Amber Hued Natural

Bantu Knots

Bantu/Zulu Knots

Bantu knots are another protective style created to give your tresses a much needed rest.  A simple use of twisting and twirling will enable you to enhance your individuality and style.

What are Bantu Knots?

Bantu knots are also known as Zulu knots.  They are created when the hair is sectioned off and twisted into knots. The shapes of the sections depend on how the hair is parted, and can easily be made into diamond, triangle or square shapes, and the possibilities are endless.  

This hairstyle can be worn on any hair type and any hair length, although it is popular amongst people of African descent, thus the term Zulu Knots.  For modern natural Divas, Bantu Knots are a way to wear the hair so it is protected form the elements and close to the scalps beneficial oils. 

How to do Bantu/Zulu Knots?

1.  Detangle


Detangle your hair in preparation for the Bantu Knots.  Hair will need to be detangled
and smooth in order to get the best results.

2.  Preparation for Bantu/Zulu Knot

Working with one section at a time,smooth your hair and twist it.  Spritz water from a spray bottle on each section as you go, or use gel or hair oil for shine. Twist the hair firmly. 

3.  Twist Hair Into Knot

Take the twist and wrap it around itself in a circular fashion to form what looks like a knot. As you do so, you will see that the hair will coax itself into a circular or spiral formation.

4.  Secure your Hair

Tuck the end of the twisted strand under itself.  At this point, you can use cloth, rubber  band or hair pin to secure your Bantu knot.   If you use hair pins to secure your Bantu Knots, just remember that sometimes the pin will shift as style gets older and may tend to "pinch" the scalp and cause much discomfort.  It's Natural suggests:  Do not use a tie that is too tight because it could break your hair, and choose something that is not too noticeable or can be hidden under the hair. Try using hair-ties made out of pantyhose for comfortable wraps that can usually be hidden underneath hair.

5.  Part Hair in Desired Sections 

Bantu/Zulu Knots Styling

How large or how small you part your sections is strictly limited to your parting and sectioning skills of yourself and/or your stylist.  Shapes and parts can be as small as a 1 x 1 section to 3 x 3 sections.

Flat twists, ponytails, and smooth sections can also be incorporated into your style.  Your creativity sets your limits.

Twist-Outs

This is an important step in defining how your twist out results will ultimately be.  Larger knots will become large, voluminous curls and waves.  Smaller Bantu Knots will result in tighter and coily spirals.

Therefore, for twist outs, the general rule is:  if you want more volume, twist hair in larger sections.  If you want a curlierer twist-out, you should twist in smaller sections.

As a side note, some naturals will two-strand their hair before twisting their tresses in a Bantu Knot.  This gives the hair a more "textured-wavy" look.   My suggestion is to first try the "smooth" method first and graduate up to the two and even three-strand Bantu Knot look.

Styling Options

Finally, Bantu or Zulu Knots can be worn for as long as a week or two.  They  are considered a protective hairstyle that allows your tresses a time of rest and non-manipulation.  However, many naturals have "untwisted" this iconic African hairstyle and it is now known as the infamous "twist out!"

After hair has been twisted and knotted, hair is allowed to dried over night or sometimes over a few days and then untwisted for a cascade of beautiful wavy and curly tresses.

This style can be worn on either relaxed or natural tresses with great results for both hair textures, short or long hair!

It can be done on either dry, wet or damp hair.

Happy Bantu/Zulu Knotting! -- Rocking With Style and Grace!

© 2012 Copyrighted by Lady Summerset for Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks

Big Beautiful Hair

Curls Unleashed "Set It Off" Curling Gelly -- In Review

I had previously purchased the "Curls Unleashed Defining Creme" and loved it. My curl pattern ranges from 3b to 4a. My hair is wavy to very coily and that product worked great for my hair. However, that product doesn't have a "hold" and for all intent and purposes, wasn't designed too, so I decided to try the Curl Boosting Gelly to maintain moisture, hold back frizz, and give me a light to flexible hold.

I purchased my jar of the Curls Unleashed Curl Boosting Gelly from Duane Read and paid $12.99 for a16 ounce jar which I felt was a great price compared to other "higher-end" holding gels.

Curls Unleashed™ Set it Off™ Curl Boosting Jelly is made with soothing aloe vera, wheat protein, vitamin B and other ingredients to help give you gorgeous, “crunchless” curl definition.

• Defines curls without the crunch
• Helps eliminate frizz
• Provides all day hold

This product helps eliminate frizz without making your hair feel hard or crunchy. Great for all types of hair. This product is free of SD alcohol, parabens & mineral oil. Packaging is BPA free and recyclable.

Ingredients

Aqua (water), glycerin, ppg-5-ceteth-20, polyquaternium-11, peg-12 dimethicone, propylene glycol, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, panthenol, hydrolyed wheat protein, amodimethicone, trideceth-12, cetrimonium chloride, carbomer, triethanolamine, parfum (fragrance), benzyl benzoate, coumarin, d-limonene, linalool, ci 60725 (violet #2).

