Forum Activity for @shayla-waychoff

Return!

Introduce Yourself

Hi everyone! Last time I was on this site was over three years ago. Goodness! When I first wanted to get dreadlocks I wanted the very pristine look and was against natural 100%. I have zero patience for such things and it's really amazing that a person can change so much in a few years.

Now I'm back and I'm very much for natural! Woohoo! I'm still learning and reading because I want to be educated this time around. I think my hair is long enough to start, hopefully! The shortest hair is around 4 inches, a bit longer. The rest is longer, around 6 inches and my hair is currently in the shape of a mohawk. (Sides are shaved, woohoo!) When I don't brush my hair it seems to naturally start separating so I figured.. why fight it?

My name is Shayla and I return to this awesome website with a much more open and changed mind. Hello to everyone! I've attached a photo! :D Lovely meeting you all!

updated by @shayla-waychoff: 01/13/15 09:55:47PM

Need honest opinions and help asap

Introduce Yourself

Hey there! I've seen people who are overweight rock the dreadlocks. I had concerns about it too, since I'm rather large for my shorty body. This is going to sound very cliche, but it really is just about getting into the right frame of mind. Now, that's easier said than done!

I have a mohawk and I'm starting the journey to naturally dread. A dreaded mohawk on a 5' 2" girl that weighs almost 300lbs, a lot of people would think I need to get a better hair style, something that hides my double chin, etc. but it's really about what you want.

We all have the chance to really live our lives to the fullest and do what we love. It's not easy, but once you adapt that frame of mind, things get easier from there. I wish you the best of luck and hope that whatever you decide turns out amazing for you.

Decided

Introduce Yourself

Thanks! I'll grow my hair out a little and see where I'm at then. soaringeagle said:

4 inches about or more u can in 3 but 4 will hold better the underneath u can let go natural

Decided

Introduce Yourself

By the way, my hair looks similar to this. (I took this photo from google - my camera isn't working right now)

My hair is longer in the front though, coming down almost to my shoulders. (I have a short neck though too lol!) But yeah, it's a little layered in the back. The shortest are the underneath hairs at about an inch.How long does your hair need to be to do T&R?
updated by @shayla-waychoff: 02/05/15 10:12:49AM

Decided

Introduce Yourself

Thanks for your input. Your dreads are beautiful by the way. Yeah, I need something drastic.. and I hear getting locs is a journey and that's something I need right now. I self journey Paula said:

That's awesome
Dreadlocks are definitely right if you want a change in your life. When I started mine I hadn't even known they would impact me inside as much as they have. They've given me a sense of security and filled me with much more self confidence than I've ever had :D

TnR is the way to go... I did it and couldn't be happier with the results!

Decided

Introduce Yourself

Thinking and thinking, going back and forth, and seeing all the amazing pictures of this site of all the beautiful people rockin' the locs.. it's so empowering. People who know me would be shocked to hear that I of all people would want dreadlocks.Some major things have happened lately in life.. and I wanted a fresh start. So I cut my hair but that didn't help since I've had this same bob over the years. But to do something so amazing as getting dreadlocks.. I think it's what I've been looking for.I want to break out of my stupid shell that I've been locked inside, and loc it up outside! Life is changing.. you only live once.. take risks and have fun doing them - no regrets in the end.I decided on something other than natural. No offense to the natural people, you're awesome for doing it, but I don't want something THAT extreme. So I think maybe TnR? People say no backcombing, no crocheting and absolutely no wax. If people know of other ways, please please post them! I'm doing my share of research before starting this.
updated by @shayla-waychoff: 02/14/15 09:28:01PM

Total Newbie

Introduce Yourself

Thanks to everyone who said I was pretty. :D And thank you everyone for your wonderful advice. I think I won't go natural, because as Soaring Eagle said, I just don't think it's me. But I know that whatever I do choose, I'll be happy.

Total Newbie

Introduce Yourself

Thanks so much. I'll definately think about it a lot before making my decision. I want to make sure this is what I want, and isn't just some fad or something. Thanks for all your help. soaringeagle said:

the frizz u can tame with aloe but only when u really must
better to hjust accept it
and hats especialy a wool tam will help the process
u can control the soze by just seperating into the size u want

i think tho even tho naturals best u maybe happier going twist and rip just based on your personality
its not very damaging it looks neater and tidy
(altho u will get frizz and a wild teen age stage with loops and lumps and craziness)
it wil just not be so unpredictible
u can always start over natural if u change your mind

but take time talk to ppl look at pics ask questions dont rush into it you'll know the way to go when your ready to begin

i will tell u tho natural is a whole difdferent experience im not talking looks but how your affected and the meanning they have for u
dreading can be like a therapy for many aspects of youir life a chasnge within u thats reflected in the change upon you
if your looking for a lifechanging experience not just a appearance changing hairstyle then naturals the way to go

Total Newbie

Introduce Yourself

I really don't want any damage done to my hair, so thank you for telling me that. The natural way, is there any way to tame the frizz? That's really my biggest issue lol. And how you can't control the size.. I like small - medium thickness in dreads and don't want some big ol' clumpy mess on my head - I just don't think it'll be that nice on me. And if I choose to go natural, can I wear a hat while it's getting through it's "awkward" stage or will that hinder the dreading process? soaringeagle said:

you do wash natural dreads thatys about all u do is wash them and seperate

and u do not want to crochet dreads. thats a reallllly bad idea

u may think u want the boring look but when u dread u wuill find the 1 dread thats the leasst boring will be your fave
the wild 1 the crazy 1 the 1 withe the most unique personality
so why not let each and every 1 be unique?

if u are really dead set against natural then twist and rip when u later realize u wish u went natural at least u can let them naturalizae without all the damage done by crochet

crochet is just dsestructive..youd regret it

Total Newbie

Introduce Yourself

Thanks so much. I don't have any lack of confidence, sorry if that's what it sounded like. The only problem I have with my weight is it could affect my health. I'm big and I think I'm beautiful. The natural thing.. how does that go? I mean, do I just not shampoo my hair at all? I don't really care what people think, but that only goes to some extent - if that makes any sense at all lol. Not combing my hair is fine - I've done that at times from pure laziness when I was younger. But I don't think I could just stop shampooing.. I don't wanna smell. Is that how the natural way is? I've also seen the natural way end up looking like wild, forest people lol. Not that that's bad, just not for me.

The person with these wonderful dreads said they only used the crochet needle. I love how they look - very tamed, no frizz and looking really nice. I don't like the wild look for dreads - and I don't think the look will like me very much. NaturalWomyn said:

aww honey look letting your hair lock up has nothing to do with what size or shape you are. I've known hundreds of dreads all different-big,small,medium. It does however require a certain amount of confidence from inside yourself to walk around with some seriously messy,crazy hair and eventually some locks that not everyone will like. But it's not about what others think it needs to be for YOU!
You can stop combing/conditioning now and let your hair start to knot up at the length it's at. My husband started both of his sets with shorter hair than you have and his are sick. It's a different journey when u begin with short hair. The shrinkage isn't as severe.If like you said you don't want to go natural (although I can't imagine why?) you will probably have to wait a while till you have some more length to T & R. I personally would not recommend backcombing it can be very damaging.
I think you should check out this site and our member timelines and really think about weather or not you are ready for this journey it really is more than just a hairstyle, even if you don't want it to be! Good Luck