1. Just above ear length. I cut off my collar length hair (long, for me) last summer to a very teeny weeny afro, in preparation for starting dreadlocks. I've had locks for about five months now.
2. No! I hate it at this length because it's very "willful" and sticks up in every possible direction. I'm trying to be patient.
3. I used to relax my hair but decided to stop. No real reason, and no indictment of people who choose to chemically straighten, I just don't. When my hair is fully locked, I'm going to colour a few of them a dark reddish auburn for highlights.
Products: I'm a shampoo freak since all I can basically do at this point is shampoo, not condition. Clairol Herbal Essences, Revlon Creme of Neature Herba Rich or @mosphere Ginger shampoo when I'm feeling cheap, Joico, Paul Mitchell, or Aveda when I'm feeling a bit more flush. I also use Carol's Daughter Loc Butter when it's time to retwist my loc babies, and Carol's Daughter Khoret Amen Oil for a light sheen.
I have a hair diary to chronicle my dreadlocks process at
http://napsody.formica.ca. You can see past style photos too.