Dreadlocks are love.

I just started my dreadlocks two weeks ago with the help of my mom (who sectioned it) and a friend of mine (who didn't really help that much; I think he was afraid of ruining my hair so he didn't end up backcombing it enough). I spent the next week finishing it up, and I've washed it twice in the past two weeks. These pictures are from right after their second washing--in other words, two days ago.

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I really love them so far. Also, this whole not-having-to-wash-my-hair-every-day-thing is majorly awesome and convenient. Now I don't have to get my hair wet so often in the middle of winter.

I have a crochet hook that I've been using sometimes to get the loose ends back in. I really want them to be as neat as possible, since I work at one of the corporate offices for a major bank. Fortunately, I work 2nd shift, so not too many people are in the building at that time. With any luck, HR will stay off my case.

hello. i come bearing the promised timeline.
for the hell of it, i tried to include at least one or more photos from every month since they were started. a decent amount of them have probably shown up here at some point or another. here are some details/stats on my hair, advice based on my experience, and photos.

my dreads are roughly three years, one month, and two weeks old today. i have fifty-two, and all but two were started via backcombing. i'm really lazy about maintenance. they've been palmrolled maybe five times ever. i had some large loose pieces crocheted back in before christmas, because they were bugging me a bit; they were accidentally torn out when my roots got caught on various things (like cabinet pulls). i've never used wax or rubberbands.
i use whatever inexpensive clarifying shampoo is lying around, primarily Sauve or Herbal Essences Drama Clean. i wash them once or twice a week, and do baking soda deep cleans every six months or so. my bangs have to be washed daily in the sink. doctor bronners is awesome soap/bodywash, but it leaves gross build-up in your hair. or at least mine. i would never  recommend it. i have no idea why it seems to be so popular with dreadlocks.
stay away from felting needles. they seem like a good idea and instant-fix at first, but every little piece i poked at when my dreads were young broke off, or is a little nugget barely hanging on for it's life now.

just remember that your hair will eventually be gorgeous, no matter how awkward and fuzzy it may be when you start out. don't stress because your dreads don't look like someone else's- they never will. in time they will be amazing and perfect and yours.

sorry for the lack of enthusiasm. i'm pretty stressed about a few personal things right now, & just can't think of much more to say.

there's a ridiculous number of photos, so enjoy.

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