XXXTentacion Dreads: Style Guide, Colors, Count & How to Get the Look

As a dread stylist who has spent years shaping, twisting, repairing, and transforming every kind of loc you can imagine, I can tell you one thing straight — some hairstyles don’t just sit on a person’s head… they become part of their identity. XXXTentacion’s dreads were exactly that. They weren’t just hair; they were emotion, rebellion, creativity, and raw individuality woven together.

His loc journey stood out because he never followed the “perfect salon look.” Instead, he embraced a mix of semi-freeform texture, bold color experiments, and unpredictable shapes that matched his artistic personality. Whether he stepped out with the legendary half-blonde look, the xxxtentacion blue dreads, or the clean icy vibe of the xxxtentacion white dreads, his hair always carried a story — and fans felt that energy deeply.

People want to recreate his styles today not just because they look unique, but because his dreads represented confidence without rules. Every stage of his locs showed evolution — from messy roots to bleached tips to full-color transformations — the kind of journey that inspires people who want their hair to express something real.

And that’s exactly what I break down on dreadlockswig.com — how iconic dread styles like his are created, maintained, and understood from a professional’s hands-on perspective.

Understanding XXXTentacion’s Dread Journey (Formation, Count, Texture & Evolution)

As someone who has created and maintained countless loc sets in my salon chair, I can tell you that every head of dreads has its own personality — and XXXTentacion’s were no exception. His locs went through multiple phases, each one reflecting where he was in life creatively and emotionally.

How many dreads did XXXTentacion have?

There’s no official confirmed count, but from analyzing his photos closely — the way any professional loctician does — he appeared to have around 40 to 60 dreads. His locs weren’t the super-small micro style, nor were they chunky freeform types. They sat right in the middle, a classic medium-size semi-freeform look that gave him flexibility to style, color, and reshape without losing volume.

The count also changed slightly over time. Some combined naturally at the roots, and a few separated depending on his maintenance habits — which is totally normal for semi-freeform locks.

His natural hair texture and why it locked easily

XXXTentacion had a naturally coily hair type, somewhere in the Type 4 range, which is the most receptive texture for forming locs. Coils bind together quickly, especially when left untouched or lightly guided. That’s one reason his dreads locked fast and held shape even during his early messy stages — the hair naturally cooperated with the process.

His early dread formation method

Based on years of styling experience and studying his earliest photos, his loc journey started with a semi-freeform approach. That means:

• He let the roots do their thing
  • Some sections were palm-rolled occasionally
  • Parts of his hair were left to naturally tangle and form bonds
  • His sections weren’t perfectly box-shaped — they were organic

This mix created a look that felt raw and natural but still intentional. It’s a method a lot of artists gravitate to because it keeps the hair expressive, not overly polished.

How his dreads evolved across different color phases

This is where his loc journey truly became iconic.

Natural Black Stage:
In the beginning, his dreads were untouched — raw black coils forming into medium-size locs. This stage gave them their foundation: thick roots, strong mids, and textured ends.

Half-Blonde Transformation:
When he bleached the front half of his locs, it created that legendary two-tone look. This is the stage most fans recognize instantly. Bleaching the front while keeping the back natural black added contrast and personality — and yes, it takes skill to pull that off without destroying the loc structure.

XXXTentacion Dreads Blue:
Later, he switched things up by coloring parts of his dreads blue. The xxxtentacion dreads blue phase was bold but clean, showing how color can bring a totally new vibe to the same loc structure.

XXXTentacion White Dreads:
Toward the end of his style evolution, he experimented with white and icy tones. XXXTentacion white dreads stood out because they required heavy lifting (bleaching) yet still kept their integrity — meaning he either had help from someone who understood color processing, or he was naturally cautious with maintenance.

Each stage told a story, and each transformation added layers to his identity. His locs weren’t just changing color — they were evolving with him.

Signature XXXTentacion Hairstyles — Names, Variations & Symbolism

When you’ve worked with as many loc clients as I have, you start to recognize when someone treats their hair like a statement — not just a style. XXXTentacion’s hairstyles were exactly that. Each phase of his loc journey had its own personality, its own energy, and honestly, its own symbolism. That’s why when people search for the xxxtentacion hairstyle name, they’re not just looking for a haircut; they’re trying to understand the meaning behind it.

