I love the way beads sound and look on little girls, so I hope our experience doesn't stop you from using them. I just wanted to share why beads haven't worked in our home...
1. Beading Takes Too Long
The process of parting, detangling and braiding takes too long for the girls (they're currently 3 and 6). Beading extended that time. Which means, my girls were constantly complaining about how slow I was. If braiding their hair took an hour -- adding beads turned that hour into an hour and a half.
How long does it take you to do your child's hair?
0-1 hour
1-2 hours
2+ hours
2. They're Too Heavy
Beads weighed down their hair, which I felt was unhealthy for their scalp. I tried making the braids thicker, but they were too thick to get through the bead hole. So I tried using fewer beads (like four per braid), but I didn't like how that looked. I ultimately felt their hair type was too fragile for the accessory.
If you're wondering, we used pony beads (one of the smaller beads for hair).
3. Beads Were Too Rough On The Ends
I secure the beads with rubber bands and while there are ways to minimize breakage from rubber bands, we just prefer to leave their ends free.
4. They're Uncomfortable To Sleep On
Beads are slightly annoying to sleep on. They're hard, noisy and fall on your face. The best way we discovered to sleep with beads is to wear a kid-sized bonnet, or to gather the braids into a pony tail. That way they are in one neat pile and won't disturb your little one throughout the night.
5. I Needed To Declutter
I know you're probably thinking, "it's just beads." But those small pieces of plastic were just one more thing I needed to keep track of and organized. Becoming a mom changed my life in sooo many ways. I just wanted to have the least amount of clutter, so that I could focus on what I felt was more important. So if you're an organized mom that doesn't struggle with having too much stuff - definitely give beads a try.
Can Beads Help Your Hair Grow?
Beads (by themselves) aren't what helps the hair grow. It's the fact that the ends of the hair are covered and protected for an extended period of time. This means they are left alone and aren't susceptible to rough manipulation and breakage.
But wearing beads can also break the hair. For example, some wood beads aren't sanded down and smooth on the inside. Because the jagged insides are harsh on the hair, this can lead to damage. If you really like the wooded look, make sure the beads don't have split wood sticking out. Or you can use a bead reamer to smooth out the inside.
Great tips to prevent breakage include adding products (like conditioner) before securing the rubber band. The following video by Nicole (a mom of a boy and 2 adorable girls) shows us how to do it.
When the style is ready to be taken out, she uses sewing scissors to cut the rubber bands. Sewing scissors are better than hair shears and regular scissors because they're teeny and super sharp (which is perfect for little heads).
Some of our readers also like to use a hair band cutter. It has a small blade that is hidden which makes it a little easier to hold and a little less dangerous (especially around kids). The following photos are from Amazon and compare the hair band cutter to scissors, as well as show how to use them.
Photos: The Pony Pick on Amazon
One shopper hoped the rubber band cutter would prevent her from accidentally cutting her little one's hair. Many customers replied that you can still accidentally cut the hair because the hair band cutter uses a tiny blade. One suggestion (or hack) is to use clear rubber bands so that you are better able to see the color difference between black hair and the white elastic. Another customer suggested using the opposite end of the tool to separate the rubber from the hair, then cutting.
Can You Use Something Other Than Rubber Bands To Hold The Beads?
I tried polybands, which are a synthetic version of rubber bands. While they didn't get tangled in their hair, they popped randomly, which meant their beads fell out quite often.
What's Important To Know About The Beading Process (For Kids)?
Applying beads takes time, precision, and coordination. You have to put a braid through a tight fitting hole. Some children are totally fine with this process, which means they do not constantly move or wiggle around. If your little one is okay with sitting still, then this might be the perfect accessory for them.
Why Do Children Love Beads?
Beads are essentially toys in the hair. They are cute, colorful, can be a form of tactile play, and make a delightful sound when they bang against each other. Hair beads can also be used to match holiday colors, a special outfit, or a specific mood.
While our girls loved beads, the process of braiding took long enough. I wanted our girls to enjoy hair time and not be frustrated by it. So the girls and I are perfectly fine without the extra step of accessorizing. Plus, their hair looks absolutely beautiful simply styled.
We frequently use black bands that are stretchy, curl-friendly and can be used in any style. Here are bantu knots...
Here's a bun...
These are chunky twists ...
And of course beadless braids ...
As with many mothering decisions, it wasn't just one thing that led us to stop using beads. It was a combination of reasons, including the fact that I needed to live life more simply. Have you found beads to be too harsh or overwhelming for your family? What's the go-to accessory in your home?
Mentioned Products
Until next time...
Love The Journey,
