I just said “Bye Bye” to twisting my hair while it’s wet.
Not only was I able to twist my hair much faster when it was dry (not sure why), but the twists were neater and I retained more length with my twists and twist outs.
My Routine
1) I washed my hair and put it in about 12 gigantic twists and went to sleep.
2) The next morning my hair was completely dry and I began twisting my hair like normal with Taliah Waajid’s Lock it Up gel (which can be purchased at any beauty supply).
3) I left the twists in for almost two weeks and then wore a twist out the remaining week.
Twist Out Length Comparison
Notice the difference in my twist outs below. The pic on the left is a twist out from twists done on wet hair. The pic on the right is a twist out from twists done on dry hair.
These pictures were only taken about 3 weeks apart so I didn’t have that much more new growth. You can see the length retention in the picture on the right.
My hair is sort of pushed back in the first pic, so I realize that is making it look shorter. However, you can look at my bangs and see how much more length I retained.
Quick Video of My Twist Out
Here’s Another Video That Shows Me Twisting & Prepping For the Twist Out
More Two Strand Twisting Tips
1. Twisting your hair while wet will give you a more shrunken look, but your twists will set better.
2. To get more length, let your hair dry stretched by either blow drying it, banding it (section your hair and put rubber bands at the top, middle and bottom of each section) or putting it into large twists.
When your hair is dry, apply your twisting cream of choice and your twists will retain more length
3. Always make sure your sections are thoroughly detangled so you’ll get a smoother finish with your twist out.
4. The smaller your twists are, the curlier/fuller they will look because your hair takes on your natural hair pattern.
5. Want your twist out to last longer? Leave the twists in for multiple days. I’ve found that if I can leave them in for at least 4 days, I can get 7-10 days out of my twist out.
6. If you’re transitioning, buy small perm rods and roll the ends. The smaller the twists, the better. If your twists are too large, it will be harder to set the ends.
7. Sleep in a satin bonnet to preserve your style.
I love dry twist outs.
Very pretty pics.
www. KinkyCurlyCoilyMe.com
Thanks JenellyBean!
I agree. Your twists and twist out on dry hair look great! You said you didn’t know why you were able to do the twists on dry hair faster than on wet hair. I wonder if it’s because the hair is already stretched a bit, leaving it a bit more detangled and already in the “stretched” position.
I think you’re right. I spent less time detangling when it was dry.
Good post! I’ve been twisting on dry hair for the past few years and I really like the end results much better.
Hello Ms. Lisa,
Ok, I will try this too, just for the record my last twist lasted 5 days and my twist out 2 days, it was my fault. Hahaha, could not resist the urge to wash scalp after 1 week, but I did a protein treatment and because I had lots of time on my hand, re-twisted. I am now trying to keep my twist in for 10 days and twist-out 4 days, this is were accessories start coming in, will let you know girls!!
Earthbound
lol, I’ve been there with the need to wash, so I understand. Ten days should give you a GREAT twist out! Keep me posted.
Last week was the first time I twisted my hair when it was dry…Why did I take so long to do this. The detangling processing took less time and I twisted my hair in no time. I also love the results I got….I will be doing this for now on…
Oh and your hair looks great!!
Aren’t dry twists great???? Thank you for the compliment.
Howdy Ms. Lisa,
Well dearie, had twists in for 11 days, yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! And ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy cause it’s taking me quite a toll for keeping them in so long, hahahah. Will rock a twist-out for the next 3 days, planning on going to the pool this Saturday so timing is perfect. Loving it very much, my hair looks like a puff ball, at least that’s what my sister said, hehehe. When taking out the twists, coated my ends with olive oil as you said.
Lovingggggg it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
See ya Ms. Lisa.
Hello Ladies,
Just a quick update, now had twists in for 10 days and twist out for 3 days, tomorrow will be 2 weeks with 2 protective styles, am I loving it, hmmm, let me think, yessssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!
