New cornrow and braid combination style

This weekend was time for a new style. After looking on the Internet for inspiration, A actually decided to draw me a picture of what she wanted! This style wasn't exactly what she drew, but she was happy nonetheless. I am hoping this style lasts for a minimum of 2 weeks, but with a swimming competition and extra training this week, I have a feeling it's going to get frizzy quite easily. Let's wait and see! 

This is my first post where I actually took pictures of the process of making this style. I was going to do a video, but we had a PJ day on Sunday and well, I wasn't going to video myself in my PJ's! So you will have to make do with pictures instead!! 

First step - Washing

I have tried so many different shampoo and conditioner types on A's hair. Spent a small fortune and to be honest, the best one I have found so far is Herbal Essences 'Hello Hydration'. It smells amazing and leaves A's hair very moist and smooth. If you want a high street price, I would recommend trying this. 

This is A's hair immediately after washing, still very wet. Isn't it GORGEOUS!! 

Second step - Parting / Sectioning

A requested a half up / half down hairstyle so I decided to do some simple box style braids on the bottom half of her hair. I parted her hair like this, and added braids. I can't believe how long her hair is now! Her braids go half way down her back! Because I braid her hair when it is wet, when it dries it curls around itself as you can see from some of the middle braids which I did first. 

For the sides, I wanted to get the braids out of her face so I cornrowed the first part of the braid and let it fall behind her ear. 

Third Step - Cornrows 

A wanted the front of her hair up, so I cornrowed into the middle of her head, starting from one side and working my way to the other side. I didn't make the cornrows too small, as I started this style quite late in the day and wanted to make sure I finished before bed time! Here she is half way through! I kind of like this look!! 

Finished Style 

I added a pretty floral hair bobble because A likes that sort of thing! At some point next week, when the style is looking a bit messy, I will pull all the braids into a bun and add a larger flower!

Box Braids

I love doing box braids on A's hair because of the versatility of the style.

A loves having box braids because she can wear her hair "down". If her hair is loose, it doesn't fall down her back, but sticks straight out!

I normally braid around 100 braids into her hair when I am doing box braids. Sometimes I create half moon shaped parts but I also like straight lines with a part down the middle and across from ear to ear. This means she can wear the braids in various different styles including:

Loose 
Two ponytails either side of her head 
Half up, half down 
All up 
Two cornrows down each side of her head
One large cornrow 
Two buns on either side of her head
One bun at the base of her neck 
High messy bun

And that isn't the whole list!

Box braids also stay in for around 6 weeks. By the end of the 6 weeks A usually wears the box braids pulled up into a messy bun on the crown of her head with a flower clip in the side.

The final thing I love about box braids (am I selling them enough?!) is that A doesn't need any clips, beads or elastics on the ends of her hair. When I get to the end of the braid, I finger twist the ends to curl the hairs around each other and the curls cling together keeping the braid secured. When she goes swimming, I make sure I braid all the braids together in either one or two cornrows to ensure the ends do not come undone.

Box Braids

When A was younger, she really did not like to sit still for a very long period of time. When I first started doing her hair I would climb into the bath with her! Luckily, that stage didn't last very long and we moved into the living room to watch TV! I used to sit her in her high chair (which had a very useful table attached) and she would watch a couple of episodes of Dora the Explorer whilst munching on snacks.

I soon realised that the longer it took to do her hair, the longer it stayed in and she also realised that meant she didn't have to have her hair done as frequently so we were both happy!

When I first started doing box braids she was about 2 1/2 and would sit for an hour to let me do them.

Braids

A and I love experimenting with part lines and creating interested braid patterns. We like this style which consists of large triangles.

The clips at the ends of her braids I ordered off the Internet from America. I can't remember the website but I will edit this post and add the details if I can remember!