My african american daughters hair is thick and only manageable after I wash it. Mommies, what do you do to make your childs hair manageable?

Aisha - posted on 02/15/2012

Well I make my own product. 1 part Melted Shea Butter, 1 part Pure Glycerine, and 1 part Nexxus Humectant Conditioner(any Humectant conditioner will do.). Make sure she sleeps on a satin pillowcase.(I made one for my son with about 2 bucks of material) But the biggest thing is stop using "Shampoo". It dries our hair out. I use Dr. Bronner's all natural castile soap. Please do not put mineral oil or petroleum based products in her hair because it will just sit on the hair and exacerbate the problem. I would also suggest you hit YouTube. There is a plethera of great videos on how to manage thick curly hair. I have thick 4B hair and I have learned so much. Hope it helps...

Tanisha - posted on 02/13/2012

I found this spray at my local hair store called wet and wavy. its a detangling spray. Its good for all hair types. I use it in my hair and 3 kids hair. Their ages range from 4-1 years old. Each one has a very different grade of hair. My daughters(who is 4) hair is thick and curly when wet dry and fly away when dr y, My middle son(who is 3) hair is very coarse. Then i have my youngest son (who is 1) he has a very fine and curly texture. This spray defines the natural curl pattern it also makes it very manageable. I have natural and permed hair which is very thick!!!! im transitioning going on 3 years. I have to be really careful of what i put in my hair. In short ;-) it works.

Leanna - posted on 02/13/2012

Baby oil all the way!

Heather - posted on 01/23/2012

Check out CJ's BUTTer Spritz, I know several hair stylists that swear by is for all hair types, but especially ethnic hair. I personally use it as a leave in conditioner and hair detangler to control my curls, and it moisturizes really well. You could also try swapping out her shampoo with CJ's Carcass Cleaner, it is an all natural shampoo/body wash that is incredibly moisturizing. My favorite part is that you can get both products as unscented or in a wide variety of fragrances you are sure to find a scent that your daughter loves which will make doing her hair a little more fun!

Suzie - posted on 01/22/2012

johnson and johnsons tangle spray works wonders for my daughters curly hair and i braid it every night

Jodell - posted on 01/22/2012

Baby oil and lots of, "I am so sorry".

Sandra - posted on 01/15/2012

My daughter is 3 and of mixed parentage and her hair is very difficult to manage too. She has very curly yet soft long hair and the past year and a half she has a lot of knots. Hence I use 'Just for Me' products (shampoo, leave-in conditioner, detangler, scalp cream, the lot) to comb and detangle her hair. Unfortunately I do not know how to braid hair as I'm white but I try to tackle her hair the night before so life is a bit easier the next day LOL. I couldn't live without the Just for me Curl Smoother cream and Hair Milk as they tend to do the trick. All can be purchased on Amazon (UK & US) and other websites. If all fails I resort to the ol' fashioned way of scissors (well modestly trust me as her daddy does not approve cutting off her hair).

Suzanne - posted on 01/07/2012

my daughter is mixed race and i wet and put a leave in cream conditioner and run my fingers through the best i can then i use a wide tooth comb and take a small portion of hair and start combing the ends and work my way up to to the roots and keep going till its all done. I have been doing it since she was little, so she now sits still long enough for me to do it now it's longer, but i have to give her something to keep her occupied other wise they won't want to sit still for you to do it. good luck. Iuse garnier leave it conditioner doesn't leave the hair sticky.

Sarah - posted on 01/04/2012

I have to admit I am not equipped to answer this question in any way, but I have to recommend a book: Nappy Hair. I am not trying to be offensive in anyway. It is an awesome book about a little african american girl with very unruly and unmanageable hair. So much fun. I think you might enjoy sharing it with your daughter. :) I worked at a children's book store and sold it to several women who were familiar with the problem when they were little and they loved it. Also, beware of braiding too tightly as it can cause hair loss down the road, my college roommate was all too familier with that problem.

Lorie - posted on 01/04/2012

Well I am not sure about your hair but I am white and my daughters hair is unmanageable most mornings. I found that if you go to the salon and get its a 10 the stuff is a miracle in a bottle for us. I use it on my hair my daughters and my friends daughters hair. Hope this helps. Also I sell Avon and their 3-d rescue shampoo and conditioner works wonders too. between all three my daughters hair is soft and shiny.

