Prepare To Slay Festival Season With Our 7-Step Bantu Knot Tutorial

Flower crowns and feather headpieces are so passé. If you’re meeting us in NOLA for ESSENCE Fest or heading to another summer destination, prepare to be the ‘mane’ attraction in some of our favorite Black girl-approved festival hairstyles.

First, we’re showing you how to create a half-up, half-down style that incorporates bantu knots. As with any style, be sure to weatherproof your ‘do with a humidity-resistant product. 

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Step 1: Begin with freshly washed and blow dried hair.

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Step 2: Part the hair straight down the middle of the head to the crown with a rat tail comb.

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Step 3: Create a second part from the center to the left side of the head, ending behind the ear. 

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Step 4: Repeat on the right side and clip away one side of the head. 

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Step 5: Brush the left side into a secure ponytail. Use an alcohol-free gel or pomade to smooth out edges. 

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Step 7: Create a secure top knot. Repeat step 5 on the opposite side. 

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Step 8: Take out the clips and fluff the hair in the back. Voila!