So I am almost two months into my dreadie journey. I've hunted and have gotten my hands on some glass and also some wooden custom beads, spent some time and taught my hubby how to do hair wraps with embroidery thread. I started off with T&R followed by neglect. I used the locking gel from dreadlockshampoo.com for a few weeks and then gave up on it, I'm keeping it around for times when I might need to smooth my dreads out for a special occasion. I do think it helped them not come out as quick, but besides that really don't know.
Each dread has a good 3-4 inches of undreaded hair at the ends, which I like because it curls and lets my hair dry way faster. Roots are locking up and after only two short months I'm having to make sure that I keep them separated. So needless to say I'm uber happy with my progress so far.
I'm thankful and also happy that having dreads has allowed me to just not give a crap about my hair anymore, no fighting with it everyday to make it do what I want. I gave all of my hair products and left over shampoo and conditioner to a good friend of mine, made her day The bathroom is less cluttered now and that makes me feel better too.
I did have several dreads come completely out at my hairline and have been debating re T&Ring them, half my hairline is a curly mess and the other half is baby dreads that didn't come out.
My friends and family for the most part have either given me positive feedback or kept their comments to themselves. Well besides one of my grandmothers, she felt the need to tell me they look dirty. But this is the same woman that complained because my husbands hair/dreads is down to the middle of his back now. Oh and the reason my son when he was a newborn only wanted mommy and no one else was because I breastfed him and held him too much. Needless to say her snarky comments usually slide off like butter on a hot skillet.
The initial itchiness I had was gone after a couple short weeks, and I haven't been having any problems with dandruff for the first time in my life. Washing twice a week with BS/ACV and EO's; Rosemary, Lavender, Peppermint, and a bit of Tea Tree Oil. LOVE how it makes my hair smell and I usually add a little of the Lavender and Rosemary to my ACV rinse as well. I never smell vinegar in my hair, just my lovely EOs.
I love some of the comments that I got from out local Mom's Group right after I did my hair. Everything from them arguing with their husbands about wanting dreads to people saying that it always seemed like I was supposed to have dreads and that they fit me and my personality so well
Thanks to everyone who has offered their support to far and all the great information and opinions I've found on here ^_^ Blessed Be.