Below is a breakdown of his most iconic looks, the story behind them, and why fans still try to recreate them today.

The Half-Blonde Half-Black Dreads (His Most Iconic Look)

This is the hairstyle that became instantly recognizable worldwide. The front half of his locs were bleached blonde, while the back stayed natural black.
From a stylist’s perspective, this was bold — bleaching only the front creates a dramatic split-tone effect that frames the face, draws attention to the eyes, and gives the locs dimension from every angle.

Symbolism:
It mirrored his personality: dual, conflicted, expressive, and artistic. The contrast represented two sides of who he was — light and dark, calm and chaos, emotion and energy.

This style alone made “xxxtentacion hairstyles” a major search trend.

XXXTentacion Blue Dreads — Vibrant, Artistic, and Unapologetic

When X shifted into the xxxtentacion blue dreads phase, the vibe changed completely. Blue dreads are not just a color choice; they’re a statement of creativity. Achieving that clean, even color on locs takes time, patience, and proper toning — something I’ve done countless times in my salon.

Why the blue caught attention:
• It contrasted beautifully with his natural hair texture
• It gave his locs a vivid, artistic energy
• Blue is associated with depth, emotion, and calmness — all elements fans connected to him

This phase also inspired thousands of dread users to experiment with bold colors for the first time.

XXXTentacion White Dreads — Clean, Icy, and High-Maintenance

The xxxtentacion white dreads era required serious upkeep. Achieving that level of icy white means he went through strong lifting (bleaching), followed by toning to remove brassiness. It’s a color that exposes every bit of damage, so the fact that his locs stayed intact tells me he took more care during this period.

Symbolism:
White locs often represent transformation or clarity. For many fans, this era felt like X trying to express a calmer, more introspective version of himself.

Occasional High-Pineapple, Banded, and Semi-Freeform Styles

Even though his color phases got most of the spotlight, his day-to-day styles also made an impact.

He often wore his dreads in:
• A high-pineapple tie-up, pulling all locs forward or upward
• Banded styles, where rubber bands were used to stretch or shape the locs
• Semi-freeform looks, letting the roots breathe and grow naturally

These little variations were part of what made his hair feel so real and relatable. He didn’t treat his locs like a “celebrity maintenance project.” He styled them the way people with real, everyday dreads do — quick, simple, messy, expressive.

And that rawness is exactly why the xxxtentacion hairstyle name still remains one of the most searched dread-related queries today.

How to Get Dreads Like XXXTentacion (Real Expert Method, Step-by-Step)

As a loctician who has sat behind the chair for years, let me walk you through how to get dreads like XXXTentacion in a realistic, safe, and salon-level way. A lot of people want that same energy, but they don’t always see the work and patience behind it. I’ll keep it simple, honest, and doable.

Step 1: Check Your Hair Type (Who Can Get This Look?)

The hairstyle X had works best on Type 3C to Type 4 hair — curly to coily textures. These hair types lock faster and hold shape better.

Can straighter hair get something similar? Yes, but it takes:

• More maintenance
• More product
• More time and twisting

If your hair is tightly coiled, you already have a natural advantage. Your hair wants to loc — you just have to guide it.

Step 2: Decide Your Section Size and Dread Count

If you want to know how to get xxxtentacion dreads with a similar look and fullness, focus on your sections first.

From a professional eye, his locs were:

• Medium-sized sections (not micro, not thick)
• Roughly 40–60 dreads in total
• Organic parts, not perfect grid lines

Here’s a simple guide:

• Smaller sections = more dreads, sharper look
• Bigger sections = fewer dreads, chunkier look

Tell your loctician you want medium semi-freeform-style locs, with natural sectioning but not too big. Show clean reference photos from his half-blonde phase — that’s the easiest stage to match section size.

