1st attempt at an SE synthetic dread

[WyckedKitty]

This was my first EVER attempt at making synth dreads from the hair i ordered from IKS...to me personally I think it was a bit of a fail but I would like to know what I can do better next time around when I try to make them again to maybe make them better. Here is the pictures. If more pics are needed feel free to ask .

[Monique_marion_may]

Bak comb more. Lots more. And seal tighter. Promising start though, everyones first tries look crap!

[Goffy_lucc]

Lots and lots of backcombing. Push all the knotties up, pull apart any big lumps you get.
But you've got the general gist. Great for a first start, definitely better than mine were

[WyckedKitty]

@ Monique Thank you I was definitely thinking maybe that was an issue too. & I used the wet/damp wash cloth & straightner method,maybe I should try using the boiling water method next time around instead?

@ Goffy Yeah it really seemed like I was having quite a bit of trouble pushing all the knotties up to the top & with the lumps...& thank you much

[Goffy_lucc]

Try both, boil em once, then use the cloth/straightener method afterwards just to get them a little tighter

[Monique_marion_may]

@ Monique Thank you I was definitely thinking maybe that was an issue too. & I used the wet/damp wash cloth & straightner method,maybe I should try using the boiling water method next time around instead?

I use the same method (straightners) and it's a good method. Keep at it love, i think its more of a case of working out how long you need to clamp the hot iron on the dread/flanner per section. If i'm using Jazzy KK and only need to leave the hot iron clamped for a second, if it's buyhair, it needs to be about 40 seconds per section. Maybe try doing the whole dread twice

[WyckedKitty]

@ Monique Thank you I was definitely thinking maybe that was an issue too. & I used the wet/damp wash cloth & straightner method,maybe I should try using the boiling water method next time around instead?

I use the same method (straightners) and it's a good method. Keep at it love, i think its more of a case of working out how long you need to clamp the hot iron on the dread/flanner per section. If i'm using Jazzy KK and only need to leave the hot iron clamped for a second, if it's buyhair, it needs to be about 40 seconds per section. Maybe try doing the whole dread twice

Maybe so.Most definitely will give the 2 pass thing and the leaving the straightner on the dread for longer intervals a go. this won't defeat me! lol i'm more stubborn then the dreads are

[..::AtomicLox::..]

Backcombing more will make your life better! You want to be able to gently run the dread between your finger and thumb from top to bottom and not feel any bumps or thin spots!

[Librarynerd]

They look way better than my first ones! It really takes time to get the feel for the backcombing and twisting to get them even with a nice taper. Just make tons of dreads and you'll get it:)

Took me about a year of practice to make non lumpy twisted dreads.

[WyckedKitty]

Thanks you guys for all the suggestions. It's greatly appreciated & is gonna go a long way to helping me out. will definitely not give up hope on it. I'm hoping to have them good enough one day to sell

[KittyKassdreads]

I think you need to use more hair for your dreads and to back comb them more :]

[WyckedKitty]

I think you need to use more hair for your dreads and to back comb them more :]

Definitely was thinking that too

[KittyKassdreads]

I think you need to use more hair for your dreads and to back comb them more :]

Definitely was thinking that too

mhm and when you backcomb them enough, they become easier to seal

[WyckedKitty]

I think you need to use more hair for your dreads and to back comb them more :]

Definitely was thinking that too

mhm and when you backcomb them enough, they become easier to seal

I was wondering too...Have you ever worked with the black in the Bobbi Boss brand? because I kinda found that stuff to be a bit on the difficult side to deal with.

[Zombie_Medusa]

This was your first attempt?

The first sevenish i did completly fell appart

[FaerieGirl]

They look pretty great for your first attempt.

First, the ends look like you kinda just chopped 'em off. Don't get embarrassed, I totally did that too up until my 4th or 5th set! The pliers method works SO well. Just twist twist twist and then hold with pliers on that little end bit so you don't have to worry about burning the crap out of your hands!

Second, backcomb more and twist twist tighter when you're sealing.

Other than that, bravo! Welcome to the dreading world, you'll be hooked instantly.

[WyckedKitty]

This was your first attempt?

The first sevenish i did completly fell appart

Yep,& I guess watching youtube vid tutorials helped me more then I thought lol,cause god knows how many I watched before attempting to make these.

They look pretty great for your first attempt.

First, the ends look like you kinda just chopped 'em off. Don't get embarrassed, I totally did that too up until my 4th or 5th set! The pliers method works SO well. Just twist twist twist and then hold with pliers on that little end bit so you don't have to worry about burning the crap out of your hands!

Second, backcomb more and twist twist tighter when you're sealing.

Other than that, bravo! Welcome to the dreading world, you'll be hooked instantly.

I did lol admittedly. & I'm having trouble with the twisting,I don't know if it's because I was twisting too much hair at one time & didn't seal well enough or what happened but once I get towards the bottom the top started to untwist. any tips on this?

[FaerieGirl]

what method are you using to seal?

[WyckedKitty]

what method are you using to seal?

Wet to dry hair straightener & damp wash cloth...maybe if I boil them instead? since a steamer isn't really in my budget at the moment.