40 Best Freeform Dreads & How to Get Them

 

If you have been wanting to try out dreadlocks but prefer a more natural approach, freeform dreads are the look for you. They are created with no manipulation, which lets your hair shape and grow naturally. This is an excellent option for those who want natural-looking hair that is low-maintenance and affordable. The great thing about these dreads is they look great in various thicknesses and lengths and can be styled to suit your preference. Wear them up for an edgy and effortlessly cool look that is ideal for going about all your errands. Or keep them down to show off your texture. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about freeform dreads and start transforming your look today.

 

1. Taper Freeform Dreads

The taper fade haircut is one of the most versatile fades. It gradually shortens the hair on the back and sides, keeping fullness at the crown. You can opt for a low or high fade, depending on your preference. When paired with freeform dreads, the fade will give your hair more structure and create a neat, polished appearance. The fade can also be beneficial for removing weight from the hair and will create a lighter, less bulky finish.

 

 

2. Drop Fade Freeform Dreads

If you want to give your freeform dreads a modern finish, pair them with a drop fade. The drop fade is expressive and cool, dropping low behind the ear and having an arc-shaped appearance. It is an excellent way to draw attention to hair at the crown and can be paired with all hair textures and lengths, including freeform dreads. This look is great for achieving a contrast with the hair on the back and sides and the hair on top.

 

 

3. Drop Fade Twist Freeform Dreads

Freeform dreads are an excellent choice for those who prefer low-maintenance and natural-looking dreadlocks. Once they have formed, they can be styled in various ways. You can also opt for semi-freeform dreads including twists. You can pair your twists with a drop fade, which is defined by its arch-shaped appearance and will draw attention to the crown of the head, making your dreads the center of attention.

 

 

4. Freeform Dreads Sponge

One of the ways to achieve semi-freeform dreads is by using a manipulating technique like the dread sponge. This specially created sponge is rubbed against the natural hair to create dreads of various sizes, depending on which side you use. It is an excellent option for someone who wants a low-maintenance approach to dreadlocks and will have a natural appearance.

 

 

5. Short Freeform Dreads

Freeform dreads are a great way to grow your hair out and create dreads without manipulation at the beginning. This gives you very natural-looking and low-maintenance dreads, which can look great long or short. Short hair dreads will not give you as much variation in terms of styling but can be an effortlessly cool option. They will also be lighter and less bulky than longer dreads.

 

 

6. High Top Freeform Dreads

The high-top hairstyle was popular in the 80s and early 2000s and inspired by hip-hop culture. The haircut is kept short on the back and sides with more volume on the top. You can combine this hairstyle with freeform dreads to give the back and sides structure and make the top of the hair appear fuller and thicker.

 

 

7. Long Freeform Dreads

If you have the patience to let your hair grow out, then long freeform dreads are a great way to make a statement. This approach to dreadlocks is more natural, growing the hair without using manipulation techniques. Long hair for men is a great way to challenge outdated notions on gender norms and is also excellent for drawing attention to your hair texture. You have versatility with how to style long dreads, including updos.

 

 

8. Curly Freeform Dreads

If you have naturally curly hair it can be easier to create freeform dreads, which are done by leaving the hair to grow naturally and using only a little or no manipulation to determine the shape. Freeform dreads are a great way to highlight your hair and are affordable and low-maintenance. It can take time for your locs to form, so be patient.

 

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9. Freeform Dreads Fade

Freeform dreads look great when paired with a fade hairstyle. This is an excellent way to create contrast with the hair on the back and sides of the head, which is kept shorter, and the hair on top. It will also make your dreads have more structure and create a modern and polished finish. There are multiple fades to choose from, depending on your preference, and they are fantastic for removing weight and bulk from dreads.

 

 

10. Jay Z Freeform Dreads

Jay Z has been known to rock freeform dreads. He first began growing his hair around 2017 and now styles it so that his dreads fuse. This has been a great way to draw attention to his hair texture but also highlight his facial features, giving him a youthful appearance. These dreads are low-maintenance and natural-looking.

 

 

11. J Cole Freeform Dreads

Rapper J Cole has been rocking a dreadlock hairstyle for almost a decade. Freeform dreadlocks are created without twisting to manipulate the hair. His dreads have gotten long and are past his shoulders, with the hair forming a few congos; they have fused in places. The appeal of his hair is that it looks unstyled and this can be incredibly flattering.

 

 

12. Skinny Freeform Dreads

The appeal of freeform dreads is that you can style them in many ways. The hair can also be thick or thin, and the skinny approach has its appeal because the pieces feel lightweight because they are created by using small pieces of hair. They can be difficult to maintain but can be paired with a fade to create a more structured finish.

