The Winners of the Bee Mine $50 Gift Certificates

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the giveaway! Another big thanks to Bee Mine Products for being so generous.

The winners are...

who said...

and...

who said...

Please email me by August 3rd to claim your $50 Bee Mine Gift Certificate. beadsbraidsbeyond@yahoo.com

Remember, Beads, Braids & Beyond readers can get 10% off ($15 min. purchase) of their Bee Mine Products order by using code: BBB

Taking a break.

I'm taking a quick break from the blogging world. I hope you all find what you're looking for here.

You can check out A's Hair Care Routine by clicking here.

Make sure you enter the Bee Mine Giveaway, where you can win one of two $50 Gift Certificates.

Also check out the Curlformers Styling Kit Giveaway.

See you soon!

Book Review: I LOVE My Cotton Candy Hair!

While browsing the internet recently trying to find new books for Anisa I came across a book that I have since grown to love!! The title of the book is I LOVE my Cotton Candy Hair by Nicole Updegraff. The book is the first in the upcoming series, A girl named Charlie presents….Stories about loving yourself the way you are!

The story centers on Charlie, a caring, fun-loving little girl who is beginning to deal with issues of self-acceptance while trying to fit in. I LOVE my Cotton Candy Hair focuses on Charlie celebrating her love for her hair. It begins with Charlie describing what she likes and dislikes about her hair. She loves that it is curly and twisty but she admits that it is sometimes fuzzy and hard to comb. Despite having a few knots here and there, Charlie still declares her love for her hair.

She continues her praise by describing the many styles that she is able to achieve with her cotton candy hair. Her praise doesn’t stop with her own hair. She also compliments her friends and family members. Charlie concludes her adoration of her friends and family by saying, “all that hair is pretty and fun… BUT I LOVE being me and everything that comes with it!”

Anisa and I love this story! It is nice to have books like this to reinforce to our children that they are beautiful. Far too often they are shown a different view of what is considered the norm. It is wonderful to have resources that show children who resemble them as well as deal with the same problems. We will definitely cherish Charlie’s story while making our own stories and creating memories of Anisa’s love for her own cotton candy hair.



I LOVE my Cotton Candy Hair is currently available on Amazon for $12.99.

Click here to visit Nicole Updegraff’s website.

An excerpt from her website:

For the author, this series was born of necessity. Many new parents take joy in finding fun, substantive reading material for their child and Nicole was no different. After having her first daughter she often found herself searching bookstores and libraries only to leave empty handed. In time she became increasingly disappointed in the fact that she couldn’t quite find what she was longing for; fun and charming books for really young children with stories that have a message of absolute self-love and acceptance. After years of hoping ‘someone’ would create what she was looking for, she married her love of writing with her love of children’s artwork and created something herself. In doing so she not only developed a children's book series aimed at giving all children an encouraging view of themselves, but she also created a series character we haven’t seen before, one of mixed race, which is based after her oldest daughter, four year old Charlie.

3-Year-Old Getting Sew-in Weave

I just saw this posted on Knaps Girl and had to post. The video shows a little girl getting a sew-in weave for a pageant on Toddlers & Tiaras.

Click here for the video.

Thoughts?

PonyHawk Maintenance & Update

Click here for Step-by-Step PonyHawk Instructions


Day 2 of PonyHawk




Maintenance:

• Remove the barrettes and twisties (if you choose to use them) before bed.

• Anisa will sleep with a satin bonnet in order to protect her hair.

• Spray with Bee Mine Juicy Spirtz each night.
• Use Bee Mine Deja's Hair Milk on ponies to refresh and moisturize.
• Also use Bee Mine Deja's Hair Milk to moisturize nape & edges.
• Although this style could last longer, Anisa will have this style for one week. I want to let her scalp rest so she will be wearing her hair out for a little while.

Day 4 using Bee Mine Deja's Hair Milk on ponies.

Claire's & Icing Flower Girl Hair Accessories

I went to Claire's and Icing the other day to look for some cute flower girl hair accessories for my Natural Flower Girl Hair Styles series. I didn't get as much as I would have liked because the prices were a little higher than expected but I do have ideas for the above accessories in mind. Stay tuned!

Claire's hair comb: $14.50

Claire's spin pins: $10.50 but they always have the buy one get one half off on hair accessories for my total was $5.25 for the spin pins.

Icing headband: Sale $6.25

Icing flowers: $3.50 each Icing also had buy one get one half off to I got one for $1.75

I also want to add, Claire's and Icing has a new policy about "party" hair accessories and special occasion hair accesories. They told me they are nonreturnable, so just a heads up!

Curlformers Styling Kit Giveaway!

We're keeping the celebration alive! You may remember several posts on Curlformers. Used on both mommy and daughter with fab results. Well, Curlformers has offered one of our followers a Curlformers Styling Kit of YOUR choice! You have 6 Styling Kits to choose from. Total value up to $67! Each kit includes plenty of Curlformers, two hooks, instructions, and a cute portable bag with matching trim! Big thanks to Curlformers for the great giveaway.

