Two Heads Full Of Hair

Could YOU be your hair's worst enemy?

2012-09-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

Check out this piece on Examiner.com on the many things we could stop doing to help restore our hair to health. You may be surprised to find that you are committing one or more of these unhealthy hair offenses every day!

http://www.examiner.com/article/you-may-be-stunting-your-hair-growth

Take the natural plunge...but read this first!

2012-08-19T11:10:00.001-07:00

Contemplating the big step of whether to go natural or keep your relaxer? One really big question is how will you look? You’ve had a relaxer since you were in fifth grade and can’t even remember what your kinks/curls look like. For you the benefits of letting go of the “cream crack” definitely out way the cons, but you are in Cooperate America, you work on high profile cases, your colleagues are mainly non-minorities who may not "get it" and frankly you cannot take the chance of losing your creditability just because you have decided to be true to your own creed.

Fear is associated with any major change in life, even if the change is a good one. Think back to when you got married or had a child, graduated from college or decided to go back to school. All those decisions were for the better but involved a certain amount of risk. Similarly, the choice of whether to maintain a relaxer or free your natural locs can be a source of anxiety.

Unfortunately, all risk cannot be removed from a controversial choice, but here are a few suggestions that may make going natural (if that’s what you really want to do) just a little easier.

1. Try to ensure that you keep your transitioning tresses as healthy as possible. Keep your hair moisturized and manageable. For tips on maintaining moistrure in your natural locs click here or for products that promote healthy hair click here.

2. Don’t want to go from long relaxed locs to a super mini fro, which may be all the new growth you have developed in the process. Don’t chop it all off. Maintain your two textures by seeking out a professional who is well versed in helping to make the transition from relaxer to natural. Let yourself get used to the curls first, give it time to get some length to it and then (when you are absolutely ready) cut the relaxer and enjoy your natural freedom.

3. Finally, get a preview of how you may look once the relaxer is all gone. Some natural seekers are going for dread locs or twists. Some want a bountiful afro still other are searching for cascading curls. You may not have noticed but there is a wig to simulate all those looks. Pick one up, try it on and get a feel for how you will look with a “natural”. The wig is a fairly inexpensive, non-committed way to see if this is what you really want and if you will really “love” yourself in curls as much as you think you might love yourself in curls

My own little experiement with natural locs!

The fact remains, this is a big step. It is an affair that must not be entered into lightly. BUT if you do decide to take your look back to Eden, stay empowered, be informed and keep it healthy!

For all sorts of tips on all hair types and updates on what’s hot for fall 2012 click here.

FALL FASHION SHOWS DEBUT NEW LOOKS FOR FALL: EXAMINER.COM

2012-08-12T23:17:00.001-07:00

Fashion week unveiled some interesting new trends that can make getting through fall not so “ho hum”

1. The high bun: Reminiscent of your days as a ballerina at your first recital this spin on the bun can be achieved several different ways. Pull hair up into a high pony, tease then tuck. Do a loose, effortless “just left the gym” look. A tight top not with long fringy bangs looks cute as well. Just remember, the higher the better!

2. Bangs: Bangs are really not a new style, stylist just keep re-inventing the look to make it fresh and new each season. Thick, blunt, wide bangs are back in as seen on the run way at Marni. Layered and pixie-ish are still all the rage for short hair. A high bang, way above the brow, defined by long hair on the sides can make for a dramatic look. Be sure to choose a bang style that best fits your face.

3. The braid: Braids just won’t stop! Summer time boasted all sorts of fancy frocks filled with braids. The fall continues the trend. Braid head bands are in. Messy side swept braids are in. Braided bangs are in. French braids, cornrows and twists of all sorts are in.

4. Color: No more is outrageous color reserved for the fashion misfits or anti-fashionista. The run way was flooded rivers of color! The Haider Ackermann show demonstrated bold, colorful hairlines on wet, slicked back hair. Katy Perry- esque color chunks showed up as well. Locs that looked as though they had been dipped in water color made an appearance too. It seems anything goes as far as personal expression and color is concerned.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE FULL ARTICLE @ EXAMINER.COM

REVIEW: Naturally You by Motions

2012-07-31T14:48:00.002-07:00

In a quest to keep my daughter's thirsty curls quenched, I will try new things from time to time. Call it luck or coincidence I stumbled upon this product that works but then again not so much...

Let me explain…

The latest product in review is Naturally You by Motions. We are all familiar with the original Motions hair care line. There are products that I love within the line and some that just do not deliver. If you have had this kind of up and down relationship with Motions you may have abandoned usage by now in search of a much more reliable source for hair care.

Given a lead from a reader I decided to track down (no easy task) this new addition to the Motions line of hair care products to see if it was any more promising than its original counterpart. I literally looked high and low as this product is not sold at all the locations referenced on the Motions website. I called around and stopped in hoping to find this "wonderful" new product for natural curls.

The long and short of it is that the Hydrate My CurlsPudding is pretty good. It added shine and luster not to mention moisture to my 2 year old’s curly cues. The shampoo and conditioner, however, did not perform as well. In all honesty, her hair dried out tremendously and it was very difficult to detangle. I was quite confused as the products are all marketed together claiming that continued use in combination with one another as a complete hair care system will make your hair care experience even better. Not the case for me.

Day two after playing and rolling in her favorite blankie...not too bad.

Washed and Hydrate My Curls was applied.

In it’s defense, Naturally You is very new on the market so I feel an "all new and improved formula" coming on in the near future.

Note: the Hydrate My Curls does build up so I wouldn’t use it every day. My favorite hair care product for her curly styles is still Organics: Texture My Way. I still have yet to find any "natural hair" care prodcut that can out perform it in terms of adding moisture without adding build-up while maintaining soft supple curls all day long.

Still my all time favorite!

As natural hair care products go, I would not give this line a failing grade, but I do not think it will live up to the hype. I will not be purchasing another round.

Click Here to see Naturally You for yourself

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EXAMINER.COM for a different perspective

Examine the science of hair

2012-07-20T14:07:00.000-07:00

Check out my page on Examiner.com for a slightly different perspective on hair care. There we take a look at fashion and what’s trending in health and beauty. We also focus on breaking the down the topics you are most interested in and that best serve our readers like how to REALLY stimulate hair growth. From science to fads to celebrity styles, it’s all covered on my professional page @ Examiner.com. Subscribe today to get updates!

Growth Update

2012-06-17T16:17:00.000-07:00

It’s no secret that the tragedy of having to repair my little one’s precious locs was the motivation for this inspirational hair blog. Thus far we have gotten so much positive feedback from parents celebrating our efforts to inspire, encourage and inform. Some have said that they wish this page was around before their daughters reached adulthood, but that now they use some of the tips on their own hair. Still others try these simple but useful tips on their young daughters who are currently toddler and youth age. Either way, we are glad that sharing our stories have given hope and inspiration to our faithful readers. AND There is still more to come...

Now, here is a little more inspiration to offer for parents who have had a tragic hair experience like ours. Just to recap, my now five year old was born with a head full of fluffy dark locs. Her hair was strong and coarse and beautiful. At about the age of three and half I decided that it may be best to take her to a “professional” to maintain her hair health. Her hair was healthy and there was no indication of breakage or split ends. She hated for me to tackle her head full of hair so I thought that maybe she would act better for someone else.

So sad that I figured out too late that my task is a gift. I should have just endured the tears and the tantrums of a little girl. If only I had had a crystal ball, I would have never conceded to my fatigue and bewilderment from her carrying on. BUT unfortunately I did concede and the result was severe heat damage to my oldest daughter’s hair. My belief is that the dryer was way too hot and her hair was burned or singed. At that time she had several inches of beautiful, long pony tails. Since I first noticed the terrible damage till now, I have trimmed off at least 6 inches or more of her hair.

This story, however, does have a happy ending. Below is a current photo of her new hair growth.

Huge healthy puffs, yay!!

I think you may be able to see the braids down her back on this very poor iphone snapshot. Doesn't help that she is wearing a black t-shirt, huh? LOL!

It is not quite as long as it once was but it has grown out quite a bit. She and I are very happy and hope that her hair health continues.

What has contributed to the new growth? First, as with any form of health, it begins from the inside. We made sure to increase the protein in her diet (which is quite a task in its self since she does not eat red meat and barely eats chicken). We added Omegas as well; not to mention lots of hydration like water and Vitamin Water Zero. After we made sure her diet was satisfactory, we made sure to nourish the outside as well. This blog has chronicled much of our journey to discover the best products for her hair and the hair of my younger daughter as well. Without rehashing all the products, the consistency shared by all the products that actually worked was moisture and detangling ability. We applied pre-shampoo treatments prior to shampooing by weekly (we would go three weeks sometimes). We decreased heat, eliminating blow drying and when we did decide to use a flat iron or straightening comb, it was used with caution ensuring that the dial was not turned up to hot. All of the above served to promote and maintain growth. Half way through our process I discovered Doo Gro, Stimulating Growth Oil. I use this on both girls’ hair. I don’t know how much affect it has had on growth by its self, but it adds moisture to the scalp and some of the ingredients stimulate scalp circulation. These attributes can’t hurt. We have a ways to go, but I believe we are on the right track.

Stay on this journey with us and let’s keep finding new and innovative ways to keep our little ones healthy and beautiful.

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Shake it up for a change

2012-06-04T19:17:00.003-07:00

If you are like me it is hard to change. AND staying in the same old rut can be easy and does not require a lot of thought. Two Heads keeps me searching for new ways to twist the tried and true but still keep it fairly easy on mommy (and daddy).

The below is my five year old sporting a spin off of the same old two pig tails style that every little girl has worn at least a million times :-).

Usually, when we do this style, we simply part her hair straight down the middle and pull each side of her hair up into two pig tails. We accent with barrettes on either side of the part and call it a day. Well, this particular day we wanted to be a little risqué and take a departure from the norm.

So this time we started with a zig zag part (which can be a little tricky). The part takes a little time because you want each zig and zag to be sharp and definitive so you may need to practice. By the way, I purposely have a little more hair on one side than the other. I love how it looks a little off set. I then zig zagged a little piece to the side at the nape of her neck to add a little interest. And finally we added two tendrils on each side to accent her little face. Instead of leaving the pig tails loose or braiding them like normal, I looped them over into puffs. I still added barrettes on either side and little tiny accessories to the tendrils. As you can see the tendrils are loosely twisted.

And there you have it…a little twist on the old school pig tails. Shake it up!

Skirt: Target

Leggings: Target (2 seasons ago :-) can't believe they still fit)

Top: A gift from her grandmother

Sandals: Gymboree (last season)

Hair accessories: Walmart (believe it or not ;-))

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Daily moisture

2012-06-03T19:14:00.002-07:00

Ethnic hair of all textures needs moisture to grow and stay healthy. I just can’t stress that enough. So here is a quick tip to help you keep your little ones hair moist.

My two year old always looks most flattering when she is good and moisturized

By adding Doo Gro, Stimulating Growth oil and extra virgin olive oil moisture can be retained. Bring out the curls even more with pink oil moisturizer.

Dress: Baby Gap

The end of WEN

2012-05-29T17:06:00.000-07:00

It is difficult when we are unable to give a product a glowing endorsement, but when we have to deliver unfavorable news, we are more than willing to explain why. First, however, we must stressed as we do with every post, that what works for one may not work for the other. You may use a product and get wonderful results when our findings were lack luster. With that said, always try it for yourself. Our reviews are based on our personal experiences and the experiences of our faithful readers.

The verdict is in…we are discontinuing of use of WEN. The reason is simple. The product does not provide and detangling aid. Here on Two Heads, we stress the need for good detangling products for all hair types. Heres why:

1. Hair is elastic (it stretches), but not unbreakable

2. Hair is at its weakest when it is wet

3. Taking into consideration the above notes, when detangling after shampooing, strand will stretch and pop (break) if the comb is not allowed to glide smoothly.

