Bantu knots are an exotic and fun hairstyle for women of color. The knots are perfect for those that want to achieve volume and defined curls.
Have you considered Bantu knots? You should think about this hairstyle. This protective style can be rocked for many reasons.
This hairstyle is cost efficient and requires few supplies, and this hairstyle works well on natural, relaxed, and transitioning hair.
Your hair type and texture determines if you should install Bantu knots on wet or dry hair. Kinky and curly hair women wear Bantu knots the best.
Confidence is needed to wear the Bantu knot hairstyle. It is a bold style.
The beauty of Bantu knots is getting two styles for the price of one style. You can wear the Bantu knot hairstyle for a few days.
Remove the knots and rock a curly afro or waves. Bantu knots are not typically recommended for short, natural hair.
It is harder to create Bantu knots on hair that is one to two inches in length. A clean head of hair is best for this style.
Your Bantu knots will not look polished with flakes and debris from conditioner, and product builds up on the scalp. Shampoo and deep condition hair before the install of this hairstyle on any hair type or texture.
The supplies needed are the same for all hair types.
Items required for Bantu knot hair styling:
- Shampoo, deep conditioning hair mask, and conditioner
- Coconut, jojoba, or virgin olive oil (oil of choice)
- Leave in Conditioner
- Mousse, setting lotion, or curl defining cream
- Edge control
- A wide tooth comb
- A rat tail comb
- A wooden boar bristle brush
- 20-30 Hair pins/bobby pins
- Ouchless hair ties
The good thing is the process for styling Bantu knots on relaxed hair, transitioning hair, and natural hair is similar. Parting, creating sections and the application of product may vary based on your individual preferences.
Creating small sections are recommended for short natural hair. Make larger sections for transitioning and relaxed hair for Bantu knots.
Bantu knots are versatile for all hair types and typically take under an hour to install. Here are some tips for Bantu knot hairstyles for short or long relaxed hair, natural hair, and transitioning hair.
Bantu knot hairstyles for short hair
Bantu knot hairstyles for short hair can be tricky. The ability to create Bantu knots is almost impossible with hair that is one to two inches.
Ideally, hair that is three to four inches can create longer lasting Bantu knots. Short hair requires more parting and dividing the hair into smaller sections.
- Start with a clean head of hair and proceed to spray leave in conditioner.
- Next, comb your hair with a wide tooth comb.
- Your hair should be damp not soaked with leave in conditioner or water.
- Part your short hair in small sections with the rat tail comb.
- Use the rat tail comb to create designer or simple parts.
- Apply mousse or setting lotion to the hair.
- Roll or twist your hair with your fingers and form a circle.
- At the end of the rolled section, apply more products, tuck your rolled hair and hold tightly.
- Place a bobby pin directly in the middle of the knot.
- Simply repeat and create small Bantu knots.
The Bantu knot install will take forty-five minutes to an hour to install from shampoo to completion. Allow your hair to dry overnight or sit under a hooded dryer for thirty to forty-five minutes depending on the length of your hair.
It is up to you to decide how you want to wear your Bantu knots once dry; for a few days or for a week. Some people remove pins, put oil on their hair, untwine the Bantu knots, and wear a curly afro.
Anticipate a restyle of the Bantu knots on short hair fairly quickly. The style is beautiful and gives you versatility for a week.
Rocking Bantu knots on short, natural hair is something that more women are trying. Short straight hair will have similar issues due to length.
Bands or ties would be needed for short, straight or relaxed hair to hold the Bantu knots in place. The Bantu knots may slip out at night or during the drying process with short, straight hair.
Apply mousse or setting lotion for straight or relaxed hair. You will anticipate beautiful small Bantu knots that will make you smile.
Bantu knot hairstyles for wet hair
Bantu knots hairstyles for wet hair are depending upon your texture and length. Curly and kinky hair can be damp but not wet for Bantu knots.
Natural hair divas that have 4b or 4C hair type should install Bantu knots on damp hair to reduce shrinkage and dryness. A good conditioning treatment is recommended on kinky hair for superb Bantu knots.
Straighter or waiver textures of curly hair can install Bantu knots on wet or dry hair. The outcome of the Bantu knot hairstyle is often determined by proper drying.
Your natural hair will decide to form a curl based on products and appropriate installation of Bantu knots. Natural hair is temperamental.
You may need to experiment with wet and dry hair for appealing Bantu knots. There has been a debate about wet hair versus dry hair for the installation of Bantu knots for years.
Some curly hair lovers prefer wet hair because the hair maintains moisture and the curls are more pronounced. Dry hair can produce dry and undefined Bantu knots.
The dry time for Bantu knots on wet hair can be one to three days without a dryer. Dry hair yields result faster and typically in one day.
Bantu knots extensions can work on damp hair too. You will need to use more hair ties or pins with extensions.
