Natural Hair for Tweens

Here's a quick and easy style option for tween girls who may want a change from their usual styles. For this style, I used a combination of cornrows and a high, twisted ponytail on top. Check out the pictures below and be sure to leave a comment telling us what you think! 

Products Used:

Water

Spectrum Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil

As I Am Leave-In Conditioner

A Natural Updo: Rolled and Pinned

We're back with yet another natural updo! I created this style with a mixture of cornrows and two-strand twists. 

 The Style

The Dashiki

This beautiful dashiki was made by Charmaine of Tambo Collection. Charmaine was very helpful and prompt in answering all of my questions about our order. Our items arrived on time and in excellent condition. 

The following description is found on her Etsy page: 

Welcome to our world of African fabrics by the yard, and unique handmade clothing. "Tambo Collection" is North America's largest supplier for Kente and wax print fabrics. We also sell fat quarters for small projects. We ship fast, and if our item is not in stock we will notify you by email immediately. See our selection of our handmade premade head wraps and crowns. **We also have a selection of hard to find African ribbon and trimmings**

The dashiki can be worn as a dress or as a top. We also had the option of wearing it with or without the sash. Anisa absolutely loves her dashiki and as you can tell from the pictures, it fits her perfectly! If you are interested in purchasing one, the direct link will be provided below. 

Direct Link: Girl's Dashiki Butterfly Top 

Mtoto Nubienne Earcuffs for Little Girls

Did you notice the gorgeous little jewels gracing Anisa's ears? They are Mtoto Nubienne Earcuffs that were handmade by Ayida Honor. I first became acquainted with her special gift of jewelry design on her Etsy page, Native Style Beadery. She has since launched her own page, which can be found here. 

Upon one look at her handmade creations it is obvious that these items were made with love. Although the earcuffs that Anisa has were made for little girls, they are very durable. 

Be sure to check out her page, www.ayidahonor.com, and fall in love with her gift of intricate beadweaving techniques. 

We would love to hear from you! Be sure to leave comment below! 

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Tambo Collection

Ayida Honor

                        

An All Natural Updo: Inspired by...

It should be obvious bu now that I LOVE updos!! Our latest style was inspired by Keianna KeeKee All Natural of Chi Chi Sophistication Natural Hair Care Studio. She recently posted pics of her style on her Facebook page and I knew it was something that I wanted to try. As usual, if I copy a style I always try to put my own little spin on things. Check out the rest of the pics and let us know what you think by leaving a comment! 

Products Used for Styling and Moisturizing

Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisiting Butter

Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk

EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

Water

Prepping for the Style

I began by working with clean, moisturized hair that was stretched using the banding method. I braided Anisa's hair just as I would if I wanted to make a simple mohawk. I opted to twist the remainder of each cornrow instead of continuing with a braid. 

The Updo

I gathered all of her twists and began rolling them together as if I wanted to make a french roll. Once I reached the front of her head, I twirled the remaining portion of twists in a rosette fashion and pinned her hair into place.  I did not use any rubberbands for this style.

Her Style

Changing it Up

A few days later, I decided to change it up a little bit. Instead of twisting her hair up together, I decided to twist each side of her mohawk separately. Each side was rolled in the same fashion as before and pinned into place. 

Twisting each section separately also changed the front of her hair. 

Maintaining the Style

I've been lightly spraying her hair with a water and EVOO mixture at night prior to bedtime. I also protect her hair by using a satin bonnet. 

We would love to hear your thoughts about our latest updo!! Visit our Facebook page or leave a comment below! 

Curly Two-Strand Twists

Curly Two-Strand Twists 

Even though I enjoy creating cute braided styles, I must admit that I LOVE twists!! Here is our most recent style that was created with two awesome products from Camille Rose Naturals. 

I recently purchased the Almond Jai Twisting Butter and the Curl Love Moisture Milk from my local Target. The Target website states that the products are not available in stores but that is not true. I found the Almond Jai Twisting Butter, Curl Love Moisture Milk, Algae Deep Conditioning Mask, and the Curl Maker in my local store. 

The Style

For this style, I prepared my daughter's hair using our regular routine. Her was not banded due to time so I opted to blow dry it instead. Once this process was complete, I began twisting her hair. I applied a small amount of the Curl Love Moisture Milk and the Almond Jai Twisting Butter to each section prior to twisting. I also made several cornrows that continued into twists in the front section of her hair. I did not use any rubber bands for this style. 

Both products have a pretty thick consistency so a little goes a long way. Even though they are thick, they melt into the hair and do not weigh it down. If you're wondering about the smell, trust me when I say that they smell absolutely delicious!!! 

