Synthetic Dreadlock Journey

Hey guys my first post and having read a great deal on dreads a controversial one at that!
Instead of beating around the bush ill cut to the chase. I am very much into spiritualism and to sum my views up in a few words I believe in keeping everything in the now.
I know that dreadlocks are a journey and an experience but I really like them to look very smart off the bat. Don't get me wrong, natural dreads look amazing and my hat goes off to the majority of people with them but it is something that I can't go through at this stage in my life due to needing to look relatively presentable for job interviews etc.

Therefore I have decided to get extensions done from a very great guy in London, looking at his portfolio is like looking through an art gallery. The locks look so beautiful, natural and mature it is an offer that I cannot pass!
I phoned the guy up and had a good chat with him, he was very acommodating and we have arranged an appointment around Christmas time for me to have my hair assessed and colour matched, the dreads will be installed a few days after the assessment which I am very excited about all be it a rather long way off. It gives me plenty of time to plan ahead though and get ready for a long hairstyle for the first time in my life.

The locks are permanent and all advice on getting the roots to lock and maintenance tips will be provided by the fabulous guy at the studio! So having come up with a few more questions I thought I would ask this great forum instead of constantly pestering the busy guy.

I am basically after general experience on people with permanent extensions on what they are like to live with! I have never had long hair myself sporting the usual buzz cut but am slowly growing it out for Christmas time. A good friend of mine said that they were so itchy and unbearable, annoying her so much they had to come out! I have wanted these for 15 years so am happy to deal with certain gripes but just want a honest opinion from people that have them and have had them for some time!

Can I use all the knotty boy hair products on my hair, scalp, etc etc? I want them to be clean as a whistle and smelling beautiful all the time as I deal with the general public daily. I love the sound of sales hype that all the products give but wondered if they lived up to the hype and actually did what they say on the tin? Having locks smell of a lavender moisturising spray sounds divine to me as i love aromatherapy and find lavender a very comforting and relaxing scent!

I look forward to hearing peoples comments but just ask that they don't tell me to go natural. I have considered it and will when my extensions become as long as my natural hair. In the mean time I have decided to get a head start having smart looking locks from the start that I can care for as I would my own. Yes I will be using products on the locks, no wax but some sweet smelling goodies; its my choice and Im sure you guys can respect that!

Thanks

Blue

 

I don't think you'll find anyone here with permanent fake dreads love. Personally, I would save the ridiculous amount you're going to spend on the job not to mention the amount spent on maintenance, and wait until the hair is long enough to have real dreads. No offence, but it kinda seems like such a waste of money if you're going to have real dreads when your extensions get long enough anyway.

 

just go to topshop and spend £150 on a pair of jeans.

 

Long post. Go for it, do whatever you want it's your head and hair at the end of the day, just be aware some people might turn their noses up at the method you're choosing. Just don't overdo the maintenance, otherwise you'll end up doing more damage in the long run.

 

Never met anyone who has had snythetic dreads onto non-dreaded hair keep them for very long, they're more a novelty thing rather than long term hair style (from my experience). And they're not really dreadlocks.. just hair extensions that look like dreadlocks.

 

yeah do whatever makes you happy

 

I really appreciate the comments and honesty guys. Although it will be a large expense in the first place. Its something im willing to accept on account of the savings ill make in the long run. In terms of costing a lot on maintenance. The cost will be shampoo and a few beers to my friends every so often to tighten the roots.

Was just wondering if anyone had or has them and could shed some light on the day to day tasks of having them and living with them etc.

Just thought I would post a pic of this guys amazing work for people to get an overall idea of what they look like once installed. In my opinion they look very very nice. I imagine some would say too nice but its horses for courses I guess!

Thanks again for all your comments so far! Its nice to get others experiences and opinions

Blue

ok cant post pics but here is the link to his gallery http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/ind...iewPicture&friendID=148109666&albumId=2613471

some are real locks and some are extensions

 

I'm honestly a little creeped out by that gallery.

and also the term "installed" for getting dreads. eek

but I think you should do what makes you happy

 

looks like a DHHQ cookie cutter dready reunion. I don't really get the point tbh, if you want your dreads to look like that why not just get braids.

 

I have never like the look of tidy dreads...
Like, all evenly spaced and equally sized, blunted edges, etc..
I've always preferred the messy look. I mean, it is one thing to have your dreads look like that after ten years or something,
but I know I wouldn't trade all my frizzies and loops and mess for anything =p

To me, anything else is just....not right. In my opinon, dreadlocks are personal.
I LOVE how none of my dreadlets look alike...

 

I've seen that guys pictures before I had dreads and was looking for someone to do them. That was before I knew shit about dreads. All those dreads look the same, and they look fucking painful. crotched to shit and stiff as hell. I hate that you said, 'the dreads will be installed a few days after the assessment' it's supposed to be a natural style not a science project. I had extensions sewn in at the start of my journey but couldn't stand them. They are unbelievably heavy, incredibly itchy and look lame. This picture pisses me off, this chick had rad dreads before he fucked them up:

she looks like a tool after. Pity.

 

can you feeeeeeeeel the love in this thread.

 

Oh my, Luxiebow.. why why why?

Her hair was near perfect before!
The second picture just.... creeps me out. I doesn't look good to me.
I mean, that is how my whole family and friends (Except one friend and my dreaded brother) want my hair to be. Blech.

I'd say 'tool' is the best word to describe it...

 

LOL I was just going to post the exact same thing. Poor girl. Well and truly fucked up her hair.

 

fuck me he could have at least attempted to match the colour.

 

I R really like how every dread is exactly the same size and width, and that it took so long to get them, costing alot of money. They would be a physical reflection of your own character? impatient, vein and bland? they're not dreadlocks >.>

 

Oh and to add, before I actually started my dreadlock process,
I told myself they would be neat and frizzless, and all of that.
But when it actually came down to started them, I really now appreciate the process and wouldn't have them any other way.

 

oh my;
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/ind...ID=148109666&albumID=2613471&imageID=39895482
"Some People do dreads like That !!!! BE CAREFUL !!!!!"

so he made;
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/ind...2613471&imageID=39895482#a=2613471&i=39895486

 

come on you lot, its only hair if they wanna have it done then let um.
You wouldnt tell someone what to wear would you? ehy tell them how to do their hair?

 

opinions asked for,

opinions given!