Born and based in San Jose, California, Nikki Goddard has always had a passion for hair styling and unusual makeup techniques. At the age of 20, she started her education in The Salon Professional Academy and went on an extensive program in hair salons. Today, Nikki is a certified hair stylist and makeup artist with an associate degree in cosmetology. Currently, Nikki is a senior editor at therighthairstyles.com. She takes pride in being the root of inspiration for not only herself, but the entire team at The Right Hairstyles magazine. Her mission is to make the beauty industry available to everyone, and she enjoys teaching people the basics of hairstyling and makeup through the magazine’s articles. Nikki’s attention to detail and her ability to create a unique look that complements each client’s individuality is what continues to motivate her each day.
Read full bio Editorial guidelinesThe half-up bun is a popular hairstyle. If you’re looking for a fun take on the look, try it with twisted hair. To make more of a statement, accessorize a few random twists with beads. The beads around her face also help to accentuate her smile.
Are you bored to wear your hair curly, wavy, unbraided? Well, then it’s time for twists! Twist hairstyles are an alternative to braids for natural African curls. Twists have one evident merit, compared to braids – they are faster and easier to make, which is crucial for beginners. Other than that twist hairstyles provide the same benefits: protection of natural hair, length retention and a great base for versatile hairstyles. Twists differ in caliber and type (hanging loosely twists and flat twists plaited close to the scalp like cornrows) There are also Senegalese twists, Havana twists, Marley twists, kinky twists.
Which size and type of twists to choose? How to style your twists? Having looked through our gallery of images, you will get your bearings in regards to this topic.
This twisted updo can enhance your natural hair while giving it a neat yet sassy appearance. Outside of its elegance and grace, this hairstyle is also long-lasting, allowing you not to worry about everyday style for a week or two.
We love protective styles for their ability to reduce hair damage and maintain healthy curls. Besides, juicy twists like the ones you see here add charisma and personality to your style, making you stand out from the crowd.
Having natural hair opens up a world of styling possibilities, and twists hairstyles are a fantastic choice for protecting your strands and showcasing your style. Craft criss-cross cornrows and blend them with elegant twists, locking in the style with a light-hold hairspray for a polished finish.
Flat twists are incredibly lightweight, making them one of the best protective styles for those who don’t want a super heavy hairstyle. Ask your stylist to twist your hair close to the scalp like cornrows and fix them on the back of the head, leaving a puffy bun behind.
Mixing different shades in twisted hairstyles can offer endless possibilities for customization and personal expression. For a more gentle and feminine appearance, incorporate cozy caramel hair extensions that beautifully complement warm skin tones.
The combination of cornrows and short two-strand twists gives us versatile and creative new hairstyles that complement natural hair perfectly. Twist bangs add playfulness to the look and create a sassy contrast with thin scalp braids.
Since twists work best on clean, detangled hair, we recommend crafting them on your hair wash day. After proper hair moisturizing, part your hair in the middle, section it into equal parts, and start twisting your locks. Ensure the twists are not too tight to make your scalp breathe better.
Twist out is a great way to style natural hair, especially for those with type 4 hair. By working with smaller sections, you can achieve a more defined pattern that showcases texture and volume.
For this stunning look, divide your hair into craft neat and even sections and start twisting the hair. Add small sections of hair from each new section to create the flat appearance of the twist. Further, incorporate extensions as you’re incorporating hair from the scalp into the twist to make your twists thicker.
Two-strand twists and heart-shaped scalp twists can add a touch of sophistication to your look while providing excellent protection for your hair. Whether you’re attending a formal event or simply going about your daily routine, this style can help you exude confidence and elegance.
Goddess twists can create a bold and eye-catching hairstyle, perfect for emphasizing the beauty of your natural hair. The messy styled twists, paired with a half bun, make this hairdo look dynamic and attention-grabbing.
Twist hairstyles allow you to express your creativity and individuality through diverse styling options and color combinations. If you’re not a big fan of intricate styles, stop at the last, and enhance the visual impact of your twists with the rich caramel hue.