Step 3: Choose Your Method — Freeform, Semi-Freeform, or Salon-Maintained

You’ve got three main options:

1. Full Freeform

• You wash, then leave your hair alone
• No combing, no parting
• Locs form naturally

This gives a raw, spiritual, wild look — but it won’t match X’s style exactly, because his parts had a bit more control.

2. Semi-Freeform (Closest to XXXTentacion)

This is what I recommend if you truly want his vibe.

• Hair is parted roughly into sections once
• You may twist or coil them at the beginning
• Then you let the roots grow more naturally
• You don’t retwist every week — you give the hair freedom

This creates that “lived-in,” slightly wild, artistic look he was known for.

3. Salon-Maintained

• Clean, sharp parts
• Regular retwists
• Very neat, polished finish

If you want a more “celebrity-clean” approach while still inspired by him, this works. But if you want closer to the original X energy, go semi-freeform.

Step 4: Starting the Dreads — Professional Methods I Use in the Chair

Here are a few methods I’d use on a client who asks me how to get dreads like xxxtentacion:

• Comb coils:
  Perfect for tightly coiled hair. I part the hair, use a comb to twist each section into a neat coil, and let it lock over time.
• Finger coils / twist and gel:
  I apply a light locking gel or cream, twist by hand, and let them set. Great for a controlled but natural look.
• Backcombing (for looser curls):
  For clients with less coily hair, I backcomb to build texture, then palm-roll into dread shape.

Whichever method you choose, the key is:

• Start with clean, product-free hair
• Avoid heavy waxes and thick creams that suffocate the locs

Step 5: Coloring Like XXXTentacion — Blonde, Blue, and White

Now we get into color — this is where most people mess up their dreads.

Half-Blonde / Half-Black Look

• First, you need your dreads fully formed or at least semi-mature.
• Bleach only the front half (your stylist will section the front locs separately).
• Lift slowly. Rushing the bleach can cause breakage, especially near the ends.

Blue Dreads

For that xxxtentacion dreads blue effect:

• Hair must be lifted to a lighter blonde first
• Then a semi-permanent blue dye is applied
• The better the blonde base, the cleaner the blue shows

White / Icy Dreads

For xxxtentacion white dreads style:

• Hair needs to be lifted very light (near platinum)
• Then toned to remove yellow/orange
• This takes multiple sessions if your hair is dark and you want to keep it healthy

Never try to jump from black to white in one day at home. In the salon, I always tell clients:

“Healthy dreads first. Color second. Otherwise you’ll have color and no dreads left to hold it.”

Step 6: Avoiding Breakage, Thinning, and Regret

From my experience behind the chair, here are my must-follow rules:

• Don’t over-bleach the same area again and again
• Keep your roots moisturized but not drowning in oil
• Use a satin pillowcase or bonnet at night
• Don’t retwist too tight — that’s how you lose edges and weaken roots
• Give your scalp time to breathe between retwists and color sessions

A lot of people copy the look but ignore the care. X’s dreads went through heavy color, yet they still had body — that tells me someone was either guiding him, or he learned quickly what not to do.

Step 7: Working With Your Own Version, Not a Carbon Copy

Finally, the best answer to how to get dreads like xxxtentacion is this:
Use him as inspiration, not a template.

• Match the energy — bold, expressive, artistic
• Adjust the color and section size to fit your face, hair type, and lifestyle
• Let your loc journey tell your story, not just his

As a dread expert, that’s always my goal with clients: not to turn them into a copy of someone else, but to give them a style that feels just as powerful on them as it did on the person who inspired it.

Maintaining XXXTentacion-Inspired Dreads (Color Care + Strength + Longevity)

As someone who has worked on hundreds of color-treated locs in the salon, let me tell you this honestly — getting the style is the easy part; keeping it healthy is the real art. And if you’re trying to maintain dreads inspired by X — whether you’re going for the xxxtentacion blue dreads, the icy xxxtentacion white dreads, or the classic half-blonde look — your maintenance routine matters more than anything else.

Let’s break it down the way I guide my clients in the chair.

Moisture Routine for Colored Dreads (Blue, Blonde, White)

Bleached and dyed locs get thirsty. Color lifts moisture out of the hair, so you need to put it back in the right way.

