Bantu Knots

My hair is natural. Therefore it's not straightened and I don't have extensions or a weave. It's not even dyed. It's not for any particular reason. It just suits me. I'm fidgety as it is, if I had a weave I would itch the bitch out of it. It would add a certain crazy to my general disposition if I was constantly patting and scratching away at my scalp. My hair doesn't stay straight for long no matter how violently or intricately I apply chemicals and heat to it. Besides, I look my most awesome with my natural hair and I love it. When I texturised my hair in my teens it huffed and it puffed and it eventually committed suicide so in the summer of 2010 I decided- to hell with this and got my poofiness back.

I'm still not totally on top of it. I'm slowly learning to take care of my hair and discovering new ways to emphasise it's beauty.

One of my favourite things I've discovered was a twist out. And in doing so I also re-discovered Bantu knots or 'China bumps' as we St.Lucians and Antiguans and Jamai...well I think it's most of the Caribbean call them China bumps, but I can't be sure. A Bantu knot/China bump is best done with wet hair. Just washed hair is better but sometimes I cheat and use a spray bottle full of water. I would explain how to do them but I'm lazy so I'll include a link to a wonderful Youtube vlogger who inspired me instead! Here's what they look like though.

And this is what it looks like fresh out.

You kind of fiddle and separate them until you get the affect you want.

I have to say I'm at my happier with my hair now than I have ever been. Even though we fight a lot and it always wins. See diagram.

When we aren't on speaking terms I usually revert to the old vintage scarf-cum-turban look. My collection is expanding impressively.

Here are the links to the tutorial by Naptural85

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4BWt3_7WVQ

I hope it brings you the happy twisting it brought me.

Until Next Time

A New Look?

I was browsing through the web, and ended up watching one of 2ne1's videos- one called 'I am the best'. It was fairly recent, 2011, and quickly became a firm favourite of mine. The lyrics are kind of narcissistic if you look at it from a negative perspective- but it's a great strutting song if your feeling confident. I was feeling confident when I put together this look which is partially inspired by what's worn in the video. It was more thrown then put with no make up or hair effort. I just thought it was kinda cool.

Most of the items are from new look, the skirt was damaged and on sale so I had to sow the waistband. I don't think I can sow it back. The ring is from the concessions brand of New Look jewellery and I bought it a couple of months back so I don't know whether or not this is still available.

            The spikes are available in both gold and silver. The necklace is actually for jeans but I like how chunky it is so I stuck it around my neck instead!
           
The jacket was a hand-me-down from my wonderful Auntie Clare. I love the shoes, I snagged them for a tenner at New Look to- I love you discount~!

The second look was random- I fell in and out of my wardrobe and think I got lucky. What do you think?

I wanted something cute with pastels that looked a little nautical because I'm still not over my sailor phase. I'll get a few more years out of those shorts- I'm determined! For a semi-accident, I think I did rather well here. And I'm definitely using my afro to it's full potential this spring/summer!

Bring on the sun, the rain, the joy and the pain!

That was so lame...

Am I not my hair?

Hello,

This entry is solely about hair and self image so if you're like me and shallow read on. If you are looking for a deeply philosophical exploration of any kind, I suggest you skip to the next blog. Or the next entry depending upon when you stumble across this.

I wonder about hair a lot. Perhaps too much. I try to pin it on my current job in fashion retail. Essentially I'm flogging pretty things to people who want to be pretty. But I think my obsession goes further back than that, way into primary school. The issue I wanted to address though, despite being a bit of a non issue, is the issue of natural afro hair.

Why ladies do we shy away from the ever archaic afro? There is nothing wrong with relaxing, texturising or perming your hair. In fact it seems more of an accepted norm for a woman with curly or afro hair to use chemical's to straighten and alter their natural hair, than it is for them to keep it natural. I understand that fashion dictates that straight is great and anything other than straight or wavy is 'frizzy' and should be outlawed. That rule is perfect for those who have naturally straight hair.

Why then do those with the 'frizz' feel the need to conform to these rules as well? Personally, I have stopped relaxing my hair. I have 'gone natural' but I'm not trying to be subversive and militant. Growing my hair out isn't my way of sticking it to the man. I just think it's beautiful the way it grows. Just like that.

I also think it's a shame that there are few people who agree with me. Many women look beautiful with weaves and perms, in fact most of the black and mixed raced sex symbols of this decade wear their hair straight. I think these women are beautiful and should be celebrated.

Nevertheless there are a few women I personally relate more to and who I think are beautiful. One of them is American songstress Janelle Monae whose afro-pompadour hair style is a want for me. Another is the lead singer of the band 'The Noisettes' Shingai Shoniwa who has a really quirky style as well as unique ways of styling natural hair.

However you choose to wear your hair should make you happy. It matters less than most things. But it matters quite a bit to me. For the time being I am proud of my hair as it spirals however erratically out of my head. Maybe in the future I will change my name and my blog- the title no longer being relevant.

Therefore, for the time being I shall remain one of a dying race.

An Afro-Samurai...