4. Poor detangling habits can cause split ends

5. Poor detangling habits is a main reason for African American hair breakage

Now, there are many factors that contribute to whether hair is easy to detangle:

1. Hair texture (of course the tighter the curl, the more difficult it is to detangle)

2. Moisture is an important factor in good detangling. If hair is moist is will detangle easier

3. The technique one uses to shampoo hair can potential tangle hair

4. Shampoos and conditioners can contribute to adding moisture to hair therefore making it easier to detangle (ie., if your shampoo and conditioner dries your hair out it probably will be difficult to detangle

Now, all of the above is sheer rhetoric if it can’t be applied practically.

Well here is the long and short of it all. No matter how the product boasts to be natural and full of “healthy” ingredients that health did not translate into the styling process. Don’t get me wrong I felt good about using a product that would not strip my daughters’ hair. I liked the idea of using a product that was supposedly helpful not harmful, but every time I used WEN, I would have to use it in conjunction with another product, namely a detangler or moisturizer to achieve the desired outcome. This just seemed a little backwards to me.

My final thought is that WEN is not at all a bad product, but if your primary concern is lack of moisture and breakage (as mine is with my oldest child) then WEN is not for you.

As a side bar, WEN performed satisfactorily on my youngest daughter’s hair, but it too seemed more dull and less soft at the end of the styling process when I used the WEN solely. When added with other products, WEN was fine, but if you go back to one of our first posts, WEN: Does it really work? , it is supposed to be a product that can stand alone. It is not advertised as an adjunct therapy.

Back to the 80's...again...

2012-04-08T18:44:00.001-07:00

Janet

Grown girls I have a look for YOU! You can even share it with your little girl if you like. It’s the 80’s side swiped pony. In the 80’s it was worn by Janet Jackson on the cover of her breakout hit album, Control and Jada Pinkett-Smith just dawned a side shaven version of the look for the 2012 Kid’s Choice Awards. I can honestly say I have worn this style since I was a kid…in the 80’s.

Me, Rocking a much more toned down, everyday version of the 1980's look

I was in third grade in 1987 and I wore this hair style then (I probably should not admit that). I loved it then and I love it still. It can be worn simple or chic, for church or for prom or even for everyday. I love the versatility and simplicity of this look and I recommend it if you want to break out of the normal pony tail and do something funky. Every time I do this style, my older daughter says, “Mommy you look so pretty”, so I take her word for it (probably shouldn’t admit that either; taking fashion advice from a five year old may not be wise). Confirmation comes, however, when my husband, friends and total strangers stop me to tell me how totally cute and totally 80’s I look. The 80’s part is the coolest part. I am actually one of those people who truly think the 80’s was a good decade (at least some of it). After all, the 80’s gave us He-Man and She-ra and Janet, “Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty”. During the 80’s we got some really cool movies like The Terminator and great Directors like Spike Lee (remember School Daze). Let’s not forget great songs like We Are the World and fashion trends like ripped jeans (which I still rock to this day). In the 80’s Princess Diana married Prince Charles and Prince released Purple Rain. Unfortunately, I can think of some not so cool 80’s moments, even sad ones that occurred, but let’s face it, the 80’s have resurfaced, rehashed, and revived more times than Elizabeth Taylor said “I do” (an event that happen at least once in the 80’s I’m sure). They are really not going to ever totally go away (at least not as long as I am around). So I thought it only fitting to spread my love of the 1980’s and share a style that can work for you or your little lady. Work it!

Jada at the 2012 Kid's Choice Awards

P.S. Just in case you are too young to remember my 80's references, just click on the highlighted, underlined words and catch up on your 80's trivia. You're welcome!

Need a style for a special occasion...here you go!

2012-03-26T19:53:00.002-07:00

She was not expecting me to take this pic so early in the morning :-)

With Easter right around the corner. Mommas and Daddies may be looking for a cute easy look that will work perfectly with your precious one’s Easter ensemble. Well, I’ve got one for you, but…

I cannot take credit for this super cute special occasion hair style…although I would love to. This look was created by my mother.

A WORD ABOUT MY MOTHER: Mimi, as the kids affectionately call her, is a perfectionist. She expects her grannies to be on point at all times and will accept nothing less. Nothing but the best for her babies. Needless to say, when the girls step out with Mimi…they step out correct. Grandmothers, I must add, have this luxury, for they are, after all grandmothers and their responsibilities have decreased with time. Mine, however, have increased. Therefore I cannot profess that they always look GQ when they are with me…but I digress…

At any rate, the special occasion that this look was created for was church. A style this fancy should be reserved for a special occasion at church or Easter or Christmas as it requires heat to create and I am not a huge proponent of adding heat. I do believe, however, if done in moderation and with a conservative caution it is ok from time to time. Note: if you are totally against heat all together, you can create this style by braiding your child’s hair and leaving it over night. Even if her hair is naturally curly, braiding her hair with a pomade and leaving it for several hours or overnight will lock in a wave pattern or a "crimped" look that may be a unique departure from her usual "curly" look.

Mimi would say start by making sure your parts are straight! For the top section be careful to ensure that the two parts on either side do not extend farther down than the outer tip of the brow (only because it looks a little funny). In other words, make sure each part lines up with about the middle of her eyebrow. It looks more balanced that way. Then make a horizontal part to complete a “box” for the top pony tail. From the middle of that top box (from the back) make a middle part to divide the rest of the hair into two pony tails.

Now that the hard part is out of the way, crimp each section of hair and separate to fluff it. Don’t forget to add some oil sheen for extra shine and you’re done. This is the "special occasion" version the style, but the original style was done with twist. Part hair the same way, but instead of crimping, just create three fluffy twists and add hair accessories if you like.

I know your next question. What kind of iron did I use? I have found that women are very, very particular and picky about their irons and what one likes is as individual as a finger print. It can be a personal experience, even intimate, like buying those "special delicates" that go under our clothes. Some women favor certain name brands. Others value certain qualities like ceramic or ionic. Some irons can be very expensive as well. I have my preferences, but I feel in this case moms (or dads) and their daughters should go on a very vigilant quest to find the healthiest and safest iron that fits their lifestyle and budget.

