Daily Archives: March 7, 2012

Mar7

Mini-Hairscapader: Kinsley’s HairStory

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As told by Ashlei

What’s your child’s name and age? Tell us a little about her.
My daughter’s name is Kinsley and she is 3. She’s funny, very smart and has the most outgoing, carefree personality.

How do you care for her hair? What products do you use, how often do you wash/condition, what techniques do you use (i.e., how do you detangle), etc.?
I usually try to keep her hair in protective styles, braids or twists. We use Bee Mine products for styling (Deja’s Hair Milk and Luscious Cream Balanced Moisturizer). We use HE HH for cowashing and Fairy Tales Super Charge Detangling Shampoo for a good wash. I will usually leave some HE HH in her hair or use Giovanni Direct Leave-in. We seal with coconut oil. I wash or co-wash her hair once a week, usually on Fridays. Every other week, she gets a deep condition with Aubrey White Camellia Conditioner. I finger detangle while full of conditioner, rinse and apply her creams in sections and then smooth with our Denman brush.

Do the same products that work for you work for your child’s hair?
I am currently 8 moths into transitioning. We share the Aubreys, Giovanni, coconut oil and HE HH.

What is a typical style? Do you employ protective styles? If so, how often?
Typical style would be braids or pony tails. I love her hair out but not often. I braid her hair on  Sundays and usually that lasts until we wash on friday nights to start the routine over again.

What challenges do you face with your child’s hair?
In the beginning, I struggled to learn her hair. It was always too dry or too frizzy. I had no clue how to care for unrelaxed hair. I was using the same products that my mom used on me when i was younger, i.e, pink lotion *lol*, which just didn’t work. So, out of desperation, I took to the web. That’s where I found CurlyNikki and then, from there, Beads, Braids and Beyond and a host of other sites that have helped me along the way.


Have you ever relaxed/texlaxed your daughter’s hair? Why or why not and, if you relaxed her hair, what prompted the decision to return to natural?
I have never relaxed Kinsley’s hair and I do not plan to. I’ll let her make that decision when she’s older and pray that she will embrace what God blessed her with and stay natural!

How does your child feel about her/his natural hair?
She loves her hair and loves to wear it big!

Is there anything else that you’d like to add?
I’d just like to add appreciation for your encouraging blog/persona and your overall fierceness! Also congratulations on the engagement!

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Mar7

Pineapples and Simpsons

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In the natural/curly hair community, placing the hair in a high, loose ponytail to preserve curls overnight is called a pineapple or pineappleing. Generally speaking, no matter if I’m sporting a WnG or TnC, the single pineapple hasn’t worked too well for me. My nape hair is dang near straight and pulling it into a high ponytail stretches out what little curl it does have. This typically exacerbates my situation. That being, a nape section that hangs lower than my crown and causing what I have dubbed, “The Mushroom Effect.” My crown is the cap and the nape is the stem. Some call it the mullet. No matter what you decide to name it … Not. a. good. look.

However, Monday night, I decided to venture into the world of the pineapple again as my hair essentially seemed to be hanging in a consistent pattern from crown to nape. So, I dipped my head upside down and loosely bound it with a satin scrunchie*. I didn’t wrap it at all as I didn’t want to create a crease where they ponytail was secured. Then, I dipped my head upside down again and donned my big and roomy old lady white satin bonnet and channeled Marge Simpson!

LMBO!! I frickin’ love this bonnet (the “Andre” from Sally’s). It is so ridiculous, especially the ring cinched top, that it cracks me up every time I wear it! Like, I ponder, “Did someone realllly think that adding ruffles and a bow actually makes this attractive now?!?” Like, plain bonnet … “Ewwww.” But add some ruffles and a bow. “Ooooh prettttty.” LOL!! Anyway, I wore it with a Goody Ouchless headband around the perimeter as the elastic on the bonnet has gotten loose from repeated washings.

Anywho, so this was day two hair at the end of the day (I actually pulled it back and wore it in a low, loose bun for work).

So, given that the pineappled WnG held up pretty well for my purposes, Marge is returning Tuesday night ;). Wei said, “Doh!”

(*p.s. If you are in search of satin scrunchies, I buy the Goody Ouchless Soft Fabric Scrunchies from Walmart [6 pack with 3 satin and 3 cotton].)

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Do you pineapple (single pony or modified with multiple ponies)? If not, how do you preserve your loose curls or sets (TnCs, twist-outs, braid-outs, etc.) overnight?