Hair: Loving Your Hair

HAIR TYPES

To find the right products and styles for your hair you must understand how to determine your hair type. Andrew Walker, Oprah’s former hair stylist created a system to help determine hair types which can range from 1A (loose wavy) to 4B (kinky curly). Often people get confused if they have one hair type or a mixture of different hair types. A lot of the natural hair community has a mixture so don’t be alarmed if you don’t fit a category 100% throughout your head.

While learning the ins and outs about your hair be sure to enjoy the process. It’s your hair and there are endless ways to style and protect your natural hair while you enjoy the journey!

GO-TO TWIST OUT

No matter what length or texture your natural hair is the twist out is a serious go-to hairstyle. It can last for up to a week with the proper care. Once this style wears out you can remix it by adding accessories or pulling your hair half up in the front while wearing it down in the back or explore bun styles. The possibilities are endless.

CLEANSE AND DETANGLE

Start with a good foundation by cleansing and deep conditioning your hair. Next use Felicia Leatherwoods detangling brush to get through your curls. This will save you time as you prepare to stretch, and blow dry your hair.

PROTECT AND STRETCH

To save drying time and get the most uniform twist out results blow dry the hair at least 75% of the way. Use a thermal heat protectant and or leave-in conditioner. If using heat makes you nervous use your blow dryer on medium or low heat.

TWIST AND ROD

Using the gels, foams and/or creams of your choice that offer hold, apply the product to a sectioned piece of hair and start twisting. You can do single twists or flat twists to the scalp. Take two strands of hair close to the scalp and cross over the hair while also twisting the hair individually. Brush the hair to make sure it does not tangle together as you go. Once you get to the end you can twirl the hair with your finger for a coil shape. Rolling your ends in a small rod ensures the hair will be coiled to the very end. You do this to each section until the whole head is full of twist. Wrap your hair with your choice of silk or satin protective wear. You can either dry over night or sit under a hooded dryer for 30 minutes.

TAKE DOWN

The hair should be completely dry for a defined twist out. If the hair is still damp, there is a chance that frizz can occur when taking the twists down. Grab your favorite oil, jojoba, almond, or argon it’s up to you. Add a few drops to your fingers, grab a twist from the bottom and start unraveling the hair. Usually the hair unravels itself. If you want more volume pull apart a few more strands. Once you have unraveled all the twists, lift your roots with a wide tooth comb or hair pick. This will create some volume at the root for your twist out.

MAINTAIN

To keep the twist neat at night you can try the pineapple method which means putting your hair in a high, loose ponytail. Slip on a bonnet go to sleep and fluff with a pick in the morning. If you’re feeling yourself after trying out this twist out tag @AfroVeganBeauty and show us the results!