How to maintain mini twists on natural hair
A guide to what mini twists are and how to do them on your hair
What are mini twists?
Mini twists are a protective hairstyle favored by those with Afro-textured hair. The process involves separating partially wet hair into four or more primary sections, then further breaking these down into smaller subsections for more manageable styling.
Then, two smaller clusters of hair are selected from each subsection. These clusters are twisted together from the roots to the ends, forming mini twists. The primary objective of mini twists is to protect the hair ends and promote hair growth.
How to maintain mini twists on natural hair
- Duration: First, it’s advisable to wear your mini twists for up to 4 weeks.
- Shampoo: Wait around a week before washing your scalp. Make sure to use an effective cleansing shampoo.
- Moisturize: Utilize a spray-based leave-in conditioner or moisturizing spray several times throughout the week to maintain hydration.
- Redo: Aim to refresh or remake your mini twists either weekly or bi-weekly to mitigate the possibility of them becoming tangled.
- Edges: Consider having the edges taken down and freshly styled for a renewed appearance.
- Satin scarf: Add a satin scarf or bonnet to your bedtime routine to preserve moisture levels and avoid dehydration.
- Massage: Regularly massage your scalp with oil a few times each week to ensure it remains odor-free.
How to professionaly install mini twists on natural hair step by step
Step 1: Shampoo your hair
First, use a sulfate-free, natural shampoo to tenderly wash your hair. This will provide a gentle cleanse for both your hair and scalp.
Step 2: Condition your hair
Use a natural detangling conditioner, making sure to distribute it evenly throughout your hair. Since you’ll be wearing mini twists for a while, follow up with a deep conditioning treatment.
Step 3: Dry your hair
Ideally, allow your hair to air dry. This process can take some time, but it’s worthwhile and adds an interesting aspect to the routine. Make sure your hair is about 90% dry before proceeding.
Step 4: Section your hair
When your hair is partially dry, stretch it out and begin dividing it into sections. Using a moisturizing cream will make this process easier. Divide your hair into four main sections, with two at the front and two at the back.
Step 5: Clip sections
Select one section to begin with, preferably at the back. Use sectioning clips to hold the other sections out of the way. This keeps things tidy and allows you to focus on the current section.
Step 6: Apply hair butter
After you’ve singled out the section to focus on, apply a liberal amount of hair cream to sleeken your hair. Hair cream ensures your hair maintains its shine and wards off frizz.
Step 7: Select subsection
Now, pick a smaller section, approximately the size of a square inch. It doesn’t have to be exact. The size of your mini twists is entirely your preference. It’s best to start from the outer edge and work your way in.
Step 8: Twisting
Add extra hair moisturizer to the subsection and divide it into two hair clusters. Start twisting from the roots to the ends, employing a twist-pull method to prevent any loosening from the roots. Subsequently, finger coil or spiral the ends to ensure they remain secure.
Step 9: Direction of twisting
Be certain to twist downward. This is critical because twisting upward or horizontally may not produce the desired outcome. Thus, twist downward to ensure they lay flat. Repeat the same procedure for the front section, twisting downward toward your forehead.
Step 10: Repeat the process
Repeat steps 1 through 9 once more. Carry out these tasks on the remaining sections and subsections too. Before long, your mini twists will be good to go.
How to moisturize mini twists
- Segment: Start by segmenting your mini twists into a minimum of 6 groupings.
- Stretch: Select a handful of twists and stretch them out a little bit.
- light moisturizer: Spritz a lightweight moisturizer evenly across your hair, starting from the roots and finishing at the ends.
- Saturate: Douse your twists and work them from roots to ends.
- Rub: Gently massage them with your palms to ensure thorough moisture absorption.
- Hair oil: Upon completing treatment for each section, apply a hair oil to seal in moisture. Mist evenly from roots to ends and softly massage to lock in the moisture.
- Other sections: Use the moisturizing sealing oil on the remaining sections and distribute it from the roots to the tips.
How to make mini twists look fuller
To attain a more voluminous appearance with mini twists, commence by segmenting smaller sections from the outset. Remember to hydrate or moisten your hair to prevent shrinkage. Additionaly, aim to xperiment with varied styling methods for your mini twists; particular styles could deliver a more fuller look than others.
Steps on how to style mini twists
Mini twists open up a wealth of styling potentials. You can merge two styles, such as going for a frontal bang with a posterior ponytail. The style preference mainly reflects your aims with the twists. Also, keep the occasion in mind. Here are a few style suggestions for your exploration:
- Buns
- Bangs
- Ponytails
- Headbands
- Deep side parts
- Double buns
Benefits of mini twists on natural hair
- Breather: Mini twists give your scalp and hair a breather from the regular daily activities.
- Preserve ends: Functioning as a form of protection, they assist in safeguarding the integrity of your hair ends.
- Versatile: Mini twists are versatile enough to be worn by those with short, medium, or long hair.
- Time saver: Once mini twists are set, they can reduce the amount of time you need for your morning routine.
- Growth: Fosters the growth of vibrant and tender hair strands.
- Maintains length: Supports length retention by decreasing the necessity for regular combing, thus safeguarding hair integrity.
- Cleaning: Offers improved accessibility to the scalp and hair roots, culminating in enhanced cleansing efficiency.
- Cost effective: Doing them yourself can save you money in the long run.
- Adaptable: Mini twists are adaptable, lending themselves to different styles suitable for various occasions.
- Upkeep: After installation, they require minimal maintenance.
Removing mini twists the right way
Just as with installing mini twists, sectioning is vital for their removal. Divide your twists into four primary sections and choose one to start with.
Moisturize the twists with water, gently massaging them to soften and minimize breakage. Follow up with oil application, then begin untwisting after a brief wait.