Enter to win Curlformers:

• You must follow Beads, Braids & Beyond. To follow the blog simply look to the upper right column. There's a little button that says "Follow". Easy peasy!
• Visit Curlformers and let me know which styling kit you will choose if you win! There are 6 to choose from.

That's it! This will get you two entries in the giveaway. Leave a separate comment for each entry!

Want an extra chance to win?

Additional entries: (optional)

• Become our friend on Facebook
• "Suggest friends" on Facebook. For every 10 friends you suggest, that will get you one extra entry.
• Subscribe to our Youtube channel
• Follow us on Twitter
• Blog about this giveaway on your blog.
• Facebook/Tweet about this giveaway.
• Add one of our buttons to your blog/website.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

You have 9+ chances to enter. However many entries/comments you have is totally up to you. You can do one, or you can do them all. Just be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.

Examples:
Entry #1: I follow BBB!
Entry #2: I would choose the Long & Extra Wide Styling Kit!
Entry #3: I'm a facebook friend!
Entry #4: I suggested 10 friends!
Entry #5: Suggested 10 more friends
Entry#6: Following on Twitter

You get the idea! All separate entries! I will be using Random.org to choose two winners.

This giveaway will run from July 15th until July 29th. Good luck!

Bee Mine Giveaway: Two $50 Gift Certificates

We have reached 1000 Followers! I can't even believe it, this is amazing. Thank you all so much for following the blog, commenting and participating. I really do appreciate it and I hope we can all continue to grow the children's natural hair care community.

To celebrate reaching 1000 Followers, the owner of Bee Mine has offered two lucky readers a $50 Gift Ceritificate to Bee Mine Products. Yes, TWO of you will win a $50 Gift Certificate! How exciting is that? At this point, I think you all know I *LOVE* these products! Remember to use code: BBB to receive 10% off!

Big thanks to Bee Mine Products for the giveaway!

We're going to do this giveaway a little differently so make sure you read the instructions. :)

Enter to win one of two $50 Gift Certificates to Bee Mine Products:

• You must follow Beads, Braids & Beyond. To follow the blog simply look to the upper right column. There's a little button that says "Follow". Easy peasy!
• Visit Bee Mine Products and let me know what you will spend the $50 Gift Certificate on.

That's it! This will get you two entries in the giveaway. Leave a separate comment for each entry!

Want an extra chance to win?

Additional entries: (optional)

• Become our friend on Facebook
• "Suggest friends" on Facebook. For every 10 friends you suggest, that will get you one extra entry.
• Subscribe to our Youtube channel
• Follow us on Twitter
• Blog about this giveaway on your blog.
• Facebook/Tweet about this giveaway.
• Add one of our buttons to your blog/website.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

You have 9+ chances to enter. However many entries/comments you have is totally up to you. You can do one, or you can do them all. Just be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.

Examples:
Entry #1: I follow BBB!
Entry #2: I would spend the $50 gift certificate on Luscious Moisturizer and their new deep conditioner!
Entry #3: I'm a facebook friend!
Entry #4: I suggested 10 friends!
Entry #5: Suggested 10 more friends

You get the idea! All separate entries! I will be using Random.org to choose two winners.

This giveaway will run from July 14th until July 28th. Good luck!

Q.O.T.W: How do you keep your child loving and embracing their curls when most of their peers have straight hair?

How do you keep your child loving and embracing their curls when most of their peers have straight hair? Has it been a challenge at all?

Random Talk With A: Rainbow Popcorn, Fairytale Land, Gingerbread Cookies and Much More!

After we made the video of the Blended Cutie drawing, A told me she wanted to make another video. So, here it is. Enjoy!

Kinky Curly Available at Select Target Stores

You probably remember me posting Kinky Curly was coming soon to Target. Well, Kinky Curly is now available at select Target stores.

Click here to see the list.

Does your Target carry it?

Step-by-Step PonyHawk Tutorial

Instructions:

1. Start with clean detangled hair. I cowashed Anisa’s hair with Herbal Essence Hello Hydration conditioner the day before doing this style. I applied Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer after rinsing and detangling her hair. I put her hair into several large plaits to let it dry. Before starting her hair, I removed the plaits and banded her hair for about an hour to stretch it some more.

2. I removed the bands and parted her hair into two sections.

3. I secured one side with a Goody’s Ouchless band and made my first part on the opposite side. The part was made at the nape. I secured the rest of her hair with another ouchless band and began braiding. The braids should go towards the part that is in the middle. I used Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer while braiding her hair.

4. Continue to make parts in any design that you choose and braid.

5. I continued to make parts and braid her hair. I went ahead and released the hair on that side and made a part at the top for one of her ponytails. You can do this before you start braiding if you wish. I secured the hair for the ponytail with another ouchless band and continued to braid her hair.

6. I finished braiding her hair on that side and I went ahead and made one of the ponytails just to show you how it will look. You do not have to make your ponytails at this point.

7. Now you can begin braiding the other side. Begin by once again parting the hair at the nape. I like for the braids on both sides to line up but that is up to you. If you cannot get the braids to line up exactly, don’t worry about it! It will be covered by the ponytails.

