Simple Cornrows Styles

The infamous cornrows!  This particular style has become more popular now than ever.  This is a style that can be done in kids or adults, women or men.   Cornrows are also another great protective style for curly hair and is highly done during the hottest months of the year.

While some people are very talented and are able to do the most interesting and elaborate designs you can think of, that doesn't mean that you can't learn how to do simple straight cornrows.  

WOW, I must say that it took me about a month to learn how to cornrow.  I watched several you tube videos, read many "How To" guides and the only way you will learn is by practicing. 

TIP:  Believe it or not, this also came from my husband:  He suggested I purchased a Cosmetology Mannequin Head from the local hair store and practice on that.  I must agree that it was one of the greatest ideas my husband has ever had.  While I was very hesitant about spending money on buying the Mannequin Head, it was worth it! I found one for $34.99 and practice on that for about a month. After that, I felt confident enough to try it on Ms. Bree's hair.  

Yes, I had to re-do one or two cornrows but the results were amazing! Specially from someone who didn't know how to cornrow a month ago.  

As we all know, cornrows are another great protective style for curly hair and because its very easy to maintain.  They can be left in for days or for several weeks at a time as long as you carefully moisturize them. 

You can adorn the cornrows with colorful beads, snaps, clips, pretty much anything.   

Cornrows into Pony tails (then braids out):

Day 3:

Cornrows into a messy bun: 

When I realized that her pony tails were getting a bit frizzy from playing outside, I twisted each pony tail (2 strand twist technique) and then twisted both pony tails together and created a bun.

The more you practice doing the simple straight cornrows, the more you will get used to the technique and in no time you will be able to do the more elaborate designs.  

Another Curly Cutie as a Guest!

I am so happy to introduce you to one of my favorite curly cuties!  

To protect her privacy, we will call her "Ms. J".    

Ms. J's mommy is Rachel, and as a mother of a curly cutie has learned a lot about caring for Ms. J's wonderful curls.  

Rachel shares:

I wash Ms. J's hair every two week or three weeks by using the Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Shampoo and Reconstructive Conditioner. 

I add a little bit Jojoba Oil or Olive Oil to the conditioner and let it sit on her wet hair for about 10 to 15 minutes with a shower cap on.  Then I rinse the hair completely out.

To style her hair I use Cantu Daily Moisturizer.

I tried to do as many protective styles as possible.  Mainly in braids due to the low maintenance and the styles last a lot longer.  Once the braids are out I usually let her hair breath by just doing two simple pony tails or twists. 

My daughter's hair grows very slow so it is very important that we take good care of her hair.

Another way to style it:

ANOTHER SIMPLE STYLE:

Thank you Rachel for sharing these gorgeous styles with us.

Where Are The Curlz?!

Yes, her hair is straight! and NO, I did not relaxed her hair.  

I know many parents have concerns or are afraid of using flat irons or blow dryers on their children's hair.  

I am going to share the one thing my Husband said to me almost two years ago:  "Buying cheap things will give you poor results".  Investing in a good quality tool will probably due less damage than an inexpensive hair tool.  

After a long discussion my husband convinced me to buy a good quality flat iron.  Yes, I did pay a good amount  of money for it but to be honest it was totally worth it.  

  

I believe this is the third time I flat iron my daughter's hair and I believe that the process has not damaged her hair because of the following reasons:

1.  I don't do it often; Ms. Bree is about to turn four and I've flat iron her hair maybe a total of three times in the last three years.  

2.  I make sure I wash, condition, moisturize and stretch her hair before flat ironing it.   I don't use the blow dryer to dry her hair.  I rather band Ms. Bree's hair in order to stretch her curl pattern.

    *Why do this? If you stretch the hair before you flat iron it then you will spend less time going over the curls repeatedly.   (See What is Banding? Post)

3.  Once the hair is stretched, I apply a heat protector.  I personally use Paul Mitchell Smoothing Gloss Drops.  

4.  I DO NOT let the flat iron sit on one spot for a long time.  In fact, I recommend you divide the hair into small sections, and gently flat iron the hair.   Smaller sections are easy to do and will prevent you from having to go over the sections repeatedly.