Ingredient Attributes: paraben free

My Application of Product

I am a avid wash 'n go wearer and purchased this item with that in mind. As most wash 'n go wearers know, you need a "good" gel to maintain your style while combat-ting frizz.

I applied this product to hair that had already been co-washed, a leave-in conditioner applied (TREsemme Naturals), and Shea Butter was used as an sealant. I did dampen my hair and applied about two quarter size amounts of the Curls Unleashed Curl Boosting Gelly in the palms of my hands and worked it throughout my damp hair.

Product glided on smoothly and was very lightly tropically-scented. Immediately I noticed that the product gave my hair a nice shine and wasn't nearly as tacky as other products that I had tried and reviewed.

My Final Thoughts on Curls Unleashed "Set It Off" Curling Gelly

I loved, loved, loved the product.

Pros

• I didn't have to use a large amount to get proper coverage.
• Product dried, on damp hair, under 30 - 45 minutes
• Gave a light, shiny hold.
• Held down frizz throughout the day
• Price Point is Great!
• Hair was not the bit hard or crunchy!
• Experienced Less Shrinkage with this product.
• Doesn't Have parabens

Cons

• Product is NOT completely natural but has other great natural ingredients included.

Hair with Curls Unleashed "Set It Off"Curling Gelly

This was the first gel(ly) that I could actually shake my hair and SEE movement! Curls had bounce for days! (I'm smiling yall! Can't you see me?!)

I must say that the product left my hair unbelievably SOFT and pliable.

Would I purchase again? This is MY new Curl Gelly! It warrants a Holy Grail product status!

Let me know your experience with the product and feel free to leave a comment. Thanks again for stopping by!

Happy Curls to You!

TRESemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner With Aloe Vera & Avocado

A Drink of Moisture

If you are in search for a conditioner that will increase hydration of your tresses, Tresemme Naturals is a must try! It is easy to find and has a great price point for the volume of product that you get.

Ad most of us know, natural hair is in need of a product that will allow you to maintain moisture throughout the day. This product will help you do this.

For those of you who are doing the Curly Girl method, this product can be used in this regimen.

TREsemme Naturals

If you are in search for a conditioner that will increase hydration of your tresses, Tresemme Naturals is a must try! It is easy to find and has a great price point for the volume of product that you get.

Ad most of us know, natural hair is in need of a product that will allow you to maintain moisture throughout the day. This product will help you do this.

For those of you who are doing the Curly Girl method, this product can be used in this regimen.

How I Applied Product

While in the shower, I lightly rinse hair and then applied the Tresemme Naturals. I grab my hair in as if I'm going to put my hair in a pony tail and apply the conditioner from front to back. Then I split my hair in the middle and apply additional conditioner. I then "smooth" the product into my hair until I'm sure that I've covered all my hair.

I let the product sit for several minutes and rinse out with "cold" water and then apply about a quarter-size amount of the conditioner through my tresses as a leave-in. Most of the time I am doing this at night so following the rinse and re-application of the conditioner I'll cover my hair with a clear shower cap (or baggie) and go to bed.

In the morning I'll remove the clear shower cap and apply Shea Butter or Styler of my choice to my damp tresses and I'm out the door!

Pros

• Has a ph balance of 4.5
• Product has a light tropical fragrance
• Has a Creamy and Light Consistency
• Easy to Apply
• Great as a Co-Wash Conditioner and a Leave-In
• Economical (Product Lasts a Long Time)

I purchased my bottle of Tresemme Naturals from Walmart for $4.77 and this bottle I purchased two months ago and I still have over 1/3 of the bottle still left. A little goes a long way and detangles hair very easily.

Ingredients:

Water (Aqua) , Stearyl Alcohol , Cetyl Alcohol , Caprylic , Capric Triglyceride , Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine , Fragrance (Parfum) , Lauroyl Lysine , Caprylyl Glycol , Brassica Campestris , Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer , Aspartic Acid , Distearyldimonium Chloride , Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado) , Citric Acid , Alcohol , Isopropyl Alcohol , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Put Love In Your Hair Recipe

You Will Need:

• 4 Tablespoons of Shea Butter or Jojoba Oil or Coconut Oil or Olive Oil
• 4 Tablespoons of Tresemme Naturals (or your favorite Conditioner)
• 2 to 3 Drops of your Favorite Essential Oil

Mix:

In a small plastic or glass bowl, mix all your ingredients and apply generously to wet or damp hair. Cover tresses with a clear shower cap (baggie) and let it sit overnight or as long as you can.

Rinse out in the morning. You can also use this mixture as a daily leave-in (especially for 4 texture types).

My Final Thoughts!

The application of Tresemme Naturals Conditioner is usually enough to keep my 3c tresses moisturized throughout the day. However, for my 4a, b, c natural friends, you may need to add an oil to ensure maintenance of moisture in your strands.

This product is one of my favorite conditioners, Giovanni Direct Leave-In is the other.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with this product and will repurchase.

Thanks for visiting!

Don't forget to leave your comment and experience!

© 2012 Lady Summerset for Crowning Glory Kinks and Coils

Twice As Lovely!

Blondes Have More Fun!