How to Do a Twist and Curl on Natural Hair

If you have curly, natural hair, a twist-and-curl is a simple way to add bounce and definition to your 'do. It takes a little bit of a time investment, but it can lead to some seriously eye-catching curls. Even better, it works for hair of all lengths! A two-strand twist is the easiest way to get started, but there are a few other variations you can try if you want to change up your look. Once the twists are set, carefully undo them, add a little lift at the roots, and rock your curls!

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Basic Two-Strand Twist

  1. [1] Wash your hair how you normally would, then allow it to air-dry until it's just damp. If your hair is already clean and dry, spritz it with water to dampen it. Then, comb through your hair with a wide-tooth comb to remove tangles. If your hair is tangled it will be harder to create neat sections, and your curls might end up looking frizzy. [2]
    • If it's hard to detangle your hair all at once, divide it into larger sections, then comb those.
    • If your hair dries quickly, keep a spray bottle of water handy—you may need to spritz each smaller section before you twist it so your hair stays damp. [3]
  2. Separate out the top middle section of your hair—roughly the area from temple to temple and from your hairline all the way back to your crown. Twist it loosely and pin it on top of your head with a clip. Then, part your remaining hair down the middle so it creates a left side and a right side. Put a clip or hair tie around one of the sections so you only have one down at a time. [4]
    • If your hair is very thick, you might prefer to divide it into 4 sections—2 on top and 2 on bottom.
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  3. If your hair is shorter, stick to smaller 1 in (2.5 cm) sections for your twists—if you pick up too much hair, you might not have the length to twist it all together. If your hair is longer, you have more flexibility in the size of your twists. [5]
    • Larger twists will give you bigger, bouncier curls, while smaller twists tend to give tighter curls. You might even find that your hair curls better with larger or smaller twists, so feel free to experiment!
    • It's a good idea to comb these smaller sections again to double-check that there are no tangles.
  4. [6] Rub a small amount of cream or gel between the palms of your hands, then run your hands all the way down the section of hair, from your roots to your tips. Don't saturate your hair, though—if there's too much product, your hair won't dry all the way, so your curls won't set. [7]
    • Use your favorite curl-defining cream if you want fluffy, bouncy curls. [8]
    • Stick with styling gel for more defined curls.
    • Mix equal parts cream and gel for a defined style that still has soft hold.
  5. Part the 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) section in two, making sure the halves are the same size. Keep the sections separated by sliding one finger between them as you check to make sure they're parted evenly. [9]
    • It's really important that the pieces of the twist are even or else your hair might not hold the twist.
  6. [10] Begin criss-crossing the two strands around each other. Always go the same direction—if you start out going right over left, do that all the way to the end, and vice versa. Keep twisting until you get to the very ends of the section. If you need to, add a little more product to the ends to help hold the twist. [11]
    • Twist the hair tightly, but not so tightly that the twist coils back onto itself.
    • If you'd like the ends of your hair to have an undone look, stop twisting about 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) before you get to the ends of your hair. [12]
  7. Neatly roll the ends of your hair around a perm rod, then wrap the twist around the perm rod at least 2-3 more times. Roll just the ends if you want looser curls, or roll the twist to just below your roots for bouncier spiral curls. When you finish wrapping the twist, close the clip on the perm rod. [13]
    • Don't overlap the hair on the rod as you do this. Instead, wrap the twist so it spirals up the perm rod.
    • If you want to add a little variety to your curls, use the smallest rods in the front, then use slightly larger ones to wrap the hair at the back of your head. The smaller curls in front will frame your face in a flattering way, while the bigger curls will add more movement and volume to your style. [14]
    • Don't roll all the way up to your roots—leave a little stretch right at the base of the twist to give it a more relaxed, modern look. [15]
  8. Now comes the time-consuming part. Once you have your first twist in place, part out the next section of your hair, apply your product, twist it, and pin it into place. Keep doing this until you've done all of the hair on that side, then unclip the section on the other side and do the same thing. Finally, unclip the hair on the top of your head and twist it as well. [16]
    • Try to keep the sections about the same size all over your head, even if you're using different sizes of perm rods. That will help your curls look more natural.
    • Remember to spray the sections with water if they start to dry out.
    • Since this can take a while, it's the perfect time to binge-watch a new show or listen to a playlist of your all-time faves!
  9. In order for your curls to set, you have to let your hair dry completely. The easiest way to do this is to twist your hair at night. Slip on a satin bonnet or scarf so your hair doesn't frizz, then just head to bed. [17]
    • In the morning, your hair should be dry, with beautiful bouncy curls waiting to greet you!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Variations