Here’s a simple routine I recommend:

• Light oil blend: Use grapeseed, jojoba, or sweet almond — they absorb well without creating buildup.
  • Hydrating spray: Mix water + aloe vera juice + a few drops of oil in a spray bottle.
  • Focus on mid-lengths and ends: The ends take the most damage during bleaching.
  • Avoid heavy creams: They suffocate the loc and trap moisture instead of helping it.

For intense colors like blue or white, keeping the ends hydrated is everything — otherwise they frizz, thin out, or weaken.

Washing Without Loosening the Dreads

A lot of people think washing ruins locs — but it’s actually the opposite. Clean dreads lock better and stay tighter.

Here’s how to wash without undoing your progress:

• Use residue-free shampoo — it helps prevent buildup and keeps the locs light.
  • Squeeze, don’t scrub: Rub your scalp with fingertips, let the shampoo run through the dreads.
  • Rinse in downward motions — always follow the natural fall of the loc to keep the shape.
  • Dry properly: Squeeze with a towel, then air-dry or sit under a dryer. Never sleep with wet dreads.

The right wash routine keeps your hair tight, clean, and ready for styling.

Retwisting or Semi-Freeform Maintenance

If you want to stay close to his vibe, semi-freeform maintenance is your best friend — free but guided.

Semi-freeform tips:
• Retwist every 4 to 8 weeks, not every week
• Keep the roots clean and parted, but don’t aim for perfection
• Let some volume happen — that’s the whole point of the X aesthetic

Salon retwisting tips:
• Avoid tight retwists — they cause root thinning
• Don’t use waxes — they attract lint and dust
• Keep your retwist light, breathable, and flexible

Semi-freeform looks raw, natural, and expressive — exactly the way he wore his dreads.

Avoiding Damage From Bleaching (MOST Important Step)

The biggest danger in recreating the xxxtentacion white dreads or blue phase is overprocessing. Bleach can transform your look, but it can also destroy the loc from inside if done wrong.

Here’s what I tell my clients:

• Never bleach immature dreads — wait until they’re at least semi-mature
  • Lift the color in stages — don’t force platinum in one day
  • Always deep-condition before the bleaching day
  • Tone gently — overtoning makes the hair brittle
  • Give time between color sessions

Healthy locs can survive bleach. Weak locs snap, frizz, or fall apart — and there’s no quick fix once that happens.

Daily Upkeep for Durability and Shape

A simple, consistent routine keeps your locs strong no matter what color you choose.

Daily care tips from my chair to yours:

• Shake your locs out in the morning — it opens airflow and prevents odor
  • Use a satin bonnet or satin pillowcase every night
  • Massage your scalp lightly to promote growth
  • Keep lint away — colored hair attracts it fast
  • Separate locs at the roots every few days to avoid accidental merging

This kind of upkeep doesn’t take long, but it protects your roots, your color, and your overall shape — especially when rocking bold styles like xxxtentacion blue dreads.

When all of this comes together — moisture, clean scalp, controlled retwisting, gentle coloring, daily maintenance — your dreads will not only look like the style that inspired you but will stay strong enough to last.

Expert Tips From a Professional Loctician (Avoiding Mistakes + Pro Hacks)

This is the part where my years in the salon really come out — the mistakes I’ve seen, the repairs I’ve had to fix, and the little hacks that only come from working on real heads, real textures, and real damage. If you’re aiming for a style inspired by X, these tips will save you time, protect your hair, and keep your locs looking powerful.

Most Common Mistakes People Make When Copying Celebrity Dread Styles

Let me be blunt — celebrity dread styles look good because someone behind the scenes is maintaining them with knowledge, patience, and technique. The biggest mistakes I see are:

• Bleaching too early: People bleach starter locs and end up with breakage before the dreads even mature.
  • Twisting too tight: This leads to thinning roots, traction alopecia, and weak spots.
  • Using heavy waxes: They trap lint, smell bad over time, and make the locs stiff.
  • Skipping moisture: Colored and bleached locs get brittle fast.
  • Trying to match every detail exactly: Everyone’s hair reacts differently — copying without adjusting can ruin your loc journey.

