4 y/o hair actually broke!!!!!

I have been keeping her hair braided majority of the time. She is currently 9 months post relaxer. Usually braided for 4wks, 2wk break, then more braids. Well, this last time, for the first time, I actually saw her hair BREAK. They had beads on them, which I do a lot. But this time, when I took the rubberbands off I saw where the hair that was wrapped around the last bead actually broke, snapped, or whatever you call it and she had about a .5 inch of hair that I took off of the rubberband. This happened to about 5 braids out of 20. It's not very noticable, but I know.

Please take this as a warning. From now on I will be exploring more protective styles that do not include banding the ends.

Did you soak the rubberbands in olive, coconut or some type of oil before you put them on her hair? I band my DD hair in most styles and this helps alot. The rubberband comes off more easily (I break the band then unwrap it from the hair) and it doesn't take any hair with it.

I did not soak the bands, but I never have. BUT somthing told me I should start doing that. Should've listened to that little voice in my head huh. And as for breaking the band, some of the hair was broken before I even touched it. And I kept wondering why her beads were falling out. Now I know. I plan to give her some box braids this weekend with the ends loose and just curl them with rods or something (no heat). I am going to have to check out your blog when I get home, my work computer won't pull it up.

My babe is sporting some banded box braids and cornrows this week. I hope the oil helps you out with the rubberbands. I can't complete a style unless I use them. She loves her beads!

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Can you explain this banding process? My daughter is 3 and her hair is fine and coarse at the same time...lol Does this process help stretch the hair? Every once in a while I'll blow dry it on low heat after I wash it. I've had it in tiny plaits the last week and a half and this is the best it has ever been. Cornrows and french braids don't do well for her.

I do soak her rubberbands when I use them.

NJ-I did the same thing with my daughter's hair. It is working out so far....

Coilylove....Good to hear your daughter's hair benefits from it. That gives me hope. As for banding, it's not the banding that a lot of people refer to that stretches the hair. I apply beads to her braid/twist, wrap the end of her hair around the last bead then apply a rubber band to hold it in place. This prevents the beads from falling off.

How about going old school and using a little aluminum foil to hold the beads on instead of the rubber bands?

Bklynmamma, haven't thought about that but will keep it in mind. For now she is going to wear what started off as box braids for about a month. I guess I'm so used to doing small twists in my hair that my hands made small parts for her braids. So, they actually look like micro braids. I'll post pics in the braid style thread when I finish.

I band DDs hair to stretch it to make the styles last longer without having to use the blow dryer. I wash, condition and detagle. Part hair in 4 sections then braid about 2 to 3 plaits per section and let it dry. Once I take the braids out her hair is stretched and I then moisturize the hair and braid it without the curls fighting their way out of the braids. If you want to see the banding process check out Nikki of www.beadsbraidsbeyond.blogspot.com. She has a detailed process.

Jackie, I can't wait to see your DD micros. That's a good idea!

Thanks Mom2KurlyT! I guess I've been doing that somewhat when i don't use the blowdryer.

I'm washing her hair tonight. Do you have any ideas on styles? Her hair is not the length of your DD and she has her dance recital Sunday. It can't go back in one ponytail but I want to do something different for her.

Coily,
If her hair isn't long enough for 1 pony, try the veil style all around or into 2 ponies. That tends to look kind of dressy. I have some pics on the website of a veil style mohawk, but you can incorporate it into whatever you'd like. Post a pic of your kiddo, so I can see what you're working with.