Forum Activity for @rachel-maness

Stopping the congos

Dread Maintenance

I'm trying not to let them congo because I have a small head and I don't want huge dreads. If I let them congo I will only have about 10 or so left. Plus they start pulling funny and hurting between separations, and I've always hated people who say "beauty is pain."I only started them 10 days ago, and they're already getting crazy loopy and puffy. We're having a lot of rain this week and I'm already having some trouble getting them dry, I really don't know if I could manage bigger ones when they mature.

Stopping the congos

Dread Maintenance

I have beads on the ends and middles of most of them, it's just the first couple of inches at the roots that keep turning into one solid mass.
updated by @rachel-maness: 07/23/15 07:05:51PM

Stopping the congos

Dread Maintenance

Good lord, they stick together like velcro! Loose again today, and they still mat solidly together at the roots within a couple of hours. I'm seriously considering threading a bunch of beads on each one and then tying hemp cord under that to keep the roots apart.

Stopping the congos

Dread Maintenance

I've left them loose all day, and the roots are still matting together horribly. I just pulled them all apart again. They really want to be two giant dreads. I honestly didn't think dreadlocks would require this much maintenance.

Stopping the congos

Dread Maintenance

Does it dry faster?

Stopping the congos

Dread Maintenance

Ok, skipped the tam yesterday and they're a little bit better. They still try to congo into one or two massive dreads overnight, though. My roommate got tired of pulling them apart twice a day, so she wrapped some wool yarn around the bases of the worst ones to try to encourage them to separate. I can pull them apart myself, but it's really hard to sort out the roots at the back of my head.

Stopping the congos

Dread Maintenance

I started twist and rip dreads on Sunday, it's been 6 days and they are progressing nicely. I put beads in them, and wear a wool tam most of the day and night. The ones in front are long and awesome, but the ones in back are desperately trying to become one giant 3" wide dread. I pop them apart as soon as I get up in the morning, before I go to bed, and 3-4 times during the day, but almost immediately they start tangling up again. I just washed them for the second time and they are almost solidly matted into a single wad. I separated them immediately before washing.

Is there anything I can do to keep the root separated even for a little while? I figure I would have to separate them a few times a week, but 6+ times a day is a bit much.

updated by @rachel-maness: 02/14/15 03:31:59AM

Getting my hair really clean?

Introduce Yourself

Got it, thanks. Do you think Dr. Bronner's tea tree is a good choice for washing in a few days? I'll definitely do a baking soda paste to strip it down before I dye it again.

I went running this morning with my foofy hair tied back with a scarf, it feels wonderfully weird. I'll be at the beach tomorrow, I may dunk my head in the ocean if it's not too cold and we're done having tsunami warnings.

I stuck some beads on a few sections while I was making bird toys today, and they stay on! I've never been able to keep beads from slipping out on my hair. They're just plastic pony beads, so I'm sure I can crack them off if I they get stuck before I want them off.

Any reason I should wait to put more beads on? Should I stop having so much fun with my hair?

Getting my hair really clean?

Introduce Yourself

Yup, wet hair.
updated by @rachel-maness: 07/23/15 01:00:24PM

Getting my hair really clean?

Introduce Yourself

I just finished twist and ripping my hair into sections, which was actually a lot of fun. I've spent my entire life trying to unknot my hair and keep it from tangling, so gently coaxing it into knots was rather refreshing. If my hair had emotions, this would be the happiest it's ever been.

Any ideas for alternatives to baking soda/vinegar?

Knottysleeves said:

Just a note -- even if you do get the baking soda wash to work for you, I wouldn't recommend it because it will strip your colour.