Here, the contrast between the smooth Havana twists and the playful curls can add a touch of Bohemian charm to your look. The result is a captivating style perfect for dates and parties.
Whether you opt for smaller or larger twists, the lightweight nature of Havana hair extensions allows for flexibility in styling while still achieving a stunning look. Effortlessly created twists can elevate the beauty of your black hair and showcase your love of fashion.
Extensions can be particularly useful for adding length and volume to thick natural hair, allowing for more elaborate and creative hairstyles. While seamlessly blending with locks, twists offer various styling possibilities, such as buns, ponytails, and half-updos.
Long, thick black twists offer a bold and statement-making look that is perfect for those seeking to make a striking impression with their intricate twisting. For a sleek and polished appearance, we recommend using synthetic hair, such as silky braiding hair.
To achieve this exquisite hairstyle, start by braiding or twisting your hair into Senegalese twists. Then, incorporate silver or golden cuffs or hair jewelry to embellish the twists and elevate the overall aesthetic. Additionally, collect the twists into a high updo, leaving a few framing twist locks.
There are countless styling options for twists hairstyles to explore, and we offer you to start with a classic ponytail with cornrow braids. You will be surprised with the easy maintenance of this style, as well as with the amount of compliments it brings you wherever you go.
The contrast between the burgundy and black hues creates a beautiful gradient effect, giving your short passion twists a multi-dimensional appearance. This color combination adds visual interest to twist hairstyles, much like balayage does for straight hair.
The combination of scalp braids and bouncy twisted bob is the ultimate dream, whether you twist your natural hair or add extensions! The accurate twists and mini cornrows can make your natural curls more manageable and reduce frizz. All you need is to apply moisturizer to your dry hair before twisting it to hydrate and nourish your curls.
Creating a twisted ponytail is a stylish way to keep twists off your face while showcasing your hair’s length. Golden blonde highlights can further accentuate your hair texture and give your twists a more fashionable appearance.
For those seeking a quicker and more convenient option, crochet passion twists are a great alternative. Gather your twists in a high bun using an elegant scarf to create a sophisticated style suitable for fancy occasions and casual outings.
Pulling back your jumbo twists into a ponytail is a practical and stylish option for women seeking a protective hairstyle with minimal fuss. Start by gathering all your twists at the desired height on your head and use a hair tie to secure them into a high pony.
Whether worn down or styled into an updo, kinky twists offer a convenient and fashionable hairstyle option for women seeking a natural look with added flair. Alternatively, you can wear your twists half-up to give them a more modern and funky look.
These burgundy twists offer a stylish and captivating alternative to traditional twist hairstyles. Keep the twists away from your face, leaving two face-framing locks, to open up your features and accentuate your appearance.
Such twisted updos for natural hair allow you to have a formal look while still protecting your strands from heat damage and over-styling. For extra flair, try weaving in extensions of a different color for a highlighted effect.
Instead of a standard two-strand twist style, elevate your look with the addition of braids. Cornrows are a good choice for those who want a long-lasting option. The long twists also provide versatility for various updos like a Mohawk or bun.
Most African-American women use braids and twists as a protective style. So, it is important that many of the styles are versatile without being damaging. There are no actual bangs in protective hairstyles, but thinner braids above the forehead can be used as such for diversity and the added flirty flair.
The half-up bun is a popular hairstyle. If you’re looking for a fun take on the look, try it with twisted hair. To make more of a statement, accessorize a few random twists with beads. The beads around her face also help to accentuate her smile.
When we hear about twists we often think about numerous thin twists. However, we cannot forget about large options. This hair twist, also called a flat twist, is a simple yet elegant protective hairstyle you can easily do yourself in the morning.
If you’re wondering how to style your twists, you’re in luck because this hairstyle is very simple to recreate. Once you have your hair in thick twists, add a few beads to pieces around your face. Next, take the front sections of your hair and wrap them around to form a bun very close to your hairline. Secure with bobby pins.