Celebrities often have professional guidance. You need that same mindset — not the rush.

Keeping Color Vibrant Without Damaging the Loc Structure

When clients ask me how to keep bold colors like blue, blonde, or white from fading, I always teach them one thing: “Vibrancy comes from healthy hair first, color second.”

Here’s how to maintain color safely:

• Use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo.
  • Avoid hot water — it strips color quickly.
  • Refresh semi-permanent colors (like blue) every few weeks.
  • Use a hydrating mist on mid-lengths and ends to stop dryness.
  • Protect your hair from the sun — UV light dulls dyes fast.
  • Deep-condition sparingly — too much can loosen locs but once a month is perfect for colored hair.

When the foundation is strong, the color stays clean, bright, and long-lasting.

How to Achieve a “Celebrity Clean-Part Look” Without Losing Semi-Freeform Energy

A lot of people want the best of both worlds — that clean, photo-ready look but still with the natural, wild root behavior X was known for. You can absolutely have both if you know how to maintain the balance.

Here’s what I do:

• Keep your original sections clean and visible by separating roots every few days.
  • Retwist lightly — just enough to refresh the part, not enough to pull tight.
  • Use gel sparingly so the roots stay breathable.
  • Let the roots grow naturally between retwists for that semi-freeform volume.
  • Avoid sharp, perfectly straight grid patterns — controlled chaos gives you that X energy.

This method keeps your locs looking fresh but still expressive and authentic.

Recommended Products, Tools, and Techniques (Salon-Tested)

Here’s what I use on clients for durability, softness, and long-lasting structure:

Light Oils:

• Jojoba
• Grapeseed
• Sweet almond
• Avocado (sparingly)

Shampoos:

• Residue-free formulas
• Sulfate-free color-safe shampoos if hair is dyed

Tools:

• Satin bonnet or pillowcase
• Soft-bristle palm brush
• Spray bottle with water + aloe blend
• Sectioning clips for clean parting

Techniques:

• Palm-rolling for shape
• Interlocking for clients with activity-heavy lifestyles
• Gentle retwisting to avoid thinning
• Controlled bleaching sessions done in stages

These are the exact tools I use for colored dread clients, especially those wanting bold looks like xxxtentacion white dreads.

When You Should Avoid Bleaching (Especially Weak or Thin Roots)

Bleach can make or break your loc journey — literally. If your roots are already struggling, bleaching is the last thing your hair needs.

Avoid bleaching if:

• Your roots feel thin, soft, or weak
  • You’re losing volume around the hairline
  • Your dreads are still in the early “baby loc” stage
  • Your scalp is irritated or inflamed
  • Your locs already feel dry or brittle
  • You’ve bleached them recently and didn’t wait long enough between sessions

In the salon, I always tell clients:

“The color is optional — healthy locs are not.”

If your hair isn’t ready, you wait. It’s that simple.

Conclusion 

XXXTentacion’s dreads weren’t just a hairstyle — they became a cultural expression of emotion, individuality, and raw authenticity. His loc journey, from the half-blonde front to the bold blue and clean white phases, showed people that hair can be art, attitude, and identity all at once. That’s why xxxtentacion dreads continue to inspire new generations — not because they’re perfect, but because they felt real, expressive, and deeply personal.

If fans want to recreate his look today, they absolutely can — as long as they follow a safe, informed approach. Healthy sectioning, patient locking, mindful coloring, and consistent maintenance will always matter more than rushing for the exact copy. The goal isn’t to become X — it’s to use his style as inspiration while creating your own version. When you honor your natural hair, protect your roots, and let your locs tell your story, you carry the spirit of his iconic style in a way that’s uniquely yours.

Disclaimer

This article is created for informational and educational purposes only. While I share insights based on professional dread-styling experience, the information should not replace personalized advice from a licensed hair professional. Results may vary based on individual hair type, condition, and maintenance routine. Always proceed cautiously with bleaching, coloring, or chemical treatments, and consult a qualified stylist if you’re unsure about any step.