Convertable Updo - 3 in 1 style

Have you ever had a hair wash day where you wanted a cute hairstyle but didn't want to take forever to achieve your look?  Well, I had one of those days this week.  I decided that I would gel my hair upwards in the back and just style the top and front of my hair like in this tutorial.

Day 1

I two strand twisted my hair and then rolled it on the grey perm rods.

I always use Eco Styler gel to smooth my hair in the back.

Day 2

That night I set my hair using bantu knots so the curls would remain.  I'm still mastering this technique. And of course my hands cramped from all the twisting.  Ugh!  But the curls turned out pretty well!

Day 3

Lastly, I decided to moisturize my hair and then do a twist out for a different look.

Fashion note:  This scarf orignally belonged to my mom. It's over 35 years old!  #vintage

I love getting different looks out of the same style!

I'm BACK!!!! Bantu Knot Out

I know, I know.  It's been a LONG time & I do apologize. But during my blogging hiatus I was taking pictures.....LOTS of pictures...and I plan to share them with you!  Back in May, I attempted to do a bantu knot out  and here are the pictures of my process.  I did this style on 80% dry hair.  I don't recall which products I used because I neglected to photograph them (note to self - always do that).

I did not 2 strand twist these, just wound the hair tightly around itself until it started to curl on itself

A finished knot

I tried to use fairly large sections

Unraveled knots

After separating curls

Back shot

Side shot

My thoughts on the look:  I really wasn't a fan.  I've learned not to expect my curls or results to look like everyone elses' but I really  didn't care for this look on my hair. Plus, all that twisting gave me a cramp in my hand when I was setting the knots (oww!)  I may try this style again later at some point in my journey but for I won't but it on my top 3 love styles for me.

What do you think?  How has bantu knots worked on your hair texture?  Any tips that you would like to share with me?

My First Bantu Knot Out

So I've been doing twist outs on my hair for a while now because I love the progression of how voluminous they get over the week.  Love, love them.  Well I received some new product that I wanted to try out and decided to try this style.   I loved my initial results but because the day that I did the bantu knot out happened to be a rainy day, the style did not hold but for 2 days before it got frizzy.   On day 3 I pulled it into a curly fro hawk and day 4 & 5 I wore it in a bun.

The bantu knots

After unraveling the knots - no separating

Separated and fluffed a little

Final look - back

Final look - right side

Final look - left side

My inspiration -  I used the following products:  Koils by Nature Nourishing Hair & Body Butter (instead of the Entwine Butter Creme Hydrator),  Entwine Creme Jelle Styler, topped with Koils by Nature Herbal Gel.

 

I got pretty close don't you think?  

So what do you guys think?  Should I try this style again?

Curly Frohawk w/ Bantu Knots - Taji Natural Hair Styling Hair Show

Hair by Taji Shabu, Earrings by Sarenzo Beads



My stylist Taji, graciously asked me to be one of her models in the hair show that was featured at the NC Natural Hair Care Expo in Raleigh this weekend.  In preparation for my hair style, she shampooed & conditioned my hair and then lightly blew it out for a trim.  It's been 6 months since my big chop and I knew I had some split ends.  She also found a few single strand knots that she clipped.  Overall, she said my hair was in good shape.  I had 1 small section that was broken off so I need to be mindful of that area. 

She did small bantu on the sides and did comb coils down the middle creating a frohawk.  On the day of the hair show she untwisted the coils creating a curly look.  See the pictures from the style and the hairshow below.  (Special shout outs go to my friends, Armelia Brown & Lateshia Leathers for coming to support me in the hair show& take pictures while I was modeling.)

 

Free photo slideshow made with Smilebox