An Evening Hair Routine

Now that River is growing up and her hair is getting longer, a routine that she and I can manage is paramount. We also need the regime to be simple in nature. My best memories are of my mother taking time to do my hair every Sunday evening, and even though River’s hair needs to be done more frequently than my own as a child, I still look forward to seeing how proud of her hair she is when we’ve finally fought through the tangles and she’s left with her bouncy curls.

By our very own definition, done doesn’t mean styled. Done in our house right now, simply means breathable and combed through. And as simple as detangling can seem, for children with hair like River’s, it’s an exceptional goal and true task. Just one one day uncombed, and you will find locs in the back of her scalp. We often joke that hair is a nest, just waiting to be fed. And feeding her hair consists of co-washing and combing though at least every other night.

If you’re wondering, here are just a few tips of my own:

–A child-friendly conditioner isn’t necessary. Truth be told some of the natural hair products marketed for adults are fine for kids (IMO). River “dips” her hair in water every other night in her bath, and then I put this conditioner  in her my palms, rub them together, and finger-detangle what I can.

-When she gets out of the bath, I normally do not use a styling cream or curl-aid cream (it’s is often too heavy at night, and messes with the natural curl pattern if left over-night and too heavy.). On the occasion that I do, or for a more intricate morning style, we love Miss Jessie’s Baby Buttercreme.

– I separate each area of her head into sections (starting with the toughest part, which is her middle/back) and comb super gently, holding the hair in my left hand, through with our magical brush. 

– Combing always takes a while, but I love seeing how her hair grows in length, and then bounces back, making it easier to part for the night-time twists.

-. After combing, we do two big twist with a part depending on how she wants to wear it the next day. Often, the part is in the middle, and by morning, I rub coconut oil on my hands and just untwist whatever is left to untwist.

Does  your child have curly hair? What’s your night-time routine look like?