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Many consider mini twists merely a stepping stone on the way to a beautifully bouncy twist-out. But before you rush to unravel your two-strand twists, perhaps you should consider wearing them as a look all on their own. Mini twists are the unassuming protective style making rounds on TikTok lately (the hashtag #minitwists already has 65.8 million views) and it’s no wonder people are catching on to the appeal.
“Mini twists are a low-maintenance protective hairstyle for natural hair,” says Sabrina Rowe Holdsworth, a New York City-based hairstylist and founder of NTRL by Sabs. “They can help you retain length and moisture, as well as provide a versatile base for many different styles.” Celebrities like Lupita Nyong’o and Tabitha Brown consistently prove how versatile mini twists are, wearing them in hairstyles like half-up ponytails and side-part bobs.
Meet the experts:
- Sabrina Rowe Holdsworth is a New York City-based hairstylist and founder of hair-care brand NTRL by Sabs.
- Jamila Powell is a hairstylist in Miramar, Florida and founder of the hair-care brand Naturally Drenched
- Ashanti Johnson is a Chicago-based hairstylist and braider who works with Rebundle, a synthetic braiding hair-care brand.
- Yolanda Lenzy MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and licensed cosmetologist based in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
There are many things to consider when getting mini twists, including the amount of effort it takes to create them and how long they last.
Ahead, hair experts break down everything you’ll need to know to achieve the look at home.
- What are mini twists?
- How to do mini twists?
- How long do mini twists last?
- Do mini twists help grow out your hair?
- Mini twist inspiration
What are mini twists?
Mini twists are a protective style that involves small sections of two-strand twists. “Each piece of hair is continuously crossed over the other creating a rope-like pattern,” says Ashanti Johnson, a Chicago-based hairstylist and braider who works with synthetic braiding hair brand Rebundle. The style can be done solely on natural hair, or with kinky texture extensions to add a bit of length and fullness.
To give yourself mini twists at home, your styling station should be prepped with:
- Parting comb to help you section your hair
- Wide-tooth comb or brush to detangle as you go
- Leave-in conditioner or curl cream to enhance your curls
- Hair clips or scrunchies to secure your sections
- Braiding gel for neater parts
How to do mini twists
As with any protective style, it’s best to start with freshly-washed hair, as this ensures your twists look neat (dirty hair might have product buildup or tangles that make it difficult to style) and last as long as possible. It’s also important to moisturize your strands prior to styling since you might not be able to do so as thoroughly when you have your twists in.
Creating mini twists requires applying a bit of tension to the hair; well-conditioned hair is less likely to break during the process. Holdsworth suggests saturating your hair with a deep conditioner for 20 to 30 minutes and sealing your hair with a leave-in conditioner once you’ve hopped out of the shower.
Before twisting your hair, you may want to stretch your curls by blow-drying. Though this step is optional, Holdsworth notes that stretching your hair can “help make your twists appear longer and more uniform.” If you opt to blow dry your hair before twisting, Johnson recommends re-applying your leave-in product afterward to bring a little bit of your curl pattern back into your blown-out hair. This will keep your twists from looking and feeling limp.
Step 1: Separate your hair into four to six sections, depending on how thick your hair is — you should be able to hold each section in one hand. Secure each section with scrunchies, leaving one loose.
Step 2: Within this loose section, grab a smaller segment that is about the width of a pencil. Use a pea-sized amount of braiding gel to define the segment, making the part on your scalp appear crisper.
Step 3: Smooth a pea-sized amount of twisting cream or gel along the entire small section. Holdsworth recommends the Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter because it provides a soft hold and defines curls.
Step 4: Split this segment into two even smaller pieces and begin twisting, wrapping one around the other clockwise. Continue twisting down the length of the hair until you reach the end.
Step 5: Twirl the ends around your finger — in the motion you would use to create a finger coil — until your twist is secure. Repeat this process across your entire head, section by section.
How long do mini twists last?
Mini twists can last up to four weeks. Afterward, the twists can begin to mat and tangle, turning into locs of sorts, explains Jamila Powell, a Florida-based hairstylist and founder of hair-care brand, Naturally Drenched. If you’re planning on keeping your mini twists for a while, great news: You can wash them. Powell recommends adding two to three tablespoons of shampoo to an empty nozzle bottle and diluting with water. “Apply the mixture to the twists and scalp, gently massaging your scalp with your fingertips before rinsing thoroughly with water,” she says. Repeat the same steps for conditioner, then dry your hair with a microfiber towel, which absorbs more water and is gentler on the hair. You can also use a blow dryer for speedy drying.
No matter how long you plan to keep your mini twists, it’s important to moisturize your hair and scalp throughout that period. Powell suggests spritzing on a hair mist (we like the Pattern Hydrating Hair Mist for this) two to three times a week and using a hair oil to seal in the moisture.
Do mini twists help grow out your hair?
Stylists agree that, as with many protective styles, mini twists can help you grow out your hair and retain its length. “This is because your hair is not exposed to daily manipulation,” Powell explains.
Board-certified dermatologist and licensed cosmetologist Yolanda Lenzy, MD, clarifies that hairstyles alone are not a means through which to grow your hair (there’s nothing about putting your hair in twists that will speed up your natural growth rate, but keeping it in a protective style can help prevent excess breakage) but the pro does agree that “mini twists, without added extensions, can be a good low tension style, for people looking to facilitate healthy hair.”
Mini twist inspiration
With mini twists, you can opt for a middle part or a side part, wear them in an ultra-cropped pixie or a flowy bob, add accessories, or keep it simple. There are endless possibilities for styling mini twists, but here are a few of our favorites.
Mini Twist Puff
Long Mini Twists
Half Up Mini Twists
Mini Twist Pixie
Mini Twist Space Buns
Discover more natural hairstyles:
- 17 Short Natural Hairstyles That Are Anything But Boring
- Gabrielle Union's Half-Up Spring Twists Make for Her Cutest Hairstyle Yet
- 57 Gorgeous Black Braided Hairstyles That Will Inspire Your Next Look
Now, watch a Bantu Knots wash day routine:
