Happy Halloween + Twist Out

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you all have a great night. Be safe out there!

Miss A is going to be a fairy/butterfly. I got her costume at the last minute yesterday and it was totally meant to be because it was the last of everything (costume, wings, tights, headband). Lil Man is going to be Brobee from Yo Gabba Gabba. Hopefully I will get pictures of him later on tonight.

I didn't do anything new with A's hair. I simply removed her two strand twist style from a few days ago. I didn't add any other product. As you can see, her hair still looks fab thanks to Bee Mine Products (BBBFALL will get you 10% off your purchase!). As you can see, her twist out shows a lot of length, this is because I twisted on dry, stretched hair (with product) and left it in for a few days.

I'd love to see pictures of your little ones in their costumes! Feel free to post them over on our Facebook Page!

Banded Two Strand Twist Ponytails

I know I was supposed to style A's hair last weekend but she ended up wearing her hair in two twisted ponytails for the week. I decided to do a quick style today since her hair was still stretched out. I moisturized with Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer and styled with Bee Mine Curly Butter (BBBFALL will get you 10% off your purchase). I began near her left ear, parting at an angle, I banded the ponytail with an ouchless ponytail holder, twisted and wrapped a rubberband around the end 3-4 times. I didn't wrap it too tight, just enough to help the twist stay put. I continued to part at an angle the entire time until I was finished. She loves it!

Click pictures to enlarge.

Beija-Flor Naturals Giveaway!

We're back with yet another giveaway! This time we're giving away (2) $25 Gift Certificates redeemable at http://beijaflornaturals.com/ I've been using Beija-Flor Naturals Creme Brulee for a little while now and it's awesome! Big thanks to Beija-Flor Naturals for this giveaway!

Please follow the Rafflecopter instructions below to enter. Please note, you only have to "Like" our Facebook pages to enter, all other entries are COMPLETELY optional! Do not feel obligated to do them all however, doing them all will give you a higher chance of winning. You can come back daily to enter! Hope to see you here. :) Good luck!

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Loosely Banded Ponytails

Click to enlarge

A's hair was banded overnight in 6 sections using Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer (use our reader discount code: BBBFALL for 10% off your purchase) and unrefined coconut oil. I removed the bands in the morning, parted her hair straight down the middle and placed her hair in two low ponytails. I then loosely banded each ponytail and braided the ends. I will hopefully be styling her hair tomorrow so make sure you stop by! :)

Outfit: Gap during their 50% off sale items in-store only sale.

For more deals & steals and regular updates make sure you stop by and "like" our Facebook page!

Elongating Natural Curls With Banding

Last night I washed, detangled and banded A's hair. I parted her hair in three sections, 1 ponytail in the back and two in the front, added a generous amount of my favorite moisturizer, Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer (use our reader discount code: BBBFALL for 10% off!) and loosely banded her hair. I spaced the ponytail holders 1-2 inches apart, I only wrapped each ponytail holder around 2-3 times. The next day I removed the ponytail holders and she still had curls, but much looser than her own. This was completely by accident but I thought her hair looked nice so instead of rebanding I pulled half of it back and viola!

To get this to work on your child's hair, they need to have a definite curl pattern. Band in large sections (2-4) and make sure you space the bands out and don't make them too tight. Also note, when doing this, don't expect for the curls to be perfect and frizz free. Each curl will look different and that's okay. :)

If you don't know what banding is please check out our banding frequently asked questions post.

Being silly.

Black Girl Wants White Doll: What Would You Do?

I saw this posted by the SistahChick on Facebook and thought it was interesting.

Watch video HERE (short video) and HERE (full video, also shows a white girl wanting a black doll). Read full story HERE.

Thoughts?

via ABC News:

A landmark study from the 1940s, conducted by psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark, showed that 63 percent of African-American children surveyed preferred playing with white dolls over black dolls. They displayed a poignant disconnect from dolls of their own skin color and assigned negative connotations to the darker-skinned dolls. It was a stark reflection of the times, and was later used to support desegregation inBrown v. Board of Education, helping spur the changes of the last fifty years.

Fast forward to 2011, when forced segregation is but a distant memory and our biracial president challenges old notions of racial identity. What happens when an African-American child chooses a white doll and her caretaker admonishes her, refusing to allow her to play with it and insisting she play with one that is African-American? What if the situation is reversed and a Caucasian child is forbidden from playing with an African-American doll? Will anyone intervene?

Mini Twists Tutorial by KinkyKurlyQueen + A Look Back At A's Mini Twists

Awesome mini twists tutorial by KinkyKurlyQueen! She was the inspiration behind A's mini twists earlier this year and this video definitely makes me want to do them again! Watch until the end of the video to see her with her ADORABLE daughter!

