Please don't bash me for this question, I am just curious.

My beautiful 4 yo step-daughter arrived here from Jamaica over a year ago, and I do her hair myself. This is a (relatively) new experience for me as the texture of her hair is very different from my own.

The other night I was putting her hair in some pony tails (I do 3 because it isn't quite long enough to pull it into one yet) and as I was putting in the "hair oil" (as my husband calls it - but what I know as Vaseline) I asked him why. And he just said because that's what they do.

I am just wondering if there is some other product that I could use in her hair that might work better?? The reason I ask is that I find the vaseline kind of attracts "dirt" (although I would call it lint more than dirt) - especially where the pony tail holders are.

I was washing her hair only once a week for a while, but have started washing it 2 or 3 times a week now just to keep it looking neat.

I am very open to tips/suggestions for her hair. I read through the thread about how to get long hair - because she was quite sad the other day that she doesn't have long hair like some of her friends at school.

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Thank you 1stP for the response. I am going to see if I can find a place to buy their products online.

I do tell her that she is beautiful (and she is) and just that her hair is different - but it is good to be different! She is a wonderful child, and has adjusted so well to life here with us in Canada.

Thanks again for the advice.

Oh my!
I'm really sorry to hear of the child's feelings.
I am an jamaican and i have natural hair
Iuse VO5 shampoo and conditioner to wash my hair
After I wash my hair i oil it with hair oil and put it in big plaits or cornrows (big ones, not too big)
DONT BLOW DRY IT
Sometimes you can use aloe vera to like condition it to give it moisture and it will get more vitamins that way.
Dont use the hair oil every day you can use it like twice a week
HOPE MY TIPS WORK FOR YOU!!!!!

Her hair will grow once it has been attended to properly.

First, she needs to see a professional to have her hair trimmed (if it is badly damaged--split ends, breakage ect...) She must get a deep conditioner. ( i use olive oil, under cap ..under dryer for 15 mins) For my girls age 4 and 6, i use a deep creame conditiner like Creme of Nature...They have a shampoo that is detangling along with the conditioner (all in one). i would not recomend blow drying hair on a regular basis.

oils for hair (while styling) you can use as 1sP suggested...a "Dark and Lovely" product. I personally ,like a product called "Natures Blessings". It can be found at any natural product beuaty supplier. We have one here called "Everlasting Life". Or you can just go to any beauty supply shop and just ask the attendant for help.
I WOULD NOT USE VASALINE on any childs hair....or nay hair at all!
I WOULD NOT attatch pony tail holders, rubberbands ect... on the hair on a regular basis.

It is good for the hair, esp a child, to wear braids and cornrows. (Depending on style, they can last up to a few weeks) Eliminates putting too much stress on the hair esp if its in a weak state....AND saves you time and stress!

try carol's daughter. their products are great for adding moisture and shine.

Natural Hair Care, Natural Beauty Products, Natural Skincare - Carol's Daughter.

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YES!!! those are nice. I esp like the tea rinses! AND they have a nice fragrance

Basically i sugest you use soeithing like coconut oil or a natural oil (jojoba, advocado,olive oil)

The reason why you get the dirt building up is because the dirt is attracted to the petroleum/mineral oil, which by the way does not absorb into your child's hair or into the scalp, its forms a barrier.

The oil comes off either on her pillow or head scarf, or even when you scratch the scalp. Try using coconut oil and you will notice how fresh her hair and scalp stays.

Alot of naturals stay away from mineral oil, that stuff should only be use on you hair if you basing ready for a relaxer. because it does what you want it to do, form a barrier.

Hope this helps.
Im 100% natural by the way.

I use Luster pink hair creme on my daughters hair. When she was younger, I would always twist her hair...


But as she has gotten older, I usually just brush out her curls add moisturizer and braid the front parts.


I hate "restricting" her curls, so I usually just let them out.

I wash her hair almost daily. But was told by her grandmother...her words exactly:
"Lua, baby has black hair...you can't be washing it every day!" So I tried to wash
her hair every two days, but the dirt/oil build-up was too much for me to handle.
So far her hair looks and feels healthy, so I doubt I'm doing much damage. So I
stick to washing her hair everytime she bathes.

Thanks everyone! I figured I would get better answers here than from my husband!! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any of those products where I live, but I ordered some stuff from Carol's Daughter - it looks and sounds great!

And thanks for the pics Reggamuffin! I am at a loss what to do with her hair sometimes, but I love the twists!