Variations On a Theme

One of the things I love about really simple hair styles is the endless variations that are possible. They are also easy to remove and restyle for completely different look. We had some time this morning so we did just that. Little R's hair got a short center part and two very loose rolling twists going towards her ears. I clipped them with little pink daisy barrettes, and let the ends curl which ever way they wanted. The back was pulled into a loose ponytail. I have a feeling she'll have a different style every day this week.

Oh, and don't mind the giant lump on Little R's forehead, there was an unfortunate incident involving her bedroom door early this morning. It must have caught her just so, because this is after significant icing of the boo boo.

I dressed up Little B's hair for St. Patrick's Day (yeah I'm early, I know) with a rainbow of flower clips and a yellow ballie representing a pot of gold at the end. If you are celebrating St. Patrick's Day, head over to my other baby, The Year of Veggies, for a great colcannon recipe!

Hair Day!

Sunday mornings usually feel so long. Hair eats up almost the entire morning and when we are nearing the end we all want to finish up fast so we can do something else already! Today I felt pressed for time since we lost an hour with Daylight Savings Time. The shortened morning and the mountain of chores awaiting me convinced me to keep it simple.

Little B and Little R both got co-washed with an Alaffia conditioner. I saw a sample size bottle at the store and had to try it. I love my AOHSR, but it's good to try new things every now and again to make sure we are using products because they work, not out of habit.

After the co-wash, I added hair lotion, and jojoba oil and then detangled. Yesterday at the store, a tiny tot with an adorable hair style came running up to the girls to say hi. She had straight half cornrows, but instead of being clipped or banded, the ends were worked what looked like flat twist that went from ear to ear. It's a great idea that I never would have thought of, so I tried it out.

I parted Little B's hair in short diagonal sections along the front and then made the parts for the large cornrow.  I clipped the back of her hair down and out of the way. I cornrowed each section and then clipped it. When I was finished, I removed the cornrow clips and started the ear-to-ear cornrow. Every third stitch or so, I added the end of one of the small cornrows. I had to be careful not to add them too soon, preserving the diagonal. I did mess up on of them and the tail end of the cornrow loops up a bit rather than continuing along in a diagonal line.

I was planning big piggyback braids for Little R today, but she wasn't having any of it. Instead, I separated the very front of her hair and clipped it. I brushed the rest into a bun that ended with a little bunch of loose curls. I took that front section and made a two strand twist. I then let the twist unravel and plump up a little. I loosely brought it up to her hairline and attached it with a little dragonfly clip, leaving the end in a bunch of little curls to echo the end of the bun.

Okay, hair day is done and Operation Eradicate the Dog Hair From the Couch begins in 3, 2, 1...

Saturday Spotlight

Happy Saturday! Meet Mommy D and her four year old Little L. Mommy D has been trying out new products and styles and has found a few products and a routine that is working well.

I bought the coconut oil and use it as a pre-wash on Sat. and OMG!!! after I use the AOHC (Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream) and seal with the coconut oil. I twist her hair and let me tell you what a difference!!! I also got the courage after reading your post and trim her ends. The only thing that we missing is hold (waiting for the DB Madagascar cream to reach). Her hair is so soft!!!

 

  

Little L is so cute.  Thanks for sharing Mommy D, the styles look great!

If you would like to share a style you have recently completed, we would love to see it! Please email me at joyfulmom@happygirlhair.com with a few pictures, the first initial of your little one's name, how long the style took to complete, products/tools used, and anything else you want to share. Let's learn, share and grow together! I look forward to hearing from you.   

The Draw of Cute Hair Accessories with Buttons

I loved the big cornrows we did this week. I did. Truly. However, when I noticed a little stress on Little B's scalp, I was in a rush to take them out. I wish I could say that decision was all about Little B's scalp and my careful, watchful parenting. I can't. It at least 60% about adorable new headbands that I was just dying to see on the girls.

I found these big, bright, flower Alice bands at The Children's Place for 2/$5. I'm such a sucker for anything decorated with buttons. How could I resist?

What are the colors or decorative elements you just can't pass up when choosing hair goodies for your sweeties?

Cornrowing Video

Quite a few people have emailed me telling me they swear I used to have a cornrow video here at Happy Girl, and now they can't find it, and are they crazy or am I? It's me, my friends. The video just inexplicably stopped working. Nothing I did would make it play, so I took it down. I'm always confused when technology fails.

I made another cornrowing video, but wasn't thrilled with it on the day I made it. I stuck it in a folder and when I went to really evaluate it, I couldn't find it. Just the other day, I happened upon it and saw why it had been such a struggle. The file was not named cornrows, or braiding, it was named tough day.

What can I say? There are days. Days when the parts won't go straight no matter what. Days when the hair doesn't seem to want to do what I have planned. Days when the kids are grumpy. Days when I am grumpy. Days when the grumpy falls over the whole house.
 
This video was made on one of those days. The traditional cornrowing technique is presented, and some handy tips too, but this was not the video I intended to make. Perhaps on a happier day, I'll make a new one. In the meantime, I hope you find this somewhat useful.