Showing posts with label Knots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Knots. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

No Combing= Knots


Hey All!



Life has been pretty hectic this past week; so ever since I flat ironed my hair, I have been bunning it.

Thing is, I have not been oiling my scalp, or combing my hair. I have only been taking my Hairfinity pills. Really lazy I know. So pretty much what I have been doing is simply just taking it out of the hair band, gathering my hair, and putting it right back into a bun.

So I have been doing my usual ritual (as of late), of no combing bunning, and for some reason in between that I try to run my fingers through my hair. My hair is straight so I figure I could do that, but I found this matted up, knot in my hair.

I cannot express to you all the look of horror that engulfed my face.  I did not even know it to be possible for straight hair to get knotty. To think I thought by keeping it straight I was avoiding them. So much for laziness.

I wish I had taken a picture. I got rid of it the wrong way; by ripping it out (gently) instead of cutting it out, but then again I have rarely been the one to follow my own advice.

So for you guys out there, I will tell you with my Mother has told me "Do as I say, not as I do" totally hypocritical I know (lol) but trust me if you want healthy hair it is best to do things the right way.

So please Ladies & Gentlemen, be a dear and comb that hair.


Just wanted to give you a brief going's on in the hair department.

~Naomi


Friday, August 6, 2010

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~

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Single Strand Knots- A Natural's Nemesis





Lately I have been experiencing Single Strand Knots also called Fairy Knots. A single strand knot, is hair that has tangled itself into a ball on the end of a single strand of hair. (I have been getting rid of them though!)

This knot forming, is usually a sign of dry hair. When the hair is dry it rubs against itself. Another way is through shampooing. When Shampooing, you are suppose to add the shampoo to your scalp, and not pile the length of your hair on top of your head (I am guilty of this). Cotton Towels can also cause dryness in hair, however, I have heard of those using cotton T-shirts, which does not take as much moisture out of the hair, as a cotton towel would.

Hair accessories can also cause knots, if your hair becomes tangled in them. If you like to bun or wear pony tails often I suggest using Goody's Ouchless Hair Ties, or any brand of hair ties without metal.


To get rid of these troublesome knots, it is best to snip them off with hair shears, you want to make sure to use hair shears, as these are sharp and are made to cut hair, regular scissors can cause more damage due to the blade's bluntness (it can bend hair, and cut jagged/unevenly). You can try to untangle the knot possibly with a needle, or if you catch it before it tightens, otherwise, I would try the search (for single strand knots) and destroy (remove) method. I have been guilty myself of snagging knots, but that is not suggested! Remember, the ends of your hair is the oldest, and most delicate, you want to hold on the them! Of course not if damaged, it is not good to hold on to damaged ends, but if it can be salvaged, then so be it.


Ways to avoid getting Single Strand Knots, is Moisture! It is important to keep your scalp as well as your ends moisturized.

Make sure you are shampooing properly (not piling hair on top of head), if using a cotton towel to dry hair, try squeezing excess water out of hair instead of rubbing vigorously, or try the T-shirt method.

Cowash in between wash days, as this helps keep hair clean and moisturized, it is also important to detangle (using wide tooth comb, or paddle/denman brush) while cowashing.

Deep condition regularly.  Using moisturizing and protein based conditioners, as it is good to have a balance to avoid moisture or protein overload. (protein overload will result in shedding/ breakage, and moisture overload will result in limpness/loss of elasticity)



Seal & Moisturize. To seal means to lock in moisture from a water based conditioner with an oil. This helps hair to retain moisture. (It is not necessary to seal if your conditioner is oil based)


If you have a regimen, you should be doing these things on a daily/weekly basis, which means you should be knot free, congrats! If not, then just follow the tips listed, and it should prevent future knots. Hope that helps!

Until next time, HHG to All! Naomi ~

Popular Posts