All New Visitors Are Welcomed

Welcome. Please take the time and browse this site. You will find interesting interviews, commentaries, Dreadlock history, and some pictures.

I try to update this blog often with new book material, I have not loaded everything that I have. I have to save something for the book don't I?

Glad you stopped by and hope you like what you see. And follow me on Tumblr at http://www.tumblr.com/blog/dorothyguyton

Don't Dread Dreads Project video

This is the video I have been working on. I have over 70 followers at the site and a couple of sponsors and more to come in the future.

The process to become a #sponsor may seem a little tricky, but it is not and it is well worth taking the time to do. My #project is a work I did with you and hopefully I will cross the finish line with your help.

Thank you for taking time to support me and share with your friends this grand undertaking. A book graced by your hair and your hair journey for all to see.

I desperately need #men with #dreads #Dreadlocks #locs. I still need several countries to weigh in about why they like the hair style and how is it going for them?

I want to share with the world the beauty of Dreads and the beauty of the people wearing them. Can I count you in? Will you help me to get this project noticed? Will you encourage people who have ownership of their pictures to submit a person and have it as a forever treasure to be passed down for generations?

It is true, social media can take you faster in reaching a goal. Please find this a worth while endeavor as part of the natural hair movement. Let's showcase our hard working artisans of hair and the people bold enough to wear their hair with pride. An old generation passes away and a new generation rises. Be Nappy and Happy support this project. Help to make it go viral on one of these numerous social engines. Each one; reach one.

In the near future there will be a tee-shirt available with the book's logo: Don't Dread Dreads: The People Speak. LET'S GO VIRAL my highly intelligent, ingenious, creative, computer savvy fellow Dread wearers.

Raising up a new and long overdue standard of beauty.

Thank you,
Dorothy Guyton

Watch a great video!!!!

REMEMBER to stop by this page and leave a comment. I have my first backer. If everyone I knew donated $5.00 my goal would be met in a day.

Whether you become a donor or not, I value your comment and support. Like the project, visit the project, reblog the project.

And yes, I will be reminding people of my goal-my dream fairly often for the next month.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/157267726/dont-dread-dreads-the-people-speak-living-life-lov

Loc Mania by: adventuresofchaka from Tumblr

Since I began this journey I have been consumed with my quest for the perfect head of locs.  During this first month I had moments of anxiety over whether or not I had a good number of locs, whether my parts were even, if my locs would grow to the thickness I desired. I know I know so many useless worries but hey I’ve been dealing with loose hair for 3 1/2 years so this is a totally new thinking process for me. I’m always on fotki, tumblr, and YT drooling over the locs of countless others and simultaneously hoping and praying that mine turn out that lovely as well.

I’m happy to say that I didn’t encounter any problems last night during my wash and retwist. My hair feels amazing and Taliah Waajid Lock it up gel is the business. My roots are shiny and have great hold while still having a lot of movement.  I cleaned up my parts very well if I do say so myself and I even split one twist in two earlier yesterday. I just thought it would have made a ridiculously large loc compared to the medium sized ones I want to have.

My routine is shaping up to be very very simple which I love. With loose hair there are always so many products to try and so many price points it takes a lot of trial and error to figure out what works. Since I’m a broke college student I tend to pick products based on the price and ingredient list mostly. But I’ve also learned that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” meaning if I find a product that works well and doesn’t leave buildup even if the ingredients aren’t “all natural” I’ll use that mess until Jesus comes. Right now I’m focusing on finding a good moisturizing shampoo and clarifying shampoo along with a very moisturizing conditioner. Creme of Nature is awesome and affordable and until I see otherwise that’s what I’ll use. Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor is my protein conditioner (I started my locs on previously color treated hair).  Lock it up will be my go to retwist product until it runs out and Profective Growth oil or my other natural oils will be used as well. That’s it though.

I was given permission to use this loc journey and I thank the author for letting me use it to give others a glimpse into the mind and world of the everyday loc wearer. Thanks

Natural Hair Revolution - JOIN IN - all ethnicities welcomed

Melissa Harris-Perry brought it to the forefront of our minds on MSNBC and I hope to take it to every ear that can hear and every eye that can see; with your support that is...

What is all this chatter about Natural Hair? Ain't hair just hair?

If this is your response then you do need to JOIN IN on the natural hair revolution bus or at least be curious enough to find out more about what it means or is believed to mean before the myths and fairytales begin to take over.

Give me a moment of your time and see how we can discover if there is really something going on in this world of living life loving your natural hair no matter how it springs forth from your head.

Click on this link and become an active participant in the conversation and visual delight of one of the popular ways of being natural: LOCS.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/157267726/dont-dread-dreads-the-people-speak-living-life-lov

Steph Bennett Interview from England

Hi

I'm Steph Bennett. I'm 20 years old and I'm a university student. I live in the northeast of England and my dreads are 1month old at the moment.

I decided to dread my hair about 5 years ago but I went to a Catholic school and they were strict with hairdos. So I waited until I was in Uni. And I love every single dread on my head (all 72 of them!)

The technique to dread my hair was the sew-in method, usually known as 'doctoring' which you can do on mature dreads to keep them tidy and to tighten up the bumpy bits.

I would have liked to let them dread naturally but I'm super impatient and wanted them as soon as possible. My hair was quite long before dreading and I lost about 6inches of length.

 I don't use products on my dreads just the odd bit of Aloe Vera gel (directly from the plant-if not local health food shops should sell 99.9% aloe gel) I use this to tame the frizzies.

I have just started to wrap my dreads to add some colour and I plan to get some beads.

Dreads are amazing and if you're thinking about getting them...do it!

Permission given 06/04/12

Thanks for the love

First I just want to say I love your blog. Looking at longer locks helps when I'm having those "bad hair days".  Anyway my locs make 29 months this month and I'm loving them. aivrobinson

Orlaylod's Swedish Double Take

This is what it looks like when I contact people on tumblr when I see a photo I love and want to use in my project:

Hello, I am an author working on a book about dreads and I like the split photo of the two women; one with and one without dreads. I would love for you to submit that picture along with a bio of why you like dreadlocks and how people have responded to them. I am trying to include people from different countries/ethnicities and thank you in advance for your reply to my request.

Most of the time, I do not get a reply back. But, when I do, I am very grateful. Here is the reply I received, but no submission has appeared with a bio of the people in the photo: 

"sure i can do that. should i go and submit on your tumblr?"

I give all of my submission instructions, but I guess things can get lost in translation. So, as far as I know, I have permission to use the picture and I think it is artistic. Enjoy.

This answer will do

yeah you can use it forsure! i’m not sure which one you’re talking about but you can use any picture of meee  (savegamehendge)

Hoping to get permission to use this photo

I found the picture on tumblr and contacted the person who posted it and I am waiting to see if it is the same person in the photo.

You Don't Know Jack Interview

The idea behind my book is to have interviews with people from all walks of life speaking in their own voice about their love of dreadlocks and Jack opens up and lets us drift into his world. When I asked him if I could use a post of his this was his reply:

Yea of course you can :) but first i just wanna ask what context its gonna be used in and can i see your finished project ? If its about dreads hair and culture and social stuff i’m sure it will make a very good read ! :D :D I see you need interviews and stuff if u want i'll do that, can give you pictures and whatever u need from me basically :) I'll be happy to help !!

 So Let me introduce you to Jack.

Hello my name is Jack im 20 years young nearly 21, i like longboarding, chilling in the sun, smoking the reefer, partying with my mates and playing dem irie vibrations.

1. How old are your dreads? - On the 16th of september 2012 they will be 3 years young.

2. How many dreadlocks do you have? - 86

3. How long are they? - They come down to around my nipples :P

4. Why did you decide to get them? - Cause i love dreadlocks and i feel it wash the last piece of my own physical puzzle once i got them my journey of self discovery began.

5. How did everyone respond to them? - Negatively at first but after time everyone gets over it.

6. What do you LOVE  about your dreads? - Everything

7. What do you dislike about them? - Nothing really, some loose hair i suppose oh and some that are going flat !

8. What are some of your pet peeves that come with having dreads? - How long they take to try and how heavy they are when wet.

9. Have you ever dyed them? Do you want to? If so, what colour? - I have have never dyed them, i might do but i dunno.

10. Do you do any daily maintenance to your dreads? What are the steps included? - I dont do anything to my dreads, i twist and rip the loose hair into new dreads.

11. What dreadlock products do you stand by and why? - Errrr, i was my hair with bi carbonate of soda and that’s it.

12. Which products do you regret trying? - Wax.

13. What method did you use to start your locks? - My dreads were started with backcombing and wax, a bit of dread and a bit of bees.

14. How much did it cost to get them done? - Nothing man, dreads are free.

15. What compliments have you ever received about your dreads? - People saying they are nice and stuff

16. Have you Influenced anyone to start their own dread journey? - I have done 8 other peoples dreadlocks, so yea i would say i have influenced a few people.

17. Are you happy with how your dreadlocks look? - Yes :)

18. What would you change about your locks if you could go back in time? - Errrr, i dunno man. I dont think anything.

19. How do you normally style/wear your dreads? - Down i suppose.

20. How do you envision you and your dreads 5 years from now? Will you still even have them? I imagine they will be much longer :) Of course ill still have them. NATTY FOR LIFE !

Jack - http://dreadmanjack.tumblr.com/