Joanne - posted on 01/02/2012

I just sprayed there hair with detangle spray and afro comb and then cream it with just for me

Belinda - posted on 01/01/2012

I have two sons. They are 3 and 2 and neither has ever had their hair cut. I find it easiest to do hairstyles that can last for about a week. I wash, condition, de-tangle, then style. I usually put it in mini twists but I also do cornrows and occasionally I'll do a ponytail or just let in hang loose. I always use a leave in conditioner and I follow that with an oil (olive or coconut). Every few days I wet their hair in the shower and reapply the leave-in conditioner and oil. The water refreshes their curls and helps the style last a few days longer.

Alyssa - posted on 12/31/2011

Also, if you don't want to do braids, I recommend the "banding" method. If you look on YouTube for the channel called Blessedcurlygurlz they have an excellent video demonstrating how you do it. The point of the banding method is to stretch out the hair (defy shrinkage, assuming your daughter is natural). That will really help with manageability.

Alyssa - posted on 12/31/2011

I wash my son's hair once a week (friday or saturday). Right after he is done getting his hair washed, conditioned, etc. I do his braids for the week. I moisturize and oil his hair every night, and he sleeps with a wave cap on (to keep his braids from getting worn out too quick). I'd say give your daughter some kind of braid style.

I also want to let you know there is a site called Hairlista.com and on that site there is a group called "HJ for the little listas and listos." You don't have to be trying to grow out your kid's hair, but they do give really good child hair care tips.

Ashley - posted on 12/30/2011

Where do you buy the "Just for me" hair products?

Cherelle - posted on 12/30/2011

I would say use Just For Me Cream Conditoner and Hair Dress( one product). It works wonders. After washing her hair part in four ponytails and do four big twistsplace and twistie on the ends . This allows the hair to strech and become more manageable.And just let it air dry,,, blow dryers dry out hair. Hope this helps

Ashley - posted on 12/28/2011

i feel your pain..lol

Shamila - posted on 12/28/2011

Leave in conditioners are and will be yours and their best friend un till they are well over the menstrual cycle they will be ready for a relaxer and still leave in will be their best friend.

Jennifer - posted on 12/28/2011

My daughter is mixed with very thick curly hair. I wash her hair once a week with mixed chicks and afterwards put in their leave in conditioner. Each morning when its time to do her hair I use a water bottle to get it moist and usually the leave in conditioner is enough to soften it but if not i put a tiny bit of their serum in her hair. I use the adult mixed chicks products as the child ones are not as strong. Good Luck :)

Ash - posted on 12/26/2011

yea I wish her hair stayed the way it is after I wash it! That's how it was initially! =) But I do condition it, but I wish she could sit still long enough for me to leave it in for a while..But it's getting better! thanks all!

Nicole - posted on 12/25/2011

I have 5 girls and i found that the easiest thing to do is wash it condition it braid it up and put beads on it. It lasts at least a wk and a half or more. Sometimes i put alot of tiny lil pony tails also!!! Keep it trimmed dead ends by a professional every 6 wks.

Tanya - posted on 12/24/2011

My daughter is mixed, she has a lot of hair too, lol, fixing while it is wet is so much easier, not to mention I put a little conditioner on it before I brush it out in sections.

Christy - posted on 12/17/2011

I have no idea. Maybe there is a discussion forum on the internet you can look at?

Lolanda - posted on 12/16/2011

You should look on facebook and join beads braids and beyond blog. I think it will help. I have found alot of help with different products and hairstyles to use on my daughter's hair.

Ash - posted on 12/16/2011

Thank you all! yes I use pink oil on her hair on just for mepoo and the hair cream...I use a detangler on her damp head as well. i wanted to ensure I was on the right track because I plan on pressing her hair down the line! Thanks ladies! I dget about mane and tail

April - posted on 12/15/2011

Both my kids and I have naturally curly hair, My son's hair is not to bad yet however my daughters hair is long and thick and always tangled. It seems to knot underneath when it dry's; by the end of the day she looks like a blonde with dreadlock spots in the back. It is terrible! I have been having her take a bath in the evening and comb it out after add leave in conditioner and anti-frizz cream then braid it for the night. the next morning it's much easier to deal with. :) hope this helps.

Medic - posted on 12/14/2011

My friend uses mane and tail on her daughters hair (they are mixed) and I use just for me on my daughters hair.

Jane - posted on 12/14/2011

When the kids were little I kept their hair short. Liv and Pink Oil helped with my son's hair, and Frizz-Eze with my daughter's. In addition, keeping my daughter's hair in braids helped.

Amanda - posted on 12/14/2011

I have decided my son is too young for his hair to be manageable! :)