Scheduled Hair Time

After checking my palm, I realized that it's M2's weekend to get her hair washed and styled. Out of my 3 girls, she has the most hair. So, I definitely have my work cut out for me!

As I said in a previous post, it's important to plan when you can do your child's hair and also how you are going to style the hair. You have to consider how long you need the style to last in contrast with how much time you have to actually "do" the hair. If you don't have much time right now, you should do a style that will last at least a week or two that doesn't take much time. My favorite time saving style is the 2 strand twist. It doesn't last as long as braids, but it's quick to do and it's way easier to take down when you're ready to wash the hair again. Now if you have more time, I would suggest a braid style, which would also last longer. The braids take longer to do and take longer to take down for washing. But, if you have the time to invest, it's well worth it, like during summer vacation or long holidays.

When I say "braids" I am talking about the individual braids that can be moved around or put into ponytails. Cornrows are the flat braids that do not move and just lie next to the scalp. Cornrows are a bit time consuming, but they are easy to take down. To me, they are somewhere between twists and braids as far as how long they last.

I will begin posting how-tos very soon so you can try some of these things on your little darlins'!

Extensions for Children

After reminiscing on M1's hair journey, I really thought about how amazing it is to have grown 2 almost 3 new heads of hair for her. Because with each transition, I did alot of cutting away hair. I plan to finish up this last transition by cutting the rest of the "text-laxer" off when school ends for the summer break. I think the single most important thing to growing all of that hair so quickly is low to no manipulation. I washed her hair every other week, applied no heat, not even blow drying, and did a protective style that needed no combing during the 2 week period. When I say protective style, I mean cornrows, braids, twists. Any style where the hair is not "loose" and does not have to be combed daily, is protective.

I also would be remiss, if I didn't mention the help of a "good" braider and appropriate braid styles. Braids/Twist with extension definitely helped M1's growth, but it was because I never put heavy extensions, never used synthetic hair, and never let her hair be braided to tight. And oh, a good braider/twister WILL use oil while braiding the hair! M1 never lost her edges, never had thinning hair, never had those little bumps when it's too tight. My braid shop is staffed by Sengelese women and they are the bomb-bay! They had their lumps of coconut oil on the backs of their hands, babies wrapped on their backs, and they were some braiding/twisting sisters!

Shoot, now that I'm thinking, I need to make me an appointment to grow out my teeny weeny 'fro. ;)