My Favorite Protective Style

Bantu Knots

My favorite way to style my starter locs, has to be bantu knots. They are a mood whether you decide to go out with your hair up, or wear the curls down. I have also noticed that Bantu knots after a good wash a moisturize can contribute to keeping moisture for longer, because this style is a set it and forget type of vibe.

 

What are Bantu Knots?

Bantu knots are stated to have originated from southern Africa. They are created by sectioning off different parts all over your head and twisting them into tiny knots. They can be worn as is or unraveled to form curls or waves.

Running Errands

How is it done?

I will typically do this style after washing my hair, because my hair is nice and moisturized and in the perfect condition for this look. The wetter your hair the tighter your curls, and the tighter your curls the longer this look can last.

 

I then proceed to grab locs two at a time. I will twists two locs until they want to curl on top of each other. I will keep curling until I reach the tail end which I will then tuck into the knot. I typically don't need any accessories to make them stay, but I have a few thicker locs, which might need a hair pin, or rubber band placed around the knot for longevity.

 

Be careful not to twist to tight. You do not want to pull on your hair. That could lead to stress bumps, lost edges, or bald spots. Remember this is supposed to help your hair not hurt it.

 

4 day old curls

Go on Girl!

I wear my knots with pride, and I typically get quite a few compliments when I wear my hair like this. It is all in how you carry yourself. The curls that the knots produce are also gorgeous, and fall throughout the week to form pretty waves. So I encourage everyone to try this look, especially if you have shorter locs.

 

 

Much Love,

 

Amala

 

 

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Product! Product! Product!

Let me just start this by saying, I know it has been a long time since I updated this page. Life as a way of leading you to the edge and back. However I am back, with regular updates, if you would like to keep up with me more regularly please follow my Instagram (@amalalocs). I figured the best update right now, would be about what products I am currently using in my hair. Without further ado.....

Deep Cleansing Shampoo



Design Essentials Oat Protein & Deep Cleansing Shampoo

It is super important to have a shampoo that can cleanse out dirt and debris from your locs. I came across this shampoo while researching about locs, and have used it ever since. Super bonus that my loctitian uses the same brand as well, so my hair has consistency across the board. I usually wash my hair twice with this.

Moisturizing Shampoo



Design Essentials Honey Crème Moisture Retention

I need to add moisture back to my hair after a deep cleanse, and this honey crème shampoo is perfect for my hair. Depending on how my hair is feeling, I will wash with this once or twice. 

Conditioner

Design Essentials Rosemary & Mint Stimulating Super Moisturizing Conditioner




Now I know not everyone uses conditioner in their locs, but for my hair I need the moisture conditioner provides. I really love this one because the rosemary & mint has a tingling sensation on my scalp while it sits. I usually keep this on for five minutes and then wash out.

Oils I Use

Black Queen Carrot Oil Sheen Spray

Now Solutions, Organic Jojoba Oil

Black Queen Olive Oil Sheen

Trader Joe's Vitamin E oil



 These are great to mix together for a hot oil treatment, which I do after every wash. I will also add these to water, to spritz through my hair. All of these oils are very light and can be used daily, they keep my scalp looking so healthy, and help with growth.

Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture

Another oil that I like to just spritz through my hair for freshness. It smells so good, and will not cause build up, very light weight.

There you have it, I like to keep my hair products light. I mostly just wash my hair and then oil it. The best part about having locs is that you don't need to use tons of products to manipulate your hair, it is all about supporting the natural process.

Much love,

Amala

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Wash Day!

So after having my locs for 1 week, I decided to go ahead and wash my hair. I know my loctician said to try and wait for at least 2, but my head was very itchy, and it just needed a good wash, also I generally wash my hair once per week anyway, so I am used to the routine.

The back of hair right after a shower

My twists stayed in really well, I had no problems with unraveling. The roots of my twists are interlocked, so I do not need to worry about separating hair from loc. 

Now that I have washed my hair I am currently in the frizzy stage. Thankfully, my hair has some length, so I am able to pull it back for work and still look presentable. When I am in the house and doing errands, I just let my hair run free. I am not ashamed or afraid of my kinky hair, it is all apart of the process. I am confident in my decision and appreciate every milestone that is brought my way.



My next post will be my after wash routine, so subscribe to stay in the know!



Much love,

Amala

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Day 1 of Starter locs!

Guess What?!!! Today starts the first day of my starter loc journey! I am finally all in, and I could not be happier. I have decided to start my locs with two-strand-twists, and my loctician interlocked them at the root. The size of my locs is about small to medium (I do not have an exact count).

These are the tips that my loctician said to keep in mind.

• Wash about every two weeks.
• When I shampoo, do not forget to add moisturizer.
• Use conditioner.
• Come back in six weeks for a shampoo, deep condition, and interlock.

Basically, leave my hair alone, but keep it clean and moisturized. That I can do. From watching Youtube videos of the interlocking process, I was a little worried that it would be too tight. Apparently, I worried for nothing, because she was very gentle, the interlocks are snug, but not tight. It is just enough for me to know that my roots are secure, but my head is not on fire.

Overall I am very excited to start this new adventure in my natural hair journey. For me, it was an excellent decision to have a loctician place my starter locs for me, and I am pleased with the results.

Let me know any tips you would like to pass along, and how long you have been loc'ed. 

Much love,

Amala

P.S. I have an Instagram account called Amalalocs if you would like to keep up with me day to day.

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The Beginning

Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Amala, and I have been loose natural for about 5 years now. 

Me with a twist out

Previous to that I had my hair relaxed for most of my life. My mom has always said, she did not know what to do with my sister, and I's natural hair, so she used a relaxer. Right around the end of my undergraduate career, I started to grow it out. Truthfully I don't really know why, I think I was just tired of the pain and burning the relaxer caused on my scalp, and I just stopped putting myself through that torture, only to have straight hair.

My relaxed hair

Let me tell you growing out my natural hair was not smooth. I did not do the big chop, selfishly I wanted to hold on to as much hair as I could. As my hair was growing out, I would either braid it or create curls with Bantu knots, to help camouflage the straight ends from the curly roots. That worked for a while until my hair became long enough that I felt better about cutting it. By that time I had started a natural hair movement in my house, my sister and my mom had both decided to no longer get relaxers, after watching my beautiful natural hair grow out. It was nice not having to make this journey alone.

Fast forward to now, I find myself loosing joy in the process and maintenance that it takes to keep natural hair presentable for work, friends, life. I loathe the thought of getting a relaxer, so I looked towards locs. I think this will be the perfect transition for me. I will be able to keep my natural hair, but not have to worry about the stress of maintaining it every day. 

I had a consultation with a loctician a few days ago, and I have been doing tons of research. Next month your girl will be loc'ed down, and I can't wait. I write this blog mainly for myself, so I can read back to these early days, and remember, I decided to make it public for those of you who are riding along with me. So let's make this journey together.

Much Love,

Amala

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