A Guide To Making Your Bantu Knots Last

Although those curls are totally worth it, ain't no body got time to be re-twisting up bantu knots every night to keep their curls defined and fluffy. Here's how I keep my set looking fresh for at least 3 days and what I do when things don't go according to plan:

1. Make sure that you allow enough drying time- My curls in the middle of my crown always take longer to dry then their counterparts. When you unravel before your curls are dry---just know you're bound to look like a frizzy chia pet by the end of the day.

2. Your cocktail matters: This is the only time that I'm strict about order of operations-- Moisturizer + Oil + Holding product--is the key to gorgeous curls that last. Now, I'm all about using what your hair likes but just be sure that the products that you use together like each other. Some moisturizers don't like some oils and some holding products loose their minds when compounded with some moisturizers. Date a few cocktails until you find one that you like. My current fave for long lasting curls is Jessicurl Too Shea Extra Moisturizing Conditioner, my Tangerine Vanilla Whipped Hair Butter and Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie.

NaturallyCurly Guide to the Pineapple

3. Pineapple your heart out: I hang my head upside down and pull all of my curls to the crown of my hair then tie with a satin scarf with the knot in the front. Some days it works like a charm---other days meh...not so well. Whatever you do--don't smooth or stretch your curls. They will be flat in the morning.There are tons of pineappling methods (check out this pintutorial from naturallycurly.com), figure out what works for you and stick to it.

4. Moisturize and seal in the morning: When I moisturize before pineappling my curls turn into waves. But not moisturizing is a sin---so I just moisturize in the morning once I take down my scarf. It breathes life into my curls--which are usually looking a hot wonky mess by morning.

5. When in doubt, Bun Effect it: By day 3/4, my curls look more like waves---so I work them into a faux bob or side bun. Old or failed Bantu curls are a perfect base for an ultra-cute updo!

What are your tips to making Bantu knot curls last?

Besitos!
KLP

Mini Wash Day

Last week, I began a post titled "Dear hair---you suck." Ugh, my hair just was so disrespectful that I had to co-wash every other day--both after working out---just to coax it into a bun. Luckily, It all worked out because I had travel plans for the weekend. I wanted to rock my curls and bantu knots always their best on recently washed air dried hair. I wore my curls down for two days then in a faux bob and lastly in a big side bun. I'm sure that my protein powered wash and abbreviated deep conditioning session from last week was the culprit for my uncooperative hair---luckily I've got a solution for that: an overnight deep condition. Yes--I know that many discourage it---but when you hair is dry, disrespectful, and dehydrated---it works like wonders: 

Wash Day Products

1. Detangled- with my fingers and Mizani D'Tangle Leave-In Milk.
2. Extreme deep condition- with JBCO on my scalp, Matrix Biolage Ultra-Hydrating Balm, and massaged my strands in extra virgin coconut oil. I covered with a plastic cap, relaxed under my heat cap for about 2 hours, then left it in overnight. 
3. Green Tea Rinse- After rinsing the conditioner, I applied steeped green tea, using a narrow tip applicator to my strands--focusing on the roots. I let it sit for a few minutes then rinsed.
4. Smoothing Treatment- with a large dollop of Matrix Biolage Detangling Solution.
5. Air Dried- to 80-85% wrapped in a cotton t-shirt.
6. Leave-Ins- Jessicurl Too Shea Extra Moisturizing Conditioner and my kitchenista Tangerine Vanilla Whipped Hair Butter

Results-

Shed Hair: Prewash | Shower | Postwash

Hello big fluffy, soft, and smooth hair! Oh how I missed thee! Overnight deep conditioning #ftw! I whipped out an old favorite: Mizani D'Tangle this wash to give myself a thorough detangle. I've never cared for this product as a leave in, it gives my hair this icky coated feeling but it's awesome as a pre-wash detangler. 

Air Drying Fluffy Banana Clip Bun

Thanks to that protein powered wash day last week---I had very very little shed hair and breakage. You might have noticed that my beloved Magic Rake comb has been MIA for a few months. I've realized that finger detangling is and will always be far gentler than any other tool that you can buy. I still adore my Magic Rake---I just see tragedy in my minds eye if I used it on these 19 weeks post roots. Finger detangling forces me to work patiently in smaller sections---which is what my hair needs. Because the back half of my hair was much more unprocessed (unintentionally) from my last relaxer--sometimes it feels like at least 1/3 of my length hasn't been relaxed. Fingers crossed that my new protein rich regimen keeps that line of demarcation in tact and breakage at bay. Look ma! No mesh donut! Just in case you were wondering---here's the secret to my big fluffy buns: More Bang for Your Banana Clip.

What technique do you use when your hair is unruly?

Besitos!
KLP

Big Bad Curly Winter Vacation Hair

Left to Right: Road Trippin with beautiful Autumn Foilage | AHL Ice Hockey Game | Bored in the Car Big Bad Bantu Knot Curls Selfie| the minions bundled up | My recently natural little cousins bantu knot results--I feel like a proud mama!