How to Make Fake or Synthetic Dreads (Dreadlocks)

Want to dress up your head for a special event? Colorful tie-in dreadlocks are an easy way to spice up any costume or party outfit! It's easy and much cheaper to make 'em yourself. Just follow these easy steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A fine-tooth comb
• Hair elastics
• A source of heat, such as a hairdryer, steamer, or boiling water
• Synthetic hair, such as Kanekalon, Toyokalon, yaky, jumbo braid, or silky hair

1. Separate several strands of the synthetic hair, about the width of a pencil. This hair will become your first single dreadlock. Make sure you don't use too much hair - it will fluff up when you backcomb it. If you use too much hair, the dread may unwind.
   
   Loop this hair evenly through a hair elastic, and attach the elastic to a static object like a doorknob or even around your toe. Make sure the hair is anchored securely, so your dreads will not go flying off when you try to backcomb them. When the hair is looped evenly through, you will have two clusters of hair - work with these clusters together to create your first single dreadlock.

2. Start backcombing! Serious backcombing is the key to great fake dreads. Literally comb the hair in the "opposite" direction - that is, away from the ends, toward where they will attach to your head.
   
   Get the hair as ratty as possible by pulling it apart widthways after each inch or so has been backcombed. Backcomb, pull it apart, then backcomb over that part again. The hair should be one big knotty fluffball by the time you're finished backcombing it.

3. Now twist the hair around and around, changing its shape into a smoother dreadlock style. Keep twisting and smoothing the hair as you work down the dreadlock towards the tip.

4. Once the dread has been smoothed, apply heat. If you are using a hairdryer, it should be at least 1500W with a vent attachment to concentrate the heat along the hair. Blast the air directly along the dread, taking about 15-30 seconds to do one full pass. Then repeat 3-4 times. You can also use a steamer to get the same results.
   
   If you are using boiling water, secure the twisted dread first with hair clips, plastic-coated wire, rubber bands, whatever you have to keep the twistiness in place. Then place the dread in a sink or bath and pour boiling water over it and allow it to soak about 15 seconds. Be sure to let the dread cool off and dry entirely before you wear it!

5. Attach your new dread to your head by wrapping the elastic around your hair. I like to make two high pigtails and wrap the elastics around those, so the dreads fall from the very top of my head - but YOUR dreads are your very own and your options are endless! Have fun!

Tips & Warnings

• When buying synthetic hair, Kanekalon (or KK) works best for first-timers. It's easy to use and cheap!
• Mix several colors to achieve different results.
• Try different lengths and widths of dreads. Make a bunch of different ones and mix-and-match them on your head!
• To cover up the elastic attachments on your head, wrap a wide headband or scarf around your scalp. No one will have to know they're just tie-in dreads!
• Be careful when working with heat.
• Keep all electrical appliances unplugged and away from the sink if using the boiling water method.

[ashfeather]

on 5/29/2009 VERY interesting!@!

[adecesare]

on 4/23/2009 Finally an end to the argument with my mom. I don't live at home anymore, but she's still way-against me having dreads. Haha. Maybe I'll scare her by showing up with some fake ones... :)

[msmayor]

on 11/13/2008 Thanks for the tips.

[HowardBThiname]

on 11/12/2008 This is a really good, informative article. Thank you for writing it.

[superwahm]

on 10/21/2008 I need to make dreadlocks for my son's halloween costume and was a bit stumped. Excellent instructions..thank you!