  1. To do this take on a twist-and-curl, run some hair gel on a small section of damp hair. The section should be no bigger than 1 in (2.5 cm) so it will hold. Twist the hair around itself, following the direction of your natural curl pattern. Once your hair dries, you can wear the twists as they are, or you can separate the twists to create small curls. [18]
    • This style is best done in smaller sections, which will hold better than larger pieces.
  2. Start as you would for a two-strand twist—divide your hair into larger sections, then separate out a smaller piece from one of those sections. Criss-cross the hair once, but before you make the next twist, pick up a little more hair and add it one of the sections. Keep adding a little more hair each time you twist, until you've worked your way all the way down the section. [19]
    • Once you've added all the hair from that section, keep twisting like you would for a normal two-strand twist, then wrap your hair around a perm rod. If the section is too thick for that, create 2 two-strand twists with the remaining hair, instead. [20]
    • This technique is similar to how you'd do cornrows or a French braid.
  3. Start with damp hair coated with gel or cream, then divide it into sections. Take a small piece of hair and divide it into 3 parts, just like you would for a normal braid. However, instead of braiding it traditionally, take one of the outside sections and cross it all the way over both of the other sections. Do that again with the piece that's on the outside now—the one that used to be in the middle. Keep doing this all the way down to the ends of your hair. [21]
  4. Before you start dividing your hair into twists, use a rat-tail comb to create a deep side part—try right over your temple for a flattering look. Twist your hair the way you normally would, but keep the part defined the whole time. When you take your twists down, your curls will fall along that part, giving you a look that's instantly cool. [23]
    • You can do any type of twists with this, but flat twists are especially great for showing off that defined part.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Removal

  1. If you can, sleep on your twists overnight to ensure they're completely dry. However, if you're in a hurry, you can speed up the process by sitting under a hooded dryer or using a blow dryer. If you do that, though, give your hair about 30 minutes to cool down so you can check to make sure there aren't any damp spots. [24]
    • If your hair was very wet or you used a lot of product, it will take longer to dry, so keep that in mind throughout the process.
    • Your curls won't hold if they're damp when you take them down.
  2. If you normally use a hair oil, like jojoba oil, rub just a little between your hands. That will help your skin slide smoothly over your hair as you undo the twists, reducing the chance that friction will cause them to frizz up. [25]
    • If you don't have any hair oil, use regular cooking oil, or just skip this entirely.
  3. Unclip the top of each perm rod, then gently unroll it all the way down to the end of your hair. Once the rod is out, gently rotate each twist in the opposite direction of how you wrapped it until the pieces are separated. [26]
    • It's easiest to start at the back of your hair because if you start at the top, those curls will get in the way while you're trying to take out the twists underneath them.
    • Try not to pull on the twists as you undo them, since you don't want to flatten out the curl.
  4. If you feel like the ends of your twists are a little too poofy, gently wrap the ends of each curl around your finger smooth them out. You can even add a little lightweight product to the ends, but don't go overboard or it could weigh down your curls. [27]
  5. Once you've taken out all of your twists, gently slide your fingers into your curls near the roots. Scrunch your fingers into your hair to fluff the roots just a little. This will add extra bounce and lift to your style. Don't overdo it, though, or it will make your curls look messy. [28]
    • For even more height, use a pick on just your roots. [29]
    • Shake your head back and forth a few times to make sure all your curls are free, then go out and show off that head full of curls all day!
  6. Frizz is the enemy of the perfect twist-out, and nothing causes frizz quite like humidity. Wear a shower cap when you're taking a shower to help protect your style, and consider leaving the door or window cracked to help keep the humidity down in the bathroom. [30]
    • Also, avoid saunas, hot tubs, and other humid environments, or you may notice a big loss in your curl definition.
  7. Keep your curls fresh for days by simply wrapping them up again before you go to bed. Use a little extra curling cream or leave-in conditioner if your hair is feeling dry, or just spritz your hair with water if it feels hydrated. Then, wrap your hair in a silk scarf or bonnet so your hair doesn't frizz while you're asleep. [31]
    • If your hair is longer, try preserving your style with the pineapple method. To do that, gather your hair in a ponytail on the very top of your head, then wrap it in a silk scarf before you go to bed.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Is twisting good for natural hair?
    Nikia Londy
    Hair Augmentation Specialist
    Nikia Londy is a Hair Augmentation Specialist and the Founder and CEO of Intriguing Hair, a one-stop solution for women from all ethnicities wanting to purchase high-quality human hair extensions, hairpieces, and wigs. With over 16 years of experience, she specializes in artificial hair integrations, hair extensions, hair loss, hairpieces and wigs, and non-surgical hair replacement. Nikia holds a BA in Organizational Leadership from Charter Oak State College and received her Cosmetology Certification from Blaine Beauty School. She is also a member of the American Hair Loss Council.
    Nikia Londy
    Hair Augmentation Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Definitely! Twisting protects your hair—as an added bonus, it's a low-maintenance style that looks amazing on anybody.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How do you keep a twist in place?
    Nikia Londy
    Hair Augmentation Specialist
    Nikia Londy is a Hair Augmentation Specialist and the Founder and CEO of Intriguing Hair, a one-stop solution for women from all ethnicities wanting to purchase high-quality human hair extensions, hairpieces, and wigs. With over 16 years of experience, she specializes in artificial hair integrations, hair extensions, hair loss, hairpieces and wigs, and non-surgical hair replacement. Nikia holds a BA in Organizational Leadership from Charter Oak State College and received her Cosmetology Certification from Blaine Beauty School. She is also a member of the American Hair Loss Council.
    Nikia Londy
    Hair Augmentation Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Apply a small amount of cream or gel to the curl the end of the twist and hold it in place.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    Can you use any styling gel
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, any gel will work. However, if you find that gel weighs down your curls too much, use a hair cream instead.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Hair cream or gel
      • Wide-tooth comb
      • Hair ties or clips
      • Silk bonnet
      • Hooded dryer or hairdryer (optional)
      • Spray bottle with water (optional)
      • Pick (optional)

