Curly Edition: Bantu Knot Out

I'm intrigued by curls at the moment so I've decided that over the summer I want to try out some of the most popular methods for making locs, especially short, thick locs, curly.

I'm starting off with the classic Bantu knot out. No actual knots required you just sort of twirl each damp loc around itself onto your scalp. Almost in a cinnamon swirl fashion but each new 'swirl' goes under the one before so it resembles a knot. Leave in until 110% dry for best results. Mine dried in about 4hrs but it's been above 25 degrees rcently.

Not a huge fan I must admit. Still waiting on the length in the front and sides so they'll actually frame my face but until then I'm just playing around as curiosity got the better of me.

I did try this once before. Here's how they looked almost seven months ago (before combining):

DREADLOCKS ARE...

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Month 13

My locs are at an incredibly awkward length now. In the back they've reached the base of my neck for the first time in seven years. Everywhere else seems, to me, shorter than it was at Christmas but I think it's because they don't hang as easily at this size. They seem to be quite rigid but still spongey and they still want to grow up and out. I imagine thicker locs need more time to get heavy enough to hang but it's not easy having 4" tentacles sprouting up every morning.

Speaking of mornings, my getup and go routine is a little more complicated now. The added length makes it just on the cusp of style-able but it's luck of the draw as to whether it'll co-operate two days in a row:

bantu knots

scarf bun

scarf headband

Loc extensions are still on my mind. I know my hair will get to ponytail length eventually but I need to get back to low maintenance sooner rather than later. When I become a student in the autumn I want the carefree hairstyle that allows me to spend time doing more important things. I've seen a ton of DIY extension videos but we'll see where we're at come September 1st.

This week I re-lightened and re-coloured the loc I experimented with in the back after it'd finally faded enough over the last five or so months. I just wanted to be sure of the shade I'd chosen before going all the way in July.

re-lightened

rough ponytail and re-coloured

DREADLOCKS ARE...

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Month 8: Bantu Knot Out

I threw in some bantu knots just before christmas hoping to wear them for the big day. At this length things didn't quite go to plan but here are a few photos of the results anyway:

No styling products, just twisted up on freshly washed hair and left to dry for over 24 hours.

I'm looking forward to trying this again in a year's time...

DREADLOCKS ARE...

**photography ownership is held with the blog account holder. DONOT use without permission**