Forum Activity for @elaureng

Dreadlocks Emotional Journey

Life Issues Facing Dreads

I hope you decide to keep them as well. They have taught you such a valuable lesson about healthy love which includes self-love. Loving someone else doesn't mean abandoning love for yourself. Actually, I think healthy self-love makes you more confident and attractive to your mate. You were in that place of self-love when this man originally found you and was attracted to you. Then the shift of all your love to him only, may have been too extreme for the both of you...I don't know if that had anything to do with his leaving the relationship or not,but it happens that way in relationshipsall the time.Anyway, let your dreads be the sirens on the shores of your heart, calling you back to yourself. May they be ropes of rescue holding you secure to weatherthis storm. Reclaim them as symbols of self-love. Prayers for comfort and blessings heading your way.
updated by @elaureng: 07/23/15 08:06:25AM

10 months on this day. All natural (:

Dreading Methods

so fun and exciting to see! Congratulations!

How to Convince Parents to allow Dreads? Any Ideas?

Life Issues Facing Dreads

I had another thought to add to...maybe show them some before and after pics of people once they've taken out their dreads. Show them that it isn't as permanent necessarily like a tattoo, that people can comb and condition out quite a bit of their hair, and a lot go on to have some cute new hairstyles immediately following their dreads. Basically that you're probably not going to have to shave your head at any point. Also you are more than welcome, let us know how it goesand again good luck!

How to Convince Parents to allow Dreads? Any Ideas?

Life Issues Facing Dreads

I would maybe involve them in the decision about which method to use as well. Like the pros and cons of natural vs. putting them in. I'm just thinking about my mom, she was really shocked and kinda offended that I didn't talk to her about it beforejust showing up with dreads. And I'm turning 30 this year so some things never change! However now that I'm "going natural" she seems more comfortable with a slower evolution. She thinks this will give me time to change my mind or become impatient or doesn't think my hair will dread on it's own, butfor whatever reason itgives her hope and is less of a shock. She said the same thing to me "but you have beautiful hair!" and I wouldn't disagree with her (she gave birth to you, she thinks you're perfect just the way you are), like I wouldn't tell her you think your hair is "boring" but rather that youagree your hair is wonderfuland you think it would look awesome dreaded. Rolling with resistance instead of confronting it head on is a pretty good strategy when you are trying to get someone on your side. Hope this helps, and good luck!

Dandruff

Dread Maintenance

First let me say, I'm new to this...BUT...I have had dandruff for years and (thought I) had to use Head & Shoulders to keep it under control, soit has been a concern for me with starting off the whole dreading process.

This is what I'm doing now and my scalp is happy:
1) I'm taking biotin and acidophilus in addition to my daily multi-vitamin, because one of the causes of dandruffcan bean overproduction of yeast in/on the bodyand those supplements combat yeast.(Biotin is also good for hair growth)You can eat yogurtfor the acidophilusbut I don't like it enough to eat it everyday, so I go the supplement routine.
2) Peppermint, Rosemary, and ACV like soaring eagle said. I have brewed 2 cups of peppermint and rosemary tea then added 2 capfuls ACV and 2 capfuls olive oil, put it in a spray bottle for touch ups on my scalp. Today I brewed the peppermint and rosemary tea and added a heaping tablespoon of baking soda and used that as my wash, rinsed really well with water, toweled off a bit and the followed up with the spray to leave on my scalp. Things are feeling pretty balanced and awesome.
3) Don't be afraid to wash when you need to.From what I understand, as long as your locks have time to dry in between its safe and even good for your dreads to wash them. Dandruff is a building upof skincells on the scalp, so you gotta get them off somehow.Hope this helps and Good Luck!

What do you wear...to bed? ;)~

Dread Maintenance

Thanks Nancy -Here's to us for being brave enough to start from scratch again and with shorter hair no less! I agree that it already feels a lot better for me too. Best of Luck to us both!

Nancy Young said:

ELaurenG! I love your new pic with no sleep cap! I was wondering the same thing and now I will go "naked" to bed too'] I started going natural 2 weeks ago after 3 months of twist & rip'[ I think they will be ok, they look amazingly better and soft already, I'm so pleased to find this site & all these nice people. Joy in your journey...

What do you wear...to bed? ;)~

Dread Maintenance

I took your advice and slept without my wool tam last night, and woke up to a total party in my hair! Thanks everybody, naked it is!

updated by @elaureng: 02/05/15 10:12:49AM

What do you wear...to bed? ;)~

Dread Maintenance

About to start my natural dreading journey and was just wondering what folks recommend for sleepytime. I have 2 wool tams that I knitted, one is looser than the other; so if your recommendation iswool hats in bed, which do you think would be best?
updated by @elaureng: 02/14/15 06:26:57AM

crochet dreads recovery to natural dreadocks

Member Journals and Timelines

I was wondering about washing after swimming in the ocean. Do we leave the salt water in there for a bit, just a rinse from the tap perhaps,or should we wash with shampooafterwards on the same day? What if we are in the ocean several days in a row, washing daily then? Just wondering because I'm visiting the states in a couple of months and plan to spend some time at the beach, I'm excited to see how the dreads like it! How did yours do?