Forum Activity for @tara-c

Milestone!

General Talk

This happened a few weeks ago, but I haven't been as active on here as I usually am, so I'm making the topic now.

A few weeks ago, I was in a pet shop buying my dog his food, and while minding my own business, casually perusing the toy section, I came across a woman who gave my the most disgusted glare I had ever seen in my entire life. My dreads are very messy, so obviously they offended her to the point where she just COULD NOT allow this disgust to pass by without expressing it to me. I just smiled because it was the first negative reaction my dreads had gotten, and far from being annoyed, I was happy with the milestone. Now all I need is a positive reaction from a random person and I'll have the whole list

On another note, I'm glad my mum wasn't with me. When I was younger it was a hot day and I was at a farm, and I was wearing a coat. I always wore jackets and coats and never took them off no matter how hot it was. Anyway, some woman with her family walked by and she said, "Look at that freak," to her kids. When I told my mum about it, she tried to drag me around the farm asking if I could see her so she could confront her. So...I'm glad she wasn't here this time to do the same thing, haha.

updated by @tara-c: 01/13/15 10:00:17PM

Long Emotional rant, not 100% dread related.

General Talk

I can't give you any advice, because I've never been close to the stuff you've gone through or are going through, so I apologise for that. But I want to say, please don't make the mistake of thinking no-one here cares just because they don't know you personally. I care that people are suffering even if I don't know them, I wish everyone happiness. That being said, do all that you can do to ensure you don't die, because your children no doubt love you and would benefit from having you in their lives. It's hard to balance making an honest living and not 'selling your soul,' but I truly hope that you do find that balance and find some way of supporting yourself and those you love financially as well as emotionally. And you deserve it, because I know it's a huge thing to step out of previous circumstances and try to turn your life around from doing things that were bad. It doesn't make you evil, though, you just have to strive towards being the best person you can be, and letting go of any past quarrels or hatred in order to better embrace any love or comfort you have to give or receive.

Again, I hope with all my being that you find a way through your troubles, and I hope you don't give up, because I know you have the strength to work through these tough times. Much love and respect to you.

When people tell you how to maintain your hair

General Talk

My parents would constantly tell me I should comb them out until my scalp is better (I had terrible eczema on my scalp at the time) and then get them done at a proper salon, an African salon. Well, naturally I told them of the evils of salons (or ignorance, if not evil) and the products and methods and the risks involved. Naturally it went in one ear and out the other. I was saying the same thing every time they asked, which was literally more than 30 times. It was horribly annoying and tiring, and it hurts because it makes you feel like what you say is of such little value that it's not worth even remembering. But there came a turning point; my dreads started looking like dreads, and my scalp cleared up, therefore alleviating my parents' concerns, so they stopped. For them, the messiness wasn't ever a big deal, really, they just didn't see that they'd dread on their own.

For you, I've seen your pictures and good Lord, your dreads looked like dreads after one month so I'm guessing it's the mess that people say these things about. In which case, tell them it's your decision and you'd rather messy, healthy dreads than perfect-looking dreads that will fall off after a few years. You don't need to justify yourself to anyone.

crochet dreads recovery Need help and advise

General Questions

Ah, I love loops, enjoy 'em. I loved reading this, because you were willing to listen to the advice from other members and help your dreads get healthier, and now they're looking loads better and will continue to get better as time goes on. Don't worry about the loose hair though, I combed out six or seven of my dreads so I have LOTS of loose hair, but it dreads eventually

Hair dye!!

General Questions

You can dye them at any time, but I've been told that some dyes have conditioner in them, so you'd do better to get one without a conditioner if your dreads are still young-ish.

Bit worried about my progress - some advice or reassurance required :/

Dreadlocks Journey Emotional Support

They actually look exactly like they're meant to lol. As we speak, at the back of my head, I have a small dread that looks just like yours. And mine are two years old (it's a newish dread though). It's the process hair goes through as it dreads. I mean, not all of them, but a lot of them. Everyone's hair dreads at different speeds too, but don't worry, it's perfectly normal, as is the loose hair.

updated by @tara-c: 02/05/15 10:12:49AM

why dreadlocks?

Introduce Yourself

I've always loved dreads, but never bothered nor even considered having dreads myself. Then I started listening to reggae more (I'd never been much of a fan until a couple of years ago), and so of course I was seeing more of dreads, so thought, "What if I had dreads?" and looked into it and decided it's what I wanted. It was 90% shallow, physical, just about the hairstyle itself. But part of it was because I was, and still am, suffering from long-term health issues. It took away so many aspects of control in my life, and I felt like deciding to dread would be the one thing I'd be able to control, that my sickness wouldn't take away from me.

Curly hair... different textures.... HELP!

Dreads Hair and Scalp Health

The front takes longer to dread up, possibly because you don't sleep on the front of your head. Just be patient

Is the baking soda/vinegar combo really the best?

Dread Maintenance

I use the baking soda and apple cider vinegar. I used an all-natural shampoo before that that I was happy with, however, I had terrible eczema on my scalp that resulted in flakes, and NOTHING would get them out. Three washes of baking soda and apple cider vinegar later and all of the flakes were gone. I would 100% recommend it. Also some essential oils too.

updated by @tara-c: 07/23/15 08:16:58AM

Is the baking soda/vinegar combo really the best?

Dread Maintenance

Surely knowing how to wash your dreads and keep them clean and healthy is a good idea?

phil said:

Just leave your hair alone ... Forget u even have it , you'll be better off than listening to all this bullshit .