Bantu knots signify a sense of pride in African women's community by wearing this hairstyle that's been pass down from generations before. All services include shampoo and conditioner. Like the Design Essentials custard, Morgan also recommends my fave, Miss Jessie's Honey Curls, for its custard-like base. Nigella Miller is an NYC-based natural hair and grooming expert with over 13 years of experience. Repeat for every section, twisting, coiling, and pinning in place. 4 How to Do Bantu Knots. Take the twisted/braided hair and start wrapping it around your base as you move upwards. Bantu knots are a protective hairstyle, meaning they're not damaging to your hair. You cant miss these tribal knots theyre twisted coils that rise up from the head like the points of a crown. Lauryn Hill. You want to avoid breakage as much as possible, so try not to twist too tightly. Repeat the twisting and securing process for each section. How to take down your Bantu knots Remove the pin used to secure your knot. With this in mind, you can opt for only a few knots, leaving the rest of your hair loose, or go big and bold. How to Do Bantu Knots: A Step by Step Guide | ATH US | All Things Hair US This includes adding a cornrow foundation to the hair and then working it into Bantu knots. Add more knots. Doing Bantu knots on wet hair will not produce the best results and will overall be rather difficult to do. Cornrows are braided close to the scalp using the underhand braiding technique which gives them their raised appearance. If you feel the knots tugging on your scalp or creating too much tension, take them down and wait a few days before re-twisting the knots a bit looser than before. The Process. I was able to do different styles that lasted a week. It is also a way to aid natural hair growth and will percentage breakage and friction. Twist until its tightly coiled, then tuck the ends underneath the knot and pin with a bobby pin if desired. Bantu knots themselves are not offensive, although some people dislike the term. This method keeps my hair from getting tangled, which happened to me on my first try with this style. Your hairstyle is automatically from the heavens, right? Work the curl cream of your choice in to help hold the style, define curls, and minimize frizz. This will help you ensure your hair doesnt dry out while you work. Begin twisting one ponytail until it forms a coil and starts to twist around the base of the ponytail. Repeat until. This process is called a knot out because, as the name suggests, you are taking the knots out the smaller the knot, the tighter the curl. You may sit under a hair dryer, by air drying is probably best, to avoid frizzies. Clip each triangle section with a small hair clip as you go. Use the tail of your comb to neatly tuck the ends of the knot under at the base. 24 Bantu Knot Hairstyles That Are Seriously Inspiring - Byrdie Bantu Knots | 2023 Complete Style Guide & Tips. This is a great way to keep your hair away from your face and off your neck in the warmer months, leaving you cool and looking great. You can also experiment with the style, adding accessories and color, or trying out different looks like a half-up half-down hairstyle or a Bantu knot mohawk. WIll work on natural and. This is a great style for women with round or square faces as it gives the face a more elongated appearance. region: "na1", Repeat the twisting and securing process for each section. She enjoys researching and educating others on everything regarding natural healthy hair. Be sure to apply a setting lotion for maximum effect. The tight coils are perfect for creating next-day heatless curls, too. Bantu Knots | 2023 Complete Style Guide & Tips - You Probably Need a Part you hair into as many sections as youd like to have keeping the number of Bantu knots you want in total in mind. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Start with clean, damp hair and work some curl-enhancing mousse about a silver dollar-sized amount into your hair from root to tip. Here, a horizontal line is drawn across the head instead of a vertical middle part. Continue twisting and wrapping the coil tightly until it feels secure, then tuck the ends under the knot. Spray with a little hairspray and tuck a few bobby pins in to better hold the style. For more defined curls, use small knots that are roughly 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 4 cm) wide. Some accused her of cultural appropriation, others applauded her. Make sure this account has posts available on instagram.com. While Ill be the first to say that it takes a lot of self-confidenceand a dash of boldnessto pull this particular style off, as youre about to see in just a moment, there is something thats truly beautifulmajestic evenabout this hip-yet-always-classic hairstyle. Among the many benefits of Bantu knots is that they help retain hair growth and give you a break from heat styling. Draw straight lines from the horizontal center line toward the front hairline. The one thing that all of them had in common is, no matter what their hair texture may be, they all looked absolutely fabulous in them! 4C hair tends to experience more shrinkage than others, but Bantu knots is a style that is not restrictive and can absolutely be worn by those with 4C hair. You can definitely style Bantu knots in fine hair with a few tweaks. Do not twist your hair up