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.
What do we do every night to keep our twists/curls looking gorjuz?
I play sports and I was sweating with my twist out in. Can you shampoo the twist or will it mess up the twist out?
That makes my hair tangled when I do that. I have to remove them first.
Why does my natural hair two strand keep coming down a couple of days after I pay to have them done or when I do them myself. Is my hair too soft? I think I’m a 4c and I already had my ends click. I did a big chop fours years ago and I’m all natural. Please help I love my twist because it’s so convenient. I keep them in I don’t do twist outs.
What product are you using on your twists? Is it gel based and is your hair wet? That will help seal them.
Hello: I’ve been natural since 2010. Just wash blow dry & chi flat iron. I’ve been seeing beautiful twist & now I want to try it…. There is some fear of it not becoming on my face; but it’s hot & I’m sick of so much heat on my hair trying to keep the wrap look.. Lol… So tomorrow I’ll be purchasing a few products & given it a try… Wish me well..
Good luck Tracy! You can do it!! I’m sure it will be becoming. Remember, we tend to get USED to seeing ourselves with certain styles. So you have to get used to the different natural looks over time. Ever notice how you think certain styles look great on some people but you fear won’t look good on you? The reason is you are comparing the new look to your existing look.
Don’t worry, I’m sure you will look great with the twists!
What product is best to use for two strand twist
I think it depends on the hair but I like products that have a slight hold but some moisturizing qualities as well like Organics Root Twisting Gel or Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding. It’s expensive but gives a GREAT twist out.
Hi Lisa,
I am wanting to start the twist out but I have some questions. One, can I do my twist outs with moisture in my hair? Two, do I need to wash it first and then start the process with my hair dry? I watched plenty of videos on twist outs put their hair is never moisturized when they do it. So I was wandering if I can do it with my hair moisturized.
Thanks,
Manisha
where r the vneck tees for us curvy sistas could not see them
I can only offer what Zazzle keeps in stock. I thought for sure they had some though.
Hey Lisa, I have not a perm since 2012 August. I was not willing to do the big chop because I wasn’t ready for short hair. I have done a lot of research and was willing to put in the work. Well, I got a sew in last month and took it down yesterday and washed today. Unfortunately, most of the perm hair was completely matted. I tried to detangle to no avail. I cut it off. Now I feel like I need to go have a professional trim but not really. Seems like since the hair shrinks anyway why bother with the professional cut for now. My hair is 4c. What do you think?
Okay, I need some clarification.. After washing and putting hair into twists for the night, do you twist with nothing on your hair or do you apply a leave in, moisturizer, or oil for moisture? If not, when do you moisturize it? Or is the lock and twist enough?
hello ms. Lisa 🙂 i’m currently 17 years of age and recently i’ve been thinking about re-growing my natural hair, because since i was a very small girl i’ve had relaxed hair. I live in Guyana, South America and the climate here is not too welcoming to relaxed hair. Of course it works, But relaxed hair was not meant for this heat at all since i live in tha tropical zone. Humidity, extreme uv rays n other elements continue to ravage relaxed hair hair so it doesnt exactly thrive. About 2 years back, my elder sister decided to knot-up her hair, that is put it in rasta locks. She has some white in her and so her natural hair is quite soft and i admire it. She first gave me some inspiration to do this. Her girls, who also currently have relaxed hair, have very pretty natural hair, one of them being nice n soft and tha other having soft and curly hair as well so their relaxed hair is quite long n pretty. The point of telling you all this is that i can’t quite remember my natural hair all i do know is that it hurt to comb and from my sister’s description it was very hard and in my country unless you have nice and soft natural hair like my sis and neices, some of my friends and you, Its not ok. I’m scared to regrow because of that. My family has some ethnicity in them and thus i have very small amounts of soft “lie-down” hairs on hairline and corners, meaning some of it is kinda okay.. but the rest of it is hard, as they would say in my country. It makes me second guess my decision. I kno this all sounds confusing but i really need your help. Please let me kno that you’ve gotten this if ure not too busy. Because i need advice and someone to talk to about this particular topic. BTW, your natural hair is awesome!!!!!!! love love love 🙂 <3
Hi Shelley
The good news is a lot has changed since you were natural last. Products have come a long way and you will just have to learn how to manage it. I remember when I was natural as a child, I remember my hair being very hard to comb and I HATED shampoo day. But now I’ve learned to section my hair before shampooing and use a lot of conditioner to help manage my hair. It’s just a learning process and you can definitely learn.
Come by the forum at https://napturallycurly.com/forums There are a BUNCH of ladies there (and myself) who are there to help and answer questions.
Thanks so much! I guess i needed to hear that.. 🙂 I think i posted a new thread on the forum so i’ll be going there in a bit 😀
When twisting, should I part the hair with a comb or not?
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!
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 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! https://napturallycurly.com/forums
Hey I wanted to know if you twist your hair every night to keep the twistout looking fresh?
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.
I do small twist ,but I will try smaller,I use organic twist and lock gel thanks.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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. 🙂
Good post! I’ve been twisting on dry hair for the past few years and I really like the end results much better.
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.
I love dry twist outs.
Very pretty pics.
www. KinkyCurlyCoilyMe.com
Thanks JenellyBean!
Lord knows i’ve done everything under the sun but my twist never last wet or dry and when i try to undo them its knoted up and i know this is not good also the nape line of my hair is so soft i can’t get it locked for nothing even with the clips to keep them in place what should i do
You may just have hair like mine that doesn’t stay great more than a day. But for it to look decent 3 days I do it on dry hair with eco style gel only! (Comb hair out , smooth on a little gel and twist) Sleep overnight then separate with hair oil on the tip of your fingers (not liquid oil a solid consistency oil) at night resist the hair in no less than fifteen sections. Do not comb just twist. In the morning untwist no oil. Sameprocedure at night but the next mmorning u ntwist with oil again