If you get your/your child's hair braided...

[MaryAnnDVC]

be sure to get full instructions on the care of the braids.

My DDs (14 and 12) saved thier money before this trip so that they could get their hair braided. The cost was $45 for 1/2 head, and $100 for the first hour for a full head, plus $16/quarter hour after that. My DDs (with our strong encouragement ) opted for 1/2 head.

DH took them (I was out meeting a DIS friend ) to their appt at Periwig's at the Beach Club. Apparently, after their hair was braided, they received no instructions on the care of the braids so that they will last. By the first night (after a 4 PM appt) two of the elastics had broken on DD14's hair.

I took her back to the salon, and another hairdresser, Jackie, fixed it...she had to replace all the CLEAR elastics, as they were the ones breaking and apparently aren't as strong as the others (pink). She was very nice about it, but made it clear that she was very busy. Then she went through all the instructions which the other hairdresser hadn't at all. (BTW, these are...use gel and hairspray every time before going out, sleep with a headband or bandana over the braids, squeeze diluted shampoo ONLY through them in the shower...do not scrub.)

On the way back to the BWV where we were staying, DH called me on the walkie talkie to say that an elastic (clear) on our other DD's braids had broken and the whole braid had come undone. I had to take her back, and this time wait 1/2 hour before having it and all the others fixed (she had ALL clear ones), but like I said, Jackie was very nice.

No one got hair WRAPS this year, but I think in the past we received written instructions on the care. They really should be doing that for braids...there's more care involved, and more money to have it done.

 

[Janet2k]

MaryAnnDVC, thanks for the info. Do you have any photos of her hair that you could post, as I would love to see them?

My daughter has gotten her hair wrapped at WDW and has always gotten instructions (written & verbal) from the person who did it. However, she has not had her hair braided (yet). I will try to heed your warnings. Thanks.

 

[mrsmom]

My 16 year old dd had her hair braided at perwig's in June and she got half her head done, She did get the pink bands in it and they told her all the instructions there, they tried to talk my youngest dd 8 into getting it done but her hair was past her waist and i said No way. But we ended up taking it out because she got so sunburned ,Her scalp started peel, so beware of that too..
Mrsmom

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

That's right, mrsmom...another thing! One of the instructions is to use sunscreen between the braids because you will get burned!

Janet2k, I'm sure we have a picture of the two of them with the braids. I'll see if I can get someone to post it, on accounta I don't know how.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Why does it cost so much? Wouldn't be cheaper for them to get their hair braided before going to WDW?

I hope no one get offended by this. I've seen lots of post about braids, always wonder why you just don't get it done in advance.

Is it just a vacation thing?

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I'm not offended at all, disneyjunkie...I do know what you mean. But the thrill for the kids is getting it done on vacation and going home and showing their friends...like showing off a tan. The kids and I always used to get a hairwrap, for the fun of doing it on vacation...I wouldn't do at home just for the heck of it. Also, vacation qualifies as a "special occasion" where we tend to do things we wouldn't ordinarily do. But like I said...the kids paid for it themselves, and we didn't allow them to get their whole heads done, even if they had the money to do it (which they might NOT have...they both have longish, thick hair)...there are some things that we're going to steer our kids away from spending their money on unwisely, even if it is "their" money.

It costs so much because it's time consuming. I was discussing it with my hairdresser (at a Fantastic Sam's) before our trip, and she said that they don't do braids anymore because it IS so time-consuming that they just can't charge enough to make it worthwhile. I guess Disney is quite comfortable charging so much. And that's also why it's so important to have good care instructions to make it last!

 

[Threehearts]

I am dying of curiousity! I always thought a hair wrap was hair braiding but I guess not. What exactly is a WRAP? Thanks! Threehearts

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

A hair wrap is when they take a section of hair...about 1/4 inch...and wrap different colors of embroidery floss down the length of it in a pattern.

Here are some pics:

http://www.hair-wraps.com/

 

[Threehearts]

Thanks, MaryAnn! What great pictures! Susan

 

[stinkerbelle]

oh my god is it a pain in the butt to take out!
I decided to treat myself last year when I was at the CBR...I paid maybe $25-$30 to get my (past should length) hair wrapped.

I got all the instructions and everything...but untying that thing was such a process...plus, my hair was so bent and nasty looking inside the wrap.

My reccommendation is to get it done on vaca, but take it out a day or so after getting home...it'll save your hair.