Apply edge control with a brush on the hair line when installation of Bantu knots is completed. Bantu knots can be simple if you are patient with the installation.
Bantu knots hairstyles for relaxed hair
Bantu knots for relaxed hair works well. Four to six inches of relaxed hair can achieve the Bantu knot hair style.
- Relaxed hair should be clean to start.
- Apply conditioner and then proceed to use a wide tooth comb.
- Continue to comb the relaxed hair with the conditioner and remove tangles.
- Rinse hair and blot dry (using a cotton t-shirt) for relaxed hair for three minutes.
- Slightly damp hair or dry relaxed hair is recommended for Bantu knot hairstyles.
- Wet relaxed hair will take longer to dry.
- Bantu knot hairstyles for relaxed hair can be completed in thirty minutes. Brush your hair in sections and then part with the rat tail comb.
- Slowly put relaxed hair in large Bantu knots. The larger size will prevent tangling, and the style will last longer.
- Apply mousse to the hair for the Bantu knots to remain in place. The hair should be soft and smooth to the touch.
- Divide the hair into sections. Twist large pieces with your fingers and create a corkscrew.
- Use a bobby pin or rubber bands to keep the hair secured. You can air dry, but a hooded dryer is better.
Bantu knots need to fully dry on relaxed hair. The style will last for three to five days depending upon upkeep.
Put coconut or olive oil on your hair and tie with a satin scarf at night to maintain the style.
Bantu knots on transitional hair
Bantu knots on transitional hair are similar to relaxed hair. Transitional hair needs to be shampooed and conditioned.
Conditioning is more important with transitional hair. Two textures can cause frizz, tangling, dryness, and breakage.
Transitioning hair needs a deep conditioner for ten to thirty minutes before the install of Bantu knots.
The two textures fight each other!
- Comb your hair with conditioner and a wide tooth comb.
- Please remember to never comb your hair dry. Curly and transitional hair is easier to manage after deep conditioning.
- Please remember to never comb your hair dry. Curly and transitional hair is easier to manage after deep conditioning.
- You can proceed to the next step once the hair is dry. Part and create designer or simple parts.
- Section the hair from medium to large pieces. Take one section of hair and twirl with your fingers.
- Use curl defining cream or setting lotion to install Bantu knots. Twist each section of hair with your finger, form a Bantu, and repeat.
- You can use a hair pin or bobby pin because the hair is curly at the root. This will secure the Bantu knot.
- Proceed to air dry or use a dryer. Bantu knots for transitional hair will last for a week to a week and a half.
Extensions are another choice for Bantu knots with transitioning hair. The extensions can be put in by you, a stylist or a friend.
You can use Marley hair for bantu knot extensions.
- Shampoo, condition, and blot hair dry.
- Comb with conditioner and then rinse.
- Apply curl defining cream and proceed to brush.
- Ensure the sections are smooth before you add the hair. Begin to create medium to large sections and part hair.
- Take one section and braid the Marley hair into a section. Braid to the end and band hair.
- Form a corkscrew and use a rubber band to hold in place. This is sometimes difficult.
You may need to find a stylist or friend if you are having difficulty installing. This is a good video to help you with transitioning hair or natural hair.
Bantu knot twist out
Bantu knot twist out is a favorite hairstyle for naturalistas and women transitioning from relaxers. The Bantu twist out will produce wavy to curly hair.
Women that are transitioning love the look! Bantu knot twist out makes the two different textures look similar. Transitioning and relaxed hair with a Bantu twist out will produce a wave.
Bantu twist out on natural hair will create tighter curls. The Bantu twist out is achieved after the install of Bantu knots.
It is recommended to keep in Bantu knots for a one to four days before untwining. Leave in the Bantu knots for a longer time frame for a tighter and fuller twist out.
There are easy steps to achieving a twist out.
- Install the Bantu knots, place a bobby pin or hair pin. Let your hair dry.
- Again please check to make sure your hair is thoroughly dry. Damp Bantu knots will produce undesirable results.
- Allow your hair to air-dry or use a hooded dryer. Use an oil of choice, rub into your hands, and begin to untwist the Bantu knots.
- Unscrew the knots as if you are unscrewing a jar. Shake your hair.
Best results are achieved if you avoid pulling the curls or fingering apart quickly. Wear a satin bonnet and pineapple your hair at night.
You can put a shower cap on in the morning to create some volume. Bantu knot twist out is ultimately the most popular choice among relaxed hair, natural hair lovers, and transitioning beauties.
Featured image source:
Perfectlocks.com
Hey Curl Friend, I’m Patrina Haupt the creator and author of Natural Hair Queen. I hope you find my healthy hair care tips helpful in your hair journey. Healthy hair care practices are definitely, what helped me to achieve waist length hair.
Want to receive my weekly hair care tips and free natural hair care guide? Click Here.
