You do not need to use any special shampoo for this task, but using a sulfate-free option will help reduce frizz. Simply use the same hair care products you always use when shampooing your hair.
A rinse-out conditioner is recommended if your hair dries out easily but is not notably prone to flyaway strands, while a leave-in conditioner is recommended if the hair gets especially dry and frizzy when you work with it. Conditioner offers a layer of protection for your hair, which can help prevent breakage as you coil, twist, and wrap it into knots.
This may not be necessary if hair is already very stretched-out or relatively tangle-free. Detangling the hair help make knots and knot-outs as smooth and shiny as possible when all is said and done. [1] X Research source
Dry hair tends to be more difficult to set, and the knots or knot-outs may not hold well if you have straight or kinky hair that tends to lose a curl after a few hours. Dripping wet hair will not dry while knotted, however, and the knots or knot-outs may become limp as a result of being over-saturated. As a general rule of thumb, aim for towel-dry hair that is still damp to the touch but no longer wet enough to wring moisture out of.
A Rattail comb is usually the best tool to use when separating your hair. Work with the end of the comb to divide your hair into even, clearly divided sections. If you plan to wear your hair as a Bantu knot-out, your parts can be a bit messy, as they won’t be noticeable once you take your hair down. However, it’s best to create clean parts if you’re going to wear the knots. If you have shorter hair, keep the sections about 1/2 inch (1. 25 cm) wide or smaller. If you have longer hair, you can create sections that are roughly 3 to 4 inches (7. 6 to 10 cm) wide. If you plan to create knot-outs, consider the final texture of the curls you will create when determining the width of your sections. For wavy hair, use medium to large knots ranging from 1 1/2 to 3 inches (3. 8 to 7. 6 cm) wide. For more defined curls, use small knots that are roughly 1 to 2 inches (2. 5 to 4 cm) wide.
Rub the styling product onto your fingers and twist each section of hair in between your fingers, starting from the roots and working down. This allows you to apply the product while forming a beginning “rope” of hair to build upon for knot. Note that you will need to keep the tension of the twist fairly high to maintain the shape.
Do not twist your hair up completely in this manner. Twisting a small coil into your hair should be fine, but twisting the entire section into a knot can cause major breakage.
When working with longer hair, the knots will take on a pyramid or funnel shape. When working with shorter hair, the knots will look more like rosebuds or baguettes. The end of each section must be as close to your head as possible in order to hold the knot in place more effectively.
If you have naturally curly or kinky hair, you can usually tuck the ends underneath and have success. If your hair is fairly straight, however, you will probably need to rely on hair pins or elastic ponytail holders.
Note that you should also apply the same styling product to each section before beginning to twist and wrap the knots in place. If the hair starts to dry out as you work, you can lightly mist it with water from a spray bottle to keep it damp.
If you let your knots down after they set, however, you can form a curly hairstyle known as Bantu knot-outs.
Using a shower cap creates a type of “greenhouse effect,” allowing your hair to dry as slowly as possible while retaining enough moisture to prevent them from losing form. After you remove the shower cap, your hair will still feel slightly damp. Let it continue air drying for about 15 minutes before pressing forward.
Keep in mind that you will likely need about an hour for your hair to dry. Long or thick hair may take even longer to dry. It’s normal for your roots to stay damp, as the hair is coiled around them. Do not blow dry knots. This will cause them to become far too frizzy when you take them down.
As you work with your hair while taking it down, it is recommended that you apply an oil or anti-humidity serum to your hands. Doing so prevents friction from hands from causing your hair to become frizzy. The knots should be unscrewed gently as though you are unscrewing a cap. Do not pull the knot apart.
You could also use a wide-toothed comb instead of your fingers. Avoid playing with the twists too much, though. If you handle your hair too much at this point, it can become frizzy rather easily. Avoid pulling each section apart. Instead, you need to lightly “fluff” the hair, arranging it so that the curls look natural and your scalp is no longer visible.
At this point, the Bantu knot-out is ready to sport around town.
Use a satin scarf, bonnet, or wrap at night for best results. You should also sleep on a satin pillow to avoid damaging your hair as much as possible. If you want to maintain the look for one or two weeks, clean your scalp with witch hazel or another astringent every three or four days while following this procedure at night to keep your curls looking great.