With that said, your little princess now has another special occasion style to add to the arsenal that you can pull out the next time she gets snazzy.

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TADA!! It worked...the second time.

2012-03-20T11:28:00.001-07:00

I nearly forgot to post this wonderful entry about my new experience with a product that I had once written off. It seems that what works for one child does not work for the other. I will not leave you in suspense. The product is none other than Shea Moisture.

This is not a little known product to our house hold. As a matter of fact I have been using Shea Moisture, Curl and Style Milk for several months on my two year old. I mainly use it to add moisture and shine when I braid it from time to time. The performance was satisfactory so I decided to try some other products in the line.

A little background on Shea Moisture: Sofi Tucker started selling shea Nuts at the village market in Bonthe, Sierra Leon in 1912. This Sofi Tucker was the grandmother of the founders of Shea Moisture. Inspired by her tenacity and self sufficiency as a single young mother of four children (widowed at age 19), the Shea Moisture line was born. The product is accompanied by a mission to empower disadvantaged women.

Why I chose to give it one more try?: It was not just the satisfactory performance of the product after I tried it (for the second time) on my two year old that made me stay with it, but also the legacy and the mission of the company. I read the back of the bottle and decided it was worth giving it one more chance.

A brief overview of what we did to achieve success: What we did was simple but effective. The products used were Moisture Retention Shampoo and Deep Treatment Masque. We followed that up with the usual Curl and Style Milk. And of course we did our customary pre-shampoo treatment with coconut oil for 30 minutes prior to shampooing.

We shampooed twice and left the Deep Treatment on for approximately 15minutes. When I rinsed her hair it was soft and shiny and easy to detangle. I was pleased.

Note: I tried this on my older daughter over a year ago and we did not have good success. Her hair was dry and brittle afterward and hard to detangle. I tried it again on her since it worked so well on the baby with no luck. It just goes to show that what works for one does not always work for the other AND you may have try something twice before it works at all.

Below soft manageable hair and a happy two year old:

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Hair accessories found at your local neighborhood beauty suppy store

She is wearing her favorite Dora dress (Target)

Readers weigh in on Motions Weightless Hairdressing

2012-03-02T09:33:00.001-08:00

Two Heads is so lucky and blessed to have faithful readers who glean helpful hints from our page and are also willing to add relateability and value to the information we provide with tips of their own.

One such reader shot me a message about a week ago about a product that she discovered and happens to love for her daughter's cornrow styles. It’s called Weightless Clear Hairdressing by Motions. I have not yet tried the product, however, an in depth review is forth coming from Two Heads. BUT our reader tells us that this stuff is awesome!

She states the pros for weightless clear hairdressing are:

-no flaking

-no grease

-easy application

-it leaves the hair soft

-there is very little build-up and residue

I am sold!

The product retails for approximately $4.50 for a 6 once container.

Here is what one site had to say about the product:

· Give hair an extra styling boost with Motions Weightless Clear Hairdressing. Its feather-light formula adds volume while restoring hair's strength and shine. It will not build up on hair. Oil-free conditioners add suppleness and shine while reducing frizz. And a Mango Tango fragrance evokes an enticing tropical sensation. It's ideal for pumping up fine-to-medium textured or fragile hair. It gives lift to hair that normally gets weighed down by ordinary hair dressing.

I am super excited about trying this product out on my girls to let you know how I like it. In the meantime, check out the super cute pics sent in by our reader of her sweet baby girl in cornrows created using Motions, Weightless Clear Hairdressing.

SUPER cute! Thank you guys for sharing!!

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DIY

2012-02-12T09:58:00.000-08:00

Many of our readers (including myself) are often astonished by the price of children’s hair accessories. I have to admit that I have been drawn in more times than one, by some super cute, really snazzy head band or barrette that went perfectly with that outfit. You know the one she loves to wear. The one that makes her feel fantastically girly and sweet. Yep, that one.

Accessorizing little girls has become a mega market with boutiques and shops dedicating their entire inventory to beads, bows, clips and what-nots. I venture to say starting an accessory business would be a can’t miss enterprise for a budding entrepreneur because many mommies (and daughters) just can’t get enough. Seriously, my daughters and I have cases full of awesome accessories, but we inevitably still buy more.

This is not a sin. But given the current economy and shrinking budgets of working people, such superlatives can no longer be prioritized in families today. Given this fact, mommies (and daddies) may have to employ creative ways to attain goods that they don’t want to give up, but may not have much surplus to afford.

People can produce ingenuity when pressed to. And lots of creative expression can result from that ingenuity. One easy way to stretch your budget a little farther is to do it yourself. This really can apply to anything. With a little imagination and skill, we all have the ability to create if we want to. More specifically in the area of accessories this could not be more true.

How to do-it-yourself? Don’t stress. It is easier than it sounds. As a matter of fact you could produce intricate and complicated items if you wanted to (and some of you may want to), but if you can use a hot glue gun, in most cases you can make a really chic hair accessory for your daughter for pennies. The following tips are definitely not "rocket science", just a few hints you may not have thought of before.

1. The simplest strategy to make hair accessories is to find a really cute silk flower from Michaels or Wal-mart and glue it to a plain head band.

2. Even easier than the above suggestion, take that same silk flower and use a regular house hold bobbi pin and just stick in her hair.

3. Go to your nearest Hobby Lobby and head straight to the fabric section. There you will find ribbons (in the same area where you find trim). In this section you can find a myriad of textures, colors and widths of ribbons and trims that can be used as ribbon for your little girls’ pony tails. The best part is you can usually buy an entire spool for about a $1.50 (Example, 3 yards on a spool).

4. Find unconventional objects to put in her hair (safe items of course). Try sprinkling a little glitter in her hair for added whimsy and fun. Go to the clearance section of your friendly neighborhood craft store and see what interesting objects you can find like feathers or scrap pieces of fabric. Use these items to create something unique for her hair.

5. Nothing is better than using something you already have. Turn an old accessory into a new one, by adding a little sparkle. Craft stores like Hobby Lobby always have a clearance section of old or returned “stuff”. I have found packages of rhinestones for $1 or less. Hot glue clear or colored rhinestones to pre-existing hair accessories and revive their life. This way you can get some use out of some items that you already have.