KinkyKurlyQueen writes:

The key to not ending up with a "scalpy" twist set is to part on an angle. It also helps to know where you hair is thicker and where it is thinner. In the thick spots you can cheat and twists a little bigger, because it's more hair in that area. In the thin spots twists smaller to fill the gaps.
Quick Answers...
• I do NOT wash my twists...at all.
• Yes, its all mine :)
• The less product you use the less build up you'll have.
• I'll be keeping these in for at least 4 weeks.
• No matter what anyone says, your twists will shrink. Maybe a little maybe a lot, but they will shrink.
• Watch how I take my twists down here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3YtHrdI3UU&feature=youtu.be




A look back at Miss A's mini twists (loved them)...

Mini twists more info


Curled with curlformers post + video


Fishtail on mini twists


Mini twist update


Half up, half down mini twists


Mini twists twisted back/ 21 day update


Day 26 update


and finally, mini twist take down (video).

Make sure you stop by KinkyKurlyQueen's youtube and subscribe! :)

Hair Pretties by Kristi Giveaway!

We're back with another fabulous giveaway! This giveaway is sponsored by Hair Pretties By Kristi. She makes gorgeous bows and matching accessories. Kristi has offered 2 of our readers a $10 gift certificate each. Redeemable at Hairprettiesbykristi.com Big thanks to Kristi for this giveaway!

Below are a couple of examples of her work. Make sure you stop by her website to see more bows!

Please follow the Rafflecopter instructions below to enter. Please note, you only have to "Like" our Facebook pages to enter, all other entries are COMPLETELY optional! Do not feel obligated to do them all however, doing them all will give you a higher chance of winning. You can come back daily to enter! Hope to see you here. :) Good luck!

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Mixing the Old with the New - Intricate Cornrows into Side Puff

Guest post from Aisha of Braid With Me

We're back!!! I'm sure all of you can understand how easy it is to get busy with everyday life. The above pic shows one of the things that we've been working on. Check it out!!! Anisa is wearing her very own Braid with Me shirt!! The shirt was completely created by my baby! She was so excited to see her picture printed on a shirt!! So what do you think??

Now let's talk about the style! Anisa has been wearing simple styles such as ponytails since her The Heart of Breast Cancer style. I've also been working on her new routine which I will touch on in this post.

The night before starting this style, I massaged her scalp with coconut oil and detangled her hair with my fingers. The detangling session took awhile but it was worth it the next day when I washed her hair. I put her hair in 4 twisted ponytails for bedtime and covered them with her satin bonnet. The next day, I cleansed her hair using Aubrey Organics White Camellia Ultra-Smoothing Conditioner. Once all of the conditioner was rinsed from her hair, I followed up by using Aubrey Organics 100% Pure Aloe Vera Gel on her soaking wet hair. I got these tips from the wonderful Fran of HeyFranHey.com. If you've never visited her blog, you definitely need to check it out! She offers lots of tips about healthy living from hair to nutrition. I will also incorporate her conditioner routine into our new routine. While using this method, we will use a different conditioner each week for 4 weeks to cleanse her hair. We will rotate among the following conditioners every week for 4 weeks:

(1) Aubrey Organics White Camellia Ultra-Smoothing Conditioner
(2) Shea Moisture Organic Yucca and Baobab Volumizing Conditioner
(3) Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner
(4) Curl Junkie Beauticurls Argan and Olive Daily Hair Condtioner

Obviously I am on week 1 of this routine. Please check back for updates about the other conditioners.

I place her hair in 4 twisted ponytails once again after it was washed to prevent tangles. Once I was ready to band her hair, I used a little bit of grapeseed oil and Oyin Handmade Hair Dew. Her hair was banded over night and styled the next day.

The next day, her hair was not completely dry when I removed the bands, and as a result, it was not completely stretched. This was not a problem, but if it is for you, you can always reband the hair and style it later.

Products used while braiding:
Oyin Handmade Sugar Berry Pomade
Oyin Handmade Shine and Define
100% Pure Grapeseed Oil
I began braiding the nape area first and worked my way to the front. This is how I began braiding:

I continued braiding in this manner until I was completely done. I secured the braids with three ouchless bands and formed her puff. If this style looks familiar, it's because it is very similar to the style showcased in our Then and Now: Braids to the Side with a Puff post.

I sprayed her puff with water that night and applied a little bit of the Oyin Handmade Hair Dew and created 5 twists. I rolled the twists with foam rollers in order to give her puff a new look for the following day.