      Tips

      • You can use flexi rods instead of perm rods, if you prefer. Flexi rods are made out of foam, while perm rods are made of hard plastic. [32]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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      References

      1. ↑ Nikia Londy. Hair Augmentation Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.
      2. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/twist-out-mistakes
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/1CKLzDEW4VE?t=22
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/B9MT4PLr9uk?t=16
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/1CKLzDEW4VE?t=46
      6. ↑ Nikia Londy. Hair Augmentation Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.
      7. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/twist-out-mistakes
      8. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/twist-out-mistakes
      9. ↑ https://curlsunderstood.com/why-are-my-twist-outs-frizzy/
      1. ↑ Nikia Londy. Hair Augmentation Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/xedtku4CpqE?t=64
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/1CKLzDEW4VE?t=50
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/xedtku4CpqE?t=80
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/1CKLzDEW4VE?t=63
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/xedtku4CpqE?t=92
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/1CKLzDEW4VE?t=77
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/1CKLzDEW4VE?t=174
      9. ↑ https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/hair/a38868/how-to-twist-natural-textured-hair/
      10. ↑ https://youtu.be/B9MT4PLr9uk?t=55
      11. ↑ https://youtu.be/B9MT4PLr9uk?t=67
      12. ↑ https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/hair/a38868/how-to-twist-natural-textured-hair/
      13. ↑ Nikia Londy. Hair Augmentation Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.
      14. ↑ https://youtu.be/xqU__QJuKDE?t=17
      15. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/twist-out-mistakes
      16. ↑ https://curlsunderstood.com/why-are-my-twist-outs-frizzy/
      17. ↑ https://curlsunderstood.com/why-are-my-twist-outs-frizzy/
      18. ↑ https://youtu.be/xedtku4CpqE?t=151
      19. ↑ https://youtu.be/B9MT4PLr9uk?t=372
      20. ↑ https://youtu.be/xedtku4CpqE?t=188
      21. ↑ https://www.hypehair.com/46736/maintaining-twist/10/
      22. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/twist-out-mistakes
      23. ↑ https://www.hotstylingtoolguide.com/perm-rods-vs-flexi-rods-which-one-is-best-for-you/

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