Tutorial: Simple Two Strand Twists

Hello Ladies: 

This is a very simple style and the reason why so many mothers love the Two Strands Twists style is because of it's flexibility; the fact that it's a great protective style, it looks great on toddlers, teenagers and even adults.  

The smaller the sections you use to do the twists the longer they will last, at least, that has been my experience when I do my daughter's hair.  

The tools you will need:

1.  Styling products: 
    a.  Spray bottle with your favorite mix;
    b.  Curly Butter or your favorite moisturizer;
    c.  Eco Styler Gel;

2. Rat Tail Comb  & Hair Clips for sectioning;

3. Rubber bands  

95% of the time, Ms. Bree's hair is banded for at least a day prior to styling.  After washing her hair I moisturize it by using Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer.  This process makes sectioning the hair easier since it keeps her hair detangled and it also keeps her hair moisturized.   

I did not have the need to use my wide tooth comb but it's always wise to have one handy, just in case you encounter a tangle/knot.  

Step 1:  Using the tail part of your comb part the top section first.  Start the line right above the right ear straight across to the left ear; clip the hair out of your way using a hair clip. 

Step 2:  Now, you are left with the bottom part.  Part a smaller section of hair by using the tail part of your comb (parting from left to right). 

Step 3:  Part a small section (like doing box braids but in this case you are doing box twists); spritz a little bit of water or your favorite mix (we do not want to get the hair to wet but you'll want it damp);

Step 4:  Apply your favorite moisturizer or butter starting from the roots to the ends. Then apply a little bit of Eco Styler Gel to the section, again, from the roots to the ends of the hair;

Step 5:  Secure the section by using rubber band;

Step 6:  Split the section in half and twist the right section before you bring the piece over to the left piece, then bring the right piece over the left piece and continue until the entire section is twisted.  

OPTIONAL:  You can use rubber bands to secure the ends until the twists are 100% dry, or you can use barrettes or beads to finish the twists. 

Step 7:  Continue to make the sections and repeat 3, 4 & 5 until the entire bottom section is twisted.   

Once you are finished with the bottom section, it's time to get the top section done.  

Step 8:  Spritz water or your favorite mix on the top section; apply moisturizer or your favorite butter and secure the hair with a cloth cover band;

Step 9:  Divide the hair into equal parts, this will help you create twists that look the same in thickness; 

Step 10:  Repeat step 3, 4 & 5.  

I styled her hair Saturday Morning and these pictures were taken Monday night. is you can see in the above picture, her ends looked dry.  

I moisturize her ends and scalp as needed.  To moisturize her ends I simply damp her ends with a bit of water and apply a dab of Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer and coil her ends using my index finger. 

STYLE UPDATES

4th Day Twists:

This was my first time using rubber bands at the base of her twists.  It is important to constantly check for any bumps around each parting line and around the hair line.  

Should you spot any stress bumps, immediately undo the style and massage the scalp with jojoba oil, and give the scalp and hair a break.

After wearing her twists for a few days, I decided her hair had enough and I removed all rubber bands and unraveled the twists.

Recap: This Month's Styles

July has basically come to and end!  Can you believe that??  

I sure can't but a lot of amazing things have happened during this month and we are looking forward to the month of August.  

Little man will start 1st Grade and Ms. Bree will start Pre-K!  It is a bittersweet moment but I cannot be any more proud that both of them have been accepted at a Magnet School. 

With that in mind we thought we would give a recap of this month's hair styles.

Let's begin with one of our most popular styles which happens to be a very simple style as well.  

How simple and beautiful was that??  

This style can also be modified into so many others.  Keeping her hair banded minimizes any knots and tangles and of course stretches her curl pattern .  

Daddy's Promotion Ceremony

Since it was Daddy's big day, I decided to do a Braid Out at Daddy's request.   He is a big fan of "natural hair" and truly enjoys seeing Ms Bree with her hair down.

JULY 4th CELEBRATION

WOW, Fros on the Fourth!  What an honor it was to have partnered with Baby Big Hair for Best of Fros on the Fourth Giveaway and how much fun it was seeing all the natural beauties rocking their "Fros". 

Thank you to all the participants! 

FAMILY VACATION

It is amazing how much the children grow in just one year.  

Every year we take a "Family Vacation".  During this time, we just want to enjoy the kids and do a lot of fun activities with them.  

I don't want to get up early or stay up late doing hair and with that in mind, I opted to do a cornrowed pony tail and small box braids. 

With this particular style it was easy to keep her scalp and her ends moisturized and protected while we were catching sun at the beach as well as going down the water slide at the Water Park. 

(NOTE: Before every trip to the beach or water park, I sprayed water, applied oil and then conditioner.   I then collected all the hair into a bun or two buns, tucking all the ends in to prevent the ends from drying.  I co-washed her hair and re-moisturized her hair concentrating on her scalp and ends)

I simply loved the versatility of this style.  

One Pony Tail, accessorized by a beautiful Flower Clip courtesy of our lovely friend at Flowers by Fatima

Two Pony Tails, accessorized by two simple bows courtesy from our friend and neighbor at Mommasbows.