I am aware that even with the simple instructions above many of you may not desire to mess with the fuss of creating your own hair accessories. BUT you can still save money. My hidden treasures (which are not really all that hidden at all) are Wal-mart and Hobby Lobby. At these stores one can purchase already created ribbons, barrettes, clips and other hair accessories for cents. Hobby Lobby especially was a pleasant surprise for me. Sometimes I am able to find accessories from “no-name” manufactures that look almost identical to many of the accessories found in higher end shops.

Finally, if you don’t mind shopping on-line, you can find the most unique bows and accessories in the world on Etsy.com, an on-line market place for all things vintage and handmade.

Below are a few pics of my oldest daughter with some accessories that I created in less than five minutes.

I purchased ribbon with wire in it off a spool from Hobby Lobby. I purchased about a yard each color to have surplus in case I messed up. I folded each color into an “accordion” shape and secured them all together (with hot glue) making all the pressed together folds appear like a flower. I spiraled the overhanging pieces making them cascade down from the “flower” (hence the reason for the wire). Finally, I glued clear rhinestones to the accessory to dress it up and added a few sprigs of artificial "babies breath". This accessory cost approximately $4.00.

These yellow accessories are as old as she is. We breathed new life into them by simply gluing clear rhinestones to them. The original accessories came in a pack for $1.99 from Wal-mart.

This hair accessory was free (sort of). I bought her a pair of shoes from a boutique and this was the little surprise that came in the box; a free gift with purchase (but the shoes cost enough to cover the cost of the bow and then some ;-))

Ribbons from Hobby Lobby. Spool less than $1.50

Silk flower (can’t remember where I got it). I added a sheer ribbon tied in a small bow. In the center of the small bow I attached one little sparkly rhinestone.

So as you can see, DIY can be full of fun and excitement. And if your little one is mature enough, she can help you create these little accessories giving her pride and confidence to know that she too can do it herself!

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Examiner

The beads stayed on!

2012-01-30T13:08:00.000-08:00

I always try to provide an update for readers who want to know the outcome of hair styles we feature on Two Heads, and whether they were failures or successes. I try to provide honest real time information that you can apply to your daily routine. I also try to focus on the health, safety and well being of our children for there is more to a method than just whether it is pretty and if it has longevity. I also want to make sure every style and/or tip I suggest is safe and comfortable to boot.

Our last post was mainly an encouragement post for moms (and dads) who may sometimes tire of the constant undertaking of caring for virgin, ethnic hair. The later portion of the entry, however, briefly described a hairstyle created on my younger daughter’s hair incorporating beads.

I am happy to announce that after five days the beads were still on her hair. I only had to swat her hand one time for reaching at one. None ended up in her mouth and the style stayed neat and flattering. I would recommend this hairstyle. If my daughter can maintain it (miss blankie totting, floor rolling, tub splasher) most any child can.

Note: the hair style lasted for about 6 days. I took it out and have since re-styled.

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Your task is a gift

2012-01-25T07:27:00.000-08:00

There is one thing that I am sure of and that is that God gives us no more than we can bare. Let me explain. I prayed for daughters (at least one). The good Lord gave me two. I prayed that they would have bountiful, full manes that were thick and beautiful. He gave me just that. That is where my prayers ended. I should have prayed for patience and endurance as well. I did not have the fore site at that time to understand that with such gifts came an awesome responsibility to steward them.

God has an interesting since of humor. At first, I did not get the joke. Those bountiful heads of hair almost became a noose around my neck as I began to lament, wail and complain about my task of caring for their hair and the time consumed in doing so. For a moment, I wondered if I had made a mistake in asking for the gift. Then I came to my senses (sometime ago) and realized what I already knew in my heart. The opportunity to care for two heads full of hair is a blessing. And God, with his interesting sense of humor had indeed already entrusted me with every tool I needed to handle the enormous job. Now, I embrace caring for my girls´ hair. It is a family ritual. It is time spent bonding and growing together. It also is a task that has reminded me of the real meaning of love and given me a glimpse of how we must seem to HIM. Caring for this finite human race is arduous, though HIS care for us never wanes. HE grooms us and grows us. HE nurtures us and cultivates us just as a good mother does for her own child’s hair.

These comforting thoughts came to my mind as I was styling (more like wrestling with) my youngest daughter’s hair today. I was reminded that a parent's reward may not be instantaneous, but to see our children healthy and happy…when you really think about it, it is all worth it in the end.

Below is the only picture I could capture of a very restless two year old who would not be photographed today.

The products I used to create this style are Organics Texture My Way and Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk. Instead of our usual box parts we did attention-grabbing triangular parts. As you can see, we tried a new accessory today, pink beads. Unlike the Sidewinder Hair Holders, she did not reach to pull them out one time (some braids were left without beads intentionally). As a matter a fact she hasn’t even touched one bead yet (very interesting). I am keeping a close watch on her as I do when any accessory is attached to her hair, but so far so good. Beads can be found for $0.99 a package at your friendly neighborhood beauty supply store. Invest in a threader, it makes the job a whole lot easier. This style, by the way, should last about a week. An update is forth coming.

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Accessorize for a not so good hair day!

2012-01-22T10:45:00.000-08:00

In the Semi-mini Braid Experiment we spoke about styling methods that give moms (and dads) a break from daily styling. The experiment (though touch and go for a moment) ended up being a glowing success. But are there other ways to keep your child looking neat and stylish? When shampoo day is still two days away, but her hair is on its last leg, how can you maintain your child’s optimum cute quota? Add accessories of course! BUT not just any old random accessories. Too many bobbles or thinga-ma-jigs can cause her to end up looking like a Christmas tree. And if not applied with care and thought, she could just end up looking unkept or like an afterthought or (heaven forbid) like she was the stylist instead of you (visions of dress up in mommy’s accessory closet come to mind).

To avoid all the wrong outcomes, let’s take a look at a few tips that may get you to shampoo day looking like a winner. Keep in mind these tips are not just for “not so good hair” days, but can be incorporated any day to up your girl’s cute quota!