Would leave them in longer, but I really scalp is saying, WASH ME OR ELSE!!!! So will be washing and Styling on Sunday!!!!!!
Take care Ladies!!! Enjoy the weekend!!!!
Yes, ma’am! That scalp WILL talk to you right? Mine is talking now! LOL
Hello Ladies,
My hair is longer, yay, this calls for victory dance!!!!! Just one questions Ms. Lisa, my hair has white flakes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Aghrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
Ok, so I washed my hair and my Mom twisted her the next day when Sheila (that’s my hair’ s names, cause she is wild) was dry.
When I washed her, I applied Shea Moisture Coconut & Milk, VO5 Moisturizing Conditioner & Olive Oil. Next day, twisted with ECO Styler Gel, left her alone, slept that night with a satin bonnet, in the morning I applied water (has okra in it – experiment to see if okra grows hair) and olive oil.
Day 1 good, Day 2 good, Day 3 half and half, now Day 4 dirty, my sis is laughing at me and saying, WASH YOUR HAIR, hehehehehe. But when my hair was shorter like at 1 to 2 inches, this did not happen.
Could it be too many products in the hair or the gel is not working? Will wash tonight with shampoo, i usually cowash but will shampoo, and then on Sunday will try do twist just with gel to see how it comes out. Will let you know!!!!! I would love for twists to last 1 week with twist out lasting another week but we shall see!!!!
See ya ladies!!!
LOL, I had this problem too and I was using too much product on my twists. Make sure you clarify your hair every now and then too because it will remove build up.
I’ve learned that I can get away with using half the amount of gel/twisting cream I was using. Try that and see if it helps.
How do you clarify your hair?
Buy a clarifying shampoo and use that instead of a regular one. I use Come Clean by Kinky Curly. I believe the Jason’s brand makes a good one too.
I am scouring the internet for ideas for transitioning my hair. I’ve had relaxed hair since I was a fresh-man in high school and now I have a daughter who will be entering high (so a looonnngggggg time). I am so sick of breakage and dryness and heat, etc, etc that I want to go back to natural hair. What’s been keeping me trapped is I don’t remember what my hair looked like or felt like natural its been so long. But I am ready to take that journey. Especially since I do almost have a teenage daughter I need to stop spending money to get my hair done and do it myself. After giving you that little bit of history I just wanted to say that I loved your dry twist. They were so shiny and just perfect. I also watched your rod set video and I love how your hair just bounces back; that’s what I want to get back to just plain old healthy hair. Thanks for your time.
Good luck, Aisha! You can do it, girl! Thank you.
Hey .. Um ive read all your information and its been very helpfull. I just need some advice. Basicly. I am from afro carribean orrigin but my hair texture used to be really soft and curly like in ringlets. My whole familly on one side has this type of fections from hair when i was young i caught several fungal infections from children in my primary (elementary) school this damaged the texture of my hair abd the treatnent i usedchanded the curls so now that i am much older my hair texture has never reverted back.. Its gone to normal afro carribean texture hair .. Do you have any tips or ideas of anything i can do or take to nake it go back one day to its orriginal texture?? Thank you.
HI,
I have been transitioning since July of last year. I came across your site a few months ago. I sometimes use braids, but tried my first twists last month. I know that practice makes perfect, but they did not look as good as yours. I am attempting to try them again within the next few days. I did not make my twists as small (and really ran through the process which probably didn’t help) and the ends would come undone. I noticed that your hair looked very moisturized while mine looked dry no matter what I put in my hair (I used Taliah Waajid’s for the twist. I know that I also need to trim my ends since it hasn’t been done since last year. My question is I work out at least five times a week and sweat like crazy! I love the twists because they hold so well, but wondered if maybe the salt from my sweat is the reason why my twists (twist-out was a hot frizzy mess!) look dry. I can’t give up working out without gaining weight. Do you or maybe some of your followers know if a way to keep the hair from drying out from working out? Thanks! I love the website!
