My work life has been crazy for the last few months. As a result, JJ has been spending most of her time in protective styles that have stayed in for 3-4 weeks each. Because her hair has been in twists or braids much non-stop, it has been a long time since she has rocked her free, loose hair.
I try not to go too long without giving her some "big hair" time... I find that after seeing herself in braids and/or twists for extended periods of time, it takes JJ a while to re-embrace the big hair look. This weekend has been no exception. I detangled and separated her freshly-washed and still damp hair, applied some Queen Helene Royal Curl Creme, and told her we were done. She was unhappy. Actually - very unhappy. She expressed very clearly that she did not love her hair. It made me very sad.
Thankfully, Daddy D arrived home at that moment. Now he ***loves*** JJ's big, free, natural 'fro and is truly her hair's Number One Fan! He was very enthusiastic about her hair, and they posed for a few Daddy-daughter photos.
Then Daddy D headed out to run errands and invited JJ to come along. She forgot all about not loving her hair and accepted the invitation.
When she got back, she had gotten used to the big hair again, and added some (well, 6 or so) hairbands to accessorize. Daddy D and JJ spent some great quality time together washing the car and enjoying life.
Daddy D tells me that perhaps I've put too much emphasis on her hair... and that I should let her have free, loose hair more often. I agree, but I am also aware of how tricky the "wash-and-go" is with her incredibly shrinky hair. A big, free 'fro is hard to maintain during our busy weekdays.
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| I measured - 8 1/2 inches of shrink!! |
We do surf the net often, looking at photos of fabulous big hair. I am forever pointing out and admiring big hair when we are out and about - so much so that my kids will point out big hair to me - before I even say anything. I do hope that as my work schedule winds down I can change up JJ's styles more often and maybe simply seeing herself with her free and loose hair more often will help her love it as much as Daddy D and I do....
Any thoughts. ideas, or opinions on balancing the BIG HAIR
with longer-term styles?
Or on helping JJ embrace the awesomeness of her big hair?
We would love to hear your thoughts!!
The daddy-daughter pics are just so cute and I love the many headbands! :) I think that showing her more fro-spiration pics will definitely help her love and embrace her "big" hair more.
ReplyDeleteThank you Precious!! I know you have recently posted a huge set of new styles that will inspire both of us - can't wait to check them all out! Thank you for being such an awesome source of fro-spiration!!! Running now to check out that newest mohawk...
DeleteYour daughter is beautiful and I love her hair! I definitely agree with you that big hair is harder to care for on a day to day basis than productive styles =( One thing I've learned with caring for my little sister's hair is that twist outs are a curl girls best friend. You get the look of big hair, but it's more stretched than wash and gos so it's easier to maintain. I hope that helps! Keep up the great work on her hair =)
ReplyDeleteThank you D-A!!! Coincidentally JJ's her is in about 10 big twists tonight overnight and I am crossing my fingers for a great twist-out tomorrow!! Thanks for all your hairspiration too - just saw Bunny's amazing mohawk - love!!!
DeleteI love all those headbands too, and I love her fro, it is beautiful. She does have some major shrinkage, I love it.
ReplyDeletethanks UHM!!! I love the shrinkage too - it's just amazing!!! I still need to check out your wash-and-go series for pointers too -totally on my to-do list!
DeleteI love her big hair. It took my daughter a while to get to love her big hair in fact she just started asking to be allowed to wear it tight and curly a couple of weeks ago(she is 6). I just don't like it because of the knots that she gets and hates to have detangled and unfortunately sometimes cut out. I've found that Naptural85's perfect winter wash and go method works really well as a compromise. It is basically a low maintenance twist out. It is big and curly and gets fewer knots.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/enUiD7anUEY
Hi Cosmo - thanks for your comments and for the link to the Naptural85 video. I can totally see that method working for JJ's hair, and I like the idea of putting in the "work" at night so there's less to do in our already crazy morning routine! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteEverybody: go check out that video if you haven't already (:
Omgosh, she added alllll the headbands, lol! That is too cute! G has been rockin' her free hair for a few days now too. It's her favorite, but it's so much work for me! I'm about to get to detangling. In the shower with lots of conditioner. My advice would be something you probably already know but for anybody else out there who doesn't, don't even try to detangle on dry hair after it's been free for a few days. Just do it in the shower or tub and let the conditioner help you out. JJ we love your free hair and your are rockin' those headbands!!
ReplyDeleteYep, that's alllll the headbands!!!! Thanks for the advice on conditioner (yes!!! always!!!) and for the shout-out to JJ (she will love to hear this when she's home from school)!
DeleteAAACK! Lovin all that BIG HAIR! But I'm biased of course...
ReplyDeleteWooooo hoooooo - that means a lot coming from one of the BIGGEST fro-spiration sites out there! Thanks BBH!!!!
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