 

 

13. Freeform Dreads NBA Youngboy

Youngboy Never Broke Again is the name of professional name of American rapper, Kentrell DeSean Gaulden. But it is not just Youngboy’s music that gets him attention but also his hairstyle. His unique approach to dreads is edgy and cool. He has tightly coiled hair which is the perfect hair type for his dreads. To achieve this look you need hair that is around four inches in length.

 

 

14. NLE Choppa Freeform Dreads

American rapper, Bryson Lashun Potts, better known professionally as NLE Choppa, has hair that is highly sought after because it is effortlessly cool. They look freeform but could also be semi-freeform being created with some manipulation. He keeps his hair short and has gotten creative by pairing it with an undercut and even coloring the tips blue, making this an expressive and fun hairstyle.

 

 

15. Man Bun with Freeform Dreads

The Man bun hairstyle is one of the simplest but most effective updos. It can be created on the hair of various lengths and textures and is an excellent way to keep the hair away from the face and off the neck. This is practical and flattering and can open your face and highlight your features. A dreadlock bun is an excellent choice and will show off the texture o your hair.

 

 

16. Freeform Dreads Ponytail

If you are looking for a stylish way to wear your freeform dreads, look no further than a ponytail. Ponytails can be created low or high, depending on your preference and hair length. They are an excellent way to keep the hair away from the face and are ideal for going about your daily errands. Ponytails can also look neat and polished, making this a good look for more formal occasions.

 

 

17. Freeform Dreads Updo

The appeal of freeform dreads is that is it a low-maintenance hairstyle and an excellent way to embrace your natural hair texture. If your hair is the medium or long length you also have variety with how you style it, including a simple updo. Securing the hair and pulling it away from the face can be practical and stylish. You can pair it with a fade on the sides to create structure.

 

 

18. Brushed Forward Freeform Dreads

For an interesting approach to freeform dreads, you can brush them forward or style them toward the front of the head. This is a great way to give you volume at the crown and can make the hair look fuller and thicker. You can create this hairstyle with long or short hair, but it will be less maintenance on shorter hair. To give your dreads structure, you can pair it with a mid fade, which will also give you a youthful and modern appearance.

 

 

19. Unique Freeform Dreads

The appeal of freeform dreads is that there are no two looks that are quite alike. This is because everyone’s hair grows at different rates and in various patterns. With freeform dreads, you are using very little to no manipulation, which can give you a unique and expressive finish. This is an excellent hairstyle for someone who wants to stand out from the crowd.

 

 

20. Temple Fade Freeform Dreads

Freeform dreads can be styled in various ways, including with a temple fade. The temple fade will add structure to the hair and create an interesting contrast with the hair on the top and the back and sides. The fade is focused around the temples and is an excellent choice for enhancing the hairline. This is an edgy addition to your hairstyle and can help you express yourself.

 

 

21. Brown Hair Freeform Dreads

Freeform dreads are an excellent way to embrace your natural hair texture. They are easy to create, inexpensive, and low-maintenance, which further adds to the appeal. It can be created with most hair textures and grown to various lengths, the look also lends itself well to color. Either your natural base color or artificial colors, depending on how bold you want the look to be. Brown hair is versatile and can be flattering on all skin tones.

 

 

22. Freeform Dreads to the Side

For a unique approach to freeform dreads and to style your hair so that it will have some structure, you can wear them to the side. This will have a similar effect to the side part and can balance your features and draw attention to the face. The look can be achieved with various lengths, depending on your preference, and will also give you a professional finish.

 

 

23. Blue Freeform Dreads

Blue hair is expressive and fun. It is associated with calmness and tranquility, letting you channel these qualities, and is an excellent way to draw attention to your dreads. Freeform dreads are created without manipulation to make them look natural, but you can also experiment with how you style and color them. The color will highlight your hair texture, and you can choose dark blues or light blues, depending on noticeable you want the color to be.

 

 

24. Beaded Freeform Dreads

Beads are an excellent accessory but they are also symbolic and can make a statement. Beaded hair has traditionally been able to tell a lot about the wearer, including social hierarchy, marital status, and achievement. Wearing beads in your hair can be a way to honor your heritage. They are also great for securing the dreads and will give you a unique finish.

 

 

25. Grey Freeform Dreads

Freeform dreads can be worn by men of all ages. They are an appealing way to embrace your natural texture and do not take as much effort to transform. This lets the shape form naturally, making each look unique and individual. For older men, you can show off your grey hairstyle with these dreads.

 

 

26. Freeform Dreads with Hair Design

Hair design is a great way to personalize your hairstyle. It is expressive and cool and can be added to hair of all textures and all hairstyles. Freeform dreads look great when paired with a hair design because of the contrast it creates. These dreads are created to look natural while the hair design is precise, featuring sharp lines, angles, or more elaborate artwork.

