[oceanica]

Don't laugh!! This was the best I could do with her whipping her head around... shouldn't have waited till after I combed it but I had to!
Maybe I'll get better someday, lol. At least we have progressed to an attempt.

[oceanica]

box braids I understand and even think I could attempt but I don't see how those braids that go along the scalp are put in because they don't look like french braids yet they must be incorporating hair as they go. Oh well, youtube here I come!

[sbaglio]

At least you're trying! You have the same problem I used to - they want to see what you're doing! Athena is still so young, so good luck in getting her to cooperate with the hair thing lol! Nowadays, I tell our DD when we're going to do her hair so that she's prepared, and I ask her to help me collect the things we need (comb, brush, detangler, CD products etc). Then I give her a few things to distract her, and we get to work. I've given up on getting perfectly straight parts, because she won't stay that still, and her hair won't cooperate all the time either. I think the biggest part of it is getting her used to you doing her hair, so she stays still. That's the only way you can practice. I use Youtube a lot as well.

[aclee]

Originally Posted by oceanica

box braids I understand and even think I could attempt but I don't see how those braids that go along the scalp are put in because they don't look like french braids yet they must be incorporating hair as they go. Oh well, youtube here I come!

youtube has GREAT videos. They are like little tiny french braids. I think I'm going to grow out Ty's hair over the cooler weather and give them a try actually Look for the video on the veil technique with braids. That has the look of rows, but is easier for a beginner. Good Luck...I completely agree that right now, you should just get her used to the idea of braiding etc. Have fun (I'm jealous...maybe a girl next time!)

[Quesita]

She is so beautiful!!! And the little braids are cute. Thanks for sharing.

[maxkinzie]

Hi,
Gorgeous pics!
Just remember to always make hair-time a positive time, rewards, praise etc. Just my $.02 worth, I find twists just as durable as braids and much simpler (once I figured out how).
That said, I have to admit to being sometimes jealous of you with boys :-0 ...at least boys with short hair!

[ChromaKelly]

Awww... too cute! She is adorable

[ocracoke]

Great first try. Much better then my first attempts. Learn while the kids are young and don't understand the idea of bad hair days.

Just a couple of things. When doing box braids always start at the back of the head and work your way up and over the head. Box braids last a long time but can take a long time putting in and taking out. Hanging twists last a little shorter but so much quickers to put in and take out. Cornrows and french braids are very similar -- just opposites. When you french braid you pull the outside piece of hair into the center by going over the center piece. This makes the finished style look like the braid is tucking in. In a cornrow you pull the outside piece of hair into the center by going under the center piece. This makes the finished style look like the braid is sitting on top of the hair. Same motion in opposite directions.

Keep practicing -- you are on the right track.

Samantha

[oceanica]

Thanks everybody!! She is so beautiful that almost all hairstyles look good!
Samantha, thanks, that's really helpful info. I didn't realize that cornrows were just outside french braids. I can do inside ones but never could figure out the outside ones. I had an instruction sheet which just confused me. Now I think I get it! I'm going off to practice.

[MB80sgirl]

She looks beautiful! I'm so jealous!

[joskids]

She's just adorable. The braids? Well, at least you're trying. It's taken me 8 years to learn different braiding styles for my girls. Our 3-1/2 yr. old has a very hard time sitting still. It helps when I give her the box of "hair ballies" and her baby doll and a comb and let her "do hair" while I work. Your daughter's hair looks long enough for cornrows and it isn't as hard as you think it would be, but it takes lots of practice. There's a good book called "It's All Good Hair." Check it out at the library and see if it helps, it does break things down a bit.

[oceanica]

Samantha, you are my best friend right now!! Thanks so much for that simple explanation... I had a paper I was trying to follow and could never "get it"... I'm kinda slow obviously... but I just did one on me and it came out perfect! Confidence is restored. Now I can stop staring (while trying to make it look like I am not staring) at people with braids.
Athena is in trouble this weekend because we are going to have full cornrows (that is IF she will put up with it!) I'll just do a little at a time.
Should I start on one side and go up and over her head or start in the middle? I think I should try to part first and then start in the middle.
Parting could be a big problem with her... I mess that up when just doing 2 puffs!

[loveajax]

She's so adorable and it looks like you are off to a great start. I have no patience so my dh does dd's hair (and he's great...I call him vidal sassoon!)

Originally Posted by oceanica

Samantha, you are my best friend right now!! Thanks so much for that simple explanation... I had a paper I was trying to follow and could never "get it"... I'm kinda slow obviously... but I just did one on me and it came out perfect! Confidence is restored. Now I can stop staring (while trying to make it look like I am not staring) at people with braids.
Athena is in trouble this weekend because we are going to have full cornrows (that is IF she will put up with it!) I'll just do a little at a time.
Should I start on one side and go up and over her head or start in the middle? I think I should try to part first and then start in the middle.
Parting could be a big problem with her... I mess that up when just doing 2 puffs!

[ocracoke]

So glad that your confidence is restored! If you are doing cornrows from front to back in one braid then I would start in the middle then work outward towards the ears -- making the braids as thin or as thick as your want. I tend not to do cornrows from hairline to nap of the neck. I make a horizontal part halfway up the back of the head and do cornrows down. The I make a horizontal part at the crown of the head and do cornrows down to the bottom cornrows. Then I do the top of the head. I get more creative here -- angled, curved, criss-crossed. Let me see if I can attach a options. Keep in mind my child is now 4.5 years old and is use to sitting for long periods of time.

[oceanica]

OMG she is sooo beautiful!!!
The hairstyles are so elaborate! Beads really make them even nicer.
You are definitely talented and accomplished.
I think I'll try to do the cornrows on Kee first because I know he will sit still better.
Thanks so much for posting those pics... it really shows how creative one can be. As you can see Athena doesn't have all that much hair so I'll have to try not to make her look too bald with these styles!


Loveajax, you have a good hubby there!