How to Do a Twist-Out on Natural Hair, Step by Step

The steps

1. Start with clean, detangled, damp hair.
2. Part it into sections; smaller sections give tighter, more defined spirals.
3. Apply leave-in, then a cream or butter, and a light gel if you want more hold.
4. Split a section in two and twist them around each other from root to end; coil the end around a finger.
5. Let the twists dry completely: overnight, under a hooded dryer, or with a diffuser on low.
6. Oil your fingertips and unravel each twist in the direction it was twisted.
7. Separate each piece gently, and lift the roots with a pick.

Make it last

At night, pineapple the hair or put it in a few large twists, and cover it with a satin bonnet or scarf. On day two or three, refresh with a little water or leave-in on your hands rather than soaking it.

When it goes wrong

Frizz or limp spirals usually mean the twists weren’t fully dry; leave them longer next time. Too little definition usually means sections were too big. Twists that are too tight pull at the scalp; the American Academy of Dermatology’s rule is that a style that hurts is too tight.