| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 26 2011 : 10:57:22 AM
I have always loved dreads. And I have been thinking about doing my hair this way for a long time. And seriously the past week or so I really want to do it. I have watched some videos on how to get them started. My hair is about to the middle of my back now and I always just wear it pulled back. I don't think I want my whole head in dreads. Just the bottom part mainly.
But I am almost 53 years old. Is that too old to do this? I have always been a hippy and a free spirit so I say why not? I just talked to my hubby about it and he's fine with it. My youngest granddaughter wants her hair this way too. She hates to have her hair combed and it already looks like she has dreads. So I tried a little bit this morning. She liked it. She spent the night with us last night. So she'd love this.
The only thing is that it takes so long to get them to look right. And then the washing. I just watched someone's video of their 3 year dread anniversary. She was talking about what a hassel it is to wash them. It's mainly the drying part that's hard. Gives her a head ache they're so heavy when they are wet. She said once at a water park she had her hair up and she was going down a water slide and got whip lash! From her hair! Ouch!
So anyway, I just wondered what y'all thought about dreads. I know a few of you have them. Can you tell me your journey and what made you do it and what you like most about them? Some say it's a spiritual thing. So anything you have to say, I will listen. Any advice to a newby.
Happiness is simple. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 31 2011 : 8:10:13 PM
Thanks, Rachel. I will check it out.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| rksmith |
Posted - May 30 2011 : 1:48:41 PM
www.dreadheadhq.com I put the comma too close in the last post. Yeah the shaved head was awesome but got pretty chilly once it hit winter, lol.
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 30 2011 : 07:57:14 AM
Lisa, I would love to have seen her hair. And to hear y'all play. Do y'all have anything on youtube? I got my granddaughter to take a picture of my hair yesterday. So I will have a before picture.
Jenny, you should try it too. You are the same age as me. We have earned it for sure!
Rachel, I hope you are able to have them again some day. It's a shame there are things like this to keep you from it. I have thought about shaving my head several times before. It just looks so cool and free. But I don't have the face for it. I tried that link and it won't come up for me. I will try it another way. I have been watching some videos and looking at pictures. need to talk to some people that have dreads now and see how they got started. I need to research before I jump in. I don't want to do it the wrong way and regret it.
kris
Happiness is simple. |
| rksmith |
Posted - May 30 2011 : 07:17:34 AM
When I got them, my dad has some pretty nasty and snide things to say but I told him it's my hair and I'll do what I want with it (and the dreads came several years after I shaved my head bald on a whim one time--which I got alot of crap for too, but I enjoyed it until winter anyway, lol)my mom said her usual "If you like it honey I love it" my niece loved it and most importantly I loved it. I don't regret it. To the people who asked the stupid questions --well I can't repeat exactly what I said in reply but--I told them no I wasn't dating anyone at the time and no I hadn't changed religions I did it because I wanted to and if they didn't like it they could go----. I thought it was kind of funny how the old people liked it. From what I can find in my family history, I'm quite the mutt-Irish, Scot, Dutch, Germ and Creek so I'm quite sure dreads and killer braids were in there somewhere!! This is really making me miss my lovelies alot!! Well see if I go back to dreads or just do some braids soon. Oh and Kristin, check out www.dreadheadhq.com, they have tons of info on there and that's where I got my dread stuff. They have a shampoo for dreads that is pretty good, but I am the type that likes to wash my hair daily I can't stand not washing it and now that the psoriasis and flakes are under control I still can't stand to not wash my hair daily.
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - May 29 2011 : 11:26:20 PM
I say go for it Kristin. I think dreads are way cooler than a tattoo. I bet my hair would do dreads pretty easily..curly and tangly naturally. Doubt I could pull it off but I think if that is what you want to do ..you should!! I am 52 and I do alot more of what I please now than ever before. We have earned it!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| lwm |
Posted - May 29 2011 : 9:32:59 PM
Annika, I like that statement: You are never too old to be yourself.
