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R&R ~ Rush to Relax. When to Relax a Child's Natural Black Hair
- By naanis naturals
- Published 10/14/2008
- Natural Hair
- Unrated
naanis naturals
naanis naturals is a hand-crafted, natural and organic beauty care line. Articles from http://naani.com are reprinted with permission and featured on FGK. Order select naani's naturals products from http://shopgrandmaskitchen.com
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BRAIDS & CORNROWS:
I'm sure I don't have to go into detail with this one.
Braids, Braid Extensions and Cornrows are great and they're relatively
easy to learn.
Braids and Cornrows can last up to two weeks. Given that most kids are wild sleepers, to help preserve the style, you may have to get your child accustomed to sleeping with a scarf. It'll probably come off her head during the night but it's worth a try.
As frizzies develop, you can smooth small amounts of naani's naturals No More Frizzies Aloe Vera Jelly or Styling Gel over the braids or cornrows then secure them with a satin scarf. The scarf and gel will work together to help the hair lay flat.
Another suggestion would be to play on the Wet Set technique. Before your child sleeps, braid or cornrow her hair in medium sections. In the morning, undo the braids and finger comb the hair. The braids will create a wavy look that can be pulled back with a headband to create a cute afro or Freeform style.
Despite this, if you're willing to put in the maintenance and if you're child is old enough to perform in-between maintenance on their own, dreadlocks can offer a beautiful alternative.
As with braided styles, a satin scarf will help combat frizzies that may develop as a result of the natural head-to-pillow friction that occurs while we sleep.
As your child's dreadlocks mature and become longer, your styling options dramatically increase and so does their natural beauty.
Be sure to visit the dreadlocks section for detailed information on the methods to create this style and how to care for them.
AFRO PUFFS: Whether they're done singularly or divided in two, this is one of the ultimate kid friendly styles. Afro puffs can be quick and easy for mom's on the go.
Begin by dividing the child's hair into sections. Spritz your child's hair with naani's naturals Moisturizing Mist then using a plastic pick, gently pick out the ends of the hair. It's important that you start at the ends and work your way inward to avoid breakage and to make picking out the hair less painful and easy.
Once you complete each section, you should be able to gently pick the hair out without much trouble.
You can then create one large puff or multiples utilizing elastics. In creating multiple puffs, part the hair straight down the middle or part a zig-zag pattern for more interest.
If you have a little more time, create several small puffs in 1-2 inch sections, securing each with rubber bands. To add interest, when you part the sections, do so in a diamond like shape.
Mama daez may not be a baby but she's representin' for young and old alike.
TWO-STRAND TWISTS: This style is more commonly referred to as plaits. The great thing about two-strands is that they work with natural hair. Two-strands use the strength of our natural curls to create beautiful, sponge-like ringlets that look terrific on any hair Texture. Granted, this photo of naaniMODEL daezhavoo doesn't foot the bill in an article about kids, but it give you the idea when it comes to achieving beautiful natural hair styles.
To
create a more natural look, use your fingers to part small to medium
sections and plat your child's hair. You can use a bit of
gel, oil or naani's naturals Curly Custard Maximum Definition Hairdress
on each two-strand but doing so is not necessary during their
formation. Again, our natural curls will help to secure the
two-strands so there will be no fear of unraveling. As far as
oil or sheen, you can use naani's naturals SPRITZ IT! once you're done to lubricate the hair.
Two-strand twists can last 2-3 weeks with proper care and get this...two-strands are one of the few styles that allow you to literally rinse and go. Rinsing helps to bring life back to flattened two-strands. The flattening generally occurs as you sleep.
In the morning, you can spritz your child's hair with fresh water but the best method I've found is to simply run your hair under the shower head or faucet for a few minutes. The twists won't unravel and all you have to do is gently pat the hair dry and voila, you're good to.
You know, there are tons more styles that we could suggest to ease the rush to chemicals so that the only relaxing you and your daughter(s) have to do, is when you spend time enjoying one another.
Hopefully the information presented here inspires someone, somewhere to invest the time to relearn natural hair care. With time, you will discover a style that works, that makes your child look beautiful as God intended and that doesn't take up all of your free time.
Braids and Cornrows can last up to two weeks. Given that most kids are wild sleepers, to help preserve the style, you may have to get your child accustomed to sleeping with a scarf. It'll probably come off her head during the night but it's worth a try.
As frizzies develop, you can smooth small amounts of naani's naturals No More Frizzies Aloe Vera Jelly or Styling Gel over the braids or cornrows then secure them with a satin scarf. The scarf and gel will work together to help the hair lay flat.
