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I recommend the book Curly Girl by Lorraine Massey. There's a section on how to work with children's curly hair, particularly for parents who don't have curly hair.
I have naturally curly hair, and I've followed the Curly Girl method for over 5 years. My hair is under control (for the most part...I mean, we all have bad hair days once in awhile). I wish the book had been around when I was a kid because I wouldn't have been tortured so much by other kids calling me "Brillo."
Edit to add: your daughter is an absolute doll! Her eyes are so beautiful!
I have very little to add as I've struggled with curly hair myself all my life
But just wanted to say your daughter is gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!
oh she's adorable! now that i can see her hair, i would advise against hair grease right now. it'll probably be too heavy for her hair and just leave it weighed down and greasy. definitely not a good look, trust me. that leave-in conditioner i suggested earlier might do the trick to help control the frizz without weighing down her hair.
since she's almost 2 now, i wouldn't want to use too much product at the moment. keep an eye on her hair as she gets older, especially as it gets longer. you might not have to do too much except some leave-in conditioner or even a very light olive oil based product [i use proclaim natural 7 olive oil that i pick up at sally's: http://bit.ly/9n4IQB]. it's really light and doesn't weigh my hair down and a little goes a long way.
mixed hair is hard to predict, it can stay that way or the curls could tighten [my curls tightened] but managing it is really all trial and error. it took me almost 28 years to finally get somewhat of an idea of what to do with my hair. and i'm 29. LOL. hopefully your learning curve is lower. waaaay lower.
She is so cute. I heard a lot of good things about the curly girl method. I would also suggest visiting online resources like CurlyNikki and Naturally Curly. I have pretty thick curly hair and use mostly natural (kitchen) products. Coconut oil and olive oil mostly. It works to keep my hair moisturized, but I haven't yet eliminated the frizz.
I appreciate the compliments, ladies, on my super-duper cutie-patootie!!!!
@buttontoes: Thanks for that book information, it sounds very helpful! I wish her hair was either 100% curly or 100% straight, this mixture of both is what's so frustrating. Her eyes are an interesting color, blue-gray, that I'm thinking came from my dad's side of the family (he's Caucasian).
@mrsBtoBee: Awwww, thanks again! 
@tea: Glad you found my thread, lol. I'm definitely going to look into some of these products you've described. It's so hard not to do her hair like I do mine because every time I use a regular brush through it, the dreaded afro-poof emerges (as shown in this picture). And I wish she could get little braids with beads on the ends, but I don't think her texture would allow that since regular plastic barrettes just slide right through. Thanks again for all your recommendations, you've really been helpful!
IMG_1492.JPG (393.6 KB, 86 downloads) 1 year old
@CapeBoundBride: Thanks for those sites, and I agree that frizz is horrible! 
I'm hoping she doesn't have a huge problem with this for the rest of her life, but if it's already this bad, oh no........keeping my fingers crossed for my baby anyway, lol.
@AudzinLuv: no problem! let me know if you need any other suggestions and i'll do a little research for you. my mom had that same issue with us [she's korean], trying not to do our hair like she did her own. don't worry, you won't be doing her hair forever. once she hits about her teenaged years, give or take, she'll take over and figure out what's good for her.
I'm not mixed but I do have long, wavy/curly hair so I know what it's like to try to find products that do the trick in keeping my hair soft & silky. I have heard of this line you might try, Carol's Daughter: https://www.carolsdaughter.com/portal.aspx?CN=4EB3A1EC9028. I find leave in conditioner does wonders. Morrocan oil is great too.
This is one of my favorite blogs: http://beadsbraidsbeyond.blogspot.com/ Do yourself a favor and check it out. Definitely don't put too much product in her hair. A good moisturizer/leave-in is all you need to keep frizz in check.
As a black woman with natural hair, using a brush is a no-no. It just promotes frizz. I'd also recommending checking out haircare and styling videos on YouTube. Those are a great help.
Oh man, she is adorable! I am biracial and would NOT recommend grease or oil in her hair - her texture does not need those heavy kinds of things. Condition her hair every time you wash it and style it with clear gel. And always tell her that her hair is beautiful! Otherwise she might develop a complex like I did when I was little. :)
@Masala: oh that's a good one. my older sister tells her daughters that everytime she does their hair. its made such a positive impact.
I don't have much to share from the great advice that's been shared already, but just to reinforce the importance of keeping her hair conditioned, not using a lot of heavy products, and telling her that her hair is beautiful just the way it is--curls and all--because it is. :) Also, depending on her hair texture, you may not need to wash it every day, so the hair can maintain it's natural oils and naturally won't be as frizzy. A lot of hair care is trial and error. You'll learn so much as you go. And your daughter is so beautiful by the way!
@blingybride: I've heard great things from Carol's Daughter so I will definitely check out some of her products, thanks for the recommendation!
