Natural Hair: Fun with Buns! pt.2

Big Girl Hair

My 7yr old Princess asked me for "big girl hair" for Christmas. I came up with this super cute and simple, age appropriate style!

I started with a part from the crownof her head then ear to ear and flat twisted that section of hair over to one side and secured the end with a rubber band.

Then I gathered her hair up into a high ponytail. Once ponytail was secure I stretched the twist around the base of the ponytail and secured in place with a hair pin.

Finally I wrapped her hair around the base of the ponytail in a circular motion creating the bun. I pinned and tucked until the desired bun shape was formed.

That's it!!

Products used: Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer
Curls Passion Fruit Control Paste for her edges

DIY Deep Conditioner

Homemade Deep Conditioner





Avocado:
Avocado is a great conditioner and moisturizer. Using avocado on your hair will help deep condition it and prevent breakage and dryness. Avocado extends a rich supply of vitamins and nutrients and encourages hair growth and maintain overall hair health.













Coconut Oil:
Use coconut oil to achieve smooth, healthy hair. Its small molecular structure allows for easy absorption by the hair shaft. High levels of saturated fats lend it ultra-hydrating properties that infuse hair with moisture and softness. It is a particularly effective treatment for dry, damaged or over processed hair.














Jojoba Oil: 
Promotes new healthier hair and helps to strengthen the existing hair (avoid hair loss). Acts as moisturizer; even better, it produces a thin film on hair shaft and scalp to maintain  a moisturized condition. Jojoba oil closely matches the sebum, your hair’s natural oil and can be used to balance oil production at the scalp, aiding overproducing glands that cause oily hair. Jojoba is also non-greasy and gives your hair a healthy shine.














Grape Seed Oil:
Is super light and moisturizing and can benefit all types of curls. Grapeseed oil is a  natural heat protectant and can actually be used as a thermal agent up to 425 degrees when blow drying or flat ironing. This oil works great to strengthen each strand, increase manageability and can also be used to combat dry scalp and dandruff. Because it is lighter weight than many other oils, such as olive oil, it absorbs into the skin and hair much faster, and without weighing hair down. Grapeseed oil is rich in vitamin E and linoleic acid, two things that will strengthen your hair.













Honey:
Honey contains vitamins, minerals, is antibacterial, acts as a humectant (attracts moisture), and has incredible healing properties.  The anti-bacterial property of honey helps to have a healthy scalp. This in turn reduces the risk of dandruff and thus, hair fall out. The high sugar content of honey helps to retain water and thereby maintains moisture content of hair. In fact this moisture content helps to keep the cuticle soft.










Egg: Eggs are rich in protein. Protein helps to make the hair follicle stronger and stronger strands of hair are less likely to break. Therefore, you’ll have fewer split ends. Eggs are also known to smooth the hair. Smooth hair is easier to manage and less likely to become tangled or knotted. Eggs act like a conditioner and moisturize dry hair. Eggs also make dull hair shine because unlike shampoo, eggs maintain the hair’s natural oils that shampoos tend to strip away. 

**If you/your hair are protein sensitive DO NOT use eggs in your DIY Conditioner**













Olive Oil: Olive oil is loaded with antioxidants, which can keep the skin of your scalp in better shape. Olive oil can make your hair shiny and soft. That's why it has been used for centuries as a natural hair conditioner. Olive oil has the ability to treat split ends, heal dandruff and add shine. Olive oil contains omega fatty acids, specifically omega-6 and omega-3 which has a positive effect on skin and hair.
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, as well as vitamins A and E, which protect the keratin in hair and help to lock in moisture.

 

 

 

**Disclaimer - I am not a cosmetologist, scientist or chemist. I am a woman/mother who has done her own research to discover what works for our hair. This is what I have found that works best for myself as well as my daughters hair. I did not include measurements for the mixture because that should be decided based on the needs/length/thickness/thinness of your hair.


























































































































 

Natural Hairstyles for Kids

During the week we don't usually have time for daily hair combing. This is a super simple style that will last all week. I typically do not use rubber bands but I did not have enough goody elastic bands to complete this style. I dipped the rubber bands in olive oil before putting them on her hair. An easy alternative to using rubber bands would be to start out with a braid at the root for about an inch then start your two strand twist.
As usual I used Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer, Bee Mine Curly Butter and Curls Passion Fruit Control Paste to achieve this style. At night, a satin bonnet was used along with her satin pillow case. For a little fun, the parts were all oddly shaped.

Back to School....Natural Hair

Flat Twist & Two Strand Twist

During the school year we're all about simple, easy and long lasting hairstyles. For us, combing hair every morning is not realistic. We just don't have the time. My perfect solution is a combination of flat twist and two strand twist. Usually I can get 2-3 weeks out of this style before having to re-do. It really depends on how active J is and if we follow our nightly routine of a satin scarf, satin bonnet and satin pillow case. I do lightly mist her hair with water (very lightly) and lightly moisturize her hair with Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Moisturizer as needed. Typically every 3-4 days or so but again only as needed. J likes to wear her twist down but sometimes I will put the twist in a cute side ponytail with a bow or even two ponytails. I do use rubber bands to secure the end of the flat twist however I do not attempt to take them out by hand. I always carefully cut rubber bands to remove them. Rubber bands are notorious for causing excessive breakage and pulling of hair.

TIP: Worried about rubber bands causing breakage and pulling hair? Dip rubber bands in olive oil before using to reduce breaking, pulling and snagging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Hair: Summer Styles for Kids

The perfect protective style!