I'm writing it down. |
| nubidane |
Posted - May 29 2011 : 3:03:52 PM
Hey Kris
Hubs & I play in a Sousa style band & we play several Memorial Day gatherings
One today was at an old cemetery & the photog for the local paper (girl) had dreads that were past her knees! (& this is in a smll rural farm community)
I SOOO wish I had my camera(or phone)
Heck, she was taking pics of us, so it's only fair! YOu would have loved them.
I thought of you.
Good Luck..
& yes, we will expect pics.. So get ready NOW! |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 29 2011 : 09:56:28 AM
Corrine, my mom and step dad say for me to go for it too. That's just strange that my Dd would say that. She just worked 3rd shift and had not been to bed yet either. So I'll see how she feels later this afternoon. I love short hair too. My oldest granddaughter wants her hair so short. Maybe I'll see if we can find a good stylist to cut hers.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| BarefootGoatGirl |
Posted - May 29 2011 : 09:08:10 AM
kristin, your daughter sounds like my mom...yes, there is a certain type of person who gets dreads. the freespirited individual who knows who they are doesn't really give a fig what others think. get your dreads, love them, and eventualy your family will get use to them. my mom and sister really were upset with me when i cut my hair off, they said i'd look "butch." three years later they are use to it and admit that i do not look mannish at all. infact, i look like a sprite. if i ever grow my hair again it will be for dreads.
rachel, about the black comment...every ancient culture sported dreads at one time or another. they are not a "black thing." most recently celtic warriors wore dreads as did the most vikings and the spiritual leaders of many north american indian tribes. no matter what your lineage, there is a very good chance that your ansisotors at some time or another sported dreads!
www.barefootfashion.wordpress.com
http://www.corrinemackrell.carbonmade.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 29 2011 : 06:56:16 AM
My daughter and her husband just came out to bring a load of firewood from a tree that fell from the tornadoes. I told her what I was wanting to do and that I wish she'd help me later. She could not believe I wamted to do this. And She said isn't it a certain type of person that has them? Um... And when I said I didn't want my whole head in dreads, just the bottom, so it looked more "natural" and that it takes a good 3 years for them to look good, Jason said,"You mean they look good?" Hm..... So then Abby says she can't support me in this. Hm...... So I guess I know how they feel. I want to ask her later what kind of person she thinks I am.
Rachel, that's cool that the older people liked it. I figured way down there that people would have a strange reaction to dreads. But to be asked that? That's so crazy. I just don't know why people can't let people be who they want to be and leave them alone. The girl that taught me how to make soap has dreads and she would go to the farmer's market in Chattanooga. That's where I met her. I am just drawn to people like this. I noticed alot of people looking at her when we'd be talking. Just strange looks. She's moving to Oregon where she thinks she'll fit in more. I don't know. I guess I am just a different type person. I alwyas have been. I never was like everyone else. I was the one who drove the yellow VW for years when my kids were growing up. They were always embarrased. Til they got out of school. Abby ended up with that VW and she loved it.
I have been watching videos about how to start dreads. I definetely don't want my hair to look like it was "done" that way. Like perfect little squares of dreads all in a row. I have an idea in my head of how I want it to look. And really it's more like the "neglet" method. My hair has always looked like that anyway. But with a little more structure, I guess. If anyone has seen Crystal Bowersox, that's what I have more in mind for mine. I like the loose hairs.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| rksmith |
Posted - May 28 2011 : 6:35:13 PM
Pembroke has definitely not changed. The first thing out of EVERYONE'S mouth who saw me (and would actually talk to me, most people around here avoid me, lol) was "when did you start dating a black guy" I told them that I never knew that was a requirement for having dreads! Then I was asked if I changed my religion...Nope--just always wanted dreads and finally decided to go for it. I got a killer black tam to tuck them in when I was at work too. Lots of my old ladies in the nursing home loved it (and the dreads) lol...to think I got alot less crap from them than the young people, lmao.
