Okay, so the newest hot style this summer is the faux loc extensions*. This style is perfect for natural hair ladies. Even those with relaxed hair are getting into dreads. This style is great for testing the waters to see if you would potentially want real dreads in the future.
First things first, the trend started out as Yarn dreads. Yarn dreads are dread extensions* made from strictly acrylic yarn that can be bought at most stores for $3 a bundle. The yarn comes in many colors, giving these fashionistas daring looks to play around with.
Slowly, Marley braid hair trickled its way into this style, giving the dreads a more authentic look! Marley braid hair also comes in a wide variety of colors. The name for them is Marley dreads.
So the question is which is better? Hmm…let’s look at the pros and cons of both, shall we?
YARN DREADS:
Pros:
► Entire process is cheap. Depending on the size and length of the dreads, it could cost you $6-$12.
► When sealing the ends (burning ends with lighter), dreads do not stick together.
► Dreads appear thick.
Cons:
► Up close, they appear unauthentic (fake).
► As they get older, fuzz, trash, lint, etc gets caught in the dreads.
► They feel fake to the touch.
► Very time consuming because you have to wrap the yarn strand by strand.
MARLEY DREADS:
Pros:
► Appear natural and authentic.
► Wide variety of natural hair colors.
► Realistic thickness of dreads.
► Realistic feel.
► Marley hair clings together, making sealing the dreads easy.
► Last longer.
► Takes 9 hours or less (without breaks) because each strand of Marley hair is thicker than a strand of yarn.
Cons:
► They age quicker.
► The vibrant colors of Marley hair are harder to find.
► If ends are sealed using lighter, the dreads stick together.
► Ends of dreads are difficult to keep sealed.
Here’s a hair tutorial on the Marley dreads:
Which is your favorite to use to create faux locs, yarn or Marley hair?
Loving it!! I’ve been wanting to try marley braid and yarn locs for a while now.
Please don’t use yarn.
I did yarn dreads and I hated them. I only kept them in for about two weeks. You have to keep cutting the yarn and it totally looks fake. They get fuzzy easily. They take forever to do and they take just as long to take out. They unravel easy. Its a great protective style and yarn is significantly cheaper than the hair however its not worth all the trouble. Use the Marley hair for better more authentic look. Besides you can’t put hair care products on yarn!!! When you wash them they are extremely heavy and take forever to dry. You can’t do as many natural looking colors and styles. Please don’t take the cheap route with the yarn. You want your hair to be rocking and look realistic as possible. The yarn lacks this.
Thabks for the tip! You saved me from the hassle of having to figure it out on my own. Lol
Umm I have had yarn dreads and they last me 2months, I took them out because I wanted to, they did not unravel not once, everybody doi it differently, and it only takes me about 5-6 hrs depends on length
Happy to help I wish I had someone to tell me these things.
I have yarn in how do I get the roots from coming apart like I just got then done two days ago and for the past two days they been coming down
You have to burn them. That the thing with yarn tho if you burn it too much it change color and if you don’t burn it enough it will unravel. The unraveling made me take it out. Perhaps they should not label this as a DIY
Thanks for this article! I’ve been contemplating on either or for a while now. I may start with Marley