My First Bantu Knot Out

I got sort of fed up with my flat twist out style, it began to look really rough. I began thinking about trying to keep the style because I scheduled a hair appointment for Thursday and it was Tuesday night. I just could not wait until then because when my hair is not cute, I don't feel cute. So I started searching the Internet for more transition styles. I begin viewing a few youtube videos where naturals, transitioners and relaxed ladies were styling their hair with bantu knots. My mom would always put my hair in bantu knots to dry after she washed it when I was little (before the relaxer) and I always loved how it looked. I would always ask my mom if I could wear my hair like this. After hours of looking at pictures and watching videos I decided I was going to try it. I washed my hair and began to hate the twist out, my hair was so tangled on the ends. I detangled, conditioned and sat under the dryer. I wanted my hair to dry before I styled it. Once my hair was dry, I prepped my scalp with my non drip coconut oil. I sectioned my hair off into four sections and begin the bantu knots by adding my Shea Moisture  Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist, Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Strengthening Elixir, Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Hold Smoothie and setting lotion. I made sure the knots ends were secure and many of them I had to secure with a bobby pin because they kept unraveling. I was very nervous about this style because as I began to create the knots, I noticed how thin my hair was. I have very fine hair and it is even worse being relaxed. My bantu knots were very tiny and I didn't think they'd turn out like the good videos I viewed. Some videos I viewed had me nervous as well. There were many transitioning females whose bantu knot out did not look too good. I was worried needless to say and didn't get any sleep worrying about what it would look like. I dreamed about my hair all night long. When I woke up I got completely dressed first so I could spend all the time I needed on my hair (I was still late for work). I was a little worried when I began taking them down. I think my next bantu knot out will be better because I learned it is important on the position of them, this helps the style form and it is also important to let them dry completely. I did sit under the dryer last night for 30 minutes but that wasn't enough.......they take a lot to dry. I also had one or two where the ends were not secure like I wanted them and one where the knot wasn't wrapped around correctly and it made a very tight curl. I  began each knot as a two strand to the point where my natural hair ends, this was to prevent from having puffy roots. Overall, I am very pleased with the results. I like this better than the twist out and the braid out thus far. Below are pictures of the process and the finished product...kudos to me!!! I think it looks good for my first time and I received a lot of compliments at work today. I will try it again this weekend and crossing my fingers that it is even better.



Hair is growing but I need a trim

New growth at 4 days before the 6 month post relaxer mark

all finished, hoping it looks OK in the a.m.



after taking them out before separating....notice the one that wasn't wrapped right, it came out strange

these came out nice

Here is the back, the middle knot was not dry and this is why it looks like this but it wasn't too bad. I will know next go around.

The finished product!!!! I clipped the sides up

I like the results!