Hats: Hats are a no brainer to add to any ensemble, whenever it’s raining outside, but hats should not be reserved for the rain. Hats should not be reserved for just big girls either. My little girls love hats. I don’t mean a plain old baseball cap. I’m talking rhinestones, leopard prints and bright colors on berets, page boys, fedoras or beanies (knit caps). Pin a flower on the side and we’re talking cuteness through the stratosphere.

A beanie with a bow

Photo courtesy of www.littlelids.com

To pull this look off and make it look intentional, try to pull at least one color out of the outfit your child is wearing to match at least one color in the hat. In the case of a multi-color hat, like a leopard print, for example, tone down the outfit just a little (no plaids or clashing prints). An even better combination would be to dress her up in a bright solid color like pink (maybe a pink top and denim bottom) then add a pink flower to the leopard print hat. Sounds a little quirky, but try it, you’ll be surprised at all the compliments your little one will receive.

A traditional child's beret

Photo courtesy of www.littlelids.com

Head bands: Head bands are another obvious choice when the hair is not quite perfect. Unfortunately, I have seen some good head band wearing and some not so good head band wearing. Let’s explore wearing a head band the right way (this tip applies to big girls as well).

Doubling or even tripling thin stretchy head bands can be used to add style and hold back unruly hair. Mix up three colors that may be found in your child’s outfit and pump up the sound on a casual look.

Wearing a super wide band can cover the part of the hair we don’t want to be seen, but can accent your daughter's beautiful face. Again, use your judgment on adding color. But a wide fabric head band looks super cute and similar to the hats mentioned above, you can really make it look stylish by adding a pin or flower.

Wide orange headband

Photo courtesy of www.trimweaver.com

Embellished head bands are my absolute favorite for little girls. Now, I must add my disclaimer and a BIG word of caution before I describe this look. I am wary of recommending this look for big girls (i.e. women), because it can come across a little cartoon-ish, clown-like or themed on an adult. Of course, this is fine if that’s what you are going for. But I digress…

Embellished head bands literally come in hundreds of styles and looks. There are lace ones, leather ones, ones with huge rhinestones and ones with every flower you can think of. There are ones with bows, glitter and ones made of patent leather. There are even those that are made of feathers (got to love feathers). There are also head bands with a combination of the fore mentioned additions, like rhinestoned flowers, leather and lace with rhinestones and rhinestones on feathers. The combinations are endless. Can’t find one you really love? Bring a one-of-a-kind uniqueness to a look by making one yourself (more on that in another post).

Patent leather and rhinestone headband

Gap

Black feather headband

Gap

Purple rosette headband

Gap

When wearing one of these fancy embellished head bands, the accessory becomes the star and not the hair style. This is a good thing if you are trying to draw attention away from a not so great hair day. In this case create a simple hair style, like one pony tail pulled up on top. Really any simple look will do that will allow the head band to be placed in a non-obstructive manner.

Finally, since we are talking about children, with any style you choose to create with the above suggestions, make sure you child is comfortable. Ensure that the band on the hat is not squeezing her head. Adjust the head band so that it is not too tight behind the ears, otherwise her cute little look will not last very long because she will not keep the item on her head if it hurts.

Below is my four year old wearing her super oversize Rosette Head band (Gap). Here the big, satin embellishment camouflages all the flyaways and covers up the fact that she is in need of a reset (shampoo and style). She looks super cute and very in vogue. Try this look and no one will know you are concealing a thing…I won’t tell ;-).

She's always singing...

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WEN trial continued...

2012-01-10T15:42:00.000-08:00

I have been using WEN, by Chaz Dean, on my oldest daughter for about 2 months now (that equals to about 1 shampoo every two weeks or 4 shampoos in total). I initially stated in the post WEN, does it really work?, that I was not enamored with the product, but that I was going to stick with it long enough to let it bear its self out.

So far some of my criticisms of the product have remained. Two months of use have not increased the products detangling ability. Her hair is still quite a task to comb out after shampooing. Therefore, what was initially sited as cons are still cons.

The last time I used the WEN I decided to modify my technique to see if I could attain better results.

Below is an account of the process:

Instead of putting the Re-Moist Hair Treatment on last, (after cleansing conditioner) I put it on first (like a hot oil treatment) to see if I could glean any improvements (per my husband's suggestion).

This is what it looks like.

This is her hair after shampooing. I am very pleased with the shine and curl, but it was still quite a task to detangle.

Her hair ended up looking very pretty when it was all said and done.

By the way, cute teal outfit from Baby Gap, tutu from Gymboree, boots Nordstrom and cute hair accessories (head band) Gap, (knockers) Wal-mart

I am still waiting for my socks to be knocked off. They are still, however, on my feet, warm and toasty. I am beginning to approach the conclusion that even though WEN is very healthy for the hair causing no harm as I can see, it is not an overall home run. My next step will be to continue to use the WEN Cleansing conditioner, but incorporate another product that may help to detangle. I will let you know how that goes.

Note: WEN comes in several “flavors” (for lack of a better term). If I have not already mentioned, I am using the Sweet Almond Mint which is the “signature” selection that comes with your 60 day trial. It is the default choice sent to you if you do not specify any other. Other varieties are peppermint, fig and pomegranate. I was informed by a WEN representative that “fig” may work better on “ethnic” hair. She says that fig was “specially” formulated for coarse, curly hair. I am not convinced that any assortment will make much difference in detangling, but we shall see…

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Coconut oil pre-shampoo treatment

2012-01-01T15:02:00.000-08:00

We have been discussing the best way to retain moisture and stave off breakage. As a matter of fact that is the most important component of any hair care dilemma. If we can figure out how to stop dryness and excessive shedding we would solve the problem of many moms (and dads) out there faced with the challenge of keeping their child’s hair healthy.

In the Healthy Hair post back in November, I included a brief description on how to apply an olive oil treatment and the benefits it could provide. Some readers informed me that they tried the treatment, but wondered if coconut oil would work even better. I wanted to find out so I tried the process out on my two year old (I would have preferred to try it out on the four year old but it was not time for here shampoo). Even though the two year old’s hair is not as as dry, I assumed that I would still see an obvious improvement, if the coconut oil was worth its salt.

