Little Girl's Hairstyles: Winter Hair Care Tips

If any of you live in my same dry dry climate, you know that it can be hard on your hair, as well as your little ones. Here's some general tips that can benefit those flowing locks this winter:

1. Don't go outside with damp or wet hair in the winter. Your hair could freeze, and if it's chilly enough, hair can breakoff. Wear a scarf and/or hat to protect wet hair (if it's a must), and use a good daily conditioner (or don't wash every single day!).
2. Glossy hair is a reflection of your inner health. Take vitamins (yes for kids!), exercise, drink lots of water, avoid stress and smoking, and eat those veggies!
3. Cotton hats are easier on your hair, as they create less static than wool or acrylic. You could try a cotton scarf under a wool hat as well.
4. And remember, when using those high heat hair devices, always use a good heat protectant on your hair. It will help keep the moisture in that heat zaps away.
5. Static filled hair usually equals dry hair. A quick rub from roots to ends with dryer sheets work great, but again, great daily conditioners or deep conditions 1 or 2x per week are helpful too!

Happy Winter days outside! Building snowman, sledding, ice skating= all great for happy healty kids (and hair!).

Little Girl's Hairstyles - How to do a French Braid with Super Twist Braid 15-20 min

I've been away! Sorry for the delay in posts.You all know that a mother's life is never a boring one! I've been with my brother and sis. in law, who just welcomed no. 3 into their family, and then my family was away on a little vacation. (No cooking or cleaning for me!)
So, here we are with a little something new. This twist braid has become a new fave of ours. My daughters have been practicing it on their barbies. We hope you like it too!

I began with a center part down to her neckline. And of course....her hair is thoroughly dampened. Keep that spray bottle handy!

I parted off the front side to begin my french braid. I was aiming for a straight line from about her eye level to the back center of her head.

                                     

This is where I started my french braid. I usually end up doing the backwards/Dutch braid, since for some reason, my fingers find it easier than the normal french braid.

Bring braid to the center part.

Repeat the french braid on the other side and bring to the same point in back. Secure both together with an elastic. (Does anyone else have the difficulty with getting their text to align left? Every time I do it it kicks me back to my top paragraph! What's the secret you super bloggers? I just get irritated and yell at my computer!)

After making the ponytail out of the french braids in the back, I then begin a few twist braids.

Depending on the thickness of her hair, do 2-4 twists, making up approximately 1/2 of her hair in twist braids.

After making the small twist braids, I divide the hair into two sections, to begin a large twist braid. I divide the small twists evenly and divide the rest of the loose hair evenly, like in this picture.

Then I did a twist braid.

Finished super twist braid!

My main thought in beginning this hairstyle was the french braid to the back, since that's something that could be used on shorter hair as well. I always have to improvise what to do with her length of hair, so hence the super twist braid.

Have you noticed how much I like to braid? Braids are so great for two reasons: They stay in (most of the day), and they keep the hair from getting tangled throughout the day. I get really tired of combing out knots at night, and so do my girls. I also put their hair into a loose braid before bed time to eliminate knots in the mornings.

Have a great day!

Little Girl's Hairstyles - Question and Answer "How do you get them to hold still?"

Here's a great question from my FB page:

Do your girls ever get all antsy while you're doing their hair? What do you do? My daughter always picks the most complicated do's and then she gets bored half way through.

Thanks Beth for this question! And YES, of course my girls get antsy! Have you seen these hairstyles?

The Loopy Do

Side Pony with Twist Braids

Twisty Updo

Twist Do

So I say to you Beth, YES, my girls get antsy! Especially when I mess up a hairdo I'm photographing and have to start over! Ugh. Well, there's no secret to keeping them happy and patient, because they aren't! Who would be after sitting and having their hair pulled and braided and yanked on for 10, 20, 30 minutes? We know how patient our little gals are, so here's what I do. I've shared some of these before.

If I know I'll be doing something a little more time intensive, I prepare them by asking them. "Honey, Mommy wants to do something really pretty today with your hair for your party/church, etc. Is that ok? It will take a little bit of time, ok? You'll look sooo pretty when we are done!" (Or something to that effect). If they are being resistant at that, then I usually try to pick something quicker. BUT, if they are open to it, I give them the option of watching tv while we do it, or offering a snack. A snack is a clincher for my 4 yr. old.