 

 

27. Professional Freeform Dreads

Dreadlocks can be secured in a way that makes them look neat and polished. A great option would be to pin the hair at the crown back, letting you show off your dreads but also keeping the hair out of your face. Your hair can be at various lengths, but shorter dreads can look more formal. You can also pair your look with a fade to give it structure.

 

 

28. Mohawk Freeform Dreads

Some looks are designed to stand out and the mohawk hairstyle is one of them. The traditional approach to the mohawk features hair that is shaved on the sides with a long strip of spiky hair in the middle. This can be adapted to suit your preference, including with freeform dreads styled into a mohawk and the sides either faded or shaved. Edgy and expressive, this is a great way to express yourself.

 

 

29. Upright Freeform Dreads

Styling your dreads in different ways can make your look more personal, and while the appeal of the freeform approach is how natural and effortlessly cool your dreads look, styling them to stand upright is a great idea. This look is best achieved with short hair, as longer locs can be heavy and will not stand.

 

 

30. Freeform Dreads and Undercut

The undercut is one of the most stylish additions to any haircut. The sides and back are shaved, while the hair on top is kept longer. This gives your hairstyle structure and will create a contrast. It can make the hair on the top appear fuller and thicker and is an excellent way to draw attention to your dreads. At the same time, the undercut can remove weight and bulk.

 

 

31. Freeform Dreads with Red

Dyeing your hair in bright and bold colors is a great way to show off your playful side. It shows that you are someone who is willing to take risks and prefers to stand out from the crowd. Red hair is associated with passion and seduction, and adding it to your dreads can make you feel confident and look great. It is an excellent way to highlight your hair texture.

 

 

32. Face-Framing Freeform Dreads

If you want to draw attention to your face, you can do this by styling your dreads so that they hand on either side of the face. This will create a face-framing effect which can be incredibly flattering as it highlights your features. The dreads can be of various lengths and thicknesses, depending on your preference. To make them even more noticeable, you can dye the ends or add highlights.

 

 

33. Blonde Freeform Dreads

Dreads can be created in all colors and look effortlessly cool. You can embrace your natural hair color and texture for a low-maintenance and carefree finish. Or you can dye the hair a brighter color, like blonde, to draw attention to the hair and enhance the texture. Blonde is a great way to lighten your hair and brighten your appearance. There are several shades of blonde hair to choose from, depending on your preference.

 

 

34. Thick Freeform Dreads

If you have naturally thick hair dreads are a great option. The freeform dreadlock approach is an excellent way to highlight your hair texture and is created with little to no manipulation. This gives you a look that is bold while also being low-maintenance and natural-looking.

 

 

35. Thin Freeform Dreads

If you have thin and fine hair, your dreads will be smaller as they are created with less hair. The textured appearance of dreadlocks is a great way to disguise the appearance of thin hair and you can make it look even fuller and thicker by pairing your dreads with a fade or undercut. This removes or shortens the hair on the back and sides, which creates the illusion of volume at the crown.

 

 

36. Freeform Dreads Middle Part

For a modern and cool approach to styling your freeform dreads, why not pair them with a middle part? The middle part is excellent for giving your look balance and can make it look neat and polished. It can also frame the face and be incredibly flattering on those with symmetrical features. Middle parts do not suit everyone, so consider your facial symmetry and face shape before opting for one.

 

 

37. Freeform Dreads Swept Back

Sweeping your hair back is an excellent way to keep it out of your face. This will also highlight your features and draw attention to your eyes. Dreadlocks are an expressive hairstyle and can be worn with pride, but for more formal occasions, you may want to pin them back and away from the face, which will give your look structure.

 

 

38. Freeform Dreads with Highlights

Highlights are a coloring technique that lightens the hair. It can be several shades lighter, or only one or two, depending on how dramatic you want the contrast to be. Highlights can be added to the hair in various ways, including thick chunky pieces or thin strands for a more natural, sun-kissed appearance that will complement the natural form of your dreadlocks.

 

 

39. Freeform Dreads with Beard

You can create a more balanced appearance by pairing freeform dreadlocks with a beard. There are many beard styles to choose from depending on your preference and hair growth. Facial hair can also give you a more mature and masculine finish. The right beard can also make your features, like the jawline, appear stronger and more defined.

 

 

40. Congo Freeform Dreads

If you have hair that has a tight curl pattern, this can make getting freeform dreads very easy. Instead of braiding or twisting it, you want to leave it to form naturally. The result is different for each person, which is part of the appeal. While you are leaving the dreads to form naturally, you can still style them to suit your preference. After a while, they may develop congos, which is when the hair merges. This can create a bold and statement finish.

 

 

How to Get Freeform Dreads