I recently went to The Makeup Show NYC and I wanted to try a new hairstyle. You know I live in twists and this time I wanted to try Bantu knots. I was looking for a looser, fluffier texture.
Actually Bantu knots are not new to me. Wore them a bit growing up along with canerow. Anyway, I have not tried this in a long time and this is the result.
My Bantu knot out!
Not bad, but not the best. I was looking for a smoother finish, but I love the volume I got. This was actually the second time that I attempted this. The first time was on damp hair, and even though I left the knots in overnight, it still was not dry and everything fell. The next time, I did about 10-11 knots on dry hair.
A different angle…
Check out that liner!
I will be working on perfecting this. I probably need to do this on stretched hair for smoother results.
I am always wondering what to do with my hair in that in-between period when a twistout gets a little older and when it is wash day. I got a fantastic twist out (more on that in another post) but I wanted to put my hair up for work.
Every couple of months, I like to give myself a protein treatment, to help re-strengthen my hair. Constant manipulation will eventually weaken the hair shaft and adding a treatment will fill in the weak spots.
The lovely people at SheaMoisture sent me a couple of products from one of their newest product lines, the Tahitian Noni & Monoi Collection. This is touted as their “hair smoothing system” allowing users to go from curly to straight without permanently altering the hair. According to SheaMoisture, “The protein-based treatment products smooth, soften and control frizz, leaving textured hair more manageable for up to four weeks”.
All the products contain certified organic Shea Butter, Tahitian Noni, which is an antioxidant enriched with Vitamin C to help maintain hair health, Monoi Oil, which revives damaged hair, and Keratin, Peptides and Botanical Extracts, to nourish, repair and protect distressed hair fibres. Of course this all-natural line does not contain sulphates, parabens, mineral oil and other stuff.
This line contains a number of products including the Smooth & Repair Straightening System. I got the Nourishing Hair Masque and the Hair Scalp Weekly Treatment.
I must admit that I was rather skeptical to try these products. Since the day that I decided stop relaxing, I have had zero desire to straighten my hair. So I did not want to apply anything to my hair that would alter its texture. I scrutinized the ingredients and the masque actually does not contain keratin (which is a naturally occurring protein and is the main component of hair and nails) or any ingredients that may straighten the hair. It contains mostly moisturisers and hydrolyzed vegetable protein. This masque is supposed to deeply condition the hair, impart intense moisture and strengthen and smoothen the strands.
Years ago, when I first decided to stop relaxing, one of the names being kicked around the natural hair forum boards was Anita Grant. Based in London, UK, mixologist Anita Grant has been making all natural hair products for a while. So I decided to order a few items and my order included her famous Rhassoul Condish blocks. I think it took about 2-3 weeks to get my package as it was coming across the Atlantic, but I am not sure what the shipping times are like now.
Anita Grant Original Rhassoul Condish
Fast forward some years later and I realized that I still had 3 blocks in my refrigerator!! So one evening, I gave my hair a little extra TLC. The condish block is made primarily of organic Rhassoul Clay (Moroccan) but also contains some very moisturizing ingredients like cocoa butter and honey. The clay is supposed to fortify hair, protect it from free radicals, detoxify the scalp and improve manageability.
So I followed the instructions on the website, and used a glass bowl and plastic fork to prepare the mixture. Due to the high mineral content of the clay, they may interact with metal. I used one cube of Rhassoul Clay and added enough hot water to create a loose paste. It took about 10 to 15 minutes to break up the cube with the fork. It looked like Milo or chocolate milk. I have used coconut milk instead of water, but surprisingly this Caribbean woman had none in her apartment! :-/
The Condish! 1 cube
Mixing the condish with hot water
So I cleansed my hair in the shower and squeezed out the excess water. I divided my hair into quarters and applied the Rhassoul mixture. I made sure that I got it on my scalp and throughout my strands. It did not drip and it dried quickly on my hair, but I wrapped it in some plastic wrap and left it on for 30 minutes.
I have sung the praises about products from Oyin Handmade. They have a fantastic collection for women how have naturally kinky/curly/coily hair. But there is one that truly has my heart and I will buy for the rest of time! Oyin Burnt Sugar Pomade.
Oyin Burnt Sugar Pomade
First of all, this smells every bit as good as it looks! Amazing!! I have been so tempted to eat this thing! I actually think that it has quite a pronounced scent although it has been described as subtle.
Anyway, this is an all-natural, vegetable-based hair pomade, that has a very thick, almost grease-like consistency. Like old-school, back in the day hair grease. And to the touch, it is grainy, as if there is actual brown sugar mixed in it. But that quickly melts away once you warm it up in your palms.