If
you find that a scarf at night isn't helping, when you wake your child,
smooth a bit of gel over her hair and secure it with a scarf
them. By the time she finishes washing, dressing and eating,
you can remove the scarf and voila!...No More Frizzies.
Another suggestion would be to play on the Wet Set technique. Before your child sleeps, braid or cornrow her hair in medium sections. In the morning, undo the braids and finger comb the hair. The braids will create a wavy look that can be pulled back with a headband to create a cute afro or Freeform style.
Dreadlocks:
I'm not a big fan dreadlocking children's hair. As with
relaxed styles, dreadlocks are permanent or at the very least extremely
difficult to remove and upkeep is made all the more difficult if you
have a physically active child.
Despite this, if you're willing to put in the maintenance and if you're child is old enough to perform in-between maintenance on their own, dreadlocks can offer a beautiful alternative.
As with braided styles, a satin scarf will help combat frizzies that may develop as a result of the natural head-to-pillow friction that occurs while we sleep.
As your child's dreadlocks mature and become longer, your styling options dramatically increase and so does their natural beauty.
Be sure to visit the dreadlocks section for detailed information on the methods to create this style and how to care for them.
AFRO PUFFS: Whether they're done singularly or divided in two, this is one of the ultimate kid friendly styles. Afro puffs can be quick and easy for mom's on the go.
Begin by dividing the child's hair into sections. Spritz your child's hair with naani's naturals Moisturizing Mist then using a plastic pick, gently pick out the ends of the hair. It's important that you start at the ends and work your way inward to avoid breakage and to make picking out the hair less painful and easy.
Once you complete each section, you should be able to gently pick the hair out without much trouble.
You can then create one large puff or multiples utilizing elastics. In creating multiple puffs, part the hair straight down the middle or part a zig-zag pattern for more interest.
If you have a little more time, create several small puffs in 1-2 inch sections, securing each with rubber bands. To add interest, when you part the sections, do so in a diamond like shape.
Mama daez may not be a baby but she's representin' for young and old alike.
TWO-STRAND TWISTS: This style is more commonly referred to as plaits. The great thing about two-strands is that they work with natural hair. Two-strands use the strength of our natural curls to create beautiful, sponge-like ringlets that look terrific on any hair Texture. Granted, this photo of naaniMODEL daezhavoo doesn't foot the bill in an article about kids, but it give you the idea when it comes to achieving beautiful natural hair styles.
To
create a more natural look, use your fingers to part small to medium
sections and plat your child's hair. You can use a bit of
gel, oil or naani's naturals Curly Custard Maximum Definition Hairdress
on each two-strand but doing so is not necessary during their
formation. Again, our natural curls will help to secure the
two-strands so there will be no fear of unraveling. As far as
oil or sheen, you can use naani's naturals SPRITZ IT! once you're done to lubricate the hair.Two-strand twists can last 2-3 weeks with proper care and get this...two-strands are one of the few styles that allow you to literally rinse and go. Rinsing helps to bring life back to flattened two-strands. The flattening generally occurs as you sleep.
In the morning, you can spritz your child's hair with fresh water but the best method I've found is to simply run your hair under the shower head or faucet for a few minutes. The twists won't unravel and all you have to do is gently pat the hair dry and voila, you're good to.
You know, there are tons more styles that we could suggest to ease the rush to chemicals so that the only relaxing you and your daughter(s) have to do, is when you spend time enjoying one another.
Hopefully the information presented here inspires someone, somewhere to invest the time to relearn natural hair care. With time, you will discover a style that works, that makes your child look beautiful as God intended and that doesn't take up all of your free time.
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Comments
Comment #1 (Posted by Chelle)
Rating:
Thank you for this article because my hair is naturally curly, but my daughters isn't. I know how to do my hair, but hers is different than mine. She's 12 now and I didn't want to relax her hair because it is beautiful, thick and long. I was feeling the pressure to relax, but I just plain don't want to. She feels pressure from school because I had her hair in twist (to kiddish looking for 7th grade), so this article gives me new styles as I don't know how to cornrow and can't send her to the salon every week. Thanks again.
Comment #2 (Posted by Stacey)
Rating:
I need help! I am the white mama of a beautiful 8 year old black daughter. Her hair is VERY thick, fine in texture, and curls to little corkscrews smaller than a pen spring. I had it relaxed a couple of years ago by a black beautician - it was mid-back in length - and it broke to about 1/2" in back. I feel so badly for her when trying to braid it because of the tangles hurting her head. I would love style and product suggestions for her type of hair. I would like leaving it natural like the little girl in the picture (her's is thick like that) but leaving it down for a couple of days ends in horrible tangles. Tears shouldn't be part of pretty hair!! Thanks!
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