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Mixed Race Hair

566 replies

KatieMac · 31/10/2004 15:57

If I start it here they can move it to the right place (If they decide to start a topic (& ever decide what to call it))

where do I start......

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
MarsLady · 13/01/2008 15:58

will do!

You realise that I'll stay for dinner and general rabble raising don't you?

sallystrawberry · 13/01/2008 19:22

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SofiaAmes · 13/01/2008 20:19

You should put the oil in the hair after it's washed (or rinsed) and conditioned. When the hair is dry, each morning before school as part of the brushing/combing braiding routine.

MarsLady · 13/01/2008 20:21

I have a lovely olive oil spray that I use in my DC's hair.

Organic Root Stimulator - Olive Oil.

Gorgeous stuff. The DC use it every day. It also comes as a lotion.

MarsLady · 13/01/2008 20:25

Olive Oil. I buy it here in England

This is the company. I remember when it was one little shop now he seems to own Stroud Green Road

sallystrawberry · 13/01/2008 21:55

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SofiaAmes · 13/01/2008 22:02

Sorry, yes I know that. Lucky you...my dd's hair lasts few hours!!! But if you don't do cornrows and do something thicker and more often... anyway, put oil on hair when it's dry before you do the braiding however often you are doing it....

sallystrawberry · 13/01/2008 22:15

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sallystrawberry · 13/01/2008 22:16

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franch · 14/01/2008 16:20

Mars - I've always just used diluted olive oil in a spray bottle. Is the special spray you buy better?

Never thought the DDs' hair smelled, must check

Mars what sort of time will it be Thu?

franch · 14/01/2008 16:25

How often do you guys get your kids' hair cut? DD2's has never been cut (she's 2 and a bit); not sure when DD1's was last trimmed - maybe a year ago (she's 4). They both look great and we're letting both of them grow their hair big, but I guess the time will come for regular trims at some point, to keep the hair healthy - just not sure when - ??

sallystrawberry · 14/01/2008 17:54

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SofiaAmes · 14/01/2008 19:35

Downside to trimming the hair is that you then will find it difficult to braid right down to the end of the hair. I have just found this out after I diligently gave dd her annual trimming. Dd has white hair, but I'm sure same applies to any hair.

franch · 14/01/2008 20:35

But you have to have it trimmed sometime, don't you?

SofiaAmes · 14/01/2008 21:54

I'm not sure I have seen any convincing evidence that the world will come to an end if you don't trim your dd's hair. Especially if it's mixed race hair and you keep it tied up most of the time. I would guess regular trimming is more relevant to straight hair that is worn loose and therefore looks ragged if it's not trimmed in a straight line. In any case, my dd is never still long enough for anyone to notice whether her hair is even remotely cut in a straight line.

MarsLady · 14/01/2008 22:00

I get my DCs' hair trimmed once or twice a year. It prevents the ends from splitting. I've never found plaiting it to be a problem afterwards.

I would imagine that the olive oil that you use is more than fine Franch. I'm a lazy wee moo and so to buy one that I don't have to do anything to is a plus. Makes their hair gorgeous though.

What time is good for you Thursday? Actually scratch this Thursday. Got a birthday do to go to! What is a good time to invade your home and kiss those girls?

jaleel · 21/02/2008 20:21

hi i have 4 mixed race kids 2 girls 2 boys there hair is really really thick and curly as i have extreamley thick hair also i am a white mum but my kids have mostly mixed race cousins none have hair quite as thick as my kids the conditioners do not seem to work it just stays on the hair it does not condition if any one has any tips

claireybee · 02/04/2008 15:47

Just to update, after asking for advice ages ago and trying various things recommended on here I've finally found a system that works well for us. I use the Anita Grant Babassu shampoo bar to wash dd's hair.

Then I use a rinse out conditioner, at the moment I'm using this Green People one but any non chemically one (dd is not yet 2 so I don't like using products on her really)

Then I use the Anita Grant Whipped Butter on the dry ends. This butter is also great for any dry skin patches.

When dd's hair is still wet I plait it into 4 single plaits (still haven't got the hang of cornrows!). I do find I have to redo the plaits daily as her hair is a real mixture and they frizz a lot after she has slept on them. Then I'll either plait daily, or brush out and put in bunches or just comb out into an Afro. I also spray her hair with a leave in conditioner daily and add more whipped butter to the ends or down the length of the plaits. I tried the MOP conditioner someone mentioned below but I found that it really built up on the hair and made it smell fishy after a couple of days, probably better if you wash the hair more often than I do! Am back to using an olive oil and water mixture now.

I have found that using a rinse out conditioner when I wash it as well as a leave in one daily has made a huge difference, as has plaiting her hair. I now always either loosely plait it or tie it up overnight because this really helps with the tangles the next day. It has also made the curls less tight and her afro bigger which can only be a good thing!

The Anita Grant stuff is pricy but lasts forever and really works well so thank you to whoever recommended it!

