These are my trademark product. By far the most popular of the synthetic dreads due to their natural look amongst other things.

Synthetic Dreads are attached by braiding each dread with your own hair, and holding the braids in place using elastic bands. We make the dreads to you're specific requirements...which means any length, thickness and colours, candycane swirls, transitional colours etc.

Handmade dreads are more realistic looking, as they are made by back-combing synthetic braiding hair which results in slightly 'fluffier' dreads than the pre-made Elysee Stars manufactured dreads. As the dreads are totally seperate, they can actually be re-used time and time again (unlike with braids when the hair must be disposed of). This means future appointments for dread re-attachment are much cheaper than the original, as you are providing the dreads!

Unlike real dreadlocks this also means you can remove the synthetic dreads after a few months, and give you're hair a thorough wash before having them re-attached...and it is also much easier to change the colours as often as you like!

These are a very temporary and effective alternative to real dreadlocks - and most people cannot even tell the difference! They are also much easier to maintain than real dreadlocks, as they require no palm rolling etc.

We can also use other materials such as thick wool 'roving', strips of foam and rexlace plastic using this same method of attachment...please enquire if you are interested!!

 We use pre-made 'Elysee Star' manufactured dreads, which look very sleek and uniform. Many of the dreads are also reactive to UV blacklight. You are required to choose colours and leave a deposit with us before your appointment, so we can order the required dreads.

Synthetic Dreads are attached using the 'double-ended' method...this involves braiding half of each dread with your own hair, and holding them in place using elastic bands. The Elysee Star dreads come in a standard length of 24in when installed. We have shortened the dreads in the past using heat to melt the ends (see HERE and HERE) but this results in much blunter, melted dread ends (rather than the more natural tapered ends they usually have)

As the dreads are totally seperate, they can actually be re-used time and time again (unlike synthetic braiding hair, which must be disposed of). This means future appointments for dread re-attachment are much cheaper than the original, as you are providing the dreads!

Unlike real dreadlocks this also means you can remove the synthetic dreads after a few months, and give you're hair a thorough wash before having them re-attached...and it is also much easier to change the colours as often as you like!

Another benefit is the fact that synthetic dreads take me up to 1.5 hours to complete a full head ....much quicker than braids!!
 

The more permanent style!

I stress that you are completely sure you want real dreadlocks before making an appointment...and consider the possibility of synthetic dreads first (as they are much less work!)

Real dreadlocks CAN be combed out within the first few weeks, but it can be very harmful to your hair and is not advisable!  However, it is generally not necessary to shave your head, a few inches can often be left and combed out fairly easily.

We use the backcomb/palm roll/crochet method when doing dreadlocks. Basically I section the hair first, and backcomb each section using a fine dread comb, palm roll, then crochet over the hair. Bare in mind that it is normal to lose a few inches of hair as a result of the back-combing.

In the first few months it is important to keep up with regular maintenance of your dreads, they must be regularly rolled, kept clean and crocheted over. Never use conditioner if you choose to wash your dreadlocks, as it will loosen the knots!

It is also important to note it can take anything between 6-12 months for dreadlocks to start matting properly and looking really good. Maintenance visits involve us backcombing loose and new hair into your dreads, and crocheting them over. I may also place elastic bands at the base of your dreads to aid loose hairs into the dreads (they can be removed after a week or two)