Hairstyling throughout the month of May

As some of you may know, I have an interest in swords, weapons, ninja, samurai, ect. This album is going to be dedicated to all of that, specifically my weapon collection. I just recently bought my Samurai sword and it was just so beautiful I just had to take pictures.

Well I decided to try something new and unexpected and I came across bantu knots on YouTube. I was also inspired by one of our fellow Fotkians, Afro-disiac (www.youtube.com/tonidaley80 ). I have to say that I am very satified with the way they turned out for it being my first time doing them.

***7/19/2010 Update***
I started my first youtube account, www.youtube.com/afrikanhairgod I haven't started my tutorials yet because I want to know what you guys want to see me do. Check out my albums and see what you like and let me know what it is you want to see me do. Feel free to let to suggest any other types of tutorials you think I could do to get started.

***8/25/2010 Update***
For those of you who have been asking me about my bantu knots, I plan to youtube tutorial on how I do them in a couple of weeks, so be sure to look out for it.

I tried my hardest to keep those kinky twists in for at least 6 weeks but I could only make it to 4. I just missed my hair so much I couldn't go without combing and styling my hair for another week.
So anyways its back to the basics....

I started this month off with my second set of small kinky twists. I plan to keep them in at least for a month and a half but no longer than 2 months. I'm hoping this will help me retain some length this summer.
I did the front in rows so that when the twists start getting old-looking I can flat twist them back and give the style some versatility and keep it from looking too raggedy.

Here are a few tips that I suggest when doing this style:

1. When your doing any extention braiding style you should stretch your hair out and NEVER do them while your hair is wet. So I suggest that you stretch your hair out with a blowdryer or plait your hair the night before if you don't want to use heat.
- Now in my case I plaited my hair the night before with leave-in conditioner to stretch it out (cuz I don't have a hair dryer).

2. Now you could put some type of gel in your hair when you do them but I don't because it dries my hair out. So if you have some good gel (preferrably some type of Aloe Vera gel) then feel free to use it. I used Fantasia's Hair Polisher Solid Ice Promade on my roots, which always leaves my hair feeling soft and moisturized.

3. When you are actually doing the kinky twists, I suggest you braid tightly (not so tight around your hairline) close to the scalp for at least an inch (I usually do about 5 - 6 passes braiding). When you stop braiding and begin twisting split your hair evenly into the two extention pieces. This give it a much better hold, it looks more natural, and it looks much more consistant so people can't tell where your hair stops. lol

4. Lastly, when you're twisting, twist both hair pieces as you wrap them around each other to create a tight twist. Also, make sure you twist as far down to the ends as you can. If you need to, you can borrow some hair from one piece and add it to the other so that the ends twist evenly.

I hope I make sense, and I hope this helps. If I was unclear or didn't make sense or if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask. Sorry for the long windedness, I was just trying to be as clear as I could :-)

Needed a protective hairstyle for the holiday and I figured I try something new and different. I wanted to do this FOREVER but couldn't because the job I have so I'll only keep it in for 3-4 weeks until I go back to work.
It turned out really nice. It took 2 days and 3 packs of hair to finish it. I did the front and I taught my boyfriend how to do the back for me (since I'm always doing his hair, gotta make him work lol)

All of those months learning from those youtube tutorials have finally paid off, I CAN NOW FLAT TWIST!!!! This is also 1 whole year of hair growth, though you cant really see the length.

I actually twisted my hair to give it its much needed trim, since I haven't once trimmed it since i started growing it out. This was the end result, this is a cool hair style and all, but it takes too much time to twist your entire head in my opinion. I'm sure ill try it again once i grow some length.

I wish I had taken more pictures of the actual growing process back wen it was much shorter. The long braids are actually extensions added in the back. Thought my hair was long didn't you? Don't really have a journey just kept my hair braided until I learned how to flat twist them myself.