Well, it was worth it and then some. Below is a brief synopsis of the coconut oil pre-shampoo treatment process on some very dirty 2 year old hair:

1.Use a generous amount of extra virgin coconut oil.

2. For thick hair part into four section to ensure the scalp gets its fair share.

3. Slather it all over the hair (for best results start at the root and work down to the ends).

Note: Your child will be greasy!

4. Place a plastic cap for optimum penetration.

5. Leave cap on for at least 30 minutes.

Note: Please do not leave your child unattended during this time for the obvious safety issues that could arise (i.e suffocation from plastic).

6. Shampoo thoroughly; you will need to wash hair about 2-3 times to remove excess residue.

7. Condition hair (optional as hair may be soft and manageable after treatment).

8. Style as desired.

I would recommend the coconut oil pre-shampoo treatment just as much as I would recommend the olive oil pre-shampoo treatment. I would not, however, equally endorse the coconut oil as a hair dress for styling like I would the olive oil because it is heavier than the olive oil and messier. Because it is solid at room temperature but melts when warmed, coconut oil can go on subtly then end up looking a little like “jheri curl” juice once it melts on the hair. It is true we want sheen and luster; what we do not want is our children to look like they took a bath in cooking oil.

A good combination regimen could be to use the coconut oil as the pre-shampoo treatment and save the olive oil for a highly moisturizing hair dress that adds shine and suppleness to natural locs.

Learn all the great ways to maintain healthy virgin hair. Then show it off on vacation! Travel any one? Check out these two great travel pages by yours truly. Stay up on what’s hot in the world of travel from the perspective of an unbiased, wide eyed traveler who treats every adventure as if it’s the first.

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Happy Holidays

2011-12-27T11:06:00.000-08:00

2 Heads will be back after the new year with more informative and fun tips on how to keep ethnic virgin hair healthy and beautiful!

Sidewinder Hair Holders

2011-12-15T15:47:00.000-08:00

I was super excited to receive the little yellow package from the post man. I tore it open immediately! Its contents held several small plastic zip top bags with pink, clear and gold accessories. The website claims these little gems to be an alternative to beads. I wanted to find out if the claims were true. Sidewinder Hair Holders are unique items to add to the ends of little girl’s hair to make it swing and look fabulous. Let's see how they stack up.

Here is the first style I tried on my two year old with SIDEWINDER HAIR HOLDERS:

First, the Sidewinder Hair Holders are so adorable. I loved they way they looked in my daughter’s hair. If this review had been written the moment after completing the hairstyle I would have given the product an A+.

The application however was not quite as easy as the video depicts (check out site to view). On most of the braids it took several tries to get the accessory to stay put (granted my child was moving around all the while), but the amount of time it took to apply the garnish was more than I can spend (with her at least).

The item is, like it states, a very good alternative to beads which look pretty, but have to be secured with elastics that could potentially damage the ends of hair. She loved swinging her head and hearing them clank around.

she is shaking her head to hear the Winders clank together

Also, the colors are very vivid. I ordered them in hot pink, clear and gold, but there are a plethora of colors to choose from, a plus for the company. It just makes it hard to decide which colors you will select as choosing multiple “sets” could get pricey.

Speaking of pricey, each set at $4.99 sounds reasonable enough, but one “set” consists of one 3 inch winder, two 2 inch winders and two 1 inch winders. Now, as you can imagine that won’t get you very far on a hairstyle.

below is one set

photo courtesy of

http://hairholders.com/hair-beads-alternative

I purchased the three color combo for $35.00 (yep, 35 smakeroos)

3 color combo

photo courtesy of

http://hairholders.com/hair-beads-alternative

I will reiterate that the Sidewinder Hair Holders are super cute and I could create endless styles with this tremendously creative accessory. It may even be great for my older daughter (whom I have not tried the product on yet). Truly, the one and only con that would cause me to caution against purchase is the fact that this embellishment could become a choking hazard!

she had begun to unwind the Winders on the sides

See the missing Winder? That one was the first to go!

Within about thirty minutes of completing her hair style, my daughter had already removed about 1/3 of the Winders. By the end of the afternoon, none remained on her hair. The scary part was although she willing brought most of them to me and placed them in my hand. Her sister and I had to fish more than a few out of her mouth. I am a pretty anal mom about keeping things out of her mouth and always watching to thwart disaster. There were no unfortunate mishaps on my watch as I saw her every time she put a Winder in her mouth. But even a super mom has to turn her back for a moment from time to time and that is why I offer a word of caution to users.

In fairness, I did review the Sidewinder Hair Holder site again for disclaimers of caution or choking hazards and have not gleaned any as of yet…maybe I missed it. There were however photos of children as small as my own with the accessory on their hair, so maybe I am the only one who has had an issue. It is of course my responsibility to take care of my own children, given this fact, if I would have been aware of the ease in which these items could be removed by two year old fingers, I probably would have thought twice before putting them on her hair. She will be a better candidate for Sidewinders when she is a little older.

I am not writing the product off by any means. I actually like it and I would even endorse it for older children. I feel my older little girl possess the maturity to maintain a hair style with the Sidewinder Hair Holders. I will try them out on her and see what we get.

Here’s a recap:

Pros:

- Very pretty product; helps to create awesomely unique looks for your little girl

- It comes in an array of beautiful colors

- It is a super alternative to beads

- Durable; does not break easily

Cons:

- Expensive

- Potential choking hazard for small children (especially the 1 inch size)

- A little tricky to apply

As with any product you choose to use there are pros and cons. Always exhibit caution when putting ANY hair accessories in the hair of small children.

http://hairholders.com/hair-beads-alternative Please check out the web site and be your own judge!

The end of the semi-mini braids experiment

2011-12-13T10:31:00.000-08:00

UPDATE:

Hip Hip Hooray for SEMI-MINI BRAIDS! Alas, it is time to say farewell, hasta la vista, au revoir...

