Monday, February 25, 2013

Hair Escapades

Olivia's hair... what can I say... maybe "I'm sorry" to my beautiful daughter for having such a hair-challenged mom! 

Over the years I think I've gotten better at least at attempting some different styles on her.  But it was so much easier when she was little.  We could do box braids, or cute puffs, even a short afro for a time with adorable flower clips and headbands. 

But she's a tween now.  Cute braids and barrettes don't quite cut it.  So we've been doing more "free hair" lately.  The shape has morphed a bit into almost an 80's bob style in a way, shorter on the bottom and full on top, due to her trying to style her own hair from time to time and pulling it out/breaking it off, in the back. :(  Not good, but still it was cute cool.


Olivia's been wanting "straight" hair for a LONG. Long. Long. long. long. time.  But I have people telling me constantly NOT to relax her hair... to keep it natural... don't relax!  So we've not bit the bullet.  And though I've heard ways to get that look naturally, I've been scared to try it, being hair challenged and all! :)

But yesterday we tried it.

And it worked (pretty well).

But well enough that she is THRILLED, and that's what it is all about after all!

First I blew dried her hair semi-straight...


close up...


Then I used a flat iron...

And though it needs to be cut into a "style", she LOVE LOVE LOVES it!


She was actually able to pull it (with some help because it's just a bit short still) into a pony tail!



She just keeps thanking me and saying how she can't believe it! 

Score!

4 comments:

annieglan said...

Have you taken her to a black salon? I personally will not relax my daughters hair, but to each their own. They can talk about different ideas. Maybe dreads? They can also use a tool that is WAY better at straightening the hair (not permanently) and will last weeks.

maureen said...

Oh it looks so great! You are such a nice mom to try to give her what she wants.

Katy wanted straight hair forever. We did have her hair relaxed when she was 9, but she jumped into a swimming pool 2 days later and kind of ruined it, so I said we would never spend $100 on THAT again!

When she was 10 she started asking again, and I agree with you, there are only so many styles I can do with her hair since I do not have the experience that others born with curlier hair have in working with it.

So I took her to an African salon and they did the braids for the first time. It was life changing for both her and I! They used her hair and also extra hair for the length, and braided it to be shoulder length. Now she could have the long hair she desired and also she could take care of it on her own. I love it pulled off of her face and she just looks so elegant (So does Olivia!)

I would definitely stay away from anything dreaded. We tried that with my younger daughter Madyson Claire, and when we didn't like it, we had to cut them off! She lost all of her length in one day, she cried, and I felt awful!

Nikki said...

Good for you for trying...there are a ton of resources on natural hair for you to checkout that include tutorials and DIY tips. Try www.curlynikki.com and beadsbraidsbeyond.blogspot.com to start. Heat styling isn't bad on our hair as long as its done in moderation and with a good heat protectant applied. I am not expert, but the sites I mentioned should help lots. Good luck :)

Nikki said...

Good for you for trying. Definitely check out www.curlynikki.com and beadsbraidsbeyond.blogspot.com for great natural hair tips and DIY tutorials. Good luck :)

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I am a single mom to four amazing kids; each of whom just happen to have been adopted. The first three were adopted through foster care, and we just completed an international adoption from Haiti. Our family has grown through adoption and I am all the more blessed to know each of my children. I worship a mighty God, teach Special Ed, love bargains, and am inspired by Pinterest... come along with us for the ride!


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