When the 3rd challenge was announced I had never heard of the Kumba knot before and with a great amount of practice, I was finally able to perfect the Kumba knot out. I began to realize that the Kumba knot out really defines the curl pattern and minimizes frizz that I normally have with a twist out or a braid out.
As much as I like to look my best, I’m also a very low-maintenance girl. So when I was introduced to the Kumba Out style in this week’s challenge, I was excited to learn a style quick and easy enough for me to jazz things up on a regular basis. I started out with freshly washed, dry, and typically frizzy hair. I then divided my locks into medium-sized sections and braided them to keep them separate. Following Mireille’s advice, I spread the Going Natural Curl Keeper throughout each section before tightly twirling my strands and tucking the ends into the base. The Curl Keeper made it easy to comb and smooth out each section.
This week’s challenge has been the hardest for me thus far. The kumba out hairstyle did not come out how I had expected it would but, I made it work anyway.
My Approach
I’m thrilled to learn about a new hairstyle. I went natural and 2009, but the majority of the time I wore tracks, braids, and twists because I didn’t know what to do with my hair! This competition is challenging me to create new hairstyle and also teaching me about them. I am loving every minute of it!
Going natural wasn’t too tough of a decision for me because I didn’t have much of a choice. I was on my way to China for a couple months to do a public health research project for my school and would have no access to a beautician. I damaged my hair the last time I permed it myself so I decided to use my journey to China as a new beginning. I started out with kinky twist extensions and then transitioned into tracks. I wore my hair in cornrows a couple of times, but I never fully embraced its beauty. It wasn’t until I began researching how to care for and style my natural tresses on sites such as going-natural.com that I began to fully embrace the unique and profound beauty of natural hair.
Challenge 3: Kumba Out
Instruction Shots:
Nothing is as fun as trying out new hair products and styles! The Kumba Out is simple, and a very realistic style for anyone who is always on the run or just likes quick and easy. In the last challenge, I sampled the products, so I new exactly what products I wanted to use. I washed my hair and then put the shea butter all over my head to moisturize. I put a light towel on my head to let my hair dry a bit before I tried the Kumba twists (I could have blown my hair dry a bit – but decided against it as I had time to let it air dry- and it’s healthier for your hair. If I was in a hurry I would just blow it a bit drier).
When I have the opportunity to try new products for my hair I feel like a kid in a candy store. It is overwhelming yet exciting as my heart fills with anticipation for great results. For this next challenge we were asked to use Going-Natural products to create a Motjo Kumba hairstyle. I’m sure you’re asking, “What is a Motjo Kumba?” Well, I started scratching my head and realized I needed to do some research as well. Although I did not find a written or oral style explanation, Mireille Liong is a great source who she shared her knowledge and hands-on experience.
My approach to this challenge was to just have fun using a new product and excited about trying a new style on my hair. When it comes to trying new styles I’m game for anything. I remember getting bantu knots for the first time and looking in the mirror just amazed at how it came out and thinking that this is a style that my ancestors wore proudly that I could now rock in my own way. As with all challenges just being able to try to come up with “THE LOOK” can seem like a lot but once you start everything just falls into place.