5 Twists to Lock in the Moisture
In the natural hair community, there is a twist style for everybody. Using twist hairstyles isn’t something new, the natural-hair community has been relying on it for ages, mainly because these twists aren't just for looks. They also make for a great protective style by locking in moisture while preventing breakage and split ends.
Yes, twists are GREAT when it comes to keeping your natural hair. And the good news is, there are hundreds of styles you can do for any type of natural hair. But after seeing so many different twist techniques online, the natural hair blogger in me started to wonder: What is the difference between each type of twist style?
Well never fear, I did some investigating for you and today I will go over 5 different types of twist styles for natural hair that you can do at home.
Marley Twists
Marley twists are designed to resemble a thick dreadlock look - hence the name ‘Marley’, but it is actually a twist. Marley twists are known as such as they use hair referred to as marley braid hair. This hair very closely resembles natural hair textures as it is coarser than traditional synthetic hair. These are the most common types of twists you can find today, mainly because they are easy to install and very affordable! Marley twists are installed using the invisible root method, which covers the root of your actual hair. This creates a more natural look – and is then twisted using a two-strand method. Even Brandy herself wears these often.
Havana Twists
Havana twists are very similar to Marley twists as they are installed in the same manner and can be created using the same type of hair. However, most Havana twists are done with a different braiding hair texture that is much lighter and fluffier than marley braid hair. Havana twist hair has a rougher texture but is much lighter, making it a good alternative as it won’t weigh your head down as much. The main difference is in the size of the twist, for every two-three marley twists there is one havana twist. Havana twists are essentially another way to naturally create a thick dreadlock look.
Senegalese Twists
Senegalese twists, also known as rope twists, are also installed similarly to Marley and Havana twists. These twist tend to be thinner in diameter, lighter and less dreadlock-like, more sleek. The significant difference is in the hair that is used, senegalese twists typically use Kanekalon hair. This gives a tighter and smoother look, perfect if you are not into the dreadlock style but still want to have twists as a hairstyle.
Flat Twists
Flat twists are a neat way to add a protective style to your hair repertoire. Unlike regular two strand twists, which can hang loosely, flat twists are twisted to the scalp and work well on both natural and relaxed textures. They're similar to cornrows, but may be more user-friendly to beginners; you work with two strands of hair at a time with flat twists instead of three, as you do with cornrows.
Two Strand Twist
Two Strand twist is such a versatile natural hairdo that can be done on long or short hair. For these twists, you don’t need to have extra braiding hair, just your own. That’s probably why so many women love it! The fundamental idea behind two-strand braids is that it may serve as a base hairstyle for a variety of other natural hairstyles to create a look all your own. This hairstyle is also great for overnight protection and will keep your curls stretched. Then when you take them out, your hair will have style and twice as much volume!
Ultimately, when selecting the twist type for your tresses, choose the one you can easily live with. Here are a few quick tips to follow if you are considering twists:
- Don’t relax your hair before doing a twist hairstyle. If you already have relaxed hair, don’t relax it again. This clashes with the texture of the extensions and looks bad. Trust me.
- Make sure you shampoo and detangle your hair. The gunk and leftover product needs to go! When your hair is all twisted up, all the debris and gunk can unhygienically build up and even get moldy. Blah.
- Condition and prepare your hair to make it healthy before styling! Assess what your hair needs – protein, humidifier, moisture – and use a deep conditioner or hot oil as needed.
- Once your do is done, make sure to protect your twists while you sleep! Wrap your hair in a satin bonnet in a ponytail or sleep on a satin pillowcase. Your twists will thank you in the morning!
Happy twisting!