Today is Monday.  I have not combed my hair in about 5 days, and it is starting to take on a strange, matted appearance, and I am really toying with the idea of dreading it up and seeing what happens.  I hate combing my hair, and honestly dread (no pun intended) performing this task each and every morning.   On the other hand, I enjoy having hair long enough to put up into a pony tail.  I think the pony suits me and my beauty laziness quite well, and it seems that having hair I do not have to comb that is long enough for a pony tail is the only logical choice at this point.  I have had the color and cut spectrum of hair, and I would really like to try out something new, especially since I sit at home all day to do my work and do not have to be bothered with looking “professional” for another entity.  I am perfectly ok knowing that I will eventually have to cut off the dreads (maybe even as soon as a few weeks if they do not start to form well).

Now for some dreadlock history.  Despite the fact that dreadlocks gained popularity during the reign of Bob Marley and other reggae icons, people have been dreading their hair since ancient dynastic Egypt.  Mummified remains of ancient Egyptians with locks, as well as locked wigs, have been recovered from archaeological sites.  In addition to the Egyptians, the very earliest Christians also may have worn this hairstyle, with the best example being James the Just, who wore dreadlocks to his ankles.

Today dreads mean many things for many people, and while I can not speak for anyone else, I am considering them not only because of my aversion to combs, but also because I think it is important for people to see that “beauty” can take many forms.  Enough already with the expensive dye jobs and hair extensions!  I also want them to try and help clear up some of the common misconceptions regarding this hairstyle.  Despite what you may believe about dreads, they are not dirty (in fact, I have read clean hair dreads better than dirty hair), dreads do not damage your scalp, they do not cause thinning hair (which is good because if mine were any thinner I would not have any), and you will not spontaneous morph into a dirty, vegan hippy after sprouting a few dreads.

I have not made up my mind yet whether to move forward.  My hair has not yet progressed past the point where some Vo5 will not undo the damage done, and I would really like to seek out the help of someone that has woven dreads before to help me do it right, although I have found some pretty helpful resources on the web.  Right now it is just something to think about, and a warning for you all regarding my hair before I see you at the end of the week:)

I can crochet my own dreadbands (I like her dreads too:)!

UPDATE:  After doing some further reading, research, and scouring the web for pictures of women outfitted in dreadlocks, I have come to the conclusion that this particular style of hair is not well-suited for the baby fine locks I have been outfitted with.  I would end up with about 3 dreads at most, which would just look silly.  Plus, you would probably be able to see all the way down to my scalp, which is also not the most attractive look in my book of pseudo-fashion.  For now I am sticking with the style I have; maybe I will hit my mom up for a trim when I am home for our vacation, eventually I knowing I will get so sick of the combing that it will all get chopped off.  Maybe in a few months I will be writing a post about wigs? 

July 30th, 2008 | Entertainment, Friends