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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get dreadlocks?

142 replies

Spidermama · 07/09/2009 20:28

I have ALWAYS wanted dreads. Always.

I am caucasian btw.

Tonight I found myself googling then texting around. I now have an appointment to see someone tomorrow about getting dreads.

OMG!

She does them by weaving and twisting and doesn't use any wax or sticky products.

My hair has always been a bit crap. Now it's greying it's even crapper. I love dreads on other women so figure this is a shot to nothing.

Dare I ask, what do you reckon?

OP posts:
LovelyTinOfSpam · 08/09/2009 21:26

Lola that is an excellent point.

Spidermama can't wait to see

But what about nits?

QueenOfFuckingEverything · 08/09/2009 21:31

Nits are a concern, true.

Luckily I do not seem to have a very nit attracting child - she is 6 with loooong blode hair, and has had one nit once. I saw it walking down her parting and got the little bugger out.

Original poster
Spidermama · 08/09/2009 21:58

My kids always have nits. It's a very good point. There's a 'failsafe'way of dealing with them according to the dreadlock truth website involving alcohol but if that were so effective why aren't we all keeping on top of nits.

Here's my other worry - Why do people with dreads so often wear wide scarves? Is it to hide what looks like bald patches at the base of each dread?

Come on you dreaded posters. Spill. My feet are feeling a little cold here.

OP posts:
Original poster
Spidermama · 08/09/2009 21:58

My kids always have nits. It's a very good point. There's a 'failsafe'way of dealing with them according to the dreadlock truth website involving alcohol but if that were so effective why aren't we all keeping on top of nits.

Here's my other worry - Why do people with dreads so often wear wide scarves? Is it to hide what looks like bald patches at the base of each dread?

Come on you dreaded posters. Spill. My feet are feeling a little cold here.

OP posts:
LovelyTinOfSpam · 08/09/2009 22:03

Oh. Well that makes sense.

I did actually have nits/lice when at sixth form college just before I started drinking heavily. I have not suffered since. Alcohol does look like a good option - is that the real reason children get them more than adults?

Seriously though, go for it. definitely. life's too short etc etc. look at QoFE's pic and just do it

QueenOfFuckingEverything · 08/09/2009 22:07

I don't wear a wide scarf - I tried once, 'cos so many people with dreads do, and I looked a twat.

My way of dealing with it is having a child that doesn't seem to get nits - however I realise this is sheer luck and so not really advice at all.

Um. Give all the kids a skinhead?

millenniumfalcon · 08/09/2009 22:08

you're back! not had them done yet then?

KerryMumbles · 08/09/2009 22:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mumblechum · 08/09/2009 22:14

I think dreads look v. cool on tall skinny black men, but utterly naff on white middleaged women.

LovelyTinOfSpam · 08/09/2009 22:16

Dreads look fab on anyone wearing them with confidence and vim IMO.

PixiNanny · 09/09/2009 01:06

KM - If you look after them properly they don't go 'manky', also, you can comb them out if you're that fussed about having short hair y'know? It takes a lot of effort but I've seen it done!

I wish I'd've just gone with the flow last year and gotten dreads instead of a haircut! haha

BerylCole · 09/09/2009 05:27

Hmmmm. I think dreads on white people almost always look awful. However, lots of hairstyles look awful in my opinion. If you want them, go for it.

CyradisTheSeer · 09/09/2009 09:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MANATEEequineOHARA · 09/09/2009 10:17

I have decided to get some synthetics done as a trial, it will be interesting to see if people act differently towards me! But that is what I thought when I got my lip pierced, and that seemed to make no difference, a bit less obvious though!

unluckyfriedkitten · 10/09/2009 02:38

KerryMumbles - no they don't go manky if you look after them...just like brushed hair!

...and no you don't need to chop it all off when/if you want to get rid. I got rid of mine in July after just under a year of having dreads and I cut off the bottom few inches leaving a very respectable short bob to brush out...which has been relatively easy with the help of some V05 hot oil.

slushy06 · 10/09/2009 10:43

spidermama I have always wanted them and you are actually making me consider I am 21 and mum always said no but I just thought she cant now. GO for it dont leave it another 10 years and regret it you only live once and if you dont like take them out.

QOFE Just wondering I have hair down to just above my waist can I have colour put through and How much length would you say I would lose I cant do it yet as I am hoping to get married next year and not quite the look I wanted for my bridal attire but I may ask dp for it as a wedding present.

ohnelly · 10/09/2009 10:57

Do it! but you do know you have to cut them out afterwards dont you so you will have very short hair?

EleanoraBuntingCupcake · 10/09/2009 10:57

qofe's hair looks great but i suspect she is one of those women that look fantastic whatever.

tis a look that suits teh young and smooth of face

lowenergylightbulb · 10/09/2009 11:00

I had dreads in my youth. I did them myself and had them for a year or so. They do need regular 'maintaining', twisting etc. I used to wash mine a couple of times a week, and I even coloured them too using those harmony hair dyes in the toblerone shaped boxes

I loved them, I found them versatile to style and I'm not sure why I got rid of them!!!

Would I do it now? I'd like to, but I'm not sure that I could carry it off these days.

BTW, QOFE - your hair is beautiful!

unluckyfriedkitten · 10/09/2009 11:21

ohnelly - no you dont!! see my previous post.

Original poster
Spidermama · 10/09/2009 13:18

Some lots of before and after shots here, some of which look lovely, but I have to say I think more look silly.

I like the one somewhere in the middle (there are so many to scroll through) which is shoulder length. Like a bob but in dreads. Very tidy. That's what I want to go for.

I'm going back for a consultation/cancellation with the dreaded lady this afternoon. I want to make absolutely sure she can achieve the look I want before going ahead.

I'm in agony over this decision largely because DH isn't keen. At the moment he sports shoulder length hair and a beard which looks fab on the rare occasions when he bothers to present himself cleanly.

So I am still agonising and still welcoming comments.

I DON'T want them because: Will I feel like a fool? Will I get nits and be unable to remove them? Will DH stop fancying me?

I DO want them because: I've ALWAYS wanted dreads. I've always fancied people in dreads and drooled over them at festivals. I want bigger hair to balance my, um, curvy hips, my normal hair ain't all that, and of course I want to too hot and groovy.

OP posts:
posieparker · 10/09/2009 13:22

Oh no, but then I live in West Country where many many people have dreads... (grew up a couple of miles from Glastonbury).

Original poster
Spidermama · 10/09/2009 13:35

This is what I like. It's unusual for such a neat bob in dread style.

What do you think?

OP posts:
Roomfor2 · 10/09/2009 13:54

Spidermama - that's exactly the style I was trying to describe in my earlier post, love it!

Original poster
Spidermama · 10/09/2009 14:02

Yes I love that style.

I'm still undecided Roomfor2. I am lurching from 'yes go for it' to 'absolutely not' several times each day. I have to make a decision really soon and get on with it either way so I can move on.

It is taking over my life at the moment.

OP posts:
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