Hi I have a 21 month old girl that has verrrry kinky curly hair. I can't even get a brush thru it without washing and Conditioning it then when it dries again....ugh. What can I use to help this hair get tamed down and manageable???
Jane Carter hair products or mixed chicks. I prefer jane carter you can buy it at the Vitamin Shoppe, some Whole foods stores, and Target. Its cheaper at the Vitamin Shoppe. http://www.janecartersolution.com/index.html
I'll give you some tips:
When you wash it and you're not going to style it, braid it or twist it. Going to sleep with wet hair is no good for kinky hair. You'll have to start all over again in the morning.
Don't shampoo her hair at every wash. Shampoo once a week or less, condition and wet as much as you want. Find a conditioner with a lot of "slip". Meaning, it's easy to get a comb through it. I like Aussie Moist or Hello Hydration By Herbal Essence. Moisturize everyday; our hair needs it! I like Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil. Contrary to popular belief, yes, you can wet Black hair. The more the better. I wet mine every day. Our hair needs moisture and lots of it. Moisture = Water.
Wide tooth comb, always. Don't comb it while it's dry. It will break. Use a brush to smooth around the edges, that's it. Definitely use a Denman.
I've saved the best for last, it's not about the products. I don't use anything fancy on my family's hair. Just a mix of shea butter and coconut oil with some glycerin. I guess I could spend a grip of money, but it's not necessary really. You just have to learn how to do it. I used to keep my hair very short. When I had my daughter I had to learn how to deal with longer hair. Do yourself a HUGE favor...learn how to cornrow. I taught myself by watching YouTube.
I have long hair, my daughter has long hair, and so does my son. If I didn't know how to cornrow and twist hair, I'd be in some serious trouble. You're daughter is a little young for cornrows (in my opinion) but seriously, get a creepy maniquin head and practice lol.
http://braids-beads-barrettes.blogspot.com/
http://childrenshairbeauty.blogspot.com/2011/09/ponytail-...
Here are two blogs by moms with mixed children. Youtube is your friend! You can PM my if you have more questions.
I happen to be "mixed" myself. Half black and half white. Try brushing out your little one's tangles in the tub while the conditioner is still in. And, like Thea S said, do not brush it throughout the day. This can easily cause breakage in coily (tightly curled) hair. Also, I strongly recommend looking on youtube for tips on caring for natural hair. One of my favorite natural hair gurus MsVcharles. Have fun with that wonderfully unique hair!
I love Mixed Chicks for myself, BUT for a 21 month old baby, that's way more product than you need..
STOP trying to brush it and only COMB it when it's wet. Period. Also, you don't need to wash it in order to condition it. Resist the urge to wash more than once a week unless it's ACTUALLY dirty (like with dirt).
Get a kids de-tangling spray and just dampen her hair and spray the detangler in in the morning then comb through, put it in pig tails or whatever style you are doing and then and leave it alone.
You aren't going to be brushing her hair throughout the day like you might with your own hair, it's a do it once in the morning type deal for your little one :)
HTH
T.
You have some great advice from the momma here. Just wanted to say It's great to see people asking for help when dealing with biracial hair for their child. It burns me up when I see the hair cut off down to nothing or dried out b/c the parent gave up or never asked for help. By learning now you are also helping your daughter build self esteem and hopefully love and embrace her hair when she gets to be a teenager!
I saw in the store (Walmart I think) a product specifically for "Mixed" hair - you may want to check it out. I would also go to a salon that specializes in "ethnic" hair to ask them for help. I can not tell you how CUTE mixed babies with curls are to me, I LOVE them personally and if I were you I would go to a salon and ask for help. Those mama's should know what to do and be able to teach you.
Styling, daily maintenance and technique are very important...maybe moreso than products. See:
http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Beautiful-Curly-Hairstyles-...
http://www.amazon.com/Wavy-Curly-Kinky-African-American/d...
http://www.amazon.com/Its-All-Good-Hair-Childrens/dp/0060...
http://www.amazon.com/Curly-Girl-Handbook-Lorraine-Massey...
Here are some commonly used products. Please note only use wide tooth combs, real 100 percent boar bristle brushes (no plastic or it will cause breakage) and thick coated hair binders and coated barrettes and headbands...no metal. See:
http://www.amazon.com/Curly-Qs-Detangler-Moisturizer-8-Ou...
http://www.amazon.com/Mixed-Chicks-Kids-Quad-Pack/dp/B005...
http://www.amazon.com/Spornette-DeVille-Bristle-Paddle-Br...
http://www.amazon.com/Ouidad-Double-Detangler-Comb/dp/B00...
http://www.amazon.com/ACE-Super-Handle-Comb-65909/dp/B006...
http://www.amazon.com/Hair-Dressing-Conditioner-Ultra-Moi...
I have a niece (now 22) with the same kind of hair. It's beautiful, but she hated it for years. We always kept it braided, in a ponytail, or just let it be. Only ever used a comb when it was wet And some set angling spray and comb when it was dry. Section it for combing and that will help. There will be lots of tears, but please know that her scalp will toughen and it does get better. Recommend a stylist teach her to take care of it as she gets older. Best wishes.
I've heard great things about Mixed Chicks products: http://www.mixedchicks.net/
What type of brush are you using? Be sure to use a Denman type brush, not the kind with bristles. Also, try a detangling spray (with or without conditioner) so that you're no over washing it. Be sure to part it into sections and put it into some loose braids nightly. That will also help. best wishes.
