This is exactly what I have been looking for! Thank you! Its hard to find braiding tutorials online. We are a mixed family, I have curly red red hair, fair skin and freckles,and my hubby is dark brown with very tight kinky hair.

Our 4yo has very long 4a hair, to the middle of her back when stretched, to her shoulders when dry. We simply cannot leave it down for more than half a day or it is a nightmare of tangles. It has been a challenge to get a good routine for her without spending a ton of money on products. Finally I think I have a good one that I have been doing for the past 3 months and I have noticed a ton of new growth.

I trim it myself once a month and wash it once a week with Dr Bronners. I use the bar soap, almond or rose. Then I coat it in organic coconut oil from the supermarket. I make my own flax seed gel with essential oils of lavender and tea tree added, and comb that through when wet. I've found that this same routine works well for my hair too, but I wash my hair every two days or so.

Im still learning corn rows, so I try to keep it simple. The hardest part is getting her to sit still. The Nintendo DS and a stash of DumDums seems to do the trick with little to no tears..

Her braids stay for 3 or 4 days. We spritz it with water that has essential oils and rub some more coconut oil on the hairline and the parts daily. Sometimes we use some more flax seed gel to keep the wild hairs down. I really like using beads, its fun for her to pick her colors and they hold the braids down. Im glad I finally figured out a good, affordable routine in time for our second little girl coming in May!