Lorie
Hey Ms. Lisa,
I wanted to know how do you get the twist to stay twisted, or rather keep them from untangling? I really want to try this style but i’m afraid that my 4months of new growth is not enough to keep them twisted.
Hi Olivia
You should have enough hair to keep them twisted. Just use a twisting gel with some hold like Taliah Waajid Lock it Up or Organic Root Stimulator Lock and Twist Gel. When you get to the end of the twist, make sure you have product on the ends and wrap the twist around your finger a couple of times to seal it.
HI,
I have been transitioning since July of last year. I came across your site a few months ago. I sometimes use braids, but tried my first twists last month. I know that practice makes perfect, but they did not look as good as yours. I am attempting to try them again within the next few days. I did not make my twists as small (and really ran through the process which probably didn’t help) and the ends would come undone. I noticed that your hair looked very moisturized while mine looked dry no matter what I put in my hair (I used Taliah Waajid’s for the twist. I know that I also need to trim my ends since it hasn’t been done since last year. My question is I work out at least five times a week and sweat like crazy! I love the twists because they hold so well, but wondered if maybe the salt from my sweat is the reason why my twists (twist-out was a hot frizzy mess!) look dry. I can’t give up working out without gaining weight. Do you or maybe some of your followers know if a way to keep the hair from drying out from working out? Thanks! I love the website!
Lorie
I hope someone else can chime in because I don’t sweat a lot when I work out (IF I WORK OUT…lol) Sweating probably is making your twists frizzy so a twist out may not be the best style. Is your hair long enough to pin back? You may want to try pinning them into a bun or something that is more conducive to working out.
Thanks. I’m going to try flat twists on the front half so I can pull back the rest into a bun. My length is about what yours was at the 12 month mark give or take an inch or two. I’ll also see how a wash & go style will work using Kinky Curl products. Thanks for the advice.
My twist comes a lose before I can finish what can I do to stop that from happen.
Hi Lin,
I wonder if you are trying to make your twists too big. Try making them smaller. Also could it be that your ends need trimming? I’ve never had this problem.
I do small twist ,but I will try smaller,I use organic twist and lock gel thanks.
Hi, I’ve been considering going natural for months and your website is so informative and encouraging that I’ve decided to finally go for it, so I just want to say thank you. My question is what style do you suggest I do first. My hair is short and very damaged (which is why I considered going natural) and I’m afraid doing some of these natural styles so early in my transition won’t turn out right.
First, make sure you go and get your hair trimmed. Starting the transition with damaged ends will only make the process harder. Since your hair is short you can always start with a rod set with tiny rods. That will ease you into the natural look and it lasts a long time.
Hey I wanted to know if you twist your hair every night to keep the twistout looking fresh?
I have been in transitioning for a year and a half, wearing micros the entire time. I have finally found the strength to rock my natural hair without getting a perm. It was more so that I don’t like doing my own hair… lol
I have been wearing my hair in ponytail puff for 3 weeks now, and no one I knows is doing the natural hair or the ones I do know really don’t want to share their secrets. But Thanks to your site and videos I have finally found a hairstyle that I like and know how to do on my own without frustration and wanting to go back to permed hair. It also gives me more variety!!!!
Thanks a million!
So great to hear Joy! Join us over at the forums and there are a lots of people there who understand where you’re coming from. We’d love to see ya there! http://napturallycurly.com/forums
It’s been 8 months of transtitioning to natural hair.My ends r still straight with perm,don’t know whay to do with them. Please help!
Try putting small perm rods on the ends when you do styles.
I’m loving the dry twists. It’s funny that I just decided tonight to dry twists my hair. While just sitting around after dry twisting my hair I came across your site. Can’t wait to start blogging with you and your followers. I began transitioning June 2010 fully natural June 2011 and I’ve been enjoying my natural hair ever since. For those who are just starting,you have to be committed and you will go through TONS of different products. You will finally find products that work for YOUR hair.
Amen!!
Thanks for coming by!