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 28 2011 : 07:53:48 AM
I think they look great, Rachel. I hope one day you can do it again. I was wondering, living in such a small town in S. Ga., how did people react to your hair that way? I have been to Pembroke but not lately and maybe it's changed some since. I am seeing it more and more here and I think it's getting to be more of a natural thing. But still there are the "looks". But there are also so many ways to wear them that look really nice.
Heather, in the video I watched she said she uses a ketchep type bottle of water with some baking soda and about 15 drops of Dr. Bronner's soap. About once a week in summer. I only wash my hair about once a week anyway. Hate washing it. I did last night and didn't even brush it. It's naturally curly. So I will study some more and maybe talk to some people who have dreads to see how they got started and how they maintain them. I am ready to start this new journey. And I will check out the sister locks too. Thanks.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| rksmith |
Posted - May 28 2011 : 07:18:01 AM
That's about the best pic I have of my dreads and unfortunately it's not that great, but I still look at it alot in rememberance, lol
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
| rksmith |
Posted - May 28 2011 : 07:15:08 AM
Oh yeah, I so loved the dreads and miss them ALOT! I still think about getting them again, but of course DH doesn't like them so I do consider his opinion especially since we're always together, lol. He's cool with the braids when I do them though, he just prefers my hair being down all the time. I recently got 13 inches cut off and he flipped, lol but now he likes it alot more because I wear it down rather than always pulled back (because it always got in the way!). I think you'll love your dreads--go for it.
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - May 27 2011 : 10:41:21 PM
For a little girl you need to be careful to do the dreads right so as not to hurt her hair (damage). I would look for a loctition to help you. I love "sister" locs on little girls, I will probably be getting my oldest DD (she's 4 y/o) sister locs this fall. They are easier to manage and wash cause they are very tiny, you also get larger range of hair styles with them because of their smallness. The only down side is, as far as I know this has been being used in Mexico for at least 10 years (cause I seen them there on my honey moon 10 years ago) but here in the states they are still fairly new. I know I have asked all over about them, but didn't know their "branded" name, and never could get anyone to understand what I wanted. Ironically I was invited to a house party a few months ago and a woman was saying she was going all natural and had put her hair in these locs just recently. I said that's what I have been looking for for 10 years! And trying especially hard to find some one to do them for my DD1 for at least 2 years now. She said well they were still fairly new in the USA and she had to go to another state to take classes on doing them, but she's going to teach me, so I can do them for my DD. Any way......do a google on sister locs and you will see what I am talking about. My children are African American. However, the sister locs I seen every one doing them in Mexico (cause the Mexican women where I was, was offering to literally do them for 60 dollars in a chair sit on the side walk!) and a lot of the tourists I was on the cruise with had them done, mainly none african american women, and they looked GREAT. I have wanted to do my hair the same ever since (cause I too am not AA-my husband is though, I'm Mexican, well I am AA too but like 5 generations back! lol So not much left in my hair! lol My hair is mainly a mixture of Mexican and Native American now) I too tire of "doing" my hair and know this can look almost professional on non african american hair, at the same time looks to me like it would take a lot of hassle out of doing hair.
Not that there is anything wrong with looking hippy, I myself have my own style, but I "have" to look professional on a regular basis due to my own life style choices, and so I was really drawn to these, cause they looked professional even on non AA women, and again still seemed like it would take a LOT of hassle out of styling hair.
On that note about the washing, when my mother and I have had hair styles that were kept in a certain place for extended periods of time, we did NOT use shampoo, as shampoo is very hard to rinse out of hair with out agitation (and therefore ruining the "do".) use baking soda, and then rinse with water. And it rinses out much easier with out residue left over from not having enough agitation.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| CMac |
Posted - May 27 2011 : 8:25:26 PM
I think dreads are way cooler than a tattoo!
