Simple "part" designs

So, i had a reader who asked about gettin a little fancy with the way you part your childs hair for braids. Its a nice way to make even the simplest style look like you had to really put some effort into it. LOL

There are so many designs you can do. You can make the braid curve, you can do zigzags... have fun and experiment with it!

Here is what we did today.
I did three braids slanting down and to the right on one side, then on the other side, did a few slanting the opposite direction, then switched back once i got to the back of her head. I left the very back out and curly. It only took about 45 minutes, and it was cute!



Ive posted a few other pics before that follow this idea:




Just have fun!

Beads... long overdue!

Sorry to those who have been watching for a how-to on beads. Things have been CRAZY lately, but here it is!

Beads are a colorful and fun addition to hairstyles. My daughter absolutely LOVES beads. They can be worn by both boys and girls, too.

Beads are put on the ends of braids. I suggest keeping the braids relatively small, although you will have to do trial and error because all kids' hair thickness is different.

In order to put beads in your childs hair, you need a few things: elastics for securing at the ends, beads (of course) and a beader. I get my elastics (the thin ones) at any dollar store. They usually run about $1 for anywhere from 500-1000 elastics. Not bad, eh? Beads can be purchased many many places. I personally get mine from the craft section at Wal-Mart or any hobby store. I got a bead kit of 2300 rainbow colors for about $12 and there are individual packages of around 300 beads in various colors for about $3. My beader i got from an ethnic hair shoppe for .99 - beading is pretty cheap! Here are our supplies:


First, braid your section that you want beaded. Here i have already braided and beaded the back of Jissella's hair so you can see what it will look like, and ill show on the last one my steps:
The last braid, to the far left, is the one im doing. Sorry its so dark in the pic, it was 6am!


Load whatever color pattern you want in your childs hair onto your beader (example above in first pic). The bead at the bottom of the beader will be the bead at the bottom of the braid. String the braid through the loop at the top of the beader:


Push the beads up and onto the braid:


Pull the braid all the way through beads and hold onto the braid at the bottom once the beader is through:


Now the beads should be on the braid, and the beader should be empty:


Securing the beads is hard to explain, but i'll try. Basically, fold the braid over the bead at the bottom, then secure with an elastic. I wrap the end of the braid around the braid itself and slide the beads over it to cover it up. Hope that wasnt too confusing. lol

And once thats done, this is what it should look like:


Here is what it looked like once i had finished her whole head. We picked the colors to match her dress:

Box Braids & Barrettes

I wasnt sure what design i should start this off with, so Jissella picked! Box Braids it is!

Box braids are very simple and dont require a whole lot of skill. They can be done on anyone any age... from babies on up to adults!

Its best to start with a fresh washed head of hair (in my experience).


Then i comb her hair out... I spritz her hair with water if it starts to dry. You dont want it dripping wet, just damp enough to make it easier to work with.


Plan out the design you want before you start braiding. Im doing just a basic brick box design... put an elastic at the base of the hair section.


Seperate into three sections and braid...


When you get to the bottom you have several options on how to end your braid. If your child has really tight curls, you can get a bit of gel on your fingertip, and just twist around your finger a few times. It will curl and hold itself naturally. HOWEVER, my daughters hair doesnt do this. So, i either end the braids with beads or barrette clips:


Barrettes are much faster to put in, but beads last longer... Jissella can wear beads for up to 4 or 5 days, but clippies only a few hours. I dont recommend letting your child sleep with clips in, unless losing one or two (or all) is okay with you lol For this post im doing clippies... i will do another post on beads though, so take heart if that is what you are trying to learn!

Wrap the end of the hair around the clip a few times, then snap it closed...



Continue on up your childs head. You can do the whole head in box braids or put a pony at the top... I have a particularly active kiddo, so i like to leave the top in a pony so her hair isnt in her face...


Seperate the pony into a few small braids and put clippies on the end just like with the box braids...


The finished product:


Happy Braiding!!

-Tashena