completely in this manner. Long hair also lets you get creative with accessories, including gold beads or cuffs. Make sure the hair is smooth without bumps or tangles before securing with an elastic. A Rattail comb is usually the best tool to use when separating your hair. What Does It Mean to Be Male and Natural? Bantu knots are so adaptable and can also be worn with other hairstyles, including dreadlocks. NB: You can opt to not use any extra hair if you like the much smaller Bantu knots. Keep in mind that with longer hair, you need fewer sections; this will determine the size of your curl and the number of curls you will get. Its easy to finish knots when you use the tail end of a rattail comb to tuck the ends! Curls Understood recommends The Douxs SUCKA FREE Gentle Cleansing System to clean your hair of any product build up before styling. Use large or small hair pins depending on the length of your hair. Begin twisting one ponytail until it forms a coil and starts to twist around the base of the ponytail. There are 3 different methods that you can use in this next step. The longest you can wear your Bantu knots is for about 2 weeks. Dry hair tends to be more difficult to set, and the knots or knot-outs may not hold well if you have straight or kinky hair that tends to lose a curl after a few hours. Secure with another elastic at the base and bobby pins if you need extra stability. Do NOT blow-dry knots. Bantu knots with short hair are just one of the options with this versatile style. It is also a way to achieve curls without heat or chemicals, which is an incredibly appealing option. If you are looking for a way to get waves or tight, springy curls without heat, then Bantu knots are the alternative you have been looking for. Plus, when you do unravel your hair, you can expect lovely curls. Make your decision based on your research. My curl guru and colorist, Christina Kelley, recommended this method to ensure my hair soaks up the ingredients. Creating Bantu, Zulu, or Nubian knots is easy! I gauge based on how my style starts to transform in the mirroreach time is different. Bantu knots can be stunning for any occasion and can be dressed up or down. More knots means more curls. This adds shine and makes it easier to gently separate the hair for styling. Get ready to grab everyones attention and make a statement! After braiding your hair to your desired length, use got2b freeze spray on the rest of the braiding hair thats left to tame the fly aways/seal it and start twisting it. Take the first section and apply oil, cream, mousse, or gel to it. Dripping wet hair will not dry while knotted, however, and the knots or knot-outs may become limp as a result of being over-saturated. Work with the end of the comb to divide your hair into even, clearly divided sections. Style half-up Bantu knots in fine hair as shown with a little lightweight mousse in the hair while its damp. A twist out refers to the process of installing twists and then unraveling them the next morning, resulting in a stunning curly pattern. If your hair is long, you can still choose to use braiding hair to give your Bantu knots a jumbo size look. You may want to straighten or stretch your hair beforehand for extra length, but this is not a requirement. STEP #1: PREP YOUR STRANDS First things first, your hair needs to be properly moisturized to create the perfect set of Bantu knots. Rihanna. Start by parting preferably straightened or stretched hair into however many sections youd like to have. Keep a continuous spray water bottle nearby to rewet the hair. Use the tail of the comb to help securely tuck the ends. My 4c hair thrives in this style. Bantu Knot-Out Do's and Don'ts | Curls Understood If your hair is long, you can opt for this braided look. Repeat the parting process for the back, drawing straight lines from the central part down to the neckline. It is a fantastic way to protect your hair and take a break from heat styling, resulting in stronger locks. For a detailed step by step visual, refer to the video below. Detailed tutorial on how to do Bantu Knots using only on pack of braiding hair. land on the heads of white models sashaying down the runwayembracing our hair is a form of resistance. Keep this in mind when youre sectioning your hair. Use the tail of a rattail comb to create clean sections and parts across your head. Brush one side upward and gather it into a ponytail. Keep things natural by using just enough gel or curl cream to sculpt and hold your hair in the knots. I have thick hair and learned that I, "I just loved the information given. Start with a horizontal line across the center of your head and clip the back section up. Bantu knots are an excellent option for giving the hair a break from heat and chemical styling. Moisturize your scalp occasionally using your preferred oil. It's normal for your roots to stay damp, as the hair is coiled around them. I noticed my hair was breaking some or had. Allow it to air dry for a few minutes to ensure its not soaking wet. I Bet You Didn't Know This About Bantu Knots - NaturallyCurly.com target: "#hbspt-form-1682999768000-2748883953", If you handle your hair too much at this point, it can become frizzy rather easily. Style traditional Bantu or Zulu knots by starting with clean, moisturized hair. As long as you ensure the rubber bands arent too tight on your hair and you apply