So last night after my deep condition (which I hadn't done in several
months - smh), and co-wash, I tried my hand at my first low manipulation
style. I wanted to see if I could even pull of the process of it. I
mean, is it going to take a long time doing these styles? Am I going to
get frustrated with the time it takes? Will I even be able to do the
style? How would I even look, can I pull the look off? Plus I wanted to
get a little taste of what my life is going to become. I plan to do
mostly low manipulation styles because I can't where weaves or braids
because the tension on my scalp is no bueno around my front edges. I
did try a weave once thinking it was going to be different from braids
but I had the same problem, cause guess what? I needed braids for the
weave! So then I just started wearing half wigs so I could keep my ends
out (and of course just relax the front - bad idea). Anywhoo... I just
wanted to get a feel for these low manipulation styles that I am going
to need to know how to do. So for my very first one I did a bantu knot
out.
 |
| Last night |
So that was last night after I did 5 knots. I figured five was a good
number. I didn't need them to small because I still have a head full of
relaxer. But I did want them small enough to show me what I look like
with shorter hair. So in the morning this is what I ended up with.
 |
| The next morning. |
 |
| All the knots are out. |
So after pulling the knot outs apart and trying to fluff the parts away
and blend the hair (to no success), the finished result. Warning:
Sorry about the no make-up thing. I don't like to wear it mostly
because it is to time consuming and I like my face to breath. So I know
I look bland but hey. Oh and I hate taking photos of myself so that's
why there is no smile.
My Thoughts
The
process wasn't bad. However, I know it will be more time consuming as
my new growth comes in. I am going to have to figure out how to tie up
my hair at night. I have come up with a better and easier way than I
have done in the past, but my satin scarves always still want to slide
off? Hm, I wonder, does the satin stay better as our hair gets kinkier
(less silky) or am I going to have the same problem in a few months from
now? The knots did help it stay in place a little better, but by
morning the scarf was all wonky.
Next time I am definitely trying a knot right in the front center of my head. The part has been driving me crazy all day.
My
hair was still damp in the morning by the time I took it out (okay,
maybe it was mid-day), but by the time I got dressed it had dried and
wasn't to frizzy. I do realize I am going to have to plan and figure
out what products to use, if it should be wet or dry, etc. to do these
low manipulation styles.
All
in all, it wasn't a bad process and the result, I have to say was not
that bad for a first time. Of course there are things I am going to
change next time. And it did take almost the day to get used to it. My
dad and especially my mom loved the look on me. I wasn't digging the
look at first. It was just to short and to big for me. Most of my life
my goal was to get my hair as straight, long, and flat to my head as
possible. So for it to be short, curly, and slightly big (for me) was
just weird. It grew on me by the end of the day. I like it. I can
definitely rock this look. We shall see how I feel about it with some
new growth. Next I will try braid outs.