I rolled her twists later that night before bedtime using a little bit more of the Almond Jai Twisting Butter and flexi rods. I covered her hair with a satin bonnet while the flexi rods were in. This is the result:

The Verdict

I LOVE these products!!! They left her hair feeling and looking amazing! She has had her twists for a week and they still look great with minimal frizzing.  I have been applying the Curl Love Moisture Milk to her twists every other day prior to bedtime. She also sleeps in a satin bonnet. I have not needed to retwist any of her hair since she has had this style. 

She loves her hair!!! 

Be sure to check out our Facebook page to see updated pics of her curly twists!! In the meantime, what are you waiting for? Head on over to Camille Rose Naturals or your local Target and pick up some of these fab products for yourself! 

Routine: What's Working for Us

In this post I will give a breakdown of our current routine and the steps that were used for the above style.

Step 1: Detangle

Products/Tools:

Spectrum Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

Fingers 

I detangle Anisa's hair while it is dry using Spectrum Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. I grab small sections at a time and coat that section with the coconut oil. I start by detangling her ends with my fingers and work my way up. I use my fingers and the coconut oil to work my way thru and loosen any tangles or knots that may be present. Using your fingers helps to reduce breakage, thus improving overall length retention.

Once I am able to run my fingers thru a section without catching any tangles or knots, I twist that section making regular two-strand twists. I continue this process until I am done with her entire head. 

Step 2: Co-Washing

Products/Tools:

Conditioners (in a 3 week rotation):

Aubrey Organics White Camellia Ultra-Smoothing Conditoner

Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner

Shea Moisture Organic Yucca and Baobab Volumizing Conditioner

I have not used shampoo on Anisa's hair for awhile now. Our routine is based off of the routine that is used by Fran of HeyFranHey.com. If you haven't checked out her page, you are definitely missing out! 

Shampoo can be very drying and with Anisa's eczema issues, I decided to ditch it in favor of all natural conditioners. I use the conditioners listed above in a 3 week rotation. Meaning during Week 1, I will use the Aubrey Organics, during Week 2, I will use the Raw Shea Butter conditioner, and during Week 3, I will use the yucca and baobab. I will start the rotation over during the 4th week of the month. 

I wash her hair in sections, or while her hair is still in twists, focusing on her scalp. This helps to cut down on new tangles that might occur during the cleansing process. 

Since I do not use shampoo, I have started to use apple cider vinegar to further cleanse/clarify her scalp. 

Step 3: ACV Rinse (Week 4 Only)

Products/Tools:

Bragg Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar 

Water

I use one table spoon of ACV per cup of water. I mix it together, rinse her hair with it, and follow up with a cool/cold water rinse. 

Step 4: Moisturize/Seal

Products/Tools:

Oyin Handmade Hair Dew

Aubrey Organics Pure Aloe Vera 

Any other moisturizer that I am using 

I apply the moisturizer to Anisa's wet hair. Currently, I am using Oyin Handmade Hair Dew and I absolutely love it! Next, I seal in the water from her wash and the moisturizer with the Aubrey Organics Pure Aloe Vera. The aloe vera has a water-like consistency so it is not heavy at all. It seals in the water and moisturizer without weighing down her curls. When your curls are not weighed down, you have VOLUME! 

Step 5: Drying/Stretching

Products/Tools:

Ouchless bands

Other options: 
Air drying while in twists, plaits, or braids
Cool blow dry if pressed for time

Anisa's hair is usually banded after the washing process in order to prep it for a new style. If I want her hair to be really stretched, I will leave her hair banded for a couple of days before styling. This means that she does wear her hair banded to school. I usually do a cute but simple braid style in the front and band the rest of her hair. 

For her Easter style, I opted to blow dry her hair using the cool setting. Blow drying often is NOT recommended!! 

Step 6: Styling

Products/Tools:

Combs for parting the hair

Oyin Handmade Hair Dew

Oyin Handmade Whipped Pudding 

Flexi rods 

Once Anisa's hair was dry, I gave her two-strand twists all over using the Oyin Handmade Hair Dew and Whipped Pudding. The plan was to have a great twist out for Easter. I also added small cornrows in the front without the use of rubberbands. 

She wore her twists for two days prior to Easter. I rolled her twists at night using flexi rods. I also applied the Oyin Handmade Hair Dew each night before bedtime. 

I removed the flexi rods on Easter morning in preparation for her twist out. I applied Oyin Handmade Hair Dew to my hands prior to unraveling each twist. Here are the results: 

The following picture was taken later in the day while at the park.

Step 7: Maintaining the Style

I continue to moisturize her hair at night as needed. She also sleeps with a satin bonnet and pillowcase. 

King's Style

I practice the same routine with King with the exception of ACV rinses and banding. He also does not use a bonnet but does use a satin pillowcase. 

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