Forum Activity For @Renee

@renee
10/19/10 10:49:09AM
22 posts

dreadlocks journey vs dreads instillation

Dreading Methods

So well said, I agree. We are, indeed, in shades of gray...the world is painted in them, and I don't attempt to pretend that I can judge the intentions based on what my limited eye can see.To presume that a preference for a look is a lack of confidence is an unstable assumption. Perhaps fully developing a look that they identify with is, to them, becoming . Why are they concerned with the way things look? How can we know that? That's like trying to judge someone's heart.

Knottysleeves said:

Exactly my point -- dreads are already an unconventional hairstyle and it takes a lot of self-acceptance & pride to have them at all, regardless of how they were started or are maintained, or why you wanted them (even if just purely for fashion).

I just don't really see SE's point of lumping people into categories, and trying to assign motivations to their personal preferences & choices. Johnny Clean did the exact same thing in his dreadlocks treaty thing, implying that anyone against the idea of dread wax must obviously be a hippy-dippy type on some cosmic spiritual magic carpet ride, and it really ticked me off. This isn't a black & white world; we're all infinite shades of grey, and I think it's more productive to focus on what unites us -- regardless of our dreading choices -- than about perceived differences. I'm not keen on maintenance or salon dreads either, but if someone makes an informed decision and wants those kinds of dreads, who am I to tell them their path is somehow "wrong" or not meaningful enough, and that they'd be happier if they'd done it differently?

As for anxiety, look at how many frustrated posts we get here from people going the natural/neglect route... and not all of them decide to keep going. Just to keep some perspective.

(Sorry Chewin, I'm not ranting at you... just ranting in general!)

@renee
10/18/10 10:01:12PM
22 posts

dreadlocks journey vs dreads instillation

Dreading Methods

It is, I imagine, a much more personal experience as you sort of develop a relationship with your budding dreads (though I don't have the "instillation" experience to compare with). I am happy that I did not pay someone. I did look into that, though, went another route, and am loving the natural progression of things.You touched an important key here...and that is that for many of us, this site opened up the possibility of that experience that so easily could have been missed based on simply not knowing! Just talking about it can have an impact. Good stuff... :-)

soaringeagle said:

renneewe thats veruy much the point
when you start you usualy have no idea how it will affect you but it will affect you anyway
you can choose the maximum gain or the minimal impact
but ..like so many once you start yoir dreads and are a few years into it you may..or probably will wish you had a more full dreading experience not just having your hair yanked fir hours , but had your dreads grow out of how you live your life

it was not meant to imply anyone who chooses a diferent way is a lesser person just that there should be more careful thought into what you hope to gain then how you hope to look and that your choicce in how you dread should be based more on that

and when i was saying instalation i meant ..professionall paid for not do it yourself

@renee
10/18/10 08:55:04PM
22 posts

dreadlocks journey vs dreads instillation

Dreading Methods

I considered dreadlocks for at least five years before committing. Some of the things that gave me pause were that I was working for a Fortune 500 company that would not have allowed that look in my role, a less than budded confidence, and ultimately, a concern that I really did not understand what 'spiritual' meaning dreads would hold for me. I knew that many cultures included this tradition amongst their spiritual acts, but did not know much, and definitely did not know what it meant for me. So it felt wrong somehow to do it.Over the last few years, I have been on a trek towards my own personal freedom and seeking a life that was an expression of my Self in all areas rather than a dualistic existence where my personal life and professional life straddled a line. I finally reached a point where I decided that I was drawn to the look, though maybe I couldn't understand why. I felt "warm" toward it, I connected with dreads, and though I did not necessarily have a lofty understanding, that was enough. Follow your bliss, right?Very soon after I made the decision, it dawned on me that this was the spiritual aspect for me: that I was becoming through and through an expression of my self, my passion, my bliss. Each week, it seems, the experience evolves into something more complex and intimate. And I meet lots of amazing people whose locks mean different things to them, including a dear new friend who feels they are his antennas. :-)

One of the beautiful things about a subculture such as this is that even those that start for very different reasons may experience an unfolding, not unrelated to the people it connects them with, of themselves that may be unexpected. We never know what the paths that move us forward will look like, though perhaps, like family, we will recognize them once we arrive.

@renee
10/18/10 08:28:14AM
22 posts

Flat, Xtra Loopy dreads & 60-75% Loss of Length???

General Questions

Ah now this is the post I was looking for before starting my Flat-head dreads discussion! Great to read about such a familiar experience, and to hear that I haven't let something go terribly 'wrong' (though I know, especially around here, that is almost impossible to do naturally).Love your dreads, I am especially partial to redheads! ;-)

@renee
09/09/10 09:42:31AM
22 posts

2 week mark

General Talk

Hi Mia! I have the same phenomenon :-)

Just keep at it....I am having faith that as my baby locks mature, they will learn to play better with others, even if just a little.

