4. You’re using the wrong product
This reason is up for interpretation. Every natural is different, and products work differently on different heads of hair. Water-based and creamy stylers are great because they provide that extra hydration and they lead to less frizz later on than hair butters*. Gels however give the best hold and curl definition so depending on your hair type, you may want to choose less or more hold.
You can also combine products. For instance, a light moisturizer topped with a styling gel provides great hold and shine. Butters* on their own are great for moisturizing but not so great for defined twist outs.
5. You need a trim
Did you just cringe? A lot of ladies hate the thought of trimming their hair, but if your ends are thin and damaged they have to go. There’s no getting around it. Otherwise, when you do cute low manipulation styles like twist outs and you follow all of the rules above, you’ll have amazing curl definition… until you get to your ends. Chewed or thin-looking ends are NOT cute and they take away from the overall look.
You don’t have to have blunt ends, a small taper is fine, but make sure your ends aren’t damaged and you don’t have any split ends.
6. Your hair didn’t dry completely
I know we’ve all been here before. You do a twist out on wet hair but don’t have enough time to let it dry fully. And you don’t want to go outside looking like Felicia from Friday, so you take it out KNOWING that it isn’t dry.
Unfortunately, taking down damp twists leads to frizz, because there’s still moisture in your hair. The curl definition also hasn’t set by this time. The best time to take down twists is when your hair is completely dry and not a minute before.
Drying time depends on the length and thickness of your twists. So those with longer or thicker hair that don’t have time to kill would probably be better off sitting under a hairdryer to set their twists. Otherwise, doing the style in the evening and letting it set overnight is a good idea.
7. You didn’t coil your ends
When you twist your hair, you don’t have to twist down to the bottom – I actually recommend against it. Twisting to the bottom makes your life harder when it’s time to take down the style because you will have a hard time separating those thinner pieces on the ends.
Instead, try twisting until you get about half your pinky’s length to the bottom. Then, take your ends between your thumb and pointer finger and coil them. This eliminates breakage in the long run and gives your twist out a nicely coiled end.
If however you are like me and your hair is more wavy than curly, you will find that coiling doesn’t work at all. In that case, use a flexi rod* or perm rod to curl that little portion of hair at the end.
8. You fluffed and separated it too much
Even though you should fluff your hair after taking out your twists to give your hair volume, it’s important not to separate and fluff too much. Separate each twist into two or three sections depending on the thickness of your twists. Any more than this and your hair will start to look more frizzy than curly.
How do you fluff correctly? You fluff your hair by taking a pick, or your hands and lightly pulling your separated twists up at the roots. This will give your hair added volume.
Don’t fluff the entire length of your hair, because it will ruin the curl definition you have worked so hard for. You know you’ve gone too far if your hair changes from a cute twist out to a frizzy fro.
Not to say there’s anything wrong with a frizzy fro, but that kinda defeats the purpose of trying for a defined twist out!
Michelle Williams says
He look like a young lil Wayne..Lol
Joan B. in S. C. says
I don’t do twist outs, but I’ll work on #7. When I take down flat twists I’ve been wearing under a wig, this sounds like it will help.