Spunky Barrel Twist Dreads & 6 Steps to Creating Them

Barrel Dreads

Dreadlocks have long been celebrated as a symbol of cultural heritage, personal style, and self-expression.

Among the various styles within the world of dreadlocks, barrel twist dreads stand out as an eye-catching and intricate option that can be as unique as the individual who wears them.

In this blog post, I will delve into the captivating world of barrel twists dreads, exploring their history, the creation process, and tips on maintaining them to perfection.

Plus, I’ll introduce some fantastic products that can elevate your barrel twists dreadlock journey.

A Journey Through the History of Barrel Twist Hairstyles for Dreadlocks

Before we dive into the practical aspects of barrel twists dreads, let’s take a quick journey through the historical significance of dreadlocks.

Originating from various cultures around the world, including Africa, the Caribbean, and India, dreadlocks have a rich history steeped in spirituality, rebellion, and personal identity.

Today, they continue to be a symbol of unity, freedom, and nonconformity.

Product Suggestion: To kickstart your journey into the world of barrel twists dreads, consider using a natural and residue-free shampoo like Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap. It’s perfect for maintaining clean and healthy dreadlocks.

Barrel Twist for Dreads: A Unique Twist on Tradition

Barrel twists dreads are a captivating variation that combines the classic dreadlock look with a creative twist.

These dreads feature cylindrical, tightly coiled locks that resemble a barrel or roll.

What sets them apart is their three-dimensional appearance, which adds depth and texture to your hair.

The process of creating barrel twists dreads can be labor-intensive, but the results are undeniably impressive.

How to Do Barrel Twist on Dreads

So basically, forming barrel twists dreads is just taking two rows of locs and crossing one over the other while you grab all the hair that you collect from that process.

The most important thing you want to consider before you start is how symmetrical your hairstyle will look overall and what direction you want to take each barrel twist to form your overall intended look.

This is something you need to map out before starting your first barrel twist.

Before all that though, you will need to shampoo your locs, retwist them, and dry them completely before even beginning the barrel twists style.

To begin, once your locs are dry, count the number of locs across the front of the head.

If there is an even number of locs at the front, and you want to do straight back barrel twists, then you will start each barrel twist with two locs and you’ll therefore have half the number of barrel twists as locs in the first row of your head.

4 Barrel Twist Dreads Women

Half Dread Barel Styles

@yas_as_in_yassmine
Barrel twists half up half down!! #barreltwists #twostrandtwist #halfuphalfdown #locstyles #locstylesformen #dreadlocs #atllocstylist #atllocs
♬ original sound – Yasmine

@rvhairuk
Style : Loc Re-Twist + Half Barrels | Half Two-strand 😍
♬ Dream Chris Brown Y2K Rnb Remix – LUYA

When U Do Barrel Breads With Dreads How Do You Get Your Dreads to Stay Down on Your Head Instead of Sticking up in Random Directions?

When doing barrel braids (or barrel twists) with dreads, the “sticking up” issue usually comes from tension, direction, and hair length.

Here’s how to keep your dreads lying neatly on your head:

Start with slightly damp or moisturized dreads – Dry, brittle dreads can resist being manipulated and spring back, causing them to stick up. Lightly spritz with water or a leave-in conditioner before braiding or twisting.
Section carefully – Take consistent, even sections. If the sections are uneven, the barrel braids will pull some dreads upward.

Control tension – Don’t braid or twist too tightly at the root; that can make dreads spring upward. At the same time, make sure it’s tight enough along the braid to hold the shape.
Work with the natural fall of your hair – If some dreads naturally stick out in certain directions, try arranging them before twisting. Sometimes flipping the head forward while braiding helps the hair naturally fall down.
Use clips or pins during styling – While forming the barrel braid, you can clip the loose dreads down in the direction you want them to lie.

Anchor the ends – Tucking or securing the ends of your barrel braids near the scalp with a small elastic or pin can help keep everything in place.
Sleep or set properly – After styling, sleeping with a satin scarf or bonnet can prevent dreads from springing up overnight. Some people lightly wrap the barrel braid to set it.

Basically, it’s about preparing your dreads, controlling tension, and training them to follow the direction you want. The more you do it, the easier it is to make dreads lie flat and neat.

Photo Credits: Mr. Naturalz, Santopalo, u/KingKuntaNegus

READ ALSO: How to Do Dreads by Twisting