Western it. hair braiding

[cotomom]

Hi all,
Just back from 5/11 cruise. Here's the scoop on the hair braiding. They do it on the ship at sea days and it fills up quickly. Had my dd hair done 1/2 head braided only to the scalp and it cost $32 plus tip. Still intact and looking good.

Only saw one braider lady on Key West and she wanted $60 for 1/2 of my head (shoulder length normal hair).

Saw NO braiders on Grand Cayman.

Saw MILLIONS of braiders on Cozumel. With a little haggling, I got my 1/2 head braided all the way to the ends for $10. I'd say average price for 1/2 head w/ beads at bottoms, and bead flowers along the hair line (like a beaded headband?) goes for about $15.

Several braiders at Castaway Cay $1 per braid, $2 per corn row, .50 cents extra for long hair.

NOW, VERY important, bring your own comb from the ship with you into town and have them use it. I spent almost an hour finding a comb in town since I forgot mine.

And MOST important, buy some sunscreen before your trip for your head. Can't remember the name, but there is a blue rectangular bottle (sport something I think) that has a pump spray top that is clear liquid (not goopy gel or lotion) and is a NO RUB sunscreen. Believe me when I tell you that this is the BEST for your braided head and the only place you can find it on this itinerary is Castaway Cay which is basically too late to buy it then.

Hope this helps!
Kendra

 

[tchrmom]

Thanks Kendra!
I knnow dd(7) will want to get her hair done! Got to check Wal-mart for they spray on sunscreen!
Any other tips you can pass on?

 

[cotomom]

I'd recommend the rubber bands instead of the foil. Although the foil looks more 'finished' on the ends, I saw some girls hair unraveling.

Putting sunscreen on with a Q-tip would be the second preferred method but it's still hard to not make your braids 'fuzzy' by rubbing it in.

Washing hair is a new challlenge, just gentle as can be. I would wash the back normally, then more light shampoo and rinsing the braids. Then drying hair would be the same, normal for the loose on the back, air dry the braids.

Finally, when you have them stop braiding at the scalp and leave the rest of the hair (the length) go loose, you get a lions mane type thing going on. My dd's hair had an 'aura' to it from her little braids. Versus mine was braided to the bottom and it laid more flat against my head. Problem with mine was individually picking up each braid and keeping it out of the way to brush my loose hair.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Do you have pictures of all of you with braided heads? I'm not sure I understand your description of what you got done. It sounds like what I want for my daughter which I have heard referred to as the "headband" style. But, all the previous posters have said it cost like $50 to have this done and you're saying $15 so maybe I am confused as to what is what. More detail please!

 

[Noonan85]

We also just got back from May 11th. Had the best time ever.

Daughter had full head braided on ship for about 1/2 the cost of services offered on land. Cost on ship for 10 full braids about 26.00 with assorted trinkets and beads. Quote on Cozumel at Playa Del Sol to do similar job about 50.00.

Also another on ship benefit was clean and sterilized combs. Saw woman in Cozumel sharing combs with fellow braiders, not cleaning or washing between jobs. VERY DISGUSTING to watch.

Reccomend Playa DEL SOL excursion vey much, just dont go through on Board desk. Caught Taxi at pier just 15.00 each way for family of 4. Entry just 6.00 per person with plenty of free on shore activitys. Skip the buffet and open bar. Not worth 15.00 for soggy food no better than Taco belle on a really bad day.

 

[tchrmom]

I too am having a hard time picturing the different hair braiding styles. Pictures would help. Also, I thought I read on an earlier post that these hurt REALLY bad. did you have this problem?

 

[cruisnfamily]

Noonan85, are you saying your daughter's whole head was braided in 10 braids? My daughter has hair past her shoulders which is very, very thick. I cannot imagine her whole head getting done in 10 braids.

I think I want the 1/2 head, hairband style for my daughter and I am so confused because I am seeing $15 to $60 as the price for this and don't know if everybody is talking about the same thing.

I like the style Cotomom is talking about that she had done which sounds like scalp cornrow type of braids to where a headband would be and then continuing in regular braids the rest of the way down. If I understand it right this only cost $15 which sounds ridiculously cheap to me.