What do you think? Anisa loves this look and I do as well! Before we go, we wanted to shine the spotlight on the little member of our family, our little King! Check him out with his new braids!!! Cutie Pie!!!

As always, if you like what you see here, please join the site and "Like" our Facebook page!!!
**Edited to add the foam rollers I used are flexi-rods.

Sesame Street: Change The World (I Love My Hair Muppet is BACK!)

Big thanks to Cheryl for sharing this on Facebook. Remember the adorable I Love My Hair video from Sesame Street? Well look who's back with another great message!

Happy 6th Birthday Miss A! (Picture Heavy)

Today is Miss A's 6th birthday! I seriously cannot believe it. They grow up so fast. I posted a few pictures on our Facebook page of what she looked like when we first started the blog in 2009 and she has changed so much!

I couldn't have asked God for a better blessing. She has completely changed my life. She's sweet, loving and caring. A great big sister. She is going to grow into a beautiful, and smart young woman. She will forever and always be mommy's phat phat. I love you A! :)

Here's her birthday weekend recap...

I took the picture above yesterday before taking her to Toys R Us with a $30.00 budget to pick whatever she wanted and before taking her out to eat. She declared it the best day ever.

She had a small sleepover with 2 of her cousins. They are playing tea party with one of the gifts she bought from Toys R Us.

She insists on listening to Michael Jackson nonstop every birthday. Long live the King.

Something she has been asking for....a LeapPad Explorer! By the way, I can do a review if anyone is interested for the holidays! :)

Playing with her new LeapPad!

Hair: Kinky Curly Curling Custard - Outfit: Gymboree Cake: Walmart :)

Thanks for reading. :) Don't forget to enter our 2 year blogging anniversary celebration giveaways! There will be a lot more posted.

[CLOSED] Kinky-Curly & Tiny Twirls Giveaway! Win 1 of 4 Sets!

Spritz and pomade not included

Updated 10/24- The winners have been announced!


Katrina Pickering wins the full set of Kinky-Curly Products.
Adrienne Wells wins the full set of Kinky-Curly Products.
Rieta Williams wins the full set of Tiny Twirls Products.
Whitney Springfield wins the full set of Tiny Twirls Products.


Congrats ladies! Please email me your mailing address. beadsbraidsbeyond@yahoo.com


Huge thanks to Kinky-Curly for this giveaway!

We're back with another amazing giveaway! We are going to continue our 2 year blogging anniversary celebration with Kinky-Curly! The wonderful owner of Kinky-Curly has kindly offered to give (2) of our readers a set of Kinky-Curly products including: (1) 8oz Come Clean Shampoo, (1) 8oz Knot Today Leave-in and (1) 16oz Curling Custard. She has also offered to give (2) of our readers a set of their fabulous children's line, Tiny Twirls! Including: (1) 4.5oz Shampoo, (1) 8oz Conditioner and (1) 8oz Styler. How awesome is that? Big thanks to Kinky-Curly!

Please follow the Rafflecopter instructions below to enter. Please note, you only have to "Like" our Facebook pages to enter, all other entries are COMPLETELY optional! Do not feel obligated to do them all however, doing them all will give you a higher chance of winning. You can come back daily to enter! Hope to see you here. :) Good luck!

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[CLOSED] Oils from Jamaica Giveaway! Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Updated 10/18- The winner is Andrea Watkins! Congrats! :) Please email me your mailing address. beadsbraidsbeyond@yahoo.com


We're back with our 4th giveaway this month! The wonderful people at OilsfromJamaica.com have kindly offered one Beads, Braids & Beyond readers (1) 4oz Lavender Jamaican

Black Castor Oil and (1) Black Castor Oil Shampoo. I have heard so many good things about Jamaican Black Castor Oil through Facebook and in the forums so I am excited about this giveaway!

via OilsfromJamaica.com:

"Jamaican Black Castor Oil is derived from the oil from the bean like seeds of the castor oil plant that grows naturally in Jamaica. Jamaican Black Castor Oil works well for hair growth and to keep moisture in your hair. Jamaican Black Castor Oil can also be used for body care."

Please follow the Rafflecopter instructions below to enter. Please note, you only have to "Like" our Facebook pages to enter, all other entries are COMPLETELY optional! Do not feel obligated to do them all however, doing them all will give you a higher chance of winning. You can come back daily to enter! Hope to see you here. :) Good luck!

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Picture of the Day: Big Hair x3!!!

Check out this picture Jami shared on our Facebook page of her adorable girls! Bless those hands...