Get Perfect Mini Twists at Home with This Step-by-Step Guide

Mini Twists have become increasingly popular. In fact, the term "mini twists" has generated millions of views on TikTok, reaching over 73 million. Beyond their growing popularity, mini twists are a great protective style for textured hair that allows you to retain length and promote hair growth. In the following sections, we'll cover everything you need to know to about creating mini twists, ways to style them, and how they may benefit your hair. Keep reading to learn more!

How to Do Mini Twists: Quick Steps

Prepare your hair by washing and applying a deep conditioner for at least 20 minutes.
After rinsing, section your hair into 4 parts: 2 in the front and 2 in the back.
Working in horizontal sections, take 1-2 inch pieces of hair and twist them around each other like a rope.
Seal the ends with a twisting cream or gel.
Repeat throughout each section of your hair.

Section 1 of 6:

How to Do Mini Twists

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Begin with thoroughly cleansed hair and do a deep conditioning treatment. Before applying any protective hairstyle, do a deep conditioning treatment to ensure the moisture from the product fully penetrates your hair strands.^{[1]
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- Well-conditioned hair is less likely to break during the twisting process. Before twisting, saturate your hair with a deep conditioner for 20-30 minutes.
- Blow-drying your hair can help stretch your curls before twisting, making your twists appear longer and more uniform. However, this stretching step is optional.
Work the product through from roots to ends. Then, use your fingers to gently detangle. Follow up by thoroughly brushing through your hair with a detangling brush to ensure the conditioner has been evenly distributed and your hair is completely free of knots and tangles.^{[2]
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Create two sections in the front of your hair and two in the back. Use hair clips to keep the hair separated into the designated sections, but remember to leave one section loose as this is the section you will begin twisting with.^{[3]
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If you’d like your twists to be smaller, opt for 1-inch (2.5 cm) segments, while 2-inch (5 cm) segments will provide larger twists. Apply a pea-sized amount of twisting custard or cream to the parted sections to prepare them for the twisting process.^{[4]
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Starting from the top of the head and working your way down, use your rat tail comb to split each section vertically down the center. The two pieces you create are what you will be using to make each twist.^{[5]
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Twist the two pieces together in a clockwise spiral. Beginning near the root, wrap the pieces around each other in a rope-like motion, continuing along the full length of the hair to the ends—think of a braid with only 2 strands of hair instead of 3.^{[6]
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- As you begin to approach the ends of your hair, you may need more twisting cream or butter if your ends are on the dry side.
Twirl the hair ends until the twist feels tight and secure. Now, apply a small amount of twisting butter directly onto the ends and pinch them together to ensure they are fully sealed and the twist won't come loose.^{[7]
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Piece by piece, continue to twist every section of the hair until your entire head is filled with mini twists. You can choose to work from front to back or back to front—it's entirely up to you.^{[8]
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Section 2 of 6:

Mini Twist Maintenance

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Wash your hair once a week. Thoroughly cleanse your scalp to promote optimal hair growth. Washing your twists in sections can also help reduce frizz and prevent the twists from rubbing against each other.^{[9]
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- To wash, dilute 2–3 tablespoons (30–44 mL) of shampoo in water in an empty nozzle bottle. Gently apply this mixture to the twists and scalp, massaging the scalp with your fingertips before rinsing thoroughly.
- Repeat the process with a conditioner. Dry the hair using a microfiber towel, which absorbs more water than regular towels. You can also speed up drying with a blow dryer.
Sleeping with a silk or satin scarf or bonnet is essential for retaining moisture and minimizing frizz. This helps keep your hair neat and maintain your twists for longer. For even more protection, you can also sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase.
While mini twists provide protection for your hair, wearing them down constantly can lead to issues. To prevent split ends and breakage, try to avoid letting your hair rub against your clothing too frequently. Cotton fabrics, in particular, can dry out hair and make it harder for it to retain moisture.
For optimal hair growth and length retention while wearing mini twists, moisturize and seal your hair 2-3 times per week. Mix water with a leave-in conditioner and spritz the solution onto your hair. Then, follow up by applying a lightweight oil to seal in the moisture.^{[10]
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Section 3 of 6:

What are mini twists?

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Mini twists are a protective hairstyle that can promote hair growth and length retention. Each twist is a small, singular piece, which is repeated throughout the entirety of the hair. Using a simple twisting method, the rope-like pattern is created by continuously crossing each piece of hair over the other.
- The style can be worn using only your natural hair or with kinky texture extensions to add length and volume.

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How long do mini twists last?

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You can plan to get up to 4 weeks out of your mini twists. With proper maintenance, you can get up to a month out of your hairstyle, but keep in mind that any time period longer than this may result in matting, dreading, or tangling.^{[11]
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- Weekly washes, sleeping with your hair secured up and in a bonnet, and limiting the amount of friction placed on your twists by wearing them pulled back from time to time can all greatly contribute to their success.

Section 5 of 6:

Mini Twist Styles

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The half-up-half-down style is a simple way to add understated elegance to your mini twists. Simply put the top half of your hair up in a bun or ponytail and leave the rest down.
Some mini twists are created with extensions in order to give some desired length. If long hair is your thing, purchase some extensions that are similar to your own hair texture.
Creating space buns with your mini twists is a fairly easy process. Dividing your hair into two sections, make two pigtails—one on each side of your head. From there, form each pigtail into a bun and secure it with a hair tie.
Adding fun jewelry to your mini twists is a great way to incorporate a bit of pizazz. You can opt for hair cuffs, beads, charms, or shells.
Who doesn’t love a fun pop of color on any hairstyle? Add your favorite headband to your mini twist style not only for a fashionable look, but to help keep your hair out of your face and absorb sweat in the summer.

Section 6 of 6:

Are mini twists worth it?

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Mini twists are worth it for those who want to grow out their hair or retain length. Because your hair is not exposed to daily styling, heat tools, or environmental effects, mini twists are a great way to protect your natural hair, giving it the opportunity to grow healthy and strong. However, it’s important to keep in mind that hairstyles alone do not directly impact the natural growth rate of hair, as that is determined by your own biological factors.^{[12]
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- Mini twists can be a good low tension style for people looking to promote healthy hair by preventing excess breakage.