There is not a bad angle with this look. The back of the head features curved flat twist braids which turn into long single twists. The twists are then scooped on top of the head and wrapped into a bun.
Black twists work in a wide variety of hairstyles, but sometimes it’s nice to just keep them simple so you can appreciate them. This long hairstyle perfectly showcases the way the twists coil around themselves and cascade down the shoulders.
You just have to quickly glance at her face to see that she’s thrilled with her hairstyle. Her hair has been styled with silky twists. The pieces have been tied into a high ponytail so all you see is her beautiful facial features.
Here is a protective hairstyle that expertly combines color and texture. The mix of brown, blonde and black hair really shows off the twists and their curly finish. Furthermore, the half updo is a brilliant option for girls who want their hair completely off of their faces.
When it comes to hair color, treat your twists in the same way you would any other hairstyle. If you’re a fan of highlighted hair, work that into your twisted ‘do. The deep red in this Marley twist hairstyle pops against the black.
Whether you wear your rope twists up or down, they will always look good. If you opt for longer twists, like she did, take advantage of the extra length by wrapping your locks around to create a bold huge bun on the top of your head. Leave the bottom half of strands untied to form a half up.
There are so many different versions of twist styles, but this long one will make a lasting impression thanks to the single eye-catching blue streak against the black twisted hair. This is one of those styles for women who want to add a colorful accent to their hair.
Similar to the style above, this bun uses chunky goddess braids for a quick and polished hairdo. It is a more casual look than the flat twist updo and it’s perfect for a vacation or weekend.
When you become tired of rocking 90’s inspired Poetic Justice braids, marley twists are a worthy alternative. The natural twist hairstyle is lighter than the braided style which gives you the same retro effect without the added weight.
Smaller twists allow you to experiment with different style options like this large bun with a braid effect. This is a polished style that can work just as easily at a backyard bbq as it would at a black-tie wedding.
For a more bohemian vibe opt for waist length twists that are reminiscent of Lisa Bonet (or her daughter Zoe Kravitz). If you opt for a kinky texture, you can mimic the appearance of dreadlocks. Pair your carefree style with a whimsical detail like a giant bow.
If you prefer a low maintenance style, a twisted Mohawk updo is your best bet, as it requires little to no maintenance in the morning—just get up and go! It is perfect for a professional woman or a busy mother who is short on time but still wants to look pulled together.
While chunky natural twist styles are attractive, the weight can be very damaging on your hairline, especially for brittle processed hair. Slimmer twists are flattering, gorgeous in styling, and they allow you to protect your hair at the same time.
One benefit of large twist hairstyles for natural hair is that they are not as time-consuming as smaller styles. This updo with braids is an ideal option when you want to wear a statement style for awhile, but don’t have a lot of extra free moments.
Rocking lovely ringlets at the ends of your twists is an easy way to personalize your style and add it a romantic note. Simply place your twists on roller rods and dip the ends into a bowl of hot water. The result is the two-strand twists with curls, and the best part is that you don’t have to worry about them falling flat or frizzing!
Kinky twists have a more natural look than some of the other styles shown here, even though most are made with weave. You may also add in loose waves for an authentic flow.
As stated earlier, a quick flat-twist updo is an ideal way to create a pulled together look with relatively minimal effort. While many twisted styles with extensions can take between 5 to 8 hours, this high-bun can be completed in less than an hour.
Try a top roll for a fun alternative to a Mohawk or a high ponytail. It is a quirky yet trendy flat twist hairstyle you’ll be happy to rock in any setting.
Put a sweet spin on your Marley twists and curl the ends. It is a perfect way to change the overall look of your twisted hair when you need to dress it up for a special occasion.
Our review eloquently demonstrates that although all twists are done according to the same simple principle, you can come up with a twist hairstyle that looks individual and exquisite. So, have you already picked up a type of twists to rock in 2025?
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