Hair Experiment: Senegalese Twists

Lately I've been getting sick of doing my own hair and trying to come up with different styles. It would be easier to just go to a salon but it's also more expensive so I'm in no rush for all that. After doing a little research I originally was going to do yarn twists but then I decided to go with Senegalese twists instead. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos and installed them myself over two days. I probably could have got them done in a day but I didn't start putting the twists in until around 7 or 8 at night and was tired.

I used 5 1/2 packs of 100% kanekelon hair. At my local hair store they were about $2 a bag which isn't much at all. I cut off about 5-6 inches of the hair because it was a little too long but it still came down to just above my belly button which is fine for me. The only products I used while installing the twists were Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula Replenishing Hair Milk for moisture and a very small amount of Eco Styler Gel to help hold the twist and smooth my natural hair. I tried but wasn't able to twist from the root so I had to start each twist with a braid.

Overall, I really like how they came out and I'm gonna try to leave them in for at least a month. One issue I have is that I got the wrong color hair. The lighting in the hair store was more dim compared to the light in my bathroom so the hair was lighter than I thought but whatever. Also, I had trouble with a few of the ends unraveling. Sealing them with boiling water has worked for most of my head but a couple of twists keep coming loose. I may have to actually burn the ends although that's the last thing I wanna do. Either way, I'll definitely do this style again.

Here's a couple of pictures of the results:

I think I'd prefer them to be smaller but I'm not sure if I'd have the patience to do them myself.

Hair Experiment: Flat Twist w/ a High Bun

In reality my "high" bun wasn't quite as high as I would have liked but it was close. Anyway, as usual I did this style on freshly washed and conditioned hair. I didn't blow dry this time but instead braided my hair in about 6-8 large braids to help stretch while it dried. I let my hair dry about 80% before I just couldn't wait anymore and started twisting.

The only products I used were the Kinky Curly Knot Today leave in, Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothing and a little Eco Styler Gel. I used the Shea Moisture just because I've had it for a while and I'd never used it. It didn't seem to make any significant impact on my hair one way or another. I usually use Miss Jessie's products for flat twists so I just wanted to try something different this time.

I divided my hair into 4 sections (2 in back, 2 in front) then started twisting in the back going up towards the crown of my head. I had a little trouble twisting the sides just because I wasn't sure which direction would be best for me to part (straight up, curved, etc.). I like my results and it's a very simple, low maintenance style for the summer. I think I would have liked this style better if I had made the twists smaller but I just didn't have the patience at the time. At this point I've had the style for almost two weeks which I think is a good amount of time. Pictures to follow....

Hopefully they'll look better next time I try.

Hair Experiment: Flat Twists w/ Small Bun

After having my hair in mini-twists for a few weeks, I decided I wanted an even more low maintenance style that I could just get up and go with for the summer. I went simple and just flat twisted my hair going back and wrapping the loose hair into a small bun. Next time I want to try to twist up so I can wear a high bun but this style is working for now.

My hair was freshly washed and blown dry to stretch and to make it easier for my to twist. To be honest, I really hate working with my hair while it's wet. I also hate all the shrinkage that comes with it so I often blow dry my hair before styling. The only products I used were Mixed Chicks straightening serum and a little bit of  Eco Styler gel with argan oil when I thought I needed it.

A Few Weeks of Mini-Twists

Somewhere around week 2 I decided it might be a good idea to take pictures of my mini-twists to document how they're holding up. Around week 3 there was a bit of new growth so they started looking kind of fuzzy but not terrible. I thought about retwisting a few rows just in the front of my hair so they look fresh again but I haven't decided yet. I did not wash them because I was a little scared they would unravel or there would be a lot of shrinkage which I didn't want. I moisturize my hair nightly with water and shea butter before tying it up in a silk scarf and bonnet for bed. I didn't actually make it to 4 full weeks because they were starting to look a little raggedy and I just needed a change.


Week 2:

Week 3:

 

PS: I decided not to retwist the front of my hair. I just kept it pinned back most of the time to hide the new growth.

Another Mini Twist Attempt

I may be well into my month without heat experiment but if I'm not this will get me there. Once again I've put mini twists in my hair. I believe this is my third time trying. I really didn't do anything different from the previous times besides making the twists smaller.

As much as I like the style I don't know if I can stand doing this to myself again. If I can find someone to do them for me great but if not it'll be a long time before I do them again. I started the twists Tuesday afternoon and finished Friday night. I like my results much more than the first two times but my hair is still a lot thinner around the front of my head compared to the back so that's annoying.

I did my twists on freshly washed and blown dry hair to stretch (does that mean I cheated on my month with no heat?). I worked in sections to make it a little easier on myself. This is definitely a good low maintenance style for the summer. Hopefully next time I can find some kind soul to do them for me so it won't take a week.

Here's a few pictures of the results: