Twisting Your Own Hair at Home: A Step-By-Step Guide

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Enchance your natural hair with these super easy DIY styles

Co-authored by Nikia Londy

Last Updated: September 11, 2024 References

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Creating Two-Strand Twists

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Doing Three-Strand Twists

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Maintaining Your Twists

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Creating Hairstyles with Twists

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Video

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Tips

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Things You'll Need

Twists are a beautiful, protective hairstyle for naturally curly or wavy hair, and you don't have to go to a salon to rock the look. In this article, we'll show you how to easily create two-strand and three-strand twists at home. We've also got tips for helping your twists last as long as possible, plus cute hairstyles you can create with them. Grab a comb and let's get started!

How do you do hair twists?

Grab a section of hair about 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) thick along your hairline.
Secure the rest of your hair out using hair clips or elastic ties.
Work a dollop of styling product through your hair with a comb.
Separate the hair into 2 equal sections.
Twist the sections around each other.
Seal your twist with a bit of gel at the end.
Repeat the process on the rest of your hair.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Creating Two-Strand Twists

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1
Create uniform sections of hair using a rattail comb or your fingers. You can make any size twists you’d like. For small, average-sized twists, grab a section of hair about 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) thick along your hairline. Secure the rest of your hair out of the way using hair clips or elastic ties.^{[1]
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- Dampen your hair before dividing it into sections.
- When starting the twist method, it’s easiest to work from back to front.
- If you prefer larger twists, grab a strand that is 2–4 in (5.1–10.2 cm) thick. Remember, larger twists require longer hair. Shorter hair may not be long enough to twist together in large sections.
- For best results, use a section of hair that is all about the same length. If the hair in each of your sections varies in length, your twists may not stay in place.
2
Comb a dab of coconut oil or hair gel through each section of hair. The particular products you use depend on your hair type and desired hold. In general, scoop up a dab of coconut oil, and rub it in between your hands. Comb the oil through your hair from root to tip using your fingers. Then, do the same with a dab of styling gel or cream. ^{[2]
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- This smooths your hair and helps it stay in the twist shape.
- If you hair dries quickly, try adding the gel section by section rather than applying it all at once. Don't let the gel harden before you've had the opportunity to twist your hair.
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3
Separate the hair into 2 equal sections. To do the two-strand twist, create 2 evenly-sized sections using your fingers or a rattail comb. The sections should be roughly the same size, but it’s okay if they aren’t exact.^{[3]
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- To keep the sections separated, hold the ends of your hair in your hands.
4
Twist 1 of the sections of hair around the other. Hold 1 section of hair in each of your hands, and bring 1 hand over the other to start your twist. Continue this hand-over-hand movement to twist the section of hair around the other strand. Wrap the hair with even tension until you reach the end of your hair.^{[4]
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- As you do this, be sure to move your hands in the same direction to create a uniform twist.
- Twist the sections of hair together tightly so they do not unravel when you let go.
5
Apply a bit of product to the ends so the twist stays in place. Once you get to the end of your hair, hold the strands in 1 hand, scoop a bit of hair gel with the other, and rub the product onto the end of your hair. Curly hair often stays in place on its own, although you can use small hair ties to secure the ends if you’d like.^{[5]
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- You only need a small dab of product to secure your ends. Experiment with shea butter, twisting creams, and hair gel to see what works the best.
6
Continue twisting all of your hair in small, uniform sections. If you want an all over twisted style, move on to another section of hair after you secure your first twist. Start your next one immediately next to the first, and continue creating twists from the front of your head to the back.^{[6]
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- Depending on how much hair you have and how long it is, this process can take quite some time. Take breaks when you need to, You can watch a movie or listen to music as you do this.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Doing Three-Strand Twists

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To make your twist, grasp a 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) thick section along your hairline. Section your hair using your fingers or a rattail comb. It’s best to use a section of hair that is about the same length overall so the twists stay in place and don’t have loose ends sticking out.^{[7]
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2
Apply styling products to the strand so the twist stays in place. Use a dab of gel and/or styling oil to maintain the twists. Rub the product in your hands, and apply it from your roots to your ends.^{[8]
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- Using styling product before you twist your hair helps the coils stay in position for several days. It also helps you define your twists, which in turn helps if and when you decide to unravel the twists.
3
Separate the hair into 3 even sections as if you are braiding it. Once you have your individual section, divide it into 3 equally-sized strands to create your twist. Then, position the 3 sections side-by-side.^{[9]
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- This is the same basic steps you’d take if you were braiding your hair, but instead of moving 2 of the 3 strands, you’ll only adjust 1 of them.
Look in the mirror as you twist your hair so you can clearly see each strand. Move the strand closest to your neck over top of the other 2 strands to reposition it on the opposite side. This creates the start of your twist.^{[10]
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Once you move the first strand, bring the strand that is now close to your neck (the middle strand in the step above) over top of the other 2 strands. This strand now is furthest away from your neck. Continue this process until you reach the end of your hair.^{[11]
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6
Secure the ends of your hair using styling product or a hair tie. When you get to the very end of the strand, leave about 1 in (2.5 cm) at the end. Apply a small dab of hair gel or coconut oil to the very end for a gentle hold. If you have curly hair, the twist should stay in place. For a more secure hold, wrap a small elastic hair tie around the end of the strand.^{[12]
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- This way, the twists do not come undone as you style your hair.
7
Do this for all of your hair to create a more advanced twist style. After you create your first twist, grab a section of hair right next to the twist to make your next one. Continue doing this working from front to back until all of your hair is in twists.^{[13]
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- The three-strand twist is slightly more difficult to do than the two-strand twist, so this is a good idea once you master the two-strand technique.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Maintaining Your Twists

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1
Rock your twists for 1-2 weeks. On average, your twists will stay in place for about a week or so. By using products and hair ties, you can keep your twists intact for up to 2 weeks. This is a great, short-term preventative style. After 1-2 weeks, undo your hair and try something new.^{[14]
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- For instance, wear your hair in two-strand twists for a few weeks, then try out the three-strand twist next. You can make your next twists a bit thinner or thicker if you’d like.
2
Retwist your hair if you notice any sections coming undone. If the ends of your twists start to unravel, simply twist them back into place and apply a bit more hair product. This way, you can extend the total time of your twist hairstyle.^{[15]
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- As the hairs loosen, the twists may appear bigger. This is perfectly normal, and if you don’t like this look you can try twisting the hair tighter next time.
3
Wear a silk cap when you sleep to help your twists last longer. To prevent your twists from coming undone or getting frizzy, put on a silk cap before you go to bed. Stretch the cap over your head, ensuring all of your twists are inside.^{[16]
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- You can purchase a silk cap at most beauty supply stores or online.
4
Shampoo your scalp to wash your hair without undoing the twists. If you want to wash your hair but don’t want your twists to come out, rub a dime-size amount of shampoo in your hands, and apply it directly to your scalp. Avoid getting much of the product directly on your twists. Massage your scalp with your fingers, and rinse out the shampoo completely. You can apply conditioner the same way to moisturize your scalp if you’d like.^{[17]
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- Do this if your hair is very oily or if your scalp starts to itch.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Creating Hairstyles with Twists

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1
Unravel each section to create a twist-out look. Sleep with your hair in a two-strand twist overnight, and gently unravel each twist the next morning. Shake your head from side to side to loosen the coils. Use a little coconut oil if your hair is dry, but pat it gently over your hair to keep it in a puffy shape. This is a cute, casual alternative to your twisted look.^{[18]
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- With this look, your hair is still curly and coiled, but the twists look relaxed and loose rather than tightly wrapped.
- If you did your twists when your hair was damp, you need to allow your hair to dry completely before unraveling your twists.
- You can also leave your hair in two-strand twists for 2-3 days for tight, kinky coils.
2
Tie your twists into a ponytail for a simple updo. For a simple, classy look, grasp all of your twists at the crown of your head, and secure them using an elastic hair tie. Make sure your coils are all smooth and flat at the top of your head. This is an easy style great for casual day-to-day looks.^{[19]
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- For example, tie up your hair when running errands or grabbing lunch with friends.
- This is also a great way to keep your hair out of the way while exercising.
3
Wrap your twists into a bun for an elegant evening style. Pull all of your twists back, and grip them at the crown of your head. Wrap a hair tie around your hair, but leave the ends secured in the elastic rather than pulling the hair all the way through. You can wrap 1 of your twists around the base of the bun for a cute touch.^{[20]
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- This is a simple, traditional style that looks great for work or for going out on a date.

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Things You’ll Need

Rattail comb
Coconut oil
Hair gel
Clips
Hair ties
Silk scarf

Tips

Be patient and take your time when twisting your hair yourself. This process can take some time, but it’s much cheaper than getting it done at a salon.

Thanks
Helpful 11 Not Helpful 1
For best results, wash and detangle your hair before you twist it.

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Helpful 10 Not Helpful 3
If you have short hair, you can easily do the two-strand twist. However, you may find it easier to rock a twisted style if you get extensions before you twist your hair.

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Helpful 6 Not Helpful 3