Heat-Free Bantu Knots

Cleanse the hair using John Paul Mitchell Systems Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo.

Apply John Paul Mitchell Systems Tea Tree Lavender Mint Deep Conditioning Mineral Hair Mask using your hands and a detangling comb to strengthen and hydrate the hair.

Sit under a steamer for 15 to 30 minutes to hydrate the hair and open the cuticle to better absorb moisture and other treatments.

Use the LOC method—leave-in, oil and cream—and apply the John Paul Mitchell Systems Tea Tree Lavender Mint Conditioning Leave-In Spray, John Paul Mitchell Systems Lavender Mint Nourishing Oil and John Paul Mitchell Systems Lavender Mint Taming Cream.

Note: The LOC method helps with moisture retention.

Apply John Paul Mitchell Systems Tea Tree Lavender Mint Defining Gel throughout the hair and blow-dry on low heat to remove 60 to 70 percent of moisture.

Section the hair into quadrants. Use the John Paul Mitchell Systems Lavender Mint Leave-In Spray to reactivate the gel and detangle the hair using your fingers.

Separate the hair into one to two inch sections and twist the hair around each other. Continue this step along the entire head and place under the dryer to set.

Pro Tip: “Now the size of the section will determine how small or large you want those knots to be. And when you let them out, how much wave or curl you’d like to be present.” says LaDonna.

Once the knots are completely dry, coat your hands with the John Paul Mitchell Systems Lavender Mint Nourishing Oil and unwind each knot. Separate each section using your fingers.

Continue separating until you've reached the desired look and volume.