When it comes to hairstyles, they can be an invaluable asset.
The problem with this is that a lot of people are not really sure about how to use and make the most of their hair.
The sole purpose of this blog is to resolve this problem. It will provide a step-by-step guide taking you through different methods to twist that afro hair. These methods will require tools and products which are easily available to you in the market.
Hair twists are a hairstyle that African men possess due to their hair texture. One can achieve this hairstyle by segmenting your hair into several sections and then twisting two of those sections around each other.
The best part of twisting the hair is, you can achieve it with your natural as well as refined hair and also go in for different hairstyles while combining them with twists.
Hair twisting does not require a lot of time, nor does it require plenty of technique or tools. All it requires is as simple as it can be, such as a comb, a hair gel, and a hairspray.
Method 1
Step 1: Before you proceed with any method, wash your hair with a shampoo and let it air-dry. Do not let it get completely dehydrated. Allow it to stay partially wet, or in other words, damp. It is crucial for the hair to be slightly damp to get the best possible results.
Step 2: The next step is to begin segmenting the hair into sections, but before you do that, you must finger-comb your hair to make sure that they are not tangled with each other or have knots in them.
Divide your hair into sections. The width of the section is completely up to your preference. The wider the sections are, the thicker the twists will be. To obtain prominent twists, apply hair gel or hair spray to the sections.
Step 3: Divide each section into two parts and ensure that they are equal. The division of each section needs to be equal otherwise the twists will not be properly formed, and they might end up looking incomplete.
Step 4: Once you have completed dividing the sections into parts, begin twisting each section using your hands. If you’re doing this for the first time, you can use a hand-over-hand movement to form the twists. With time and practice, you can progress to using your fingers for twisting.
Step 5: Complete the process of twisting your hair moving downward. If you have short hair you can do this as you like, be it downward or upward. This pattern can vary from person to person, and it will be determined by whether you’re a right-handed or left-handed person.
Step 6: Hold equal tension on the twists while forming them. This will decide whether the twists will hold, look incomplete, or unravel. It could be possible that you might have to repeat the process if the twists do not come out fine.
Step 7: Complete the twisting process until you reach the edge of your hair. You cannot have any loose hair hanging on the edges. To reassure that the twists do not get deformed you can even use a special hair twisting gel that is easily available in the market.
Step 8: Use your fingers to close the tips of the twists. This will reduce the chances of you repeating the process all over again And save you an ample amount of time.
Method 2
Step 1: Divide the hair into sections using a clip to the edges of your hair. Section the hair into layers as you want.
Step 2: Grab a spray bottle and hydrate the hair with water. This will moisturize the hair for further process.
Step 3: You can also use other hair products to moisturize the hair such as detangling shampoo, conditioners, hair cream, etc.
Step 4: Divide each section into two equal parts.
Step 5: Start twisting the hair. Begin from the back and move towards the front.
Different Black Men’s Hair Twsit Styles
Short hair twists
Source: menshairstyletoday.com
Similar to long and medium-length hair, men with short hair can also style their curly hair into twists. These short hair twists go fairly well with a fuller face and beard.
If you have low or medium-density hair, the twist will turn out to be quite prominent. On the contrary, if you have a thick density, the twists will not be well defined. In the end, the texture of your hair will be the deciding factor in how well your twists come out.
The advantage of performing a short hair twist is that you will not have to further divide your hair sections into two parts. Since the hair length is quite short, you will divide your hair into sections and begin coiling them up one by one. You can also use hair gels and hairspray to lock in the coils/ twists.
Medium Hair Twists
Medium hair length is considered to be optimal for hair twisting. The length of the hair makes it heavier compared to short hair, giving out better and more prominent twists. The twists turn out like braided hair, falling freely.
You can use the two-strand method to get more defined twists. You may divide your hair into sections, following that, dividing them further into equal parts and twisting them to each other. Get creative with the exposed skin on the edges and you will create a look of your own.
Long Hair twists
Things get interesting when you start twisting your long hair. If you’re a guy who wants to try out the dreadlocks style but is afraid of not getting proper results; You can curl your long hair into twists.
The approach to twisting long hair will be much similar to the one taken for short or medium hair.
You shall begin with washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner. After that apply a hair product such as hair gel, hairspray, or thickening hair cream. From here onward, start dividing your hair into sections. Now, twist the adjacent sections with each other in one part and move on to the other.
While doing this, some sections may take longer to complete the look than others. If you want more refined locks, wrap your hair around yarn and use special twisting hair gel.
Twists With High Top
The High Top Twists hairstyle, also known as the Hi-Top was very popular in the ‘80s and is now being brought into the trend by today’s men who are recreating this hairstyle with different variations. In the Hi-Top hairstyle, the sides are kept rather short and faded with the top comparatively longer.
Twists with Undercut
The undercut hairstyle has been used with many hair types and different hair textures. Believe me, it looks even better with the twists. To achieve this look, keep your hair length short and coil it into twists. Combine this with trimmed sides and back just as you would in an undercut.
This modification of the undercut hairstyle with twists, when combined with a full-grown beard will give you an outstanding look. It has been one of the most trending hairstyles in the ’90s and it continues yet to do so.
Temple Fade with Line up
You must have realized by now how stylish twisted afro hair looks with tapered sides. To take your styling game a level up, you can add in a shaved line or any linear design to the fade. It will be a great touch-up to your appearance and also give you the edge you are looking for.
Not only that, but the fade will also accentuate the twists that you have at the top. This haircut will go well with both short and medium lengths.
Sponge Twists with Taper Fade
If you have coarse and curly hair, you might face difficulty in achieving defined twists. In this case, you can use a tool called the ‘Twist Sponge‘. To complete this look you will need to keep your hair length short with tapered sides.
You begin by applying Hair product to the top and then running the sponge through your hair in a circular motion. Keep in mind that if you want the twists to be in the same pattern, you must move the sponge in the same direction for all the sides. This way your twists will look even and structured, giving you more definition.
You can also twist your hair using a different method. Instead of applying the hair product to the hair, you can apply it to the sponge and then begin circling to the hair. Usually, people stop here in this twisting process, but to enhance this look you can use a styling pomade to bring out the twists more.
How to maintain your twists
Keep the hair dry. After completing the twisting process, if you feel that your hair is still damp, let it air dry. Dry hair will be able to retain the twist much longer than damp hair. Having said that, do not forget to nourish the hair.
In order to do that, you can use leave-in conditioners and hair oils to keep the hair moisturized, but do not let the hair stay wet for long. You can also benefit from the use of shea butter to nourish the hair.
Keep the frequency of shampooing your hair down. You need to keep the hair clean and hydrated, which is why you will not be using shampoos every day. Use clarifying shampoo diluted in water and then apply it to your hair and its roots. Wash it in the shower and use the same method for your conditioner.
Untwist your hair after a week or two and repeat the process. This will prevent your hair from forming knots and resulting in hair damage.
Thinner twists can retain much longer than the thicker ones. Hence keep your twist small. To do that, keep the sections of your hair thin while dividing.
Use a satin or silk pillowcase, or even a scarf to avoid any frizziness of the hair. The pillowcase will also prevent the hair from getting stripped of its moisture.
If you have any loose twists, use beads for hairbands to seal them. this will ensure that the look is more sustainable.
Conclusion
I hope that you have a decent understanding now of how to twist your hair based on its length and texture. Do not hesitate from experimenting with your hairstyle. Just like any other good thing to happen, be patient while styling your hair and you will get the best results.
Keep your hair tidy and clean for defined curls and twists. Wash them at least once a week. Use pomades and hair mousse to style the twist and retain the look longer.