@RayRayFurious: Thanks for sharing that blog! Those are some amazingly intricate and cute hairstyles that I wish we could do for her hair one day. I am also going to search YouTube for some tips and techniques, thanks again for bringing that resource to my attention. Looks like I need to invest in a wide-tooth comb and throw her little brushes away, lol.
@Masala: Thank you so much for making me aware that I have to cultivate her self-esteem and reinforce that her hair is beautiful! I would hate to have her grow up thinking that her hair is ugly and problematic, so I am going to change my attitude as well and stop thinking bad thoughts about it. I need to be a supportive and loving mommy who helps her grow up to be a proud, confident young woman who rocks her gorgeous hair. Just because it's not what I'm used to doesn't make it any less beautiful and flattering. Again, thanks for opening my eyes!
@Golden139: I wash her hair twice a week, and I have never seen it get oily or dirty looking, so that in and of itself is totally different than mine. I look forward to learning about her hair as she gets older, so thanks for the encouragement and compliment!
Your daughter is so adorable!
While the girls on this site have a different hair texture, this site might help getting some hair style ideas.
And you might be interested in this site; it has several articles and a forum with a lot of good information about curly hair.
@IAmLemondrop: Thanks for those sites, I will definitely look them up!
http://www.naturallycurly.com/
I am mixed (white, black and am. indian) and have crazy hair just liek your daughters. This website really, really helped me learn to care for my hair.
I use no product in my childs hair. She's mixed. The only thing I put in her hair is shampoo and oil from the Indian mart. It makes her hair soft for days. I usually keep it in braids because it's so full and curly.
davina2.jpg (89.6 KB, 56 downloads) 1 year old davina.jpg (96.3 KB, 50 downloads) 1 year old 
I definitely recommend NaturallyCurly.com! It is a lifesaver for curly hair.
I think her hair looks a little on the dry side. If you moisturize curly/wavy/frizzy hair, it will encourage the curls to clump together so her curl pattern will be more even. I would recommend only washing her hair with actual shampoo 2-3 times a week unless of course it got dirty/sweaty. Otherwise, rinse well and then use a light conditioner. Follow with a leave-in conditioner. Like others have suggested, Carol's Daughter has great, kid-friendly products!
Wow, so many votes for this NaturallyCurly website, it's gotta be good!
@Miss Tattoo: Your daughter is very pretty, and I love her long, thick hair! I can't wait for my little girl's hair to grow.
@daniellemybelle: You hit the nail on the head! I wish her curl pattern was more even because parts of her hair are completely straight, and they stick out all randomly all over the place, lol.
@zippylef: I never would have guessed you are so multicultural, but I remember seeing pics of you and your hair is gorgeous! It's so thick and smooth-looking, very beautiful.
Thanks again for all the suggestions, ladies!
My kids are mixed; their hair is thick and curly. For my daughter, I like to use BioSilk. It helps detangle her hair and keeps it soft. Plus it smells great! :-)
@AudzinLuv: Haha. Thanks! Yeah, i'm a huge mutt. My hair has really calmed down over the years but when I was young and especially after puberty it was a NIGHTMARE. Giant, frizzy, poofy mess. I have a mixed texture of curls, waves and straight, kind of like what you described your daughters hair as.
I have "wavy" hair that I can wear curly or straight...I use gel in my hair and use a diffuser while I dry and scrunch my hair. I know that your daughter is young, but have you tried possibly mouse and dry her hair with with a diffuser (dyer on low setting)?
curly.jpg (52.3 KB, 49 downloads) 1 year old straight.jpg (31.7 KB, 42 downloads) 1 year old
I'm not mixed, but I have used hair products/like gel and mousse on my girls (i'm a mother of 4) - occasionally with with the diffuser and scrunching it tames their hair more:)
She's deathly afraid of my blowdryer, lol, and runs away crying whenever I go dry my hair! I'll definitely try it when she's a little older, thanks for the tip!
No problem...yeah, that would be a bit difficult if she runs from it :) (lol) My youngest - who is now 4 used to fall asleep with the dyer...used to comfort him-that and the vaccum!
i would say honestly... leave it alone im mixed (black, mexican, native american) and looking at her hair.. it honestly shouldnt be that bad (at least compared to mine when i was younger). just use moisturizing shampoo and conditioner for curly hair... like the new pantene pro v stuff with the pink label that says curly. and if you must put something in her hair to moisturize it between showers, use d' anza color trauma treatment moisturizer. it comes in a small or large red bottle which you can find at beauty supply stores (not the black beauty supply stores, i have never seen it there). i know its for damaged hair due to constant dying and coloring, but it works wonders in my hair to help minimize and heal damage.
Thanks for the info, and I'll try to find that particular product!
Try Mixed Chicks www.mixedchicks.com. It's a hair product line designed by and for bi-racial hair. I have heard great things about the product even though I am not bi-racial myself.
If you go to the "Kids with curly hair" section and click on the pics it shows the before and after shots using the products.
1st can I say that your daughter is a total cutiepie!?! She has a great heritage behind her!
Here's what I would suggest: You need to get the right products and learn how to manage her hair NOW. There are so many multiracial children out there who hate their beautiful natural curls and waves because no one taught them how to properly care for and love their natural textures. Your daughter actually has really loose curls, so caring for them should be realtively easy once you get the hang of it.
Get her a really mild moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. I am African American and I LOVE the Tresemme Naturals Shampoo and Conditioner, but anything that is LIGHTLY moisturizing and sulfate free will do. I would adopt the habit of "co-washing" her hair daily to get some moisture back into it. "Co-washing" means that you use a light (and usually cheap) conditioner to cleanse her hair instead of using a harsh, drying shampoo. It sounds gross (especially for people with straight or lightly wavy hair who are used to shampooing daily), but most conditioners DO have surfactants in them that cleanse the hair. So, co-wash daily and use shampoo maybe once or twice a week. And you only need to shampoo ONCE, not twice.
You also should get her a light leave-in conditioner (I like Herbal Essences Split End Protector) and use that to define her curl along with a light weight gel or curling mousse. A lot of biracial women swear by Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel (this can be found at Sally Beauty Supply), Mixed Chicks and Ouidad products. She looks like she has fine hair so a light hand with the product is in order. You also might want to invest in a good hair dryer with a diffuser when she gets older to dry her hair and define the curl (this cuts down on frizz!)
I hope this (long) blurb helps ... take a look at longhaircareforum.com, nappturality.com, curlynikki.com, naturallycurly.com and peruse youtube,com (andreaschoice and taren916 in particular beause they have similar textures) for help and tuts!
Product Suggestions:
Shampoos and Conditioners: Tresemme Naturals Moisturising Shampoo and Conditioner, Aussie Moist Shampoo and Conditioner, Mixed Chicks Gentle Clarifying Shampoo, Creme of Nature Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo. Mixed Chicks Detangling Deep Conditoner, Kinky-Curly Come Clean Shampoo, Kinky Curly Knot Today Conditioner, Suave Coconut Lime Conditioner
Gels and Styling products: Eco-Styler Olive Oil Gel, Kinky-Curly Curly Pudding, Mixed-Chick Leave-in conditioner.
@JamaicaBride: That's an awesome site, I agree! Another bee (tea) had told me about that earlier, and I'm going to order some of their products soon.
@happybridesmaid: Wow! Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time out to write such an informative post, and I appreciate your comments on my baby girl. I can't wait to try out some of your suggestions and recommended products.
Just wanted to say I really am thankful to all you ladies for your help on this subject!
I'm multi-racial (Caucasian/European, Spanish, Caribbean, and East Indian) and it has taken forever for me to get to the point where I'm okay going out in public with my hair curly. Yes, I hated it that much. It's always been super frizzy and weird textured. Like your daughter, my hair is a mixute of curls, waves, and straight pieces. However, I've finally found a method that works for me. Finally.
Once a week: Wash with Creme of Nature Sunflower & Coconut Detangling Conditioning Shampoo. (Can find basically anywhere. It's literally the only shampoo I've used that doesn't tangle my hair, and I've tried a lot of shampoos)
Every day (In bath/shower): Wet hair and condition with Frederic Fekkai Technician Conditioner. Detangle hair in shower with a wide-toothed comb then rinse out. It's for color treated hair, and it's a bit pricey but it's so worth it. I've found that conditioners for color treated hair are so much more moisturizing than regular old "moisturizing" conditioners.
Everyday (After shower): Squeeze hair out with a t-shirt or microfiber towel. Terry cloth only worsens frizz. I then scrunch in a little bit of Palmers Coconut Oil Deep Conditioning Protein Pack. It's extremely moisturizing, so you only need the littlest amount. Too much and it will just weigh hair down. Then I scrunch in Mixed Chicks Leave In Conditioner. Once you're done scrunching, spray in John Frieda Frizz-Ease Dream Curls Curl Perfecting Spray, let air dry and you're done.
I know it sounds like a lot, but it's not heavy, it takes all of 5 minutes, and my curls have never looked better, so it's totally worth it.
Good luck!
Another great hair care site is http://kandylandkurls.blogspot.com she has some cute styles.
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My 19mos. old daughter is 1/2 black, 1/4 Korean, and 1/4 white. Her hair is giving me some issues because it's so poofy and frizzy! I don't know whether to put anything in it. Some people have told me to use olive oil, baby oil, and other hair greasing products. Some have suggested leave-in conditioners while many have said to just leave it alone. Sometimes I'll spritz it with water and put it in little ponytails, but usually I just let it dry on its own. But it's so wild and looks like a mini afro.....not cute! What can I expect as she gets older? Any suggestions?????
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