Twists for Men continue to be a great hairstyle choice for men with afro-textured hair. They offer a great look while simultaneously being low maintenance.
The protective hairstyle can be worn on both short and long hair and we have taken it upon ourselves to demonstrate the different options available to you.
Twists for Men will typically fall into 3 main categories being
- Twists on Dreadlocks
- Twists on Loose Hair (Thick and Thin)
- Twist on Short Hair (Sponge Twists)
Twists for Men (Video Detailed Look)
Twists for Men Image Gallery & Review
Two Strand Twists (On Dreadlocks)
Two strand twists are a very popular hairstyle for men with afro textured hair due to its simplicity, protective style, rope effect look whilst giving you the ability to keep them in your hair for up to 6 weeks.
Rappers with dreads such as Lil Durk can be credited for popularising this hairstyle as he has made it his trademark look over the years. Prior to him acts such as Lil wayne often wore this style.
It’s common for your hairstylist or loctician to place your hair in a two strand twist after washing your dreads. This usually involves taking 2 locs and wrapping them around each other whilst using rubber bands to hold the ends.
It should be noted that once hair is placed in a 2 strand twist shrinking does occur therefore the final hair length is not a true representation of how long a person’s hair is.
Twist Out (On Dreadlocks)
One of the benefits from doing the 2 strand twist is the twist out achieved once you unravel your dreads.
The twist out is a result of your hair being tied closely together for weeks on end then being undone to create this look. In the video above you can see the twist out achieved after a 6 week period.
The twist out usually will last for 4-5 days before straightening again. When it comes to twists for men this is a favourite.
If your hair is long enough you have the option to wear it up or down, the choice is yours!
Two Strand Twists (On Loose Curly Hair)
On loose curly hair you will also have the option to do two strand twists with the main difference being hair won’t be as long as it appears on dreads, however you have the ability to style these twists thick or thin.
We advise its best to visit your hair stylist if you’re wanting to do 2 strand twists
However if your wanting a quick tutorial follow these steps.
- Before you can even begin to think about twisting your hair ensure you wash and condition for a pleasant process.
- Start by parting your hair in the middle and dividing it into 4 equal sections
- Place a hold pin on the sections not being worked on, only leaving one undone.
- Ensure your hair is damp and begin to twist 2 strands of hair around each other.
- Continue all the way down until the ends which you can close with a rubber band.
- Once complete spritz hair with a light spray.
We advise your best option is to watch tutorials on YouTube or to visit your stylist.
Twist Out on Loose Curly Hair
You will also be privy to a twist out having kept your 2 strand twists in your loose curly hair for some time.
Gently dampen your hair before starting the procedure.
Carefully unravel your hair starting from the ends. As you work your way to the top you will be able to see your hair in a curly pattern, this being a result of having twists in. For a tighter look, only slightly unravel each coil as this will create even thicker curls.
The option is available for you to use a comb to pick at the roots faster whilst lifting for extra volume.
High-top twists
The nature of the high-top hairstyle makes it distinctive in of itself. We can spot anyone a mile away with this style, hair on the sides is cut off or kept very short while hair on the top of the head is very long. Adding twists to the mix makes this even more unique.
These twists are normally formed with a sponge in which you slightly dampen your hair with a spritz hairspray, take your sponge and rotate it around your hair.
You can do this lightly or aggressively, depending on how thick you want your twists to be. Some have often used this to start there dreads.
Triangle Twists
The traditional parting system used for twists and braids are boxes, however with a difference in look and appeal the triangle offers a unique look.
The twists remain the same with the slight variation being placed on the root, your twists will have been installed at the root with triangle parts.
At a quick glance you will be able to notice the difference due to its unique style.
Sponge twists
Twists for men is not only limited to those with long hair but can be achieved with shorter hair.
As we mentioned in the video above you will have the option to use a sponge to create mini twists.
The sponge contains multiple holes used for curling and twisting natural hair. For those with short hair this is your best option as you will be able to achieve your desired look. Remember to always start with damp hair, apply a leave in conditioner and rotate the sponge all throughout your hair.
This is best paired with a taper fade and shape up!
Bleached Twists
Bleached twists are an optional variation of this hairstyle for those wanting to further standout.
There a few options when it comes to bleaching
- Bleaching only the ends.
