Two Strand Twist Dreads for 2024 & Style Guide

Two strand twist dreads are one of the simplest ways to dread your hair. Moreover, it’s easy to care for, maintain, and clean. 

What Are Two Strand Twist Dreads?

Dreadlocks (also known as locs, locks, or dreads) are a method of styling and maintaining hair created by braiding or locking hair together to form rope-like stands.  Some types of hair dread naturally when left alone.

But others need to start their dreads, and two strand twist dreads are a popular method for starting to dread your hair. At its most basic level, this method of dreading your hair involves simply intertwining two small strands of hair that will eventually create locs.

It certainly isn’t a new trend; dreadlocks have been a preferred hairstyle for thousands of years, appearing in ancient civilizations in Egypt, Greece, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Middle East. 

Yet it’s making a comeback for several reasons:

• Dreadlocks are environmentally-friendly, requiring little maintenance or products. 
• It’s natural, and many people see them as a form of self-expression. 
• It’s also becoming more acceptable to wear your hair in dreadlocks in formal settings, such as the workplace.
• Two strand dreads are versatile, and there are many ways to wear them.

Read about 30 of the different ways to style and wear two strand dreads below, as well as how to get started with rocking the dreaded look. 

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Two Strand Twist Dread Inspiration: 10 Ways to Rock the Trend

You believe that your body–from your clothes to tattoos and piercings to hairstyle–reflects who you are as a person. Your two strand dreads are part of that. Still, there are so many ways to rock them. Let’s take a closer look.

1. Dread Braid

One of the simplest ways to style your dreads is to braid them. Separate your locks into three sections, and intertwine them. You can weave all of your locks or just a few of them. You can also do multiple braids starting at different spots on your scalp. 

There are several types of braids, and most of them work with dreadlocks.

To try a French or Dutch braid, grab one lock at a time, picking up additional locs with each twist of your hair. Braids work exceptionally well for sports or outdoor activities since they keep everything together tightly.

Read Next: How to French Braid Your Own Hair

2. Dread Knots 

The dread knot is one of the most traditional ways to wear your locks, highlighting the efficiency and ease of dreading your hair. Just take two or more of your locs and tie them together.

You can knot your dreads to get them off your neck, away from your face, or simply because it’s easy and looks terrific.

Because your hair has the texture of rope, the dreads don’t need anything but themselves to stay in place. You can even use your dreads in place of a ponytail holder or headband.

3. Loose and Long

Your dreads complement your style and personality, so let them hang long and loose around your shoulders. As your dreads grow, you may choose to trim them, so they don’t become too heavy. Others grow them out as long as possible.

For many people who choose to dreadlock their hair, part of the appeal is how easy it’s to care for them. Don’t bother to style them at all. Just wake up in the morning, and you’re ready to go. You can transition to a dread knot if you need to alter your style later.

4. Half-Up 

Especially if you’ve been growing your dreads for a long time and they’re on the longer side, a half-up look in a messy bun or ponytail is a quick and smart way to wear them. It shows off their length while keeping them off your face.

If your locks are thick, try using a headband to secure your half bun. You can tie it low near the nape of your neck, up high on top of your head, or in between. You can even wear it down by your shoulders if your dreads are long enough. 

5. Ombre Locs

Adding some color to your dreadlocks is one of the best ways to personalize them. The ombre look has been popular for several years, and a skilled stylist can help you get the look without giving up your dreads.

The ombre look is a more laid-back style because it requires less maintenance than traditional types of coloring. Dreadlocks work much the same way since they’re intended to require little work once established. Emphasize your casual lifestyle with the ombre look.

6. Add Embellishments

You’re practically begging to decorate your dreadlocks! Whether you have hair jewelry that you incorporate into your look regularly or add things for special occasions only, these pieces can add to your individuality.

The options of what you can use to decorate your dreads are practically endless. You can use beads, chains, feathers, flowers, earrings, pins, scarves, and hundreds of other items.

Whatever you choose, make sure it adds to your overall effect. Embellishments can also be a way to dress up your dreads for events with more conservative family members, perhaps. 