Another trick is if the snack is gone and you are still working away, let them have your squirt bottle (if you use one) and spray it in the sink. My youngest usually ends up spraying the mirror too, but whatever you can stand. This is also great if you are trying to give them a haircut, and need them to stop squirming. My youngest also likes to do her doll's hair when I'm doing hers. I just open up my big box of elastics, give her a comb, and let her have at it.

There's no science. The thing I do most often is just talk to my girls. This is our time to chat and talk about whatever they want, and most of the time it's enough. My favorite conversations have taken place while I'm doing their hair. Ask them about their toys, their friends, favorite cartoons,etc. Most of all, just enjoy the time together!

Thanks Beth for the question! I hope you all had a fabulous Mother's day!

Little Girl's Hairstyles --Q & A "What Hair Products Do You Use?"

I told you all that I will never show my OWN hair on here--because I detest doing my own hair! But, I am sure many of you have similar hair strife, right!? 

I had a reader ask me what products I use on my own hair, since I've mentioned that my hair is thick, curly, and as such, dry dry dry! Well, with the help of some good stylist friends, who get product for me at their salon distribution stores, I've found some really great stuff. So, here it is! Hopefully this is one hair care tip you can use on yourselves, friends! Here is what is in MY shower:

My two favorite conditioners in the world are:

Biolage Conditioning Balm (see below)

Redken All Soft Conditioner

If you ever get dry damaged ends, and need an awesome deep conditioner:

It's a 10 or

Redken Real Control Intense Renewal

I love love Biolage. They are formulated specifically for drier hair (curly hair tends to dryness, since the hair shaft itself is more porous), and I love their Hydrating Shampoo.

Now on to styling products:

Since curly hair tends to be dry, and doesn't have a lot of natural shine, I like to use a shine serum. This is not just for when you straighten your hair either-although it's wonderful to smooth on the ends when you do--but I use this when I'm mixing up my styling concoction for when I want my hair curly.

My favorite shine serum is:

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny (you can see how it's almost gone!) I just use one squirt of this, and mix it into my hand along with a dollop of Paul Mitchell Super Sculpt (see below), and a squeeze of Redken Curl Refiner (see below).

These are available at your salon, or if you have fabulous friends (like mine) or stylists that will get them for you at a discount, then you are blessed. I'm a die hard fan of these hair products, and no, I don't use these on my girl's hair. These are for ME and ME only. :)

For some tips on little girl hair care, see my post here.

Some basic rules if you have curly hair (or if your girl does!).

• Don't wash it every day. I used to think this was horrendous, since I'm a clean freak, but washing it even just every other day does wonders for the elasticity and strength of your hair. As I said before, dry hair is more porous, this is what gives it it's texture and curl. It also makes it break easier. The natural oils from your scalp hydrate your hair and keep it healthy, Washing your hair too much strips away these necessary oils, and, thus, split ends and breakage. The curlier your hair, the drier the hair shaft will be.
• Getting frequent hair cuts (8-12 weeks) is also a must for good hair health--especially if you are trying to grow it out!
• If you have really dry ends, and don't want to cut off several inches, try masking your hair ends in one of the deep conditioners I mentioned above before you get in the shower. You can let it sit while you shower and then reapply conditioner again. You can also put it on your ends and put on a shower cap, and blowdry the shower cap for 5 or so minutes, then wrap your head in a towel to keep the heat in. The heat will open the cuticle and allow the conditioner to do it's job.

Here's to your happy healthy hair!

Never Never Never

This is more a note to myself than for anyone else. But, if you are like me, and think to yourself when you see that one piece of hair that "just needs a tad bit of tweaking", and oh heck, "I can fix that!"--STOP thinking that.
I even went to cosmetology school (didn't finish, yes, like Frenchy), and so that thought process is EVER more present in my head than it should be. "Oh come on Shaunell, you could just snip it a little bit. Certainly you can trim your OWN bangs. You aren't completely without hair knowledge. Do it. DO IT!"
Again, when you hear the voices, immediately, and I mean immediately STEP AWAY from the scissors. Put them down carefully and slowly, don't break eye contact, and back off! YOU WILL regret it if you do not.

I know this, because I have done this, OH SO many times. And I always wish I hadn't. It's like eating that big fat brownie late at night, when feeling hungry, and you know it's just because you are tired and should really just go to bed. You always regret it the next day.

I know. I am sitting in a huge pile of wish I-hadn't-tried-modifying-my-new-haircut regret right now.

But, on a happier note, I will be posting how to do a basic haircut later on. But not on myself. Other people's hair I CAN cut. Just never never never my own.

Happy Thursday!