It was touch and go there for a moment (day six), but the after re-moisturizing, re-inventing and re-styling the powers that be decided to breath just a little more life into a dying style and it ended up lasting a whopping 12 days. Whoopi!

I would recommend this hair style to mommies (and daddies) who need a break from the everyday rigors of styling their childrens’ hair. I would also recommend it because it gives the hair a much needed break and allows it to “breath”. Hair just like the rest of the body requires rest and rejuvenation.

In short the semi-min braid experiment was a glowing success and will be added to our hair care arsenal! Now on to shampooing and coming up with a new style for the two year old.

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Try this tip to stave off an itchy belly

2011-12-09T08:35:00.000-08:00

First off, we had an awesome hair day today! There was minimum shedding and lots of shine and body. Those dreadful ends are still sloughing off, but this will be the case until they are all said and done (which will hopefully be soon). My older daughter’s hair is looking so lustrous these days and I contribute it (at least in part) to the addition of olive oil to our hair care program. Even she has noticed a difference (and that’s the most important part).

Today, we did a throwback style. I like to call it old school, because I can look back at any given picture of myself as a child and I may just be sporting this exact same look (minus the twist in the front). Her face shape is like mine, so the look even more so brings back all sorts of memories of me sitting on my mother’s kitchen table with that blue grease near by. My mother was ever so meticulous, she parted each section just so, and groomed my hair until it was perfect. I vividly remember those days and every time I do my daughter’s hair, I reminisce.

Now that we are back from our trip down memory lane…below is our artistic hair expression for today:

back view

flat twist design in the front to add pizzazz

She's singing for joy...

But surely you are wondering what all this has to do with an itchy belly…gonna tell you right now…

How many of you have little girls who love tutus, skirts, dresses, etc? If you do, you are aware that as the winter weather conditions set in and it gets colder and harsher outside we can no longer do bare legs. No brainer right? Hold on, I’m going somewhere…

My little one hates tights! Why? Because she complains about how they roll down her belly, how they are so uncomfortable and how I apparently never (ever) place them just right. Either they are too high on the belly or too low. Here is the kicker...the complaint I hear the most… “Mommy, these things make my belly itchy!!”

I have had it! I have decided that we are going to remedy the problem of the “the itchy tights belly” once and for all. Here is what I do now:

1. I buy an outfit (still a skirt, tutu or dress)

2. I find corresponding socks (Socks you say? Yes, socks) But not just any socks. Snazzy, colorful, tights-esque socks. Thick Cotton socks. Long socks, that on you or me would be knee high-ish.

3. The socks are usually the smallest size in girls or women. These are not toddler socks nor can they be found in the toddler or baby section.

4. Here’s why they fit perfectly...because a knee high on me becomes a super high, thigh high on her and they are just the perfect length to simulate tights, when all you really want is the “look” of tights not the itchy waist band.

5. What to do about the heel? The heel problem is remedied two ways, one, wash and dry the sock in the dryer so the sock will shrink a little. Two, just adjust the heel to where it is on her heel and there is a little extra room in the toe area. I promise it is not a big deal.

Kind of a little quirky I know, but it works! Below is an example:

while standing, these socks look like tights

sitting these socks look like tights

I am sure there is no need to patent the idea and it does not require a copyright. I know I am not going to win the Nobel Prize for discovering how to remedy “itchy tights belly”, but hey, it sure is a discovery that saves me the grief of hearing “My Belly is itchy”. And let’s face it; it is so much nicer to see those little faces smiling rather than frowning.

below is an example of the socks

striped socks used as tights (from Target; girls sock section)

Just so you can see how much the socks look like tights I put them side by side; they look alike but without the itchy belly

;-)

tights by Crazy 8

socks from Target

Update: Still waiting, with bated breath, for the mail to come to reveal the new accessory I hinted about the other day. I hope it comes soon. Can’t wait to try it out and let you know if hair styling as we know it will be changed forever!

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It's not over yet...

2011-12-07T13:30:00.000-08:00

After our last post it was pretty much a done deal that we were going to have to re-do the hair do we hoped would last at least two weeks (giving mommy and child a well needed break). Apparently, the heavens had another plan in store to breath just a little more life into our semi-mini braid style (thank you!)

Me: It’s time to get your hair done

Her: NOOOOOO!

Me: Come now, it won't be that bad...

Her: NOOOOOO! (as she begins to run down the hall)

My wheels started turning (as I catch her and bring her back) .“Operation Re-invention” underway!

When there’s nothing left to do, your child does not want her hair done today and it’s clear her current hair style has seen its better day…then you must re-invent. And that’s just what we did today.

1. Re-moisturize entire head. Concentrate on the scalp. Message scalp and then work the luster down each braid. It’s been 7 days now since we created this style; to make it easy use a moisturizer you can spray with shea or olive oil. (If you are opposed to aerosols use Kera Kare Essential Oils in a pour spout container)

shea oil sheen

massage gently into scalp

2. Redo at least four or five of the front braids,( or however many is needed) to neaten it up a bit (this is optional). I re-braided three front braids.

3. Use a HEALTHY hair gel (I used Soc-it-2-mii Curls, by Red’s Kitchen Sink). Run it down each braid to smooth the "fuzzies".

Soc-it-to-mii

run gel down each individual braid

4. Re-style braids into a look that's quick and easy

oucheless elastics

TADA! A new, neat style; two pony tails

two pony tails w/ a head band

She kept running away so I had to think quickly. Two pony tails. Bingo! Two ouchless elastics, one head band and we are done (for another three days hopefully). From start to finish it took me about 10 minutes. Semi-mini braids turned out to be the hair break we both needed after all.

ONE HAPPY LITTLE GIRL!

I bet she is hoping this hair styles last forever..

Check back for a review on a super duper awesome hair accessory I just discovered. If it’s not all the rage yet…it should be!

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Time Tested Hair

2011-12-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

6 days

I don’t think baby girl is going to make it to two weeks with this style. We haven’t even reached the 1 week mark (6 days) and this style is already done…put a fork in it.

We are going to try again. Still in search of a style that will last on the two year old for more than a week. Semi-mini braids aren’t the answer for her :-/.

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