Learning to do your children's hair can be a daunting task, especially if you have mixed-race afro curls and straighter locks like mine. Stylist Jennie Roberts is here to guide me through the process of becoming a Black dad who can do his daughters' hair.
It all starts with understanding that hair care is not about hiding your natural texture but embracing it. "It's not a big effort, it's not going to cost a lot of money," she says. "Managing curly hair once you know how is easy." Roberts emphasizes that the key to successful hair care is education and simplifying the process.
My journey began with Jennie showing me fundamental mistakes I was making, such as using tight hair ties that cause pain when removed, brushing my daughters' hair too roughly, and using heavy products that weigh down their curls. We also discussed using a manta comb instead of a traditional brush, starting from the bottom to detangle, and applying leave-in moisturizer.
The most surprising tip was using an old T-shirt to dry my daughters' hair instead of a towel, which can cause friction and ruin curls. Jennie also recommended replacing heavy products with lighter serums that accentuate curls and gels for added hold.
Once I had mastered the basics, we moved on to using a diffuser, which takes almost 10 minutes but produces beautiful, bouncy curls. The key takeaway is patience, technique, and getting rid of my current methods that often make things worse.
With Jennie's guidance, I'm now able to do my daughters' hair with minimal pain and maximum satisfaction. It may not be a glamorous experience, but it's an opportunity for bonding and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
As Yomi Ṣode, who took part in a workshop to learn how to care for his partner's and their children's hair, says, "Hair care is a vital part of connecting with your daughter." Jamelia Donaldson, founder of Treasure Tress, agrees, saying that Black men are often overlooked when it comes to learning about hair care.
With Jennie's expertise, I'm no longer just a clueless dad trying to hide my natural texture; I'm a confident Black dad who can take pride in his daughters' beautiful curls.
It all starts with understanding that hair care is not about hiding your natural texture but embracing it. "It's not a big effort, it's not going to cost a lot of money," she says. "Managing curly hair once you know how is easy." Roberts emphasizes that the key to successful hair care is education and simplifying the process.
My journey began with Jennie showing me fundamental mistakes I was making, such as using tight hair ties that cause pain when removed, brushing my daughters' hair too roughly, and using heavy products that weigh down their curls. We also discussed using a manta comb instead of a traditional brush, starting from the bottom to detangle, and applying leave-in moisturizer.
The most surprising tip was using an old T-shirt to dry my daughters' hair instead of a towel, which can cause friction and ruin curls. Jennie also recommended replacing heavy products with lighter serums that accentuate curls and gels for added hold.
Once I had mastered the basics, we moved on to using a diffuser, which takes almost 10 minutes but produces beautiful, bouncy curls. The key takeaway is patience, technique, and getting rid of my current methods that often make things worse.
With Jennie's guidance, I'm now able to do my daughters' hair with minimal pain and maximum satisfaction. It may not be a glamorous experience, but it's an opportunity for bonding and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
As Yomi Ṣode, who took part in a workshop to learn how to care for his partner's and their children's hair, says, "Hair care is a vital part of connecting with your daughter." Jamelia Donaldson, founder of Treasure Tress, agrees, saying that Black men are often overlooked when it comes to learning about hair care.
With Jennie's expertise, I'm no longer just a clueless dad trying to hide my natural texture; I'm a confident Black dad who can take pride in his daughters' beautiful curls.
It's like, we're constantly trying to present this perfect image of ourselves, but what about the imperfections and the messiness that comes with being human? I mean, Jennie Roberts is a lifesaver, though! Her approach to embracing our natural texture and simplifying the process is so refreshing.
just thinking about getting your kids hair done and having to deal with all the drama that comes with it is a total drag 
i mean, who hasn't had to wrestle with their little ones' stubborn curls? 
anyway, this stylist is actually pretty cool and her tips on using a diffuser are genius 
maybe we can get a tutorial on how to do that without losing our minds 
. Kudos to Jennie and all the other experts out there who are helping to break down barriers and empower Black men in the beauty space 
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I gotta say, I've been there too! Trying to do your kid's hair for the first time is crazy 
. But then I found this amazing YouTube tutorial (my savior!) and now I'm all about embracing their natural texture too 
. It's not just about doing their hair, it's about bonding and making memories that'll last 
. So yeah, it's all about embracing the journey and having fun with it! 
. And using an old T-shirt to dry their hair? Genius! Who needs those rough towels ruining curls when you can use a soft old tee instead? 
.
... I mean, it sounds like a good concept but have you thought about how cold it might be? 
And what about the smell of the shirt? Might not be so fresh and clean after multiple uses 
. On the other hand, using a diffuser does seem kinda cool 
... but isn't it more like, a million dollars or something? 
It seems kinda overpriced for a simple hair dryer attachment 
. I mean, what if you just use regular old hair ties and don't tie your daughters' hair too tight? Would that be enough to prevent pain when they take it out? 
I was literally struggling with my daughters' curls too and didn't know where to start. It's so cool that Jennie Roberts is sharing her expertise and educating others on how to take care of their little ones' hair 