Life & Style

Life & style

Dare to dread sister lock, brother locks, interlocks, traditional locks?

Hair has often been used as a symbol of identity - never more so than with dreadlocks. It's more than just a style; it's an attitude, a way of life, inspiring passion and disapproval in equal measure. So why is it more popular then ever?
Hair has always carried a special significance of the wearer's sense of self and the image they are trying to project. Hair has also long been connected to religion - Sikhs, orthodox Jews, Buddhists monks are all identifiable by their hair (or the lack of it). But dreadlocks are not just about religion; in fact, most of the dreadlocks you see today have got as much to do with the Rastafarian religion as a short back and sides. On the other hand, to dismiss these newer dreadlocks as just "fashion" dreads also misses the point. Speak to anyone, black or white, with dreads and they will eulogies them. They will tell you that it's more than a hairstyle; it's an attitude, a "dreadhead" mentality, a way of life.

I've always seen dreadlocks as a positive hairstyle, and also a brave one. They come with a burden of responsibility. To you they might be no more than a fashion statement, but others won't see them that way. Yet, despite all the baggage, I've always suffered from a bad case of dreadlock envy. Those with dreads talk about them emotionally, passionately even. And I'd like that passion - I feel as if I'm missing out on something.

As the kind of people who wear their hair in dreadlocks has changed and diversified - they're not just a black thing any more - so too has their meaning. A black person with dreadlocks is no more likely to be a Rastafarian than a white person with a skinhead is a Nazi. And as for white people with dreads, well, these days they are just as likely to be working in an office as demonstrating outside Starbucks. So how did this hairstyle come to symbolize so many different things to so many different people, and where did dreadlocks come from?
Looking for meaning in the Old Testament, found the following passage in Numbers 6:5: "All the days of the vow of separation, no razor shall pass over his head. Until the day is fulfilled of his consecration to the Lord, he shall be holy, and shall let the hair of his head grow." And so, in emulation of the Nazarites, religious ascetics with whom Rasta’s identified (they also saw themselves as "chosen ones"); they adopted dreadlocks as a tradition of the movement. It suited the character of Rastafarian, too: many Rasta’s are vegan, most are vegetarian, and leaving your hair to grow naturally, without cutting, combing or styling, is another manifestation of the belief in living life as naturally as possible.
I hope you have enjoyed my views.






Natural can be so professional
Natural hair can look very professional; it all depends on the style done. There are so many beautiful hair styling options for natural hair. These include sister locks, brother locks, double strand twist, single strand twist, comb twist for short hair, twist and roll.

Use rods all over to achieve a soft textured afro, flat twist the front and leave the back out as afro, if hair is long enough you can put it up into a French roll or be creative with the updo. Or simply blow dry for a blow out effect! All this coupled with a nice make-up application will finish the effect so nicely! Make-up plays an important role to looking professional, along with your clothing. So let's get all the pieces together for the total look!


Natural hairdresser are becoming more popular   


You don't have to look after it yourself; find a salon that has experience in natural hair care and just sit down and enjoy

Natural hair allows you to be you! It allows you to be creative and be true to yourself and developing your own style makes you unique and helps you stand out from the crowd.

There are numerous styling options, as mentioned above, and there are others like Bantu knots - a tribal style - where hair is arranged in twisted balls all over the head. When your hair dries, open them out and, wow, to your surprise, you have a soft textured look that can do anything you want.

There are regular locks which are made from palm rolling or a double strand twist. Not everyone likes the dreadlocked look but, if you begin to experiment with some of the suggestions above, so many combinations can be achieved. Be creative; do not fight your hair. Be positive, and remember "positive changes in your hair will bring positive changes in your spirit and, subsequently, your life"!