” I spent so much time twisting my hair and after wearing it out for a day, my style was gone!”
I can totally relate to that experience! When I first tried a twist-out, I actually ended up having to wash my hair a day after I took the twists out because my hair simply did not hold the style well at all. Nowadays, twist outs have become my GO-TO natural hair style, where I can generally wear a twist out from one wash weekend to the next.
[Note: Picture above is a one-week old twist out using Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter w/no retwisting during the week!]
Here are some tidbits that may help you stretch your twist out styles!…
[Don't forget to check out the list at the bottom where I list some of my favorite products for twist-outs!]
1. The smaller you make your twists, not only will you have more curl definition but that definition may last longer as well.
2. Twisting on wet hair with a cream-based product that will seal in moisture will also help you lock in definition for a longer period of time, compared to a twist out on dry, stretched hair in some cases.
3. Make sure your hair is completely dry before taking out your twists. If you’re looking for a less-defined, fluffy look, you’ll want to take your twists out before they completely dry. However, for a more defined look that will last longer, you’ll want to be sure that your twists are fully dry before unraveling them.
4. Applying a natural oil/pomade to your twists while unraveling your twists can help cut down on frizz.
5. Sleeping with a satin or silk scarf/bonnet at night not only protects your hair from potential breakage, but can also minimize frizz due that is caused due to friction between your hair and your pillowcase.
6. If your twist-out already looks like its on its way out but you don’t feel like washing your hair yet, simply apply a light leave-in conditioner and retwist your hair in larger sections at night and unravel the next day to “refresh” some of the definition.
Some of my favorite products for twist-outs!
Twisting Creams/Butters: Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter, Beija Flor Naturals Creme Brulee
Untwisting Butters/Pomades: Karen’s Body Beautiful Butter Love, Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine, Qhemet Biologics Hydrate & Twist Butter
Light Leave-in Conditioners for Retwisting: Bee Mine Products Deja’s Hair Milk, Karen’s Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia
Some of my YouTube Twist Out Styling Vids
Two Strand Twists and Twist Out with Miss Jessie’s Baby Buttercreme
How to do a Wet Twist Out on Natural Hair
Mae’s Chunky Twist Out Frohawk
What are some of your tips for making your twist-out styles last longer? What are some of your favorite products to use?
Your hair looks great in the picture! I definitely think twisting smaller and letting them dry completely is the key! I wore my hair in a twisted style for a little over a week and have been able to wear it out in a very defined fro for a week as well! So size matters
I use the tips listed above and I pineapple my hair at night to save my twist outs. I use Shea Moisture Milk and Smoothie on my hair to moisture and seal.
Thank you for these tips. I’ve recently gone natural and I’m currently re-twisting every damn night before I go to bed. It’s so time consuming and by the time I get to work in the morning after unravelling them, half the curls have fluffed up throughout my 45 min commute and my hair’s a bushy mess again – arrrrrrgh!!!
Gonna try twisting on wet hair as I’ve been doing it on dry for the past two months.
Thanks for the tips. Your hair looks great. I realized that with my hair wearing my twists a couple of days and misting them with water or a leave in, helps to “set” my twists. Then when I untwist I can wear it for a week without retwisting. I can then loosen the spirals even more and wear a curly fro.
These are great tips. I loved my two-stand twist. I wore them up the first week, down the 2nd week, and the third week…I didn’t quite make it to the twist out. LOL! I run so I didnt really get to enjoy the twist out look. Maybe next time.
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I love using All Things O’Natural Natty line. She makes a Natty Moist which is an all natural leave-in that is a multi-tasker from leave-in conditioner, styler to body butter, it smells wonderful!! When I take my twist down, I use the Natty Butter so my hair is not frizzy.
Great tips! I have been rocking a twist out/wash n’ go all week. I began to retwist at night after applying a spritz of water to my hair (spray bottle). Because it was already twisted and I didn’t use much spray I was able to twist larger chunks of hair. I would spray once rub down my hair and re-twist. The style looked better and better each day I awoke and un-twisted it. Hope this helps, too.
Dear Mae:
I have been reviewing the content on your blog as well as watching your videos about hair, including when you did your BC. I really love it. I am also enamoured with you, your hair style and you are very smart and pretty. (enamoured in agape sense not perverted) . you also appear very humble, modest and kind, christian qualities.
thanks for hair info and keep up the good work. I would like to subscribe and cannot see where to initiate it.
I used the Beija Flor Naturals Creme Brulee and KBB Butter Love this weekend and followed these instructions. I am amazed. This is the best twist out I ever had. This is my second time being natural. The first time for 7 years and the second time 1 1/2 years so I have done many and tried most products out there. I cleaned out my cabinet last night after using the Creme Brulee. It reminds me of the original Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue before the mineral oil and petroleum…
You seem to have an abundance of products! I’m interested in trying out some of the products you posted but I think I will wait until I am close to running out of what I already have. The product habit can be pretty expensive! I think I want to try the Creme Brulee.
I want to get better defined twist outs but the products you listed are super expensive. Do you have any recommendations with more affordable products?
Hi Aisa,
You can try Shea Moisture Smoothie (found at select Targets), EcoStyler Olive Oil Gel (Sally’s Beauty Supply), Cantu Shea Butter (Walmart). Hope that helps!