Hi there!
Introduce Yourself
I'm Erin (obviously). Just found this site a few days ago, looking for ideas about shampoo. I was totally caught up in reading about the general consensus about wax being harmful, and I'm grateful for the info that was provided. I'm definitely NOT using it anymore, and currently trying to remove all the stuff that is probably stuck in my dreads still with a combo of DHHQ shampoo, super hot waterand dish soap. I think I've been making some progress because I can feel the wax coming out of the tips each time I wash.
I've had my dreads for about 6 months now, but I had them previously for several years and ended up shaving them off in a ritual of sorts. I have missed them constantly since then and decided to give it another go. Mine were formed with a weird combo of interlocking/back combing. I also did some very open woven embroidery wraps that I've since removed. My first set of dreads were formed with yarn wraps and they were super tight, but I also didn't like the smell the wraps gave them so I decided not to do that this time around. I'm stuck between wishing I had gone the more natural route but also glad that mine formed pretty quickly due to the "corporate dread" method because of work.I'm trying not to be a control freak about it though. I'm grateful for any bit of progress I've made.
So, about me...I'm 32 and I'm married. We have a total of 5 kids between the 2 of us. 2 are ones I gave birth to. I'm what you'd call a "natural mom", or "attachment parent". My kids eat up most of my time until they are old enough for school. Considering home schooling but I'm not sure I have the ability to do that. I work nights as a dancer in a club and I've been at it for about 7 years, hence the reason I want dreads that are a little neater and more groomed looking. Customers are always commenting on my hair and saying they like it orasking, "why would you do that? you're so pretty without dreads! blah blah blah". Much like my tattoos, I didn't decide on having dreadlocks toplease other people. I do it becauseI feel it is the mostaestheticallyinteresting hairstyle I could have and also because dreads areart to me. Each lock isunique and beautiful.I'm not by any means a Rasta but art is my spirituality and I take my art seriously.Each person with dreads has a distinctly personal story behind their hair journey and that is so cool to me. It takes hard work and dedication, patience and love.Many ignorant people claim that dreadlocks make a person look lazy or dirty. I think the opposite.
Well, sorry this has turned into a novel. Hope everyoneis having a great weekend.
updated by @erin2: 02/14/15 04:46:25AM