Braiding Tatiana’s Hair in Micro Braids and Beads—Helpful Hints

1. Work in small sections.
2. Use a spray bottle with detangling solution to help brush out each section and split it into three smaller sections for braiding. Only brush out the section of hair that will be braided. Consider the size of the opening of the beads you are using when determining how much hair each section will contain.
3. First, braid the hair around the face, braiding it in the direction you would like it to hang. Start the braiding close to the scalp but don’t make the braids tight. (This is the only place where you will start the braids close to the scalp.)
4. Next, braid the top of the head. Make sure you cover the scalp of the head by carefully selecting each section’s hair. (You may need to play a little and cross hair from one section to the other to cover the scalp. There is not only one way to do this.  Do what looks good to you.) Start the braiding away from the scalp to ensure good coverage of hair over the scalp.
5. Once you have completed the top of the head, continue using the same method, working your way down. Take extra care at the base of the neck if you plan on doing up-dos. You will want to make sure that you cross hair over to cover the scalp so when you pull the hair up, scalp does not show.
6. Do not be in a hurry to complete the braiding. Micro braiding takes time, but is easy to care for and lasts a very long time.  You will be able to do many fun styles with a head full of micro braids.  The look in the picture has 60 braids.
7. Use a bead threaded to help pull the beads on to the ends and secure with a matching rubber band that is non-damaging.
8. Brush the ends around your finger to give them a uniformed curl. You may need to trim the ends.

Here are some simple braiding instructions for the first time braider:

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Tatiana’s Qata – Simple Instructions

 

Here are some simple instructions for Tatiana’s Qata-Purse.

Find Tatiana Dollfriend at Via-E.com.

 

 

 

My Curly Hair Adventure

The world of curls is so very wonderful! Like all things of wonder, these beautiful curls have their own set of care requirements.  Understand these, the reward is a multitude of hair styles and fun!

Since I was not born with the gift of curls, I have had to research how to take care and manage curly hair so Tatiana Dollfriend® families can keep Tatiana’s curly hair beautiful.  I have tried several combs, brushes, hair products…even fabric softener (Tatiana’s hair is synthetic.)  I came to my own conclusions but realized what I should do is ask the experts–curly hair girls.

http://www.via-e.com/tatiana.html

What I found was a fun world of hair styles, and set routines that were followed.  Many of these tips confirmed what I discovered while playing with Tatiana’s hair, but it was so much more fun learning from others.  Here is a set of Tatiana hair care suggestions:

What you will need:  A spray bottle and a large WetBrush (I found combs to pull and break hair too easily.  (WetBrush hairbrush product’s bristles flex so they don’t break or pull out the hair.)

 

Dry brushing curly hair will cause it to expand and  tangle easier.  Instead dampen the hair to help manage. (Remember, Dollfriends® can get wet.)

1. Using a spray bottle, dampen the hair. Add a product that lubricates the synthetic hair into your spray bottle.  This can be fabric softener, a natural products hair conditioner or detangler solution.  (avoid products with paraben)
2. Use your fingers to separate the hair strands and remove any large tangles.
3. Next, section the hair into smaller sections and brush the wet hair starting at the tips and working upward toward the head.
4. Once you have brushed through all of Tatiana’s hair, rinse it with warm water to remove any product on the hair. (Keep water away from Tatiana’s eyes and be sure to blow out any water that ends up in her eyes.)
5. Using a towel, pat dry Tatiana’s hair and then use a scrunching motion to encourage the curls to reform.  Trim off any loose hair to finish.

During playtime, use a large hair clip or hair scrunchy to help keep Tatiana’s hair from tangling. There are several hair styles that will help keep Tatiana’s hair in good shape while also providing a lot of fashion fun! While dressing and undressing Tatiana, remember to always lift Tatiana’s hair away while putting on or taking off clothing that uses Velcro.  (The Velcro male side has small hooks that can capture hair.)

One of my goals in making Dollfriends® is to help girls learn about each other and appreciate the amazing differences that make life so wonderful.  My curly hair adventure was very fun.  I learn a lot more than just how to care for curly hair, but also about girls of mixed race and their challenges.  Life is not without challenges for any of us.  But by learning about the challenges of others, we realize that we are not alone in our own challenges.  AND our compassion and understanding of others makes us better people and better friends.

Here are a few of my favorite videos.  The girls in these videos each have unique personalities and styles, and each made me smile and applaud their creativity and desire to help others.  I hope you enjoy them too!

NOTE:  NEVER use blow dryers on Dollfriend® hair.  The videos below are instructions for real girl hair.  Have fun!

How to Take Care of Curly Hair || Curly Hair Routine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVE2_9P6-_E

BIGGEST Curly Hair Mistakes! (Curly Penny)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv5Dx9xe49o

20 Curly Hairstyles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOP-eqTaCqo

Curly Hair Weekly Routine – 3b/3c hair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezcrTrPKQvE