A restful night and a quick visit to the dollar store are all you need to give your child a stunning set of curls. Meet Jake Thompson, a devoted single dad with a remarkable talent for styling his daughter’s hair. From intricate braids to playful curly hairdos, Jake crafts unique looks for his five-year-old daughter, Mia, that are sure to make a statement at the playground. He shares his hair styling tutorials under the moniker “The Hair Dad,” helping parents elevate their hairstyling skills. His innovative method for achieving beautiful curls overnight is something every parent should try when their child wants to look extra special.
Using a pack of disposable bendy straws and some elastics from the dollar store, Jake creates flexible curlers that provide Mia with vibrant, bouncy ringlets. The process begins with him wrapping a small section of Mia’s hair around a straw. He then bends the ends of the straw and secures them with an elastic. While bendy curlers are nothing new, Jake’s clever use of straws tailored for a child’s head makes this a truly ingenious idea. He points out that these straw curlers are incredibly cost-effective. “The straws I used have been reused multiple times for her hair,” he reveals.
After wrapping Mia’s hair in straw curlers, it’s time for sleep. If you’re concerned about your daughter being uncomfortable, don’t worry. “The straws are quite comfortable; she has never complained about having them in her hair,” Jake assures. The secret lies in the placement of the straws. “I usually position them away from the scalp, so they don’t tug while she sleeps.”
In the morning, Jake simply removes the elastics. He then separates each curl into several ringlets, resulting in a head full of gorgeous, heat-free spirals. Despite the intricate appearance of his hairstyles, Jake believes that anyone can master hair styling with a bit of practice. “I work at a college where we teach various subjects, including cosmetology,” he explains. “I spent about an hour learning from a student how to create braids, buns, and ponytails. After that, I practiced on Mia.”
While we think that a head of lively curls is perfect for any occasion, Jake and Mia used this straw curl technique to transform her into Princess Merida for a recent contest. “I wanted to take on a challenging Disney-inspired hairstyle for a competition against other dads who do hair,” Jake shares. “Merida was my choice because I knew it would be difficult.” They entered the contest as Merida and her father, King Fergus, and emerged victorious.
With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, if your daughter asks for a special look the night before, you can be prepared with just some straws and rubber bands. For more tips on fertility and family planning, you can read our other blog post about couples’ fertility journeys. For a comprehensive understanding of fertility, be sure to check out this authoritative resource. Additionally, ACOG provides excellent information on treating infertility and related topics.
In summary, Jake Thompson’s creative method for curling hair using bendy straws is an affordable and effective way to achieve stunning curls for your child. With a little practice and patience, anyone can learn the art of hair styling, making special occasions even more memorable.