MY Hair Story

I am often asked if there is a single influencing factor regarding my interest in Blaire's haircare. I know, it is slightly unusual for a mother to be deeply interested in their 10 month old's hair and skin. I complain on a daily basis about the internet's lacking INFANT hair and skin blogs. The truth is, infant hair and skin often requires little to no attention. I guess that's a long-winded way to say that my childhood is my inspiration. I had a full head of THICK, tightly coiled curls. My stretch length was not to be reckoned with! (Keep in mind, we are talking about the early 90's) Yes, I'm talking pre-blogs! There was not much information out there pertaining to natural hair care for little brown girls. Frustrated and misinformed, my mom turned to the creamy-crack, as my family members would say, for support.

At about 9 years old, I had my first relaxer. I was so excited. I still remember JAMMING to the Just-For-Me tape that accompanied the actual kit. I remember swinging my hair like a BOSS. (Sorry Willow but you did not invent hair whipping!) I was in love with my straight long hair, down my back. I became queen of the playground; the girls loved to play in my hair and the boys loved to play WITH me.

Fast forward to no more than 4 years later, the middle school playground. There I stood, teased because my damaged, over-processed hair could barely fit into a ponytail. OH-NO what went wrong? My mother went from being an avid-hair doer to virtually ignoring my tresses. Prior to my relaxer, I had a new style everyday. I was once known for my cornrows and ponytails, accessorized with ponytail holders and etc... to match my outfits. The relaxer relaxed my mother TOO much. She became too comfortable with relaxer and my hair received less and less attention. I was doing my own hair on a daily basis. I went from clunking alcohol based gels and mousse into my hair and even going outside with it wet, without a sole moisturizer, to coloring and relaxing my OWN hair at 12-13 years old. At 13, I had already been Jet Black, Auburn and even Honey Blonde in some sections :-O

I know what you're thinking moms, because as a mom I think the same thing as I am typing out this story. How could she have allowed, well enabled, such madness? She was a single, working mom. I vowed to never let my child manage her own hair. (Prior to becoming pregnant, I knew I'd have a girl. There are boys born into my family!) I often accompanied my cousins to their hair appointments, wishing my mom cared enough to let a professional save my tresses. Saying she didn't care is a bit harsh, I guess the truth is that she couldn't afford it.

Fast-forward to the present. Here I am, in my twenties, transitioning, getting rid of the damage and raising a natural, curly tiny tot. The taunting continued through high school. My hair was still damaged. While away at college, I learned a lot about hair. I met young black women from varying hair journeys. I was able to grow my hair back. Still relaxed, I discovered weaves, hot oil treatments, deep conditioning, co-washing and a plethora of other things. I still am not content with my hair. As a result, I am going natural for the THIRD time. Blaire is MY inspiration. I cannot preach what I have not practiced right? Wish me luck

Cornrows pt. 2

This time I opted for slightly smaller braids. Still pressed for time, I was forced to do something quick and easy. With her tension span being so short, I am only able to bribe her with a certain amount of snacks and youtube baby animation videos. We shall reach perfection one day. :-) At least she is not able to wear a hat.

Cornrows

Fairly simple & fast style with medium/large cornrows

Box Braids

'Tis the season to wear hats, and infant hats don't cater to babies with heads full of thick curls. As a solution, to combat our hat problem, I decided to give Blaire some box braids. Well not box braids technically, because I really don't have time to part boxes. Check out Blaire's journey to her uhh umm puzzle braids below lol.