Our First Criss Cross Braid

I finally did it! My first criss-cross cornrow and I am very pleased with the results!!

It has been approximately five months since I took the challenge of learning  how to cornrow my daughters hair as it's a great protective style.

Below are a couple of links to some great posts which I believe are great for beginners:

"Cornrowing-for-beginners" by Beads Braids and Beyond and Learn Cornrows which is highly recommended by KandLandKurls.  

Now, Rory from Chocolate Hair/Vanilla Care has an amazing technique and many have learned by using a practice board, here is the link to her post "how-to-cornrow".

Although the above posts are great source of information, I'm more of a visual person.  While searching for youtube videos, I came across Kate's videos.  These are the videos that I truly learned from, the link to her youtube video is "How to Cornrow instructions".

Now let me tell you, as a beginner you will make mistakes, and after five months of practicing, I still make mistakes, specially when I have my six year old asking for snacks, or Ms. Bree needs a sudden "potty break".  Please remember it's okay to start over if you are at a point in your cornrow where you can start over, but if you are towards the end of the cornrow, just leave it! Most people will never notice your mistake unless you point it out.

After practicing straight and short cornrows, you will be able to do more than just simple styles.  I wanted to do something different this time.  I have wanted to try doing the criss-cross braid for a very long time, which I also learned from watching Kate's video "How to do Criss-cross Cornrows Part 1" and "How to do Criss-cross Cornrows Part 2".  I watched her video over and over again until I told myself, "this is it, I'm going to do this".

I opted to only do a single criss cross braid because I didn't know how long it was going to take me and i didn't know if Ms. Bree was  going to sit still for that long.

On my next attempt I will probably do as many three or four.

After a few days, I did a little modifying.  I undid the side pony tails and twisted her hair over night.  The next day I removed her twists. (twist out).

 and remember, keep practicing and don't forget to share your pictures and progress with us!! 

you can send your pictures to caramelcurlznswirls@yahoo.com

Styles for Short Curls

As we all know, not every curly top has the same length or amount of hair.  Sometimes you may feel overwhelmed or confused when it comes to styling your little one's curls, especially if their curls are extremely short.  

Ms. J's hair is short and her mommy is totally okay with it and instead of feeling overwhelmed, she has found several styles that work for her lovely daughter.  She has also modified some styles to make that those styles work on Ms. J's short hair.  

Thank you Mrs Rachel for sharing these amazing cute styles with us! 

STYLE 1:

STYLE 2:

STYLE 3:

STYLE 4:

STYLE 5:

STYLE 6:

STYLE 7:

Ms. Rachel says:

"Other simple styles I have done on my daughter are the following:

• Afro puffs are an easy style you can create in minutes, you can create one, two, four... or as many as you want;
• braided buns;
• four cornrows... etc.

Plaits are great protective style and easy to do, it works on all length of hair and they can be done in different sizes as well"

PRODUCTS USED:

THANK YOU again Mrs Rachel and Ms. J for sharing these beautiful styles!!!  

Picture Day!

ALL READY FOR SCHOOL PICTURES!!   

Today is individual picture day and Ms. Bree picked a very simple style.  I am so glad she did because Mondays are very hectic for us due to the extra activities my son is currently enrolled on.

Ms. Bree has truly enjoyed her twist outs style and she asked me to do it again, but this time she wanted two ponytails so she could wear the flowers she found at the hair store.

To Get The Look:

MONDAY NIGHT: 

1.  Shampoo her hair with Cream of Nature Argan Oil Shampoo;

2.  I used Herbal Essence Hello Hydration and I lightly rinsed the hair out;

3.  Created four sections by parting from ear to ear then from forehead to nape.  

4.  On the bottom two sections:  I created a total of 8 two strand twists.  I use Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer and a few drops of Argan Oil.

5.  On the top sections I created two pony tails secured by Goody's Ouchless Bands (I only wrap the band twice.  It was not tight at all but since I really didn't see the need for it because I was going to retouch it in the morning);

6.  I created 3  two Strand Twists on each pony tail.

7.  I then pin her twists up so they wouldn't shrink that much during the night.

This morning I carefully removed the pins and retouched her pony tails by making the edges nice and smooth. I re-banded her pony tails and applied the flower clips.

Ms. Bree also wanted the headband so I let her put it on.  

Are your kids taking school pictures??  We will love to see their pictures and styles! 

OUR BABY BIG HAIR TEE!!

IT'S HERE!!

Yes, I'm talking about our Baby Big Hair Shirt!! 

These shirts are so cute! You have to get one for your little one.

Product Description

TODDLER

A classic fit for that frodorable lil’ BIG HAIR!  This fabric is knit and finished to maintain its shape and provide minimal shrinkage during wash. Machine wash cold, hang dry or tumble low is recommended.

·         5.5-oz. 100%  cotton jersey (Heather grey has some polyester content)

·         Ribbed crewneck

·         Shoulder-to-shoulder taping

·         Double-needle sleeves and hem

·         BBH locker tag on back

·         Rabbit Skinz Style 3301

Click Baby Big Hair Store to see all her products!

BBH has two styles and three beautiful colors to choose from.  

My daughter is a 3T now but the 4T shirt fitted nicely on her. 

The shirt was delivered in a nice little package.; it was not wrinkled at all when I received it.  BUT what I really liked the most was the handwritten note from Chloe, it added a nice personal touch and it felt like it was "a friend sending another friend a present".  It really can't get any better than that. 

My daughter liked the fact that the picture on the shirt looked like her when she wears her curls free… "look mami Big Hair just like me".   

Now I have the feeling I have to get one in blue because my son is now wondering where is his BBH shirt?!

BBH offers many other tips and ideas.   You have to check her website out!  BABY BIG HAIR NOW!

TO GET MS. BREE'S TWIST OUT LOOK:

  

I co-washed her hair with conditioner only, this time I used (my old and beloved) Herbal Essence "Hello Hydration".

After lightly rinsing her hair I applied my other beloved product, Bee Mine Lusious Moisturizer with a few drops of Argan Oil and sectioned her hair into four sections.  Then I banded each section.

The next day I sprayed a little bit of water, applied Bee Mine Curly Butter and did 16 twists.

I came across this amazing technique and I decided to give it a try.   

Make sure you check out "KandyLandKurls" and her post "How to Elongate your Twist Outs".  It worked perfectly for us!!