5.  My flat iron has different settings: 240, 280, 320, 350 and 400.
I use the 320 setting to do Ms. Bree's hair since her hair is more delicate. 

  

The important thing to remember is to prep the hair before you flat iron it, to moisturize the hair, and then follow with a protective style.   

I will be doing cornrows on Ms. Bree's hair as the next protective style.

  

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Paul Mitchell Express Ion Smooth 1.25 Hair Straightener Flat Iron, 1-1/4 Inch

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001UHN0NG/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B001UHN0NG&link_code=as3&tag=carcurswi-20

Friday's Fresh Look!

I meant to post this sooner but our weekend got a little bit crazy! 

Due to Thursday's wild adventure, I had to re-style Ms. Bree's hair.  I decided to do something very simple that I could re-touch or re-do, if needed it.  This is her Friday Look.  

I also want to mention that we are trying two new products: Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo and Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioning Milk. I will post the reviews on these two products in approximately three weeks (in order to write an accurate review on the products and how her hair reacted to it).

After washing Ms. Bree's hair with the Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioning Milk, I sectioned her hair in two big sections (parting from ear to ear);

I applied Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer and detangled the bottom section with my fingers first, then I gently used the wide tooth comb to make sure her hair was completely free of any knots or tangles;

I divided the bottom section in two, (parting from top to bottom) in order to do two pony tails; then I did one big braid in each pony tail.  
     

After I applied Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer to front section, I made sure it was completely detangled.  

I sectioned the front part into 6 sections (see picture below);  I used ouchless bands to do the "connectors" style.  

After I applied the ouchless band on the bottom left section, I braided the hair enough to bring it over the top (middle) section, and tight the hair with another ouchless band.  

Then I repeated the process on the left top section, brought the hair over to the bottom (middle section), which formed an "X" pattern.  Then continued with the same technique and added the right sections. 

Front view:

Side view:

NOTE:  The Shea Moisture products have high reviews.  These products can be purchased online, Target, CVS, Walgreens, and/or Bed Bath & Beyond.

The only thing I can say about these products so far is that the ingredients are all organic, they have an amazing scent.

These are the listed ingredients:

Contains de-ionized water, Decyl Glucoside (sugar beets), African Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea butter) (denotes certified organic ingredients), aloe vera leaf juice, Argan Oil, Panthenol (pro-vitamin B-5, rosemary extract, sea kelp extract, vitamin E, Lonicera Caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower and Lonicera Japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) flower extract.

A Wild Looking Toddler...

As I promised Thursday, this in an update to the "All Natural Curlz" post (http://caramelcurlz.blogspot.com/2012/09/yes-all-natural-curlz.html).  

Are you ready to see this?    First, let me say that Ms. Bree had Art classes at school Thursday and as we all know, paint can be a little messy.

When she was instructed to clean her hands, well... she did more than just clean her hands, she washed her arms, her face and YES, by doing so she got her hair wet!! (which we all knoe is a big NO NO)

Thereafter, she went outside to the playground and when I picked her up from school, her hair was WILD!! 


BEFORE SCHOOL:

AFTER SCHOOL:

Ms. Bree really enjoyed having her natural curls free and by using Kinky Curly products we accomplished a nice soft look that lasted for more than a day.  I deeply believe that it would have lasted longer if she would not have played with water.

I want to also add that her hair was not tangled at all! In fact, I had very little trouble sectioning the hair in order to get it washed and conditioned.

LESSON:  What I learned is that I cannot send her to school with "free curls".  Next time I'll probably do two pig tails and add the Kinky Curly products to each section.     

Overall, she loved it and had a great time showing people her natural curls, which to me is very important.   I want my daughter to feel comfortable in her own skin, to love herself from head to toes.  Although her style turned "wild", it still looked nice.