Just let it all down... 

After all those trips to the beach and Water Park it was time to take down her protective style, do a Deep Conditioner and let her hair rest before re-styling it again.

I must confess that I didn't re-styled her hair before she went back to school.

Monday morning are always hectic for us, a quick pony tail was good enough.  The flower clip is another amazing creation by our friend at Flowers by Fatima.

Since it is really difficult to do her hair during the week, specially on those days when my son has Karate, I didn't have time to do her hair the night before, therefore I re-touched her pony tail and off to school.

Sometimes during school, Ms. Bree decided she wanted her hair down and took her pony tail down, when I walked into her classroom at the end of they day, I looked around looking for my child... I have to say I couldn't spot her.  

This is how I found her! 

We can surely say that July was our "Free Hair" month... 

July 31, 2013! 

Want to be Featured?? HERE IS HOW!

We truly enjoy and appreciate our fans' participation... and here are more ways to do it!  

Cover Page:

To be featured on our Cover Page, simply provide me with pictures of yourself or your little one, NO, it doesn’t have to be a girl!! it can be a boy too!  Send all pictures to caramelcurlznswirls@yahoo.com, make sure you use the subject line "Cover Page".   

When submitting the pictures, make sure you answer the following questions:

A. If you are submitting photos of your little ones:

1. Name and age;

2. Products currently using;

3. Their hair routine;

4. When and/or why did you decided to keep your child's hair natural?

5. Does your child love their curly hair?

B.  If you are submitting photos of yourself:

1. Name and age;

2. How long have you been natural?

3. What was your worst mistake?

4. Have you established a routine? If so, what is it?

5. What products are currently working for you?

6. What made you go natural? 

7. How do you feel about your hair now?

Tutorials:

If you want to share your style with step by step instructions, simply send all the information with pictures to caramelcurlznswirls@yahoo.com, make sure you use the subject line "Tutorials".

Pictures from all angles are always helpful;

Make a list of all tools/accessories used to accomplish the style;

Make a list of all products used.

Great Style & 4th Birthday Photos!

Ms. Bree turned 4 yrs old on Friday but her party is schedule for this upcoming Saturday, make sure you don't miss Royal Birthday Party- Part II

While we wait for the big day to come, we surely are having some fun getting ready for it.

We started by having her pictures taken on Saturday morning.  

After a few requests from our facebook fans, Ms. Bree rocked her natural curls for this photo session.  Make sure you follow us on facebook: CaramelCurlzNSwirls

Ms. Bree's photo session was scheduled for 11:00 a.m., therefore I washed her hair around 9:00 a.m. giving the hair enough time to air dry.  I do not use a blow dryer to dry her hair (at all)

I Washed her hair using the following:
    *Creme of Nature Argan Oil Moisturizing Shampoo;
    *Suave Moroccan Infusion Shine Conditioner (review will be posted soon);

To style it:
    *100% Coconut Oil applied to wet hair;
    *Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer;
    *Bee Mine Curly Butter

I made sure that her hair was completely detangled during the conditioning process;

I used only my fingers to apply the products (no combs/brushes);

I placed a towel around her to make sure her clothes didn't get wet and I actually left it in place until her hair was almost dry.

Note: When we are at home and Ms. Bree is playing with Lil Man, I make sure that she wears her satin cap to minimize the frizzies.   

She is old enough now to keep her satin cap on most of the time, if it falls off while playing, she is really good about letting me know right and I just put it back on.

L.O.C. Method by KandyLandKurls

The L.O.C. Method by KandyLandKurls

The L.O.C. Method is a very simple method that helps retain moisture in your hair.  

One of our favorite mama's has recently posted  about this amazing method by further explaining the very simple three steps and the products you may want to use if you do decide that the LOC Method is for you.

I use the LOC method on Ms. Bree's hair since one of our greatest challenge is retaining moisture.  

I use water as my liquid;
100% Virgin Coconut Oil as my oil;
and Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer.

So, head over to www.kandylandkurls.blogspot.com to read more about this wonderful method! 

Rocking their Fro While Skating. .

As I mentioned on one of my last posts, I've decided to let Ms. Bree wear her hair "free" a bit more often in order to give her scalp a break from all the styling.  

My husband and I decided to take the kids to the new Skating Rink near our house and see how the kids felt about the whole "skating" idea.

So here they are rocking their "little big hair" while having fun at SK8 City!!

                

GET THE LOOK:

I washed Ms. Bree's hair in the morning then I applied the following products to her wet hair:

1. 100% Coconut Oil; and

2.  Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer.

Ms. Bree stayed indoors the entire time until her hair was 100% dry.  NOTE:  the reason I do this is to prevent her hair from frizzing and becoming tangled.

About an hour before going to the skate rink I applied very light coat of Eco Styler Gel (with Argan Oil) !!

Now, Little Man has not had a haircut in about three (3) weeks because he kindly informed me that he does NOT want his hair cut.  (We will see how long that lasts)

Little Man's hair is different from my daughter's hair.  

