I'm curious, is there a preference as to what the ideal thickness of dreadlocks should be? Are thicker dreads considered less preferable to thinner ones?
I used to say that the ideal thickness of a dreadlock for me was around the size of a yellow pencil. I did hair for a few friends, and locs that were thinner than that seemed to be okay when they were short, but almost always needed to be fused once they got longer. Also, thinner dreads = many many, as in hundreds, of locs. The thought of that much twisting already makes me tired.
When I put up pictures of the starter locs, a few people suggested I reduce the amount of hair that's going into each dread to make them thinner. I'm completely unsure as to what size they're going to be when they loc up, if they'll get bigger or smaller. What's interesting is that although the coils may look big, simply finger twisting them stretches them and reduces their size.
I guess I've become comfortable with the thought of having locks that are larger than a pencil. I have gotten positive feedback from folk who do like the look of thicker locs, and one of my main inspirations is my friend Al, who was featured as a Street Curlie here. I only just found out that her locs are free-form, which kinda blew my mind and destroyed most of the preconceived images I had of what free form locs would look like.
Are thicker locs commonly associated with free-forming? Even within the natural community, free-formed locs can be looked down upon and considered 'unkempt', 'messy', etc.
Valerie June
Actually, it's really hard to buy that last statement when looking at this picture. I mean, dayum!! I want me some free-forms.
Ooh, then I could wash and ignore my hair as I pleased....
This just got mad tempting.
Anyway, before I run off to investigate that, let me know your thoughts on thin vs. thick dreads!! Here's more loc porn (hehe) of Valerie June to tide you over.
12 comments:
To be honest I've never liked the idea of freeform locks. I still don't. Maybe if they're started off as individual locks then allowed to go wild, but just letting it matt and tangle then lock from the start... I'm not a fan babe.
I always preferred thinner locs (pencil width) because I feel like there are more style options with them. This might seems completely illogical though now that I've seen her freeform locs though..
Ironically, I DONT like sisterlocs.
I don't really care for freeform locs. I love uniform locs. And I think the size of yours are going to mature to be just right for you. I like locs that are at least pencil width. But whatever the size, I think uniformity is key for me.
Oh and like the above poster, I just can't get with the Sisterlocks...
Oh and I think Ana's locs are closer to the width of how your may turn out because of the size of the parts.
Ana --> http://www.leaveinthekinks.com/2010/04/street-curlie-ana.html
I like em' both. Thin locs only look nice if they're uniform, but thicker locs look just as nice even if they vary in size. I also like the look of semi freeform locs too. It really depends on who the locs belong to. Just like loose hair, the locs have to "fit" the person growing them.
Ok, ITA w/ everyone. Freeform is a no go w/ me. I'm sure it works plenty of times but you can't be really sure. I would at least keep them up 4 awhile
Sisterlocks.. uh uh. don't like em at all. I think slightly bigger than a pencil is awesome... twizzler? LOL because of increased style options. U r right abought ur locks though. I didn't realize once they have weight they may look thinner. :o)
Hmm, I think either dreads are beautiful. I have one friend with sister locks and the other with much larger locks(but not exactly free form) and both the girls look equally amazing. I guess it would be up to you to decide what you desire most and what would fit your style/personality best. I personally like Lauryn's size; they seem perfect to me, not to large and not to small.
I used to think that Freeforming was a no-go until I happened upon pictures like that of Valerie and Ladene Clark. They owned the look. I am personally a fan of thick locs. Thick locs in a high bun, the look is to die for. I personally am on the thinner side, though I thought the parts I had would make them thicker. My hair has condensed a bit over the past couple of months, which I think that very well may end up being the same case for you.
I think what the street curlie you mentioned is doing is semi-freeforming...yes semantics, but there is a difference. It looks like she started with twists, maybe maintained them for a while, and then started freeforming. Another means to go about semi-freeforming would be to maintain (twist or latch) your locs infrequently, like every six months more or less. thinking about doing this in case my locs condense any more so as to thicken them up. Right now, they are about pencil width for the most part (though short). So I agree with Brandiss, they may end up looking like that of Ana's. But you can never tell.
I've always had much respect for sisterlocks, it doesnt look like an easy feat. some years back, i tried braidlocks the size of sisterlocks and the maintenance was horrendous (i used to latch them while watching nollywood films, i would seriously go through abt 6 nollywood films while latching - and you know that is a long a** time. Now it takes me about 1 Nollywood flick). Lauryn Hill was probably a semi-freeformer.
Regardless of which size you go for I'm sure they will look spiffy!
Fatter locs (of varying size; big, bigger...) are where its at! Check out how fly Valerie June and Ladene Clark look! I'm pretty sure they can still do all the style thinner locs/loose hair can (they would just have more of an 'oomph' factor).
Personally I'm not a fan of thinner locs, they tend to look 'conformist' to me,especially when I remember that Bglh post from a few months back.
When I started my locs I found that they roughly doubled in width once they matured. Yours will be very thick, but i think that's a good thing. I personally prefer thicker locs. They look more edgy and beautiful in my eyes. (I'm not a fan of Sisterlocs either)
I cut my locs off 18 months ago, and have been missing them like mad. Strangely enough, I decided this morning to try growing them again! It's just the 12 months of 'do-ragging' that has put me off doing it sooner!! :D
The purpose of locks are to be natural, therefor allowing them to grow as they may. The origin of Dreadlocks denounces this notion of "uniformed locks" those are "dreads" not locks, they are purely for fashion and not spiritual growth which is the purpose of DreadLocks... the wilder the better
I JUST RECENTLY START FREEFORMING AFTER LOCKING MY HAIR THE NORMAL WAY (WHATEVER WAY THAT IS:) GEL, HAIRDRY AT THE SALON AND I AM SO HAPPY WITH THE PROCESS SO FAR:) THEY REALLY FEEL RIGHT BECAUSE OF MY PERSONALITY WOW! I AM SO EXCITED WITH THE JOURNEY THAT I AM ON.
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