I got a few questions about how I do twists. So here are a few tips. Hopefully, one day I can get around to making a video tutorial or at least a pictorial. The following are techniques that helped my twists to look better compared to what they used to be. These are just for dry twists, check out my video section for wet twists.
- If the ends won’t stay/curl up, dip the end in water (I got that tip from Nonie on LHCF)
- Concentrate a lot more product on the section of hair than you would with wet twists, it makes the hair more pliable while you are twisting
- Using a thicker product, such as shea butter, instead of a lotion or liquid. Shea butter usually takes awhile to settle on my hair, so I can see residue after I finish using it. I just wrap my hair up with a scarf and the rest aborbs into my hair, leaving nice shiny twists. This also helped my twists not to stick up all over the place when they were shorter.
- Stretch the hair out (I used banding) instead of letting it dry in a fro beforehand. You may also try to braid/twist it in big sections, rollerset it, or blow dry it (but be careful with the heat).
- Use smaller sections of hair
- I always comb (widetoothed) each section right before I’m going to twist and after I apply the product it to make sure that it’s as smooth as I can get it.
- Some of you asked about the scalp showing. My hair is really thick and that may aid in why my scalp doesn’t show, but it’s also the way I layer my twists. I use the brick method. So instead of having the twist parts directly on top of each other, you want to make them fall as if they were bricks…that way, the twist will cover the scalp. Also, I think the smaller you make them, the less likely you are to see scalp. If you have thinner hair, you may want to do wet twists to encourage plumper twists and hide any scalp spots. Otherwise, if you are still seeing scalp spots, you can try to pin some of the twists back to hide the spots.
Pretend that the brick itself is your twist and the morter in between is your scalp. When the twists fall, they will cover the scalp.
Twists maybe a year ago?
Twists now
Also, I just want to mention that it’s always good to take pictures of your hair when it’s really horrible. Like that above picture. I was afraid to leave the house with that style, but I kept doing it and I’m glad I took pictures because now that I’ve improved I can really appreciate the difference.
Post or email me any more questions and I’ll do my best to answer them 
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
thanks for posting this, i’m still trying to perfect my twist and these tip are very helpful.
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Thank you so much I love your dry twists and I will try the brick method and let you know how it turns out. I think I get lazy in the back, my hair is really thick in my opininon (I still think your’s is thicker) but I do not spend any time back there. I start at the front and by the time I get to the back I am lazy. I think I also pull most of my hair to the front because I can see it but I think that is wear I should not be starting. I will do them probably sometime this week. Check out my blog for pix! Your hair is gorgeous!
You’ve had some serious growth and your hair looks very healthy. I just grab and twist my hair while its damp cuz it takes too long to dry.
skibies, something helpful to do so that you don’t rush is to go ahead and do the front, put a hat on so just the front shows if you need to go somewhere, and then finish it at your leisure. I take my time, because I’ve been there and done that too much.
Wow, thanks for this detailed post! It’s sad that I’ve been natural for 10+ years and twisted my hair numerous times, but have yet to perfect them. I’m going to try some of your tips when I twist my hair this weekend.
Just one question: is applying product to each section prior to twisting necessary? I try to minimize product use on my hair because I get build-up very easily.
Yemi, it’s not necessary to do any of those things. It’s just what works for me. My hair lays better and the twists look better if I smooth each section with product, however that might not work for you.
Maybe you could try a light spritz on each section before twisting (not enough to wet it, but just moisten a bit). Or maybe you can do without. Do your thing, girl
Whatever works!