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 27 2011 : 7:58:42 PM
Rachel, I'm so sorry. It sounds like this is something that you get really attached to. I notice people saying "them" or "they" alot. Like in a very personal way.
Marilyn, they do look really freeing in a way. But I don't see why they don't look "professional". I have seen people with dreads that look really good. But I guess in certain situations I can see your dad's point. So maybe later?
Connie and Annika, ya know how people get tattoo's or piercings at a certain age? Well, I want dreads. And I have noticed all week that my hair is kind of wanting the same thing. It's forming little separate long curly dread type thingies. I have not brushed my hair all week either. Just pulled it back into a pony tail. So it must want to do this as much as I want to. Isn't that kind of strange that it already almost looks "dreadish"? I think this will be so fun. And I will probably be wondering why I have not done this sooner.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Annika |
Posted - May 26 2011 : 8:11:19 PM
I want dreads too!!! I'm 50 and really am still a earth child hippy at heart. You are never too old to be yourself  Do it Kris!!!!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| edlund33 |
Posted - May 26 2011 : 7:45:16 PM
Go for it Kristin! I got my hair done up in tiny braids and dreadlocks when I was in Jamaica. I kept them for a few months after I came home but my dad eventually convinced me to cut them off because I looked unprofessional at work. They were fun while they lasted!
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
| CMac |
Posted - May 26 2011 : 6:44:29 PM
I say why not! You have no one to answer to but yourself. I love the spirit they express. If I ever did them I would do them like Whoopie Goldburgs. I love the way they bounce when she shakes her head!
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| rksmith |
Posted - May 26 2011 : 6:21:53 PM
i LOVE dreads too. I had dreads a few years ago. I loved them (and miss them alot) but finally had to take them out before they locked because I couldn't stand not washing my hair--and having psoriasis and a crappy scalp don't help much. I'd put stuff in my hair that helped but I just couldn't handle not washing it. Yeah I cried like a baby when I took them out. It took all day to do them. My niece did them for me--I ordered a kit from dreadhead.com with everything you need for dreads. When I get to seriously missing the dreads, I just put my hair in tons of tiny braids. Not exactly the same but it helps. At any rate if you want it go for it! I'd love to see a pic ;)
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 26 2011 : 5:20:11 PM
I have a friend who's son has dreads. We were talking a few weeks ago and we both want to do this and said we should do it together. And from what I have seen watching videos is that I will need to have a good friend to help. So I will call her and see if she is still wanting to do it and get with her to do this. I don't think I want the whole way though. I like the loose hairs and the partial look where it's still like hair on top with dreads on the bottom. So I will play around with it and see what I like. Yeah, I think it was in one of the videos Lisa showed that said ya need a good friend to help. Because apparently it could take days to do it. I could do some of hers then she could do some of mine. Anyway. we'll see. I am excited to do this.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| BarefootGoatGirl |
Posted - May 26 2011 : 5:01:02 PM
i love dreads! the only thing that kept me from putting them in this past fall was not being able to find someone to do them for me. i was at a point that i couldn't stand my hair anymore, it was either dreads or the sissors. i say go for it! they are beautiful!
www.barefootfashion.wordpress.com
http://www.corrinemackrell.carbonmade.com |
| nubidane |
Posted - May 26 2011 : 1:16:10 PM
Kris
Check out this girl's website. She has a pretty detailed post here
http://walkslowlylivewildly.com/2010/01/18/three-year-dreadiversary/ |
| Lessie Louise |
Posted - May 26 2011 : 11:08:43 AM
Go for it! My 35 year old son has dreads past his waist, has had them for about 9 years. They are very heavy. I spent Mother's ay with him in Sacramento and almost everywhere he went he got compliments. He has a good pic on his facebook page, just email me and I'll get you the info to see them.
I just turned53, and just in the past few years realized it is ok to do what I want, that's really the only person I have to live with!!
....it's what's inside a women, when she's up against the land.
Farmgirl #680!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lessielouise22 |