Read Next: How to Put Beads in Your Hair

7. Locs for Tots

Why not consider dreadlocks if you have a wild child who resists or fights sitting still to have their hair styled? At a certain point, the morning tears and arguing aren’t worth it.

Dreadlocks can help your child showcase their unique personalities, just as they can for adults. What’s more, less traditional looks for children are becoming much more common and acceptable. 

Be patient in the beginning; it’s a process for adults, let alone for kiddos. But once they’re in and established, you’ll be glad you did it. Encourage your child to use some of the styles and embellishments on this list to make the look their own.

8. Formal Updo

Sometimes, it isn’t appropriate to wear your dreadlocks loose and long. You might be in a friend’s wedding or appearing as a lawyer in a critical court case. No matter the circumstances, you have options for your locs.

There are several ways to tie back your dreads and even make them look conservative.

Just take the style of easy updos and apply them to your dreadlocks. Some styles that work well with dreads include a French twist, French roll, double bun, headband twist, chignon, low twist, and others.

9. Top Knot or Top Bun

There’s something very familiar about a person with their dreadlocks tied back into a bun somewhere on their head, but especially on top. Wear your thick, long dreads proudly atop your head. You can fashion them into a traditional bun or a messier knot.

You can also dress up or dress down the classic dreadlock style of a top knot or top bun. If you want a dressy look, try pulling them into a sleek bun and then tying them with an elegant scarf or a chain of flowers. 

10. Color Your Dreads

We already mentioned that you could color your dreads above when we discussed the ombre trend, but you can do much more with color than that. In many ways, dreads make creating a genuinely unique look simpler.

You can choose from a wide array of colors for your dreads, from natural hair colors to blues, purples, and more. Utilize hair chalk or temporary dye to change your look with your mood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Next, let’s cover some common questions we hear about two strand dreads. That way, you can help evaluate whether they’re right for you.

How long does hair need to be to get dreadlocks?

You don’t need long hair to dread, but most experts recommend at least 15-20 centimeters or around six inches. If you consider that the measurement is from the root to the tip, your hair doesn’t need to be very long.

While there isn’t necessarily an ideal length for dreadlocking hair, although medium length is usually good. If your hair is too long, it might take too long, and the dreads might be unmanageable and too difficult to lock. 

How do you start two strand dreadlocks?

The two strand dreadlock technique is one of the simplest ways to start dreadlocks. It involves simply separating your hair into sections, splitting each section into two parts, and then twisting those parts together by wrapping them over each other from root to tip.

Depending on your hair’s texture, you may need to use more force to pull your hair together, using what’s known as the twist and rip method.

How long does it take for dreads to lock?

It depends greatly on your hair texture and type; you won’t know for sure until you start the dreading process and give it time. While dreads will hold very quickly, most hair needs at least ten months for the hair to truly lock. For some people, it takes up to two years.

Throughout that process, caring for the dreads can be a bit more time-consuming than it will be later on. You may also need to retwist your dreads if they come out, but that should happen rarely, and it only takes a few minutes to do a single dread.

How do you care for two strand dreadlocks?

You should avoid washing your dreadlocks during the first two to four weeks. If your hair or scalp is dirty, rinse with water before applying any soap or product.

After that, how you care for two strand dreadlocks (or any dreadlocks) depends at least partly on your hair type and other factors, including lifestyle. Consult a hairstylist or expert in dreadlocks to find out which products and processes are best for you.

Should you do your own dreadlocks or have them professionally done?

If you don’t have experience with dreadlocking hair (yours or anyone else’s), working with a professional isn’t a bad idea. They can at least help you get started and give you pointers specific to your hair type.

Ostensibly, you’ll have these dreadlocks for several years. You want them done correctly. Over time, though, you may learn to dread your roots yourself.

A professional can teach you this process and help you the first few times, and then you can do it independently. Most people need to do their roots about every three months.

Are Two Strand Twist Dreads Right for You?

Two strand twist dreads aren’t for everyone. But for the people who rock them regularly, it’s an easy, simple hairstyle. What’s more, dreadlocks are a powerful way to use your appearance as an instrument of self-expression. 

As you can see, there are many ways to wear two strand twist dreads, from top knots to rainbows to loose and long. Check out the styles above and all the ways you can style your dreadlocks. Happy locking!