Real Dreadlock Tutorial

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  Step 1

  ~ Get your dreadlock wax (I used KnottyBoy, but even beeswax will do if you wish to be 'all natural')

  ~ Get your comb (I used a metal comb with fine teeth, but a dreadlock comb is also great)

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  Step 2

  ~ Wash, dry and brush your hair but DO NOT USE CONDITIONER!

  ~ Start sectioning your hair. I wanted chunky, shortish dreads so I did large sections. A good way to gage how thick each dread will be is to twist the lock/chunk of hair and it will be roughly double the size, but almost half the length.

  ~ Section from the back. This way your worst, beginner dreads won't be seen as much!

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  Step 3

  ~ To make a dreadlock, take a section of hair (remember to start at the back) and begin to backcomb it with the metal comb. Keep on backcombing until the hair is completely knotted. It should puff out at a right angle!

  ~ Then begin to 'roll' the section of hair between your palms vigourously! As you roll, the puffy knot of hair will begin to elongate and you will see the dreadlock beginning to take shape.

  ~ Now take a small amount of dreadwax - about a pea size per inch of hair - and rub it into your palms to warm it up. Then 'roll' the wax into the dreadlock. Try to roll evenly from root to tip, letting the wax matt deep into your hair.

  ~ Now you have your first dreadlock!

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  Step 4

  ~ Dreading your hair is very time consuming, but persevere! Working upwards, dread after dread, backcombing, rolling, waxing and re-rolling each one.

  ~ This WILL take hours, even with shorter hair. Obviously long hair = long dreads = LOTS of backcombing and rolling!

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  Step 5

  ~ When you are done, give your arms a well earned rest! There is still more to do....

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  Step 6

  ~ Each day you must roll your dreadlocks! In the first few weeks this is essential to keeping them matted and shapely.

  ~ Don't be scared to give them a good backcombing again when one is coming lose.

  ~ Add more wax if and when they get dry, but don't cake them in the stuff! That will result in very sticky dreads.

  ~ Wash your hair at least once a week and DON'T USE CONDITIONER as this makes the knots slip out. I recommend a dreadlock shampoo as it will nourish the hair, keep dreadful dandruff at bay and smells divine. You can get dreadlock shampoo from a bottle or in a bar (like a bar of soap).

  ~ Your dreadlocks will thrive with the more effort you put in. It will take several weeks of rolling every day before the hair starts to properly dread. After 2 months they will be rounder and smoother. After 6 months they will be PERFECT and take hardly any work to maintain.

  ~ ENJOY YOUR AMAZING DREADS!

Comments

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MissRaynaLee · Santa Ana, California, US · 2 projects 1st December 2012

im sorry but these arent that great of dreads if youwant nice dreads that last youshould not use wax and these look like you didnt tighten them well enough

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AbsintheFairy 9th November 2012

This is a great way to do dreads without using proper hot wax and making them permanent. I do my mums dreads with hot wax, and have done mine in the past using this tutorial and it worked great

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Lady Lish · London, Ontario, CA · 6 projects 30th January 2012

mistake one.... dread wax!!!!

Tip its not going to kill your hair but you have to be careful about mold, build up, if you get it out of your hair just palm roll it and tighten it every other day

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DarkAshHurts · 119 projects 27th January 2012

aw u look good with them, specially with the green hair.
I love dreads & almost dreaded my hair this year also (but changed my mind). I really dont like or recommend wax tho. :/

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Supernova's Child · Lisbon, Lisbon, PT · 98 projects 26th January 2012

Awww....you're adorable! I love this tutorial and your cool hair.

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