Hair Care Crisis for 1 Year Old

I have a 3 year old biracial daughter and have struggled with her hair since she was 6 months old. She's always had a lot of hair and as she's gotten older, it's gotten thicker and more kinky (extremely curly). While not all biracial children have the same hair (just like not all people of other races have the same hair), I have heard that leave-in conditioners are the best. I've tried TONS of spray detanglers which worked at first when she was younger but now that her hair is so thick, the only leave-in conditioner I've found that keeps her curls nice and not frizzy is Paul Mitchells "The Conditioner." It's a blue conditioner that you can work through her hair and then comb through.

The other IMPORTANT thing to do with your daughter at this age is to consistently run your hands or a comb through her hair multiple times a day so she can get used to having her hair done. I didn't do this with my daughter when she was young and just put her hair in pom poms and now she is EXTREMELY tender headed (which makes doing her hair everyday QUITE the challenge).

I tried growing her hair out so it would weigh it down but that didn't work. I would advise against using grease and any other heavy products in her hair at this age. Again, the leave in conditioner will make the curls look very nice (works best if you put it in while her hair is wet and then let it air dry). Then it will look nice just combed through if you don't put it up.

Also, my daughter's hair never stayed in braids (her hair has been long enough since she was 1). THe texture is too soft and the braids came out very easily. She screamed anytime we had someone put it in braids as it was very painful and it ended up not being worth it.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

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Hi! I know how it feels to have that thick, curly hair. First, Im sure that her curls are beautiful, but tangly right? I have used many products high priced, and cheap and nothing worked or really did what I wanted it to do. I use Carols Daughter products for my hair and my sons hair. Her "Hair Milk" works perfect for dryer curls to give it shine, bounce and make it manageable. You can try her website its www.carolsdaughter.com and she has tips that she recommends for kids. You can also get her products form sephora. There is one at Oak Park Mall up stairs by BEBE. But I know from experience the struggle. 2nd Always use a leave-in conditioner after regular shampoo and conditioner. Also you need to have a detangling comb and after washing and conditioning, you will have to comb through sections at a time--very small sections. After you have comb through apply the "Hair Milk" to give moisture and define curls and let her hair go free don't do as many ponytails. 3rd PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT RELAX her hair. Hope that helps, check out the website and her tips for kids cause that "Hair Milk" worked wonders on my hair. let me know if you have any other questions.

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T., I agree with the other lady: black hair products are a gimmick and not good for "black hair", "mixed hair," or ANY hair for that matter. Stay away from the grease and pink moisturizer stuff all together. It's not that she has "mixed" or "black" hair, it's that it's curly...and may be dry.

I wouldn't even suggest asking a black woman, we have been conditioned and "propaganda'ed" into using "black hair" products or relaxers and many of us don't know how to take care of our own hair. See someone who specializes in curly hair. What curly hair does normally need is moisturizer. Since the hair curls so much, it's natural moisture cannot work its way down the locks of hair.

I will say that there are two "black" products I have found that work well: Cream of Nature moisturizing shampoo followed up by "Tea Tree Cholesterol" by Lustrasilk.

As far as styling it, I would stick to a pomade or a bit of Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Styling Gel. It is alcohol free (so won't dry it out) and doesn't flake. It actually makes my daughter's hair really soft. Just use a bit. All that stuff can be found pretty cheaply at Sally Beauty Supply.

Lastly, it is probably best that she wear her hair in it's natural curls, rather than trying to pull it into ponytails. You can take a bit of the gel and twirl her hair around your finger to "finger curl" it for definition.

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I used to do hair before staying home with my now 2 year old. I would highly recommend Bumble and Bumble's products for curly hair. Yes, it's pricey, BUT, it's an amazing product and a little goes a looonnnnngggg way so you really get your moneys worth. You might have to go to their website to see who carries it in your area- it's a pretty exclusive product. But really...it's money well spent.

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I asked my friend to respond since she has three little mixed girls...
Hi D., Glad to help!

Our kids' hair is more like Pete's because my hair is naturaly really curry. OUr kids don't have the kind of "mixed" hair that often comes out long, soft, curly and managable. I say this because a lot of times that is the case if mom has straight hair. If that's the case, the mom can avoid a lot of braid syles as well as relaxers.

But, most importantly, I have learned NOT to use the hair shampoo, conditioner, grease or styling oils that are specifically for ethnic hair. The best, most complete hair care line that is for all types of hair is Paul Mitchell. The biggest myth for black people is that the have to use a black hair care line. I can get back to you about the names of the products, but for starters, I use a moisture shampoo and conditioner in the Paul Mitchell line. Then there is a hydrating leave in product - like anti-frizz and another one I can't remember the name.

That is probably enough info to get her started. If her daughter has a lot of hair and she would like to learn how to do braids, I could give her a name of a gal we go to.

Take care,

gretchen

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i have really curly hair. i use 'mop top' products, or 'deva curl' products. you can buy them online, or at certain salons. i've also been to 'bouffant daddy' for a hair cut - in maplewood - on manchester - they specialize in cutting curly hair. also there's a book called 'curly girl' by the deva curl people. lots of advice and home recipes for curly hair - like sprays to keep down frizz, etc.

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Hey there T.!
I am a licensed cosmetologist. Here are some things that have worked for my clients that are having the same problem as you are. Don't use that hair grease. If it's eating through her hair bands think what it's doing to her hair! Get some "smoothing hair serum" for her hair. Matrix makes a really good serum but it's kind of expensive. You can even go to Wal-mart and check out all of their products. Anyway, after you wash her hair put that in there. You shouldn't have to use too much but with any type of hair you are just going to have to play around with it. After you put the serum in you should have no problem styling her hair. My girlfriend would take her index finger and twirl her hair around it to make little ringlets. The serum will keep her hair from getting that dry whispy look and will not make her hair look wet or greasy. This way you can just put a cute little barrett in to keep her hair out of her eyes. Also you have to keep in mind that she is 1 and almost all toddlers look like they have been through the war zone. Good luck! Hey, great job with finishing school! You are awesome!

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Hi T.,

Envia hair products are awesome! They leave the hair so manageable & it is the best of science & nature blended together so it is really good for the scalp & hair. I do want to congratulate you for your hard work in college to better yourselves!

You can call or e-mail me for information on the Envia hair products.
P. Elting
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____@____.com

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