I love that I can style them and decorate them in any way I feel is good on any particular day. I can add beads, leather, yarn and feathers, in any colour and it looks like I have stepped out of a dread studio! Better yet, it doesn't cost me a cent because I do it all myself.
Getting dreads three years ago was a dream that I finally fulfilled. Thinking it was the easiest style I would ever have, however was a load of bull twang. I have spent more time working and caring for my dreads that I ever did when I had straight hair! Personally I don't like bushy unkept dreadlocks, I prefer to have kept dreadlocks, which means that I maintain them once a month, I deep soak them once a month and I never ever leave my house looking like dirty dread head.
How do I maintain my dreads? First and foremost, I ensure I have enough time in one day to complete the entire process. I can't do the half a head one day and the other half the next. I put aside 5 hours minimum. Now that my dreads are mature it really only takes me 2 hours.
I tie my dreads into a pineapple on the top of my head and I pull the bottom layer of dreads out around my neckline. I then focus on one dread at a time, gather the loose hair in my thumb and my 'mommy finger'. I roll the hair into a ball (like a good old fashioned kiddies snot ball) yugggg! I then use my 0.5mm crochet hook, put it through my dread at the top close to the dread ball and I pull it into the dread. I do that all the way down the dread and then I palm roll it. This I do with each and every dread. It takes a while to get the hang of it but I am now a pro!
After returning from a backpacking adventure across the Caribbean and and South America, my dreads had grown a good 15cm. My Mamma was fascinated. She spent a few hours crocheting my dreads for me. After a good couple of hours of maintenance and teaching, my Mamma is now a pro too! It is so amazing to hear how she shares information about my dreads and her information is spot on!
Palm rolling is an important part of my daily/weekly routine. Palm rolling gives my dreads a smooth feel and look.
Once I have done my entire head of dreads (50 in total), my dreads have a bouncy feel and they look fantastic! Time to strut my stuff!
Each and every dread has its own character, some are a little thicker than others, but each one has it's own loop or fuzziness. I know each dread intimately.
The other part of dread living that I thoroughly enjoy is the reaction and interest from people on the streets. The first question I am asked is, do you wash your hair? of course I wash my hair! goodness, my usual response is... well do you wash your hair!?! I then take the time to explain my routine and I allow them to touch my dreads (not often due to the sanitary habits that lack in most humans) and I allow them to smell my dreads too.
The shock and horror that most display once touching and smelling my dreads, is worth a million bucks! 'Oh your dreads actually smell nice'. Of course they smell nice! Why wouldn't they smell nice. I use essential oils (lavender and rosemary) in my deep soak regime. Essential oils assist with scalp treatment, they soften my dreads and they make them smell good all the time!
What I love about my dreads? that they turn heads. They turn the heads of people who are usually critical of the way other look. I love that my dreads invite people into my life and my personal space. I am always happy to educate and chat to complete strangers about my beauties! Even more so now after treating my dreadlocks to a colour adventure.
Living with my locs and rocking my locs daily, that's what I do. Remember that dreadlocks is not a hairstyle but a lifestyle!
Until next time!
Blessings
Blu
info@rockinglocs.com
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