@renee
08/26/10 11:03:15AM
22 posts

Dread the Wax

Dreading Methods

I think I like it here...

@renee
08/26/10 08:32:56AM
22 posts

Dread the Wax

Dreading Methods

Yay, thanks Alden! You rock. Alden said:

Amen, glad you researched and made yourself knowledgeable on dreads before starting them. And every post on here that tells a story of a lesson learned is valuable, who knows how many people may skip over your thread, but for the ones who decide to click and read, it could very well save their dreads. I appreciate you doing your part to help others by posting.

Edit: And you're friggin CUTE!!!!

@renee
08/25/10 11:59:59AM
22 posts

Dread the Wax

Dreading Methods

Ok, so if you have been around this site at ALL, you will see that there's not a whole lot of support for the use of wax. In fact, you probably do not need my post, then. However, perhaps this is the one post you will stumble across and it will make a difference.Before I get too far in, let me just say, "DON'T USE WAX."Alright. I thought about dreading my hair for at least five years, on and off, weighing pro's and con's, whining about how my lifestyle wouldn't allow for it, bouncing back and forth about social acceptance and whether that mattered to me, and so on. After several confirmations recently, and a newly designed life that allows me portray whatever image I choose, I decided to take the plunge. I reviewed several how-to videos, and of course went to the big names in the biz: Knotty Boy and Dreadhead. My only friend that I had seen go through the whole process paid someone to backcomb, wax and palm roll. So it seemed logical.During my research, I came across one lone post about the downfalls of wax, and many rebuttals on the commercial sites assuring me and others like me that these were myths, and wax was fine. Since this allowed my plan to move forward, I opted to buy into it and go on. Not wanting to pay several hundred dollars, I went and bought wax, a puppy comb and some rubber bands (which I never used). About 17 hours later, I had dreads, or at least a similar look. Either way, I was happy to begin my journey, and took my new locks out for dinner and a beer or two to celebrate. This was August 6th.On the morning of August 7th, I found this website. With growing apprehension, I read about dreading methods, how backcombing damages the hair, and why no matter what, you shouldn't use wax. I thought, "Ok, that's fine, I used a little bit to get them started, and just won't do it anymore." Until I saw a post that was titled something like, "Lesson Learned...Wax, Not Even Once!" or something like that. Horror!Well, that was me, just once, and I was shocked to find out that the wax from just that first time can and will work its way into the dread and stay there, becoming a black sludgy mess.I thought about my friend who had locked his hair four years ago, and wondered about the health of his dreads. I thought about the websites that mentioned the wax remained on the outside of the dread. And I thought of how many times I reminded myself and then forgot to do as the Knotty Boy website instructed and blow dry my locks in order to "melt the wax into the dread." Thank goodness I am forgetful!!!I decided after reading that discussion that I needed to get the wax out of my hair. It was an unpleasant process. I was concerned about washing my hair so soon after all of that work. I also used several different all natural soap concentrates, laundry and general use. These concentrates are meant to use about 1/4 TBS to 16 oz. of water. Even with using hot hot water and scrubbing each dread individually with these cleansers that cut grease, I had to go back multiple times. And I was left with a very irritated scalp.Immediately afterward, I could see a difference. For one, when I lifted a single dread up from the pack, it flopped down nice and soft like natural hair, rather than jutting out sideways like a candlestick. I also was no longer grossed out to have my own locks touch my face. I am grateful not to have pillowcase fuzz and all other manner of debris sticking to my hair, and I am relieved that all of that daily ongoing maintenance of waxing and rolling did not have to come to fruition.Now I take a dip in the ocean once a week or so, wash my hair every few days, and use aloe vera leaves from my plants in the back yard to calm the frizzies. I am in an Aromatherapy class this semester, and have received an awesome essential oils kit as part of my study guide. I am excited to play around with some of the natural recipes posted on this site for scalp cooling sprays and good smelling goodies.I am happy with my decision to help the process along, in my case, with backcombing. I am not good at waiting once I make up my mind, though I would probably opt for the twist and rip method if I were just starting. It sounds like that is a less damaging option, and I also suspect there would be less "buckling" of the locks as they tighten. BUT, all those who say the weird-shaped dreads will become your favorites are correct!Now I am almost three weeks into my journey, and loving it. My hair is actually locking up more and more everyday, and I look forward to having true dreadlocks.Below are two pictures. The first, my profile pic, is the night I finished. You can kind of see how the dreads are suspended out by the thick texture of waxed hair. The second is the very next day. I tried to mimic the hair style, and you can see the softer texture. All other pics on my profile are wax-free.Hope this helps... Peace & love!