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The weather is getting warmer, ladies. The sandals are out, the shorts are on and your hair -- well, that's another story. Humid temperatures can inflate your hair to freakishly large proportions or create uncontrollable frizziness. This is especially true for African-American women with natural hair. It's no wonder so many gals choose to braid or twist their hair during the hotter months. If you want to combat the elements in style, try wearing kinky twists. It can take up to eight hours to complete on your own, but you'll whip your hair back and forth with joy when you're done.
Twists With Synthetic Hair
1.
Select a length and color for your synthetic hair that will compliment your face shape and skin tone. Remember, every woman isn't meant to wear platinum blonde, so look for hues that will match your complexion and natural hair color well.
2.
Part your hair into four sections with a fine-tooth comb, from the forehead to the nape of your neck and from ear-to-ear. Section off a small square in the first quadrant of your hair and clip the rest of your hair away from that square. Resist the urge to make larger squares, unless you want bigger twists.
3.
Apply a small amount of styling gel to your hair for a hint of shine. Braid your natural and synthetic hair together for up to a half an inch. Do not start off twisting your hair, lest your extensions slip out and fall to the floor later on. Take the remaining ends of the hair and create two individual strands. Wrap the strands over the other, left over right, and continue until you reach the end of the synthetic hair.
4.
Place a cold wave rod at the end of the twist to prevent unraveling. Repeat these steps throughout the rest of your hair.
5.
Dip only the ends of your twists in a bowl of boiling water for 3 to 5 seconds to curl the hair. Place a towel over your neck to prevent scalding.
6.
Apply oil sheen or braid spray to finish your look.
Twist 'With Natural Hair
1.
Wash your hair and apply a leave-in conditioner. Part your hair into four sections with a fine-tooth comb, from ear-to-ear and from the forehead to the nape of the neck. Section off a small square in the first quadrant of hair and clip the rest of your hair away from that square.
2.
Apply styling gel to your hair. Separate hair into two strands.
3.
Twist the strands over the other, left over right. There is no need to add a wave rod on the ends, because natural curly hair will coil on its own and should not unravel.
4.
Sit under a dryer until hair is completely dry. Don't freak out if your twists shrink in length or size. Natural hair tends to tighten as it dries.
5.
Spray an oil sheen onto the hair. Tousle -- or whip -- your hair and enjoy.
If the synthetic hair is made from a softer Kanekalon material, you'll need to let your hair fully dry before removing the rods.
Sleep with a silk bonnet or scarf to prevent fuzziness.
Never pour boiling water directly onto your hair.
Avoid using locking gel. That sort of gel is often used for dreadlocks and can cause your hair to lock to the synthetic hair over time.
Synthetic hair made with a polypropylene is known to cause scalp irritation, but it is a less expensive option to Kanekalon extensions.