- Bleaching a few strands of hair throughout the entire head
- Bleaching your whole head
Now we must add that while this option is great we prefer to let a professional do this, we would hate for you to damage your hair!
Thick Twists
To achieve the thick twists look you will simply need to ensure you are using more hair than usual when you begin to twist, this is what creates the thickness and volume.
One of the great things about the Thick Twist hairstyle is that it looks great on all hair types and textures. It is also a relatively easy style to do and can be done by most people with basic braiding skills.
Another benefit is that since you’re using more hair the braiding process will be quicker than usual.
Thin Twists
This being the total opposite of thick twists requires much more patience and precision. The twists takes much longer in time to create however it will be worth it.
These twists will require as much maintenance as any other style but also look great if you’re wanting a break from thick twists.
Flat Twists
The Flat twist is a combination of two strand twists and cornrows in one hairstyle. To achieve this it involves combining two strands of hair on top of each other to form a rope-like braid.
The usual two strand twist is normally of scalp, however these are on your scalp, hence the term “flat twists”
So basically cornrows + twists! A great alternative to the traditional cornrow hairstyle.
Twists with Undercut
Similar in appearance to the high top twists with a slight variation in that the hair is left on the top, while the sides being shorter as well as the back. In an undercut, hair on the sides and back is cut noticeably shorter than that on top making the difference noticeable of the 2.
The undercut haircut is given to the perimeter of your hair, gradually tapering down to nothing around your ears and neck. This style gives you the appearance of natural, curly hair while providing length and volume.
Twists are then added to create a completely different look. These twists can be 2 strand twists, 3 strand, twist out or sponge twists. Your free to try what you believe is best suited to you.
How to Twist Hair
While we prefer you visually learn this we will show you the best way to twist your hair if you have medium or long length.
-Start by parting your hair in the middle and across, dividing it into 4 equal sections
-Place a hold pin on the sections not being worked on, only leaving one undone.
-Damp your hair with a liquid spray and begin twisting. This will be a hand over hand movement until each strand looks like a rope.
-Continue all the way down until the ends which you can close with a rubber band. Bear in mind that fine hair will tend to unravel easier due to their being lack of grip.
-Once complete spritz hair with a light spray.
How Twists for Men should be maintained
As we have demonstrated twists are a great protective hairstyle that can last up to 6 weeks. In order to ensure you maximise the duration of the twists you’re going to need to follow a maintenance routine not only for your hair to look good but for it to be healthy whilst minimizing any damage.
Follow these simple tips to ensure your twists are well kept
Make sure Twists aren’t too tight
If you experience the pain of tight twist take this as a warning sign from your scalp. These will immediately need to be loosened or redone.
Not only do tight twist damage your hair but you increase your chances of getting bumps and infected follicles which we want to avoid. This could lead to temporary or permanent hair loss, something we want to avoid of course!
It’s normal for your twists to feel a bit tight on the first day, however if this feeling persists and gets worse over time then ensure you take them out.
Moisturize your scalp
Having a protective hairstyle like twists doesn’t permit you to forget about moisturizing your scalp. You still need to ensure the proper care.
A good moisturizing routine helps keep your twists defined and healthy, but most importantly not dry. Retailers have multiple different products for natural hair, therefore we advise you pick one best suited for you.
Oil your Scalp
The practice of oiling your scalp can prevent breakage, growth fatigue, restore moisture, protect strands and improve blood circulation. For these reasons alone we advise you make time for weekly oil massages that will help stimulate the scalp.
Happy scalp equals hair growth, simple!
Protect your twists while at Night
Sleeping with your hair unwrapped can lead to breakage and dryness by being caught on the fabric of your pillowcase as you move around at night.Therefore its common practice for those with afro hair to protect their hair with a head wrap or durag at night. Your twists will thank you for it.
Ensure you take your Hair out every 6 Weeks
As we mentioned before you’re going to have to ensure you let your hair breathe, then washed and it’s been advised for years that the 6 week mark is the sweet spot.
This is nothing short of good hygiene! As time goes on your twists will constantly be exposed to dirt and environmental factors which requires you to clean them.
Make sure that you wash and condition your hair every 6 weeks. You are free to do this yourself or get your hairstylist to do this for you.
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