8. I continued to make my parts and braid her hair. You will continue to do this until you are done braiding that side. I chose to braid Anisa’s hair almost all the way down. You do not have to do this. I did it to stretch her hair out some more. You can make your second ponytail in the front at this point.

9. I began to section her braids to make the ponyhawk. The first time I did this style, I used rubberbands. This time I chose to use ouchless bands instead. Nikki likes to soak her rubberbands in olive oil prior to using them on A’s hair. So if you are using rubberbands, you may want to do this. I made a total of 16 cornrows – 8 on each side. I gathered 4 braids (2 braids from each side) in order to make one ponytail. I ended up with 4 ponytails in all.

10. My next step was to unravel her braids in order to make the ponytails. I made 2 two-strand twists in each section so she ended up with 8 two-strand twists in all. I applied Bee Mine Bee Hold Curly Butter to her hair prior to making each ponytail.

11. I secured her front ponytails with black ouchless bands and the ponyhawk ponytails were secured with dark pink and light pink bands. I finished off with pink barrettes and a pink bow twisty on each of the front ponytails. The twisties were on top of the black ouchless bands.

Total time: 1 – 1.5 hours (Keep in mind that I am stopping to take pictures while I am braiding so it probably won’t take you as long).

Products used:

• Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer
• Bee Mine Bee Hold Curly Butter
• Goody’s Ouchless bands
• Plastic clips (used to separate the hair while braiding)
• Comb for parting
• Wide tooth comb

Stop by tomorrow to see how Aisha maintains Anisa's PonyHawk style and to see some updated pictures!

Connected Rainbow Ponies into Side Puff

Instructions:

• Start with wet/damp, detangled, well moisturized hair.
• Begin parting a medium/large square by the right ear. Use a rubberband/elastic and tie that square off. I used Mini No Damage Elastics, use colorful elastics for the cute rainbow look. Braid the hair in that rubberband/elastic down about an inch or so.
• Part your next square right above your first square, connect your first ponytail/half braid in to your new square.
• Part your third square right above your second square. Connect your second ponytail/half braid in to your new square. Continue this process until you get about 1-2 inches from the left ear. I only did 4 connected square ponytails on top.
• Now start behind your right ear. Part a square, tie it off with your rubberband/elastic, braid it about an inch or so down.
• Part a square/section right under your first square, connect your first ponytail/half braid in to your new square/section.
• Continue this process until you have reached about an inch or two near the left ear. I had a total of 4 sections in the back as well.
• Tie the puff off with an large ouchless/no damage ponytail holder, moisturize and fluff.

Total Styling Time: 15-20 Minutes
Products Used:

• Rat tail comb and wide tooth comb
• Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer
• Colorful No Damage Mini Elastics by Scunci Girl (review soon)
• Thick No Damage Elastic by Scunci Girl

Product Review: Suave Professionals Almond Shea Butter Conditioner

Suave Professionals Almond Shea Shea Butter Conditioner

The Claim: This moisturizing conditioner is infused with 100% natural almond & shea butter, which are known for their rich smollients. It replenishes lost moisture leaving your hair well-nourished & beautiful.

Price: $2.97 32oz (Walmart)

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (Sweet Almond), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) (Shea Butter), Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (Jojoba), Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera), Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Oil (Lemongrass), Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil (Rosemary), Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract (Matricaria), Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract (Lavender), Dimethiconol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Fragrance (Parfum), Dipropylene Glycol, Potassium Chloride, Lactic Acid, Disodium EDTA, TEA Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate, PEG 150 Distearate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone

Review: I love the smell of this conditioner. It's kind of fruity, which I like. I used this conditioner on A's hair after taking out her 4th of July Banded Ponytail Style. After rinsing shampoo from A's hair I smoothed a handful of conditioner over her wet hair. This conditioner is nice and creamy. It's not too thick but it had great slip. Detangling was a snap. I think I detangled all of her hair with my fingers and a wide tooth comb in 10 minutes. To be fair, her hair was previously in the banded ponytail style so it wasn't very tangled to begin with. I used less than 2 handfuls of this conditioner on her entire head. I rinsed the conditioner out of her hair in 6 braids as I usually do. When it came time to take each braid down to apply moisturizer her hair felt so soft. I am very pleased with this conditioner so far. I think this will be great for a new cowash. I will use it a few more times before I give my final say but for right now, it's a keeper and I do plan on repurchasing.

Update: I have used this conditioner two more times since my original review. I am loving it! It actually really provides a lot of slip for us. It makes finger detangling very easy, and the wide tooth comb just glides through her hair. What's interesting is that even though it's a light conditioner, it seems to kind of weighs her curls down. As soon as I apply the conditioner to her wet hair it keeps her curls weighed down/stretches them out so while I'm detangling her curls are not springing back up which makes detangling very easy. Each time I have cowashed her hair with this conditioner and detangled it took less than 10 minutes. Again, her hair has not been very tangled though since she has been wearing styles prior to cowashing. This conditioner leaves her hair feeling nice, soft and moisturized. I will definitely be repurchasing.

The photo below shows her hair wet, with the conditioner in. Maybe you can get an idea of what I was talking about.