After washing his hair  with Curly Q's Cleaning Creme and Curly Q's Coconut Cream Moisturizer Conditioner, I applied the following:

1. Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer with a little bit of 

2. Bee Mine Curly Butter and done.  

His hair retains moisture a lot longer than Ms. Bree's and requires very little products.  

REVIEW: Bee Mine Natural & Organics Hair Products

For more information or to place your order please visit:  "beemineproducts.com"

Use our Code to save on your purchase! 

BEE MINE- BEE-U-Ti_FUL Deep Conditioner

Ingredients:

Distilled Water;

Cetearyl Alcohol;

BTMS (mild emulsifie);

100% Unrefined Shea Butter;

100% Organic Coconut Oil;

Cupuacu Butter;

Calendula Extract;

Chamomile Extract;

Organic Raw Honey;

Optiphen (fprmaldyhyde & Paraben Free Presevative); and

Fragrance (phthalate Free).

CLAIM:

This is a Protein Free Product

"Detangles, and restores essential moisture and manageability.  Cupuacu butter provides some protection from damaging IV-A and UV-B rays while helping restore elasticity, add shine and replinish the moisture in hair.

OUR EXPERIENCE:

After shampooing Ms. Bree's hair I divided her hair into four sections, as all of you know I'm a big fan of working in sections;

I applied a generous amount of the Deep Conditioner to her hair, working from root to ends to each section, then I secured each section in buns by using a large alligator clip.

As you can all see on the picture above, Ms. Bree has a big smile! 

I give all the credit to the Deep Conditioner! 

It was so so creamy that her hair WAS NOT hard or difficult to manage after applying the deep conditioner.  That Ladies and Gentlemen is a PLUS FOR ME!!

After I had applied the Deep Conditioner to all four sections, I use a plastic shower cap (kids size) and let the conditioner sit for approximately 25 minutes.  

But you can use a warm towel in lieu of the shower cap, I prefer the shower cap since Ms Bree is so young.

After I rinsed her hair throughly, her hair was amazingly soft, styling was a piece of cake after that... Her hair was so moisturized that no extra coat of conditioner was required (as I would with other treatments).

PROS:  OMG, too many to name, so I'm going to summarize it: the deep conditioner really made her hair soft, shiny and made detangle process after applying it to her hair so much easier.

CONS:  NONE!

We truly recommend this product, it is an amazing deep conditioner that meets all the needs of any curly top!

Updated October 2, 2012

(Bee Mine Products Review)

Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer:  Where do I begin with this? I'm going to make this nice and short!  I absolutely love this moisturizer! How did I go all this time without it?  I truly wish I could have found this product sooner but unfortunately it is not a product that can be found in my local hair store.  

Now, I have to say that I received the package a lot faster that I had expected... BIG PLUS!! I did not have to wait 5 to 10 days to get my box.

PRODUCT INFORMATION:  

Ingredients:  Distilled water, Hydrogenated Persea gratissima (Avocado) Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil (and) Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Persea gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Emulsifying wax, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Paraben & Formaldehyde Free Preservative & Fragrance.

Scents available:    Original - Island Mango (IM) Scent and Coconut Cream (CC) Scent

Product Description :  

Our moisturizer is enriched with pro-vitamins, natural proteins and healing butters that heal seal and nourish your hair and scalp.  Beautiful hair requires a complete balance of moisture and protein to prevent breakage.  This light cream moisturizer help to prevent split ends and strengthen hair from root to tip.

We have now been using this moisturizer for a little over a month.  Ms. Bree's hair has very to no split ends and she is not losing a lot of hair during the washing and detangling process as she was doing before.   My daughter's hair is super soft and very manageable.  

Bee Mine Curly Butter:  

Product Description:

This shea butter and aloe based curly butter is packed with rich moisturizing nutrients to give you long lasting moisture and promote growth. It has a soft touchable hold that will help to defrizz your frizzes and give great definition. This Curly Butter is wonderful for twists, finger curls, puffs/pony tails and especially for laying down unruly hair. Great for naturals, relaxed, texlaxed, everyone.

Scents available:  Coconut Cream, Unscented, Island Mango (Tropical Mango)

Ingredients: 100% Shea Butter, 100% Aloe Vera Gel, Essential Oil Blend, Vegetable Glycerin, Rosemary Leaf and Chammomile Extract, Silk Powder, Paraben & Formaldehyde Free Preservative and Perfume.

With this product what originally attracted me to it was that one of the ingredients is 100% Shea Butter.  (I am a big fan of Shea Butter and Coconut Oil) 

Once I received the product and used it on Ms. Bree's hair in combination with Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer I immediately loved it! The texture of it is very light and the smell its amazing. I purchased the Coconut Cream Scent (See, here I go with "coconut" again).

I used both products to do her braids and 2 strand twists and her hair looks shiny and smells nice!! It also makes her hair more manageable.  Both products can be used for before styling on wet or to keep the styles looking nice.