Homemade Coconut Leave In Conditioner & Bantu Knot Out

 A couple of days ago ago was my cowash day, before cowashing or shampooing, I always do a cayenne pepper treatment (for growth), and then I cowash. I detangle while cowashing, it is the only time I detangle, as I cannot do so on dry hair, as I'll end up ripping my hair out! I oiled my scalp using my favorite oil mixture of Lavender JBCO and Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil (ABUHO) (usually it would also contain Home Health Castor Oil, which is regular Castor Oil, but I was out of it at the time) then it was time to decide what low manipulation style I wanted to do. Since I had not done Bantu Knots in a long time, I decided that that was what I was going to do.


 I discovered Bantu Knots( also called Chiney Bumps) back when I was still relaxed. It gave me the curly/wavy look without having to use rollers, or a hot curler. The reason the hair curls, is because of the method of which the knots are created.


You take a 'strand' of hair, and you twist it (not two strands), but all together twirl it around, I use my finger to twirl, it's easier that way, at least in my opinion. and then you wrap the hair around itself to form a little knot.

 Like this

Now that part was tricky when I was still learning, what really helped me, is of course is practice, but also watching tutorials on youtube. The one video that truly helped ME was a tutorial (how to bantu knot) by crownofHisglory. Her video's are great, and are really helpful!

After oiling my scalp, I used my Homemade Coconut Leave in to moisturize, and Shea Butter to seal.

The problem I encountered, the next morning, was realizing that my hair had not fully dried. I believe I kept them in overnight for about 8 hours or so. It could have been the size of the knots that caused them to dry slower than expected, but I prefer them that way, because my hair tangles when they are small, and that can form single strand knots, which I do not need!

It also could be that the combination of using my coconut leave in, and shea butter, made my hair too heavy. I sprayed the leave in, and then sealed with the shea butter. My hair was very oily when I took my knots out.

Here's how they looked when I unraveled them

Then with my fingers I separated the knots, again because they were not fully dry, my hair did not curl/wave like I wanted it to.

So I added a headband!

Next time, I will not use Shea butter on top of my Homemade Coconut Leave in, because that already contains oils, which could be the reason as to why my hair did not dry fully, as well as it being a bit oily to the touch.

This style is an easy low manipulation style, that generally lasts me 2-3 days. It could last longer if I slept better! Definitely one of my go-to styles.

I'm into my second day of the style, and will wear it for a third time, before wash day this Sunday.

I'm still in love with my leave in, it just can't be combined with any other products, or spray too much, as it contains oil, which is why I call it a moisturizer & sealer in a bottle!

This is not my best Bantu Knot Out, but I hope this still encourages you guys to try this style for yourself. (It also looks great on relaxed hair! Not just for the natural ladies!)



Until Next Time, Naomi~

Super Moisturizing 'Homemade' Coconut Leave In Conditioner

As promised, I'm back........ to tell you guys about my Homemade Coconut Leave In Conditioner I made with stuff lying the house. I always wanted to invest in a good leave in conditioner, but for some reason I have never gotten around to doing so. I usually end up using my cowashing conditioners as a leave in, which is there is nothing wrong with, I'm just saying that it is something I've yet to do.

Now that I have my Homemade Coconut Leave In,  I don't think I'll ever need to!

It's purpose is to moisture my tresses after cowashing.

It consists of, (canned) Coconut Milk ( did not use the whole can, the 'milk' separated itself from the rest of the liquid, so I used the 'milk' part, and discarded the water), Probably close to if not half a bottle of Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner, Expeller Pressed Coconut Oil, and Castor Oil, I also put a pinch full of Shea Butter, not sure how much it contributed, being that it was such a tiny amount. (Pic of products used below) ( You do not have

 I chose those products because coconut milk to be moisturizing, and since it was the base of my leave in, I wanted to make use of the Coconut Oil, and 'Coconut' conditioner I have, I find that Coconut Oil softens hair, and is great for sealing, I added the Castor Oil for it's hair thickening properties, and it also gives hair a nice sheen! So this Leave in is Moisturizing & Sealing in one!



I did not use measurements ( I think everyone's hair is different, so I would just use according to how much YOU need), I just put what I thought would be best, and put it in my spray bottle I got from Sally Beauty, a while ago. I can't remember how much it cost at the time, but I don't believe it exceeded $5.00 USD. The spray bottle is $3.59 USD on the Sally Beauty website, $3.29 USD if you own a Sally Beauty Club Card.


After putting all my ingredients, I put my finger over the spout so it would not leak, and shook the bottle to mix it. Here's how it looked in the bottle.

It has more of a watery consistency, than creamy, but it makes a great spray leave in, which I find is less heavy, and easier to distribute than that of a creamy conditioner. It left my hair extremely soft, with a really nice sheen. I think I am in love!

The oil does separate from the rest of the ingredients, so you have to shake it up before use.

You guys can try making this leave in yourself, or try making your own concoction with your favorite hair products!

(I think everyone should have an applicator bottle, and a spray bottle in your arsenal for mixing oils, refreshing your hair, etc.)


Until Next Time, Naomi~

Rod Set+ Heat= Curly Afro

Yesterday I decided to do a rod set since I had an interview today, which went well as far I as can tell. Anyway, I had to do a bit of walking, and I believe it was close to 80 degrees this morning, so of course I start to perspire, and that means moisture on my scalp.

So of course the roots which were straight for the most part, started to curl up, and the ends started to frizzt  Since I cowash every 2-3 days, I wanted to keep my hair styled in some sort of way, so I decided to pick apart my curls, using my fingers.

Will keep this style until Wednesday night, or Thursday. 

FYI: I used the same method as usual for my rod sets. The only thing I can say that differed was that I used coconut milk mixed with oil as a leave in before adding my Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion. I also sealed with my mixture of oils (jbco,abuho, hhco)

Until Next Time, HHG to All! Naomi <3

Two Strand Twists on Dry Hair

Last night while watching a movie, playing with my hair, I decided to twist it. I did not use any combs, or make an parts, except a short one, down the middle. The only products I had in my hair was my oils I sealed with. All mixed in my applicator bottle, which is Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil (LJBCO), Africa's Best Ultimate Oil, and Home Health Cold Pressed Cold Processed Castor Oil (HHCO). Since it was an applicator bottle, I did not make parts, just used the nozzle to get to my scalp, Coconut Milk, and  about two quarter sized amount, of VO5 Herbal Escapes Free Me Freesia Conditioner.

It was pinned, and was mostly dry, I twisted by getting a strand of hair, and separating it, and twisting, and rolled the end of my hair around my finger to get it to curl. The whole process probably took 2 1/2 hours, possibly 3, I was not paying attention to the time. It could also be that the twists are small/medium sized as well.

Anyway, this was not my idea to try it out on dry hair honestly. One of my good friends on my home forum said she was thinking about trying it, and I thought it was a good idea myself. Especially being that natural hair tends to shrink as it dries. Doing it on already dry hair, means that the hair would have to stretch! So that is what influenced my decision to give it a try.

My hair still feels moisturized, and it turned out really well for the first time. I really like that I can almost see my true length with these twists as well. I say almost because I feel like natural hair will always have a little recoil to it, and can be stretched further with pressure, like using your fingers or flat ironing/pressing.


Here are my results.