The Mohawk

Products we use: 

Shampoo: Shea Moisture - Purchased at Target

Conditioner: Giovanni Direct Leave-In - Purchased at Target

Moisturizer & Styler: Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer - Purchased online at beemineproducts.com 

Edges: Curls Control Paste - Purchased at Target 

The Process:

Hair is washed with Shea Moisture Shampoo

Conditioned with Giovanni Direct Leave-In

Natural Oil is added (grapeseed or coconut oil)

Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer is added

Hair is blown dry (Unless I wash J's hair at home and band/air dry overnight)

Once style is determined her beautician/braider will then section hair into small sections and begin braiding

How long does the style last:

I typically do not go past 3 weeks. I find keeping braids longer than that causes extra tangles and breakage plus by this point J's hair is fuzzy and no longer looks fresh. I tend to be very particular about the appearance of my daughter's hair. 

What we do at night:

Always, always and always use a satin scarf or bonnet in conjunction with a satin pillow case just in case the scarf/bonnet should come off during the night. 

Never, never, never use a cotton scarf or sleep on a cotton pillow case. Cotton scarfs, bonnets and pillow cases sucks the moisture right out of the hair in addition to causing unnecessary dryness, brittleness and breakage. Taking the time to wash, deep condition, condition and moisturize and then sleeping with or on cotton material defeats the purpose. Natural/healthy hair is delicate and requires a lot of patience. It's not the easy route. If you go into this thinking it's a get up and go type of situation you should RUN, not walk, to your nearest beauty supply store/salon and get a relaxer. Having relaxed hair (in MY opinion) is easier to maintain. However, having natural hair is far more rewarding, freeing and versatile. It's all about preference!

The take down:

I mist J's hair with water, add your oils of choice, add a cheap conditioner of choice and start from the bottom of the braid unraveling until the braid is completely removed. I then finger comb the section of hair that I just took down to remove the shed hair. The moisture from the water and oil and the "slip" from the conditioner makes this process easy as pie. 

F.Y.I.  This is what works for us and may not be ideal for everyone

PSA:  I AM NOT A LICENSED BEAUTICIAN in any way shape or form......please do your own research as I have and find what works for you and your daughter's hair.  

Natural Hair: Braid Styles for Kids

J and Her Braids!!

Side Pony Tail & Mohawk

Products we use: 

Shampoo: Shea Moisture - Purchased at Target

Conditioner: Giovanni Direct Leave-In - Purchased at Target

Moisturizer & Styler: Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer - Purchased online at beemineproducts.com (pictured below)

Edges: Curls Control Paste - Purchased at Target (pictured below)

Hair has been washed & blow dried

Her beautician starting the braiding process

Smashbox Liquid Halo HD Foundation & Small Haul

Smashbox Cosmetics

I decided to do a little shopping this weekend and thought I'd share. I picked up some high end and budget items. If I like it I buy it!! If it's $200.00 or $20.00 and it peaks my interest I'll make the purchase. I shop everywhere from Target to Nordstrom and everywhere in between.

The Foundation
Nordstrom was one of my stops this weekend to purchase the newly released (released 7/10/13) Smashbox Liquid HD Foundation. I also purchased their new Photo Op Eye Brightening Mascara Illuminateur and the Photo Set Finishing Powder. There was a representative/make up artist from Smashbox at Nordstrom specifically for the launch of this new foundation. Needless to say I was like a kid in a candy store.

I decided to have Smashbox's make up artist make up my face using the Liquid Halo Foundation. I knew I was in love instantly. The foundation is perfect for my combination dry/oily skin. It applied smooth, no clumping, no streaks, non greasy and non drying. Believe it or not of all the make up I own I only have one foundation and one tinted moisturizer. I am not big on foundation. If and when I do decide to wear anything it's never full coverage. My skin is my skin and I'm comfortable in it however imperfect it may be. There are those days though that I want to get a little cute and fancy! LoL This foundation will be my go to for those cute and fancy days. I would consider this foundation sheer to medium coverage but buildable.

• Light weight
• Sheer to medium coverage but buildable
• No "cake face" look
• Goes on super smooth
• Last all day
• Skin is still touchable and soft
• Not ashy looking

The Mascara
Elongated my lashes to the point I thought I had fake lashes on. If that's the look you are going for then this mascara is for you. I have to point out though that it's hard for me to be blown away by a mascara because my lashes are naturally long and full so the mascara is just enhancing what is already naturally there. It's not doing anything amazing to my lashes. Did I just toot my own horn? Yeap, TOOT TOOT, BEEP BEEP :)

Photo Set Finishing Powder
LOVE IT! Imagine finely milled silk...that's what this feels like. She applied it after the foundation, blush and bronzer and my face was "set" for the rest of the day. My makeup did not move until I removed it at the end of the evening. I'm impressed. This matte translucent oil-absorbing powder banishes shine and leaves you with a flawless finish.

Just me...Real Regular

A lil fancy in the face but still me. I love that I still look like me. I still see my face, my skin. My imperfections that make me...ME! I'm not caked under tons of foundation. This foundation is like a second skin. Very pleased with my purchase.

 Bonus Pic: Other items I picked up over the weekend. With the exception of these exceptional flats I purchased from payless.com for work. Every year/season I purchase a couple pairs of shoes to leave in my desk at work. I like these flats so much I might have to incorporate them into my regular wardrobe.

Shoes: Payless.com DexFlex comfort flat
Make Up: Smashbox from Nordstrom
Bangles and striped Vintage T's: Old Navy
Nailpolish: Sephora.com
Real Techniques Blush Brush: Ulta
Lipstick: Lancome from Ulta
Lipstick: Buxom from Sephora
Shorts: Torrid from at least 2yrs ago. Planned on wearing them today but ended up in Capri's instead