Saturday, August 27, 2011

Hair Styles



I try to keep the hairstyles for the girls simple and long lasting. Why? Because i have 4 heads of hair to do and it's impossible to re-style their hair everyday.

For the most part i style their hair in single braids, two-strand twists, bantu-knots or small ponytails. It takes about 2.5 hours per head of hair. Their styles typically last from 4-6 weeks. I'll start taking them down around week 4 and 5 and start the entire washing, conditioning, detangle, styling process all over again.

Here are their current hair styles. I decided to braid their up in individual braid and decorate the ends with barrettes.


Amira, age 9




Aaliyah age 7


Ayana age 5




Asaria age 4


Labels: , ,

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Hair Length Check for The Daughters of Destiny

I am dedicated to all 4 of my daughters hair and ensuring that it is healthy. So since it's "hair week" (yes hair week because that's how long it takes from beginning to end for all their hair) i thought i'd do a hair post.

I didn't realize that their hair was so long until i decided to do a "length check" and take pictures of the results. I actually amazed myself with how much their hair has grown over the years.

Typically i only wash and re-style their hair about every 4-6 weeks. I choose styles that will last and that i won't have to take down at the end of 5 days and re-style again. Some examples, are very small two-strand twists, corn rows, small mini ponytails, Bantu knots (which last about 2 weeks), and braided up do styles.

I do not use chemical processes on their hair and never have. The products i use are mostly natural and have very few harsh ingredients (if any at all). I don't wash their hair with shampoo every month (only every other washing because some shampoos tend to be very drying and harsh on their hair, even the gently ones). I co-wash their hair most of the times (washing hair using a really creamy and hydrating conditioner). I also take my time to untangle their hair and only do it when it's soaking wet and full of conditioner.

My goal when styling their hair is NOT to make it look straight. My goal is to embrace their natural curls and work WITH them and not against them. Therefore i do allot of finger combing (combing the hair to untangle with my fingers and pull apart tangles gently). I also use a very wide tooth comb and a paddle brush. That's probably why it takes me so long to style each head of hair.

Also i make sure to keep the hair moisturized with a spray i use. I use equal parts aloe vera juice (pure aloe vera juice), filtered water (yes i use bottled water or water that's been run through a filter), and a few TBSP of extra virgin olive oil. I don't use gels in their hair because gels have allot of alcohol and will dry out the hair and break it off. For xtra hold, i use 100% shea butter or some products i purchase from the internet like Blended Beauty and Oyin Handmade.

Below are some pictures of their hair and some staple products i use in their hair.

Amira, age 9 - she has the thickest and longest hair of all her sisters. Because she is the oldest it took me a few years to figure out what products to use that were healthy for her hair. I didn't start seeing her hair really grow until she was about 3 years old.



Aaliyah, age 7 - has the curliest hair of her sisters. Her hair is very soft and spongy and really holds any curls and styles.



Ayana, age 5 - has a looser curl patter. Her hair is a bit more on the thin side so it doesn't take me very long to get through her hair.



Asaria, age 4 - has a mix of different curl patterns. Her hair is very curly in the back and gets looser towards the front. It takes me some time for her hair because she does NOT like me anywhere near her hair.


These are the staple product i ALWAYS have on hand when it's time to wash, condition, and style the girls hair.

From Oyin Handmade, Burnt Sugar Pomade, Honey Hemp Conditioner and Juices n Berries. The burnt sugar is good for SUPER hold and the scalp. I use the conditioner as a leave-in and a co-wash and moisturizer. And the spray can be mixed to use as a daily leave-in.
http://www.curlmart.com/store/image.php?type=P&id=755http://www.curlmart.com/store/image.php?type=P&id=860http://www.curlmart.com/store/image.php?type=P&id=757



From Blended Beauty, i use the cream styling butters because it helps to keep the girls hair moisturized.
http://www.curlmart.com/store/image.php?type=P&id=529http://www.curlmart.com/store/image.php?type=P&id=533





I use this conditioner as a co-wash.
http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/SallyBeauty/SBS-125079?wid=225&hei=225&fmt=jpeg,rgb&qlt=85,1&op_sharpen=1&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.9,1.0,4,0&iccEmbed=0

There are times when i'll see something interesting and pick it up or try new products. However i always find myself going back to the ones that seem to work the best. I also buy the Kinky-Curly curling custard from time to time but i only use that when i'm leaving the girls hair to air dry while out and un-styled. I'll also use the Kinky-Curly knot today leave in, which is a pretty good detangler.

So that's pretty much it for the staples and the basic of what i do for the girls hair.