159159 · 19/04/2008 16:01

Is there a web site that shows different hair styles on kids (or adults really) that i could do on DD (shes nearly 3) i twisted and twirled into bobbles the other day and she looked in the mirrow and said 'no (shaking head) look like raa' (thats what she calls monsters or scary things) Then i showed her a pick in a magazine and then it was ok, she then liked it. We're off to a party tonight and fancy doing something different.....and ideas......
Thanks

Leenie · 14/05/2008 23:58

Hi 159159, go into google and type in mixed race hair styling, there are loads of links there that will give you tips, from my own experience with my girls, when they are younger and their hair is always kept curlier it gets real dry, when you wash it try not to let it just dry naturally because no matter how much you have combed it and greased it when wet once it dries it shrinks and get knotty again, i used to wash, grease, section and blow dry warm not hot setting , regreasing each section as i blow dried it, then style it, either plaits or sectioned twists for school, it stays alot tidier, i also used to run the straighteners through it after blowdrying just to minimise any frizz, if you gently loosen the curls by blowdrying, you prevent breakage cos your not over stretching the tight curls, at bed time i always gave them "donkey plats" lol, loose plaits down low without bands at top, so it was loose and comfy for bed and wasnt pulling, avoid hair products like pink please , they cause breakage and split hair, i think they are so perfumy and chemical, try and get things with olive oil in, thankfully they do their own hair now adays , I started relaxing their hair when they reached about 13/14, they had gotten to that teenage time where they did not want me to do their hair anymore, cos they wanted to do their own little slick fringe and gelled down curls looks, but their hair was very thick and tight , they used to come to me every weekend with a mass of mess (usually the remainder of a bun) which would look as if it hadnt been combed out all week, between two of them i would spend hours trying to comb their knots out, tbh i was sick of it all, hence i started relaxing, and they do their own hair now , i dont get any say in it now unless they want a trim or canerow, or restock of their never ending pots of potions, lol, u got all that to come, my eldest recently died the bottom under section of her hair blonde, with brown on top, but then decided to use a wash in/out black blue mousse, for a night out, the result now, !!! she has green sreaks in her hair which she and her friends think is cool, i hope i have a boy this time, hope my babblin thread is of a little help, good luck !

3timer · 28/05/2008 22:54

Hey guys, my dd1 has beautiful curly ringlet hair..........dd2 is not so lucky!! She is afro all the way, but living in Ireland, no afro hair product is cheap at hand! Got it braided the other day where she CRIED, my heart broke as it was my fault for not brushing it...... but i have straight silky hair, i dont know how to deal with this!! But i swear i will never let it go again!!!
My friend has picked me up some stuff from ny (everything so cheap over there hehe) So will lash them in.
Of course my son has the most amazing soft curly hair........................

MarsLady · 28/05/2008 23:01

That's always the way. The boys have the curls. Both of my DSs have thick curls. My DDs on the other hand have much tighter curls...but still look glorious (thankfully)! Of course DD2 (9) is now experimenting with her hair. Sigh.......

ses259 · 09/06/2008 22:18

Hi guys, can anyone help me? my daughter is nearly 4 now but her hair has never grown much. I've used different products although as her hair is a lot finer than my boys my sister in law advised me maybe to even use the products I use as some could be too strong. I do like a conditioner called 'Soft and precious' but whatever I do her hair is not growing to me. I really get annoyed when people call her boy as she is so pretty, and see all the other girls at nursery and feel like I've failed her although I'm sure nothing I've done has made her hair grow slowly. I used to massage it nightly with moisturiser to stimulate the scalp but that didn't seem to do anything either - please anyone, I would be so grateful for any advice? Ses 259.

friendlyedjit · 17/06/2008 09:48

my dd2 of 6 has the most amazing afro hair, which has constantly been a challenge for me!
Have just discovered "mane and tail" shampoo and conditioner for HORSES!!!!
SJP raved about in Cosmo apparently- good website and dd2 loves the idea that horses use it, and that bottle has directions for them also.
Can even order from Amazon!!!
She hasn't started 'neighing' yet so side effects minimal and the tears with combing have diminished amazingly. My bun on a Saturday morning also has a new lease of life and almost comparable to the serious dancing mums!

cuteglitterbabe · 19/12/2008 17:47

I have loved reading this topic, but it was one long thread & I had to give up in the end!
I live away from all my family, including hubbys, so I do not have anyone to help.
I am white & my DH is Afro-Caribbean.
I have DD#1 aged 5 with afro-type hair & DD#2 aged 4 has more ringlet curls.
However, DD#2 hair is VERY long - down to her bottom & recently to my horror, she got nits!!! I was under the pretence (thanks to DH!) that she would not catch nits, as her coarse hair would break their legs & they do not settle in mixed race/afro hair.
THIS IS NOT TRUE!!!!!
I find doing my 2 x DD's hair a real chore, as I have arthritis in my knees & when I bath them & have to do their hair, I have to kneel for approx 1.30hr to 2hrs to completely wash & detangle both heads.
The recent nit infestation has been awful & after 2 weeks of treatment, I am still finding the odd one, but mainly in the youngest DD hair, as she has so much of it.
The de-lousing is also traumatic for the younger 1 as she has slight special needs & trying to keep her still or explain why I have to do the combing etc is difficult.
I only wish I could plait, but I cannot & my DD#1 is refusing to get her hair done at the Afro Hairdressers, as they pull her hair so hard & make her cry.
So, I would really appreciate any advice on the best taming products & the best brushes to use on their hair.
Also, any failsafe nit killers, which will not dry out or harm their hair too.
(And yes, some Black Mums do look you up & down if your child?s hair is less than perfect ? like you do not deserve to have them, or if their skin is a bit ashy etc).
I also have a 17 year old white son to my 1st marriage & he has never had nits, but his hair was SO EASY to look after, just cut it short when it looked a bit scruffy.
Washing & caring for his hair was dead simple, so I do have a comparison to go by with how hard my DD's hair is to look after.