Twists: Night-Care and Moisturizing

Since I've been wearing twists for about a month now, I've discovered a way to moisturize and take care of them at night that works for me.

Moisturizing My Twists

From past experiences, I've realized that when it comes to moisturizing twists that you'll be wearing for a while...Less is More.
I used to moisturize my twists with heavy creams and conditioners and 2 days later, they would feel heavy and look dull.
Now, I simply spritz water or wet my hands and run them down the length of my hair, making sure that the majority of the twists were a little damp and I would then seal in the 'moisture' from the water with olive oil.

Twists Night Routine

Caring for my twists at night is very fuss-free. I do one of two things:
1. After moisturising as explained above, I would 'part' my twists in two and braid each side and cover the braids with my head scarf. Braiding the twists provides a crimped/curled look that I like; it gives the twists more texture and makes it look more 'styled'.

2. If I decided to skip the moisturising for that night, I would simply braid my dry twists anyway (which created a more 'wavy' look) or I'd opt for the lazy route of gathering all the twists in the back and covering them with my scarf, leaving the twist hanging out the bottom of the scarf.

:)

No, I'm not Locking...

This coming Saturday will be a month since I first twisted my hair, although I didn't intend on keeping in the twist for more than 3 weeks. To my credit though, I have re-twisted each twist, which is like starting fresh...but not really :)

I do plan on taking out the twists soon. Not that I'm getting tired or bored of them, I just want a little break (Maybe a braid 'n curl or braid-out) and then a new, fresh set of twists.
I'm not sure when they'll be gone, but I think that by this time next week they will be.


Maybe I can keep this going...

During the past few weeks when my twist I've really realized how time-saving and easy to style they are and the though came to me that maybe I should keep this routine. Especially, during the school months, when I'll be busy with papers and projects and such. It would really come in handy. Just a thought.

:)

My Thoughts: On Locking

Having mini two-strand twists in my hair for a little more than two weeks now, have made me think about having dreadlocks.
I wasn't considering locking my hair, but I thought about life with dreadlocks. A pros and cons kind of thing.

Pros:
1. No more de-tangling-> de-tangling takes up a lot of time in taking care of my natural hair loose and not having to de-tangle will make it that much eaiser.
2. Easy styling-> Well, I'm not sure about locks but styling my twists are easy. I can braid my hair at night and have nice waves/curls in the morning and create a cute style like my bob look, in 10 minutes.
3. Easy maintaince-> Like I mentioned in my previous post...having twists and dreadlocks, I'm imagining, makes it easy to deal with your hair in the summertime after getting it wet at the pool.
4. Growth-> As anyone can see, it's very easy to retain length with locks, becasue you arent doing anything to the hair that will cause breakage or any type of malipulation.
Cons:
1. Limited styling options-> I like to have options when it comes to the way I wear my hair and with locks, I can't wear straight styles, wash and go's (sporting my natural curls) and certain other styles.
2. Lots of updo's -> Aside from the styling options, I've noticed that many people with locks wear updo's. This may mean nothing to a lot of people...but it means something to me because I don't like wearing my hair up a lot. And I think that the longer the locks get the more it would have to be worn up.

That's all I can think of for now. Although I have more pros than cons...locks aren't in my future. I've seen some locks that I adore, but I like my options to have the locked look (twists and braids) and more.

Update
A reader named LifeOrdinary, commented that another con of locking is : Tension Alopecia.
The weight of the locks as they grow...pulls the hair from the root (I think this occurs mostly in the front), causing baldness.
Thanks to her for that addition :)

Twists: Washed, Conditioned and Re-Twisted

I washed and conditioned my twists on Friday the 9th and I've been taking them out one by one, de-tangling and re-twisting them since Saturday and I'm still not finished.
I had to stop late Saturday night because of church Sunday morning and I haven't gotten the chance...'till now, to start re-twisting again.

I don't know if I'll be doing this again. After I washed and conditioned the twists, the roots became tangled (I'm guessing it's because of the scrubbing). As a result of that, In some areas, I had to take many of the twists out at once to de-tangle and then put them back in. It was a little frustrating.

However, It's been really nice not having to de-tangle every 3 to 5 days and it's also been great 'discovering' styles that fit me and that I really like.

I was telling my beau that I think twists could really be in mainstay summer style. During the summer I get my hair wet often and It's nice not having to start over to re-style my curls or settling for a tangled, dried-out wash and go afterwards.
I'll be taking out my twists soon though, because I don't like keeping in the same set of twists in my hair too long...even if I did wash and de-tangle it. I like starting over fresh every so often.

I'm not sure if I'll put more twists in right after washing or take a break with a braid and curl or something. I'll depend on how I feel after washing.
I'll keep you posted...so stay tuned :)

Still Twisted...And Hurt

Well, my hair is still in twists...and good thing because I wouldn't be able to care for it right now. I pulled a muscle on the 5th, and have been spending a lot of time in bed...with my hair uncovered because it's been sooo hot lately.
I'm planning on washing my twists tomorrow (if I'm not in too much pain) and re-twisting them, one by one, when they're dry.
In the meantime I'm going to stay off my feet. :)

It's About Time For A Wash and Re-Do

It's been a week and three days since I first did my mini twists (June 24) and it doesn't look too bad.

The frizzies that are there is a result of the time I wet them (to moisturize a couple times and when I got them wet at a sprinkler at a park :) ). I really have had a change of heart about two-strand twist. And I have no idea why, although it could be because ...I've just discovered how versatile and cute they are.

Later on this week, I am going to wash and deep condition my hair...while in twists. I'm then going to stretch them in braids while they dry and when they are fully dry, I am going to de-tangle and re-twist each. 

I wasn't going to re-do the twist but since I've stumbled upon new found fondness for the mini twists...I'm going to wear hem a little longer.  

:)

Twisted Braid-Out

I accidentally stumbled apon something that I like: the braid-out look on twist.

Earlier this past week, I moisturized my twists with plain 'ole water and sealed that moisture in with olive oil. I then braided (cornrowed) my twist; one on each side, mainly to keep it from shrinking up.

The next morning my twist felt very soft and silky...even my little brother commented on the softness, and he normally doesnt give a crap about my hair :)

More than just the softness though, I really liked the the curls and waves that the braid provided.

I opted to pin in up into bobish look. I grabbed the longest layers and pinned it underneat itself at the nape of my hair using a bobby pin.

Doing that gave it a short, one-layered, bobed look and I think that the messyness of the bob and the curly/wavy look, made me like it even more.

I wore variations of this style all week and loved it.

:)