Hair

I'm still figuring out Ellie's hair, what products work the best, and how to style it.   She has super curly, kinky hair.  It's really long if you stretch the curls out... but it soon coils right back into it's tight kinky curl.  I'm starting to get tired of  the 3 puffs and the occasional piggy-tails, but wasn't having much luck braiding it myself because I lose track of the 3 sections in her curl-monsters (that's what I call them).  I've also tried twists but her hair is so curly, they untwist and even pop the rubber bands-- so I must be doing it incorrectly.   As we were getting ready to go to the beach, I started thinking about the sand and her super curly, kinky hair -- and how that was all going to work out.

A friend suggested that I take her to the local beauty school to have her hair braided.  It gives those students the experience, and it's pretty inexpensive -- about $20.  So, we did just that.  An hour and-a-half later, (and some gummy snacks, a few lollipops and Iphone usage -- all extra special treats) we were done.  Ellie did great (probably better than mommy).  The stylist did a really neat design from the front and back and then braided it up the middle with some little coils remaining at the top.  I failed to take pictures of it :(  But you can see some pictures of it here!

It stayed in beautifully for 10 days and kept her cool and minimized the sand.  It is, however, super dry now, so I have to use extra heavy conditioner.  I probably should have kept putting oil on it.  And, I'm sure the sunscreen I was putting in between the braids probably didn't help.  It took just as long to take out the braids as it did to put them in -- which wasn't much fun.  If anyone has any tips on how to take the braids out differently, please let me know!  If you are thinking of trying braids for your little girl, I suggest trying a local beauty school.  It was a win-win for us!