a heat protectant before applying heat on your hair(should you choose to straighten it), your hair will remain protected. This will cause them to become far too frizzy when you take them down. Keep a spray bottle around while you style Bantu knots. Bantu knots can be traced to the Zulu people of South Africa and have great cultural significance. For instance, if you happen to notice that one of the knots is frizzy or messier than you would like, you can always take the knot down and redo it. When unraveling your Bantu knot-out, lightly coat your fingers with an anti-frizz serum beforehand. I wont lie to you, figuring out how to sleep comfortably with a head full of bantu knots requires some finessing thats on a whole nother level (a naturalista totally has your back on how to do it on this video here>. Clip each section, leaving the last one loose. How to Do Bantu Knots: Easy Beginner Tutorial - L'Oral Paris Twist the section in one direction until it forms a coil. Twirling each section into a Bantu knot is a popular method. For wavy hair, use medium to large knots ranging from 1 1/2 to 3 inches (3.8 to 7.6 cm) wide. Use the tail of the comb to draw triangle shapes from the horizontal line up to the front hairline. Bantu knots are a protective hairstyle so no they are not bad for your hair. You can add a bobby pin to better secure it, especially if you plan on wearing your knots for a few days. How to Create Bantu Knots & Bantu Knot-Outs - Perfect Locks Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Here are some of the most common questions people have about Bantu, Zulu, or Nubian knots. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If you want to grow out your natural hair or youre looking for a great protective style, then look no further than Bantu knots. The technology of Bantu knots is straightforward and allows for a lot of creativity. Last Updated: November 21, 2022 Some women find that applying moisturizing products in the shower works best and better absorbs into the hair. More knots means more curls. Sign up for our newsletter to get more tips and tricks. My trepidation settled when I scrolled by a video of Ev'Yan Whitney Bantu-knotting her hair. Your email address will not be published. No. This may not be necessary if hair is already very stretched-out or relatively tangle-free. You could also use a wide-toothed comb instead of your fingers. Women have taken inspiration from the traditional style and adapted it to suit their preferences, resulting in a wide variety of different looks that are perfect on all hair lengths and textures. She continues, "Try to avoid over-manipulating your hair by not re-twisting daily." So, you know what that means, right? Unless your hair is super thick, you wont be able to achieve the jumbo Bantu knots look without adding extra hair. As you look at my parts, you might be saying,Girl, those need a redo. Make sure your bantu knots keep their glow by having a little oil sheen on tap. Lindsey is a New York City native, born and raised. These are just a handful of Black celebrities whove proudly sported a headful of bantu knots. If you dont have African heritage and plan to wear this style, do some research on the tribal history of this style and what it signifies for descendants. When you take your knots down, youll have a full knot-out (similar to a twist-out) with beautifully voluminous, uniform curls. 3) Braiding the hair into the parted section. SZA. Repeat for the remaining sections. Bantu knots can be created on curls and can also make styling your curls easier as you do not have to worry about tangles. Next, make small coils of hair at your scalp from each section before twisting the rest of your hair around the coil. Sometimes I end up with eight knots, but there are also times when I end up with more. They're a great way to show off the pride you have in your heritage and culture. Since fine hair wont hold or grip as well as coarse, textured hair, you will need to use a bobby pin or two to secure each knot. Secure them at night with bobby pins and a scarf. It is a really fun look that is also relatively easy to achieve and maintain. If youre on the fence about getting bantu knots, this point right here may be all of the confirmation that you need to give bantu knots a try. I free-part as I go through each of my four sections. ", her smile at the end says it all! You basically get two looks in one. BANTU KNOTS TUTORIAL ON NATURAL HAIR - YouTube They have a strong cultural association, and many women wear them now with a sense of pride. Doing so prevents friction from hands from causing your hair to become frizzy. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). It is a technique in which the hair is sectioned off, twisted, and wrapped to create a knot. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. One of the best things about Bantu knots is how versatile the look is, and it lends itself well to a variety of hair textures and styles. This is a cool and fashion-forward combination, creating interesting textures, framing your face, and enhancing your features. Whichever bantu knot-out option you choose, there are a few dos and donts to remember to get your desired look while maintaining the health of your hair: If you decide to do a bantu knot-out on freshly washed hair, you still need to allow your hair to dry for at least 40 minutes.