Anyway, somebody help me understand this a little better. Also, do most braiders use this "foil" stuff? I think I would prefer rubber bands....would I have to bring them with me?

Thanks!

 

[ruvidu]

That is probably the sunscreen you were thinking about. It is what my dermotoligist reccomended for me. I buy two bottles at a time. It is great for getting behind your ears and around the scalp. Be careful spraying it on your face. I would be hesitant to spray it on a child's face. Spray it in your hand and then apply to the face.
It also comes in a lotion.

 

[Mjasp]

Sonya... My dd had it done on the ship and it was cornrows to the headband and then braided all the way down to the end of her hair. It was $2.50 each braid/cornrow, for hair past the shoulders, shorter hair is $2.00each braid. Woman said no difference in price if she goes all the way down or stops at top and puts the beads on top of the head. My daughter has very thick hair, she had 11 braids put in.

My other daughter had it done in Cozumel and it was more money there, but she just HAD to have her hair braided for tropical night.

IMHO, I would do it on the ship.

 

[cotomom]

When you get off the ship in Cozumel, you are docked at Punta Langosta. If you walk to your left, you are in the heart of downtown Cozumel. All along the main street are MANY women holding little photo albums filled w/ pics of women w/ braids. They also all have these mannequin heads w/ braided hair attached to broom sticks in a cement filled coffee pot -- I guess to show off their 'expertise'.

I have shoulder length hair, I got the front half to basically where you would place a head band in 12 braids (like tiny french braids) and then they were braided all the way to the ends w/ beads attached at bottom. The lady STARTED her price for this at $15.00. I had walked by many, many who offered their services and when I asked, ALL quoted between $10 and $20.

While I was having my hair done, a young girl off the ship was having her entire head done (like Bo Derek's in '10'). She had long, middle back length, very thick hair. She paid $35 for entire job, including beads at bottom and beads along headband area.

You don't have to bring rubber bands, most will have them if YOU ASK for them and don't do it if they don't. Trust me, you will come along to another gal who does have them if the first one doesn't. I think most in the towns use foil because it's cheaper.

I didn't think it hurt very bad, just like getting your hair french braided. My dd (5) did just fine as well.

I'm a bit shocked that people are finding it cheaper on DCL versus in Cozumel. I would think in downtown Cozumel ~~ it'd be cheapest like I found, but maybe while at Chakanaab or Playa Del Sol or another very touristy beach area, it'd be more.

Sorry to say I have NO pics to share as my ds (3) opened my camera, destroying the film inside

 

[Michelemouse]

Here's a picture of DD(then 6) with the headband style braids.

 

[cruisnfamily]

It looks like scalp braids back to the headband and then regular braids to the end of the hair. Just what I want to have done!

Where did you have this done? What was the cost? How long were you able to leave them in without them getting all ratty looking?

 

[jennifersmith23]

Both myself and my dd(6) had our hair braided at Castaway Cay. I had the headband style and then left the hair after the headband just loose, and my dd had hers done headband, but with the braids all the way down. It ended up being 38 for mine and 30 for dds.

As for it hurting, I must warn you that for me anyway it did hurt (depends on how tender your scalp is). Even now 3 days later, my scalp still feels like it is being pulled in five directions. My dd actually cried when they did it...but she says it doesn't hurt at all now... Everyone is different..

 

[Michelemouse]

We had DD's hair braided in Nassau at the open-air braiding pavilion. It was about $30. We left the braids in about 6 weeks and had no problems at all. DD shampooed her hair as often as she usually does and just massaged some of the shampoo into the braids, followed with conditioner and then rinsed. She had minimal breakage/damage, even after 6 weeks.

We're going on the 7day Eastern in Nov/Dec and both DD(now 10) and DD's Friend11 are planning on getting the headband style braids. This time we'll probably do it onboard the ship.

Hope this helps.

 

[tchrmom]

Michelemouse......
That picture is TOO cute!
My dd is a bit of a whiner.....I'm debating now. She LOVES to get the hair wraps out by the Disney pools........are there any of those around?????