24 Hours In A Wash Day...

So, I am always asked about my kids’ hair. Whether its Journ’s curls or Jayce’s locs, people are usually surprised when I tell them I maintain their crowns. questions about products, maintenance, and styles normally follow. So, here is a brief rundown of how I maintain their hair and how I teach them to love every hair on their beautifully created head!

Washing

Normally, I keep them both on the same wash schedule, every two weeks. However, the more mature Jayce’s locs become the longer I hold off on his wash day. I use the same products to wash and condition their hair. For the most part, Jayce’s hair stays pretty clean…except for all the fuzzies that attach to his locs. The whole washing process is pretty simple for Journ, as long as I detangle beforehand...

Styling

It’s best to re-twist Jayce’s hair while it’s dripping wet, so before starting on him I detangle Journ’s hair (I use a Denman brush), apply her leave-in conditioner (Mane Choice Kids Leave-in Conditioner ), oil her scalp (using the oils pictured below), section her off and give her 4 big twists. Then she gets to play while I tackle these twigs on Jayce’s head…

Jayce HATES getting his hair twisted. He won’t fight me but he will “are you done” me to death…from wash to finish it takes about 2 hours, with 100 breaks included.

Honestly, he’s the easiest. I start with oiling his scalp (with the same oils used on Journ), I start from the nape of his neck and work my way up. I use the palm role method applying a small amount of product to the shaft of the loc. Once the lock is twisted I use a small clamp to hold it in place.

Once I’ve completed his entire head I leave the clamps on for at least 2 hours…it takes his hair an EXTREMELY long time to dry and I don’t like using a blow dryer. Once it’s completely dry I remove the clips and he’s good to go!!!

Jayce LOVES his locs.

However, he refuses to let me do anything with them. He hates them pulled back. So all the cute little styles I have to skip over :(

Now For JournJourn….

Journey loves getting her hair done. The thought of having a new do and feeling like she gets to tell me how she wants her hair makes her feel very very special…and sassy…

Journ’s hair dries pretty quick so depending on the style I may need to apply a little bit of water. Wet hair is best for two strand twists. Most times I braid her hair and I find it easier to braid when its dry. Since her hair is already detangled and conditioned it doesn’t feel like its a long process. However, from wash to finish her hair can take 2-4 hours. Especially if I am doing individual braids (her favorite style). I have blown out and trimmed Journey’s hair before (myself) and she’s gotten her hair pressed a few times before. I prefer to trim her ends around the same time I get trims. Her curls definitely benefit from those trims and it helps keep her hair healthy. Journey has a lot of hair but also has ALOT of shrinkage (below is a picture after a press and trim vs her hair after a wash). Also, Journey likes to play in her hair. She will take down a braid (or attempt to) so she can play in it. She has caused some breakage by doing so. I try to give her styles that allow her the freedom to wear it up or down without causing damage. My go to styles are the individual braids or loose 2 strand twists. However I style her hair, I only keep it in that style for 2 weeks.

Regardless of the style, I use the same products:

My own oil mix

Eco styler Olive Oil gel

Edge boost (if she needs it)

Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Das it…

Below are some pics of Journey’s favorite styles…if left up to her she would wear it down everyday but thats not happening…

For both JayceFace and Journ, I try to make sure they love their hair no matter the style. No matter what their peers may say (good or bad), I tell them both that their hair is their crown and God made no mistakes… even with their hair. It was all made in the image of God. I intentionally buy books and dolls with curly black hair and boys with locs so they can constantly see and identify with the beauty of their crowns.

At the end of the day, it’s more than hair. it’s an extension of who they are.