fiddlehead.....every changing, ever growing

fiddlehead....ever changing, ever growing

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

twisted sister

For any little girl, it feels like having your "hair done" for the first time is a rite of passage.  And as an African American girl this may come a lot younger than say for me as a little girl, based simply on our different hair needs.   As a white Mom, I have been working so  very hard everyday to make sure I am doing Tessa's hair justice.  I have researched and tried a myriad (aka. drawer full) of hair products.  Our current favorite is "Carol's Daughter".   I have been making sure that each day I get through the curls and get out knots with hair milk and my fingers.  We deep condition regularly...conditioning seems to be key.  And then the fun part that I love is putting her hair into little bows and puffs.  But that is where my expertise ends. 

One little brag to share:  I did receive an amazing compliment from my African-American OB/GYN.  It was the first time I had ever seen her last month and I had to bring Tessa with me.  The first thing she said to me was "You are doing a great job with her hair".   Not, how are you feeling or what brings you in today?  It was "you are doing  great job with her hair".   Case in point- Hair is very important in the black community, white people don't know about black hair needs and don't get it until they need to. 
I felt so happy that a black woman noticed and validated my efforts.  It was huge for me to know I was on the right track.


O.K.  So,  this past weekend everyone sat in the "hair chair" weekend while my sister, Krissy, was visiting.  This is where I had my own rite of passage.  Krissy was able to give me a lesson on twisting Tessa's hair into adorable twists!

Here, Krissy looks a little "twisted" herself as she is getting through Tessa's hair.


Tessa's hair in full fro state.  Notice the tear stained cheek.  ahh...





 Lollipops make having your hair done a much more pleasant experience.  2 lollipops are best.




I think I have the hair twist down.  It is a little tricky.  
Sectioning the hair off is important to make it nice and neat.  
Krissy gave me a great hands on lesson.

Here Tessa sees her hair in twists for the first time.  


I am loving these twists!  
Thanks to my twisted sister!  I love you!

6 comments:

christina said...

OK. I have so much to say. First and foremost, I ADORE ADORE ADORE Tessa. She's just so adorable! Ack!! :) Secondly I'm so glad I came across your blog (not too long ago). Thirdly, I use Hair Milk on my Lovie (I'm a white momma too) and have for some time! I like it. I wash her hair only once a week- but have yet to really "comb" it. And then I put the Hair Milk in and let it air dry. She HATES having her hair touched... so I'm not sure I'll ever get through combing it though and my MIL wasn't too happy to hear this (haha). You mentioned conditioning... what do you use and how often? I'm thinking that may help with the combing.
I guess that's it for now. :)

Anonymous said...

She is adorable beyond words! Love the little teeth.

SherilinR said...

i'm part of a family who adopted some black girls, so i got to indulge my inner hair dresser on them & i learned how to do twists, corn rows, extentions, microbraids, the works. and you're right, one of the main things the black community seems to look for when a black child lives with white people is to see if their hair is properly cared for. kudos to you for doing such a good job with it in your adorable girl! those twisties look perfect!

Cindy said...

She looks adorable with her twists!
I am still working on cornrows...I just stinks at them : )

The Lost Planetista said...

cutest little twists ever! twists are one of my favorite do's.
*and the bonus is that then you get to have twist outs which are my other favorite do.
:)

A'n'G Johnson said...

This is so so so cute, Tessa all happy with her lollipops. Poor baby girl. I have a friend (grown up) who is bi-racial and has recently amplified her idea of hair. Really exploring the history of it. She wanted to explore her identity as both black and white and it very much became about her hair - so I'm asking her today what she learned because she really did her research. I'll pass on what she says.

Thank you for visiting the fiddlehead report!