clendenin Editorial Assistance: Carol Jenkins Disclaimer: This eBook is for entertainment purposes only. We believe that the content provided is accurate, however, this eBook is not intended as an exhaustive treatment of the subject. No liability is assumed for losses or damages due to the information provided.