Little Girl's Hairstyles -Pull Thru Ponys with Corkscrew Curls 15-20 min

If you do this hairstyle today.......

You'll have this hair tomorrow. (Enlarge this one to see it better!)

Since you'll be curling the hair, don't get it all wet. I only sprayed the front, where it's parted on an angle.

I parted down to the ear, and then gathered one side in a pony. To do a pull through pony, stick the end of a rattail comb through, and wiggle it back and forth to make a large hole in the pony.

Bring hair through, wrapping it over, going towards her face. Bring it to this point, and then to tighten it down close to the head, I split the pony and pull down and apart.

Do two pull through ponys.

Comb back the rest of the hair, and pull into a high pony.

You are going to do another pull through pony with the large one, this time pulling it in the opposite direction.

Use your rattail comb to make another gap, and pull the hair up through the gap, and over.

It gives it that nice poof on top. Tighten it up the same way.

To begin the corkscrew curl, I used sections about this size. I used the 1/2 inch curling iron, since her hair is pretty straight, and I wanted maximum curl. I sprayed the section of hair first with hairspray, and smoothed it down with my hand.

Start by wrapping the hair around the barrel, all the way to the ends, and hold with your hand. When I get to the last 4 or 5 inches of hair, I start twisting the hair as I go around. You can see the difference in how it's laying on the barrel. You can do that to the whole section, especially if it's shorter. I hold it here with my fingers for about 30 seconds. *If you see steam coming off the curl, it's most likely the hairspray burning, and not to worry. On the other hand, if you smell something not right, it's time to lose the iron.

This is what it should look like when you are done. See the difference on this than from the 'not so perfect curls' post? This will end up leaving the ends more straight, and you'll achieve that soft tousled wave look.

This shows where I start twisting the hair at the end on the barrel.

All corkscrew curls finished. Give it a good coating of the 'spray.

See all those nice creases? Here's what I do to fix that so the ribbon doesn't look so hammered.

Just run your curling iron up and down it until it's smooth. You can also curl your ribbon just like you curled her hair, if you so choose. I chose not today.

All nice and tidy.

She's not in the corner because she's in trouble. It seemed to help her keep still today for pictures for some reason.

Front

Whenever I do this style on my girls, I always try to have them sleep in it, ponys and all. The next day I take it all out and it will look (usually) like the soft tousled waves that are so popular today. I love love love it the next day. See the post labeled Double twist braid with soft tousled waves to see what I did the next day. Also, I don't finger comb out the curls until the next day, and then, just very lightly.

Little Girl's Hairstyles - Twist and Tuck 5-7 min

So, since I make up my own versions of most things on here, I also get to make up my own versions of their titles. This name, I think, should receive its own score, don't you think? (that's a 9.4!)

I started out intending to just do a low twist with a ponytail, but, as usual, it morphed into something else.

Start with hair well soaked and center parted. I also slicked it down with some of this stuff, down there. And yes, it says GENERIC. Now, I like the real stuff just fine. For me. For my own head, on which I spend a fortune, to get it cut and colored. For my darling children, however, whose hair is bright and healthy, I just can't bring myself to spend that extra $ to buy them the fancy stuff. So I compromised, and got this stuff at my friendly neighborhood Sally's. And it works superbly. :)

I started by combing it smooth, and twisting one side towards her head, beginning behind her ear.

I twist it until I have a roll, like so, clip it, and then do the other side, twisting toward the head.

When you have both sides twisted you can then secure with an elastic, and leave down in a ponytail (my original intent).

I wasn't happy with how the pony was hanging on this occasion, so after putting in the elastic, I pulled the pony up and over, pushing the pony towards her head, and between the twists.

Her hair was long enough to wrap around again, and when I brought it up, I twisted it, and then stuffed it in one side of the twist. I stuck in two bobby pins to hold in the ends.

And it stayed! I was as surprised as you are! You can wrap the hair around just once or just leave it in a pony, whatever works best for the length of hair. The gel really helps keep the hair in longer, along with a healthy dose of hairspray.

Side view

And front

And back. Isn't the hair flower darling!? I'll be posting the link of where to go to buy these soon. They are my new favorites!

She has a different bow on the top picture, because I realized this flower didn't match what she was wearing. I had to include both pictures because I couldn't decide which one I liked better. This hairdo would be D-A-R-L-I-N-G for a little flower girl, or for Easter. Can't you just picture this twist with baby's breath, or little flowers stuck in all along the back?  FABO!