Two Strand Twists AND Fine, Thinning, Short Length Hair!

Protective Styling is Great For Hair Length Retention

After an exciting week of hanging out with the Sister In Law (or SIL) as she so "uniquely" put it LOL, we decided to try out some two strand twists. This mocha beauty has an even tighter coil than my last twist adventure that I did on my friend, Kay. My sister in law's hair somewhat resembles cotton. If I had to guess, it would be considered something of a 4C (you guys can tell how into the hair typing I am). NOT. I do, however, find the variety of curl shapes, sizes, weights, and all that good stuff to be pretty amazing.

Protective Styling (for example wigs), is GREAT for length retention....
It's extremely important to consistently care for coily hair even while it's being placed in a protective style. Two strand twists are excellent for easy care and maintenance of hair while not being manipulated for weeks at a time.


I want to capture some "specialty" twisting techniques via video. These techniques will address tightly coiled hair, hairline capture, and directing unruly twists. I also want to share how I "beef up" finer strand hair that has a course texture. I've come to find that course textured hair holds two strand twists THE BEST.

First up, her hairline has suffered some damage (I think courtesy of the weaves she used to wear quite often). She speculates that the hairline damage is as a result of bad relaxers. Either way, both procedures (weaves and relaxers) can tax the hair and cause damage if not applied safely and only on an occasional basis. I was not knowledgeable about how to work with a damaged hairline.

She has lots of breakage, and in some areas, the hairline is about 1/4'' in length. Add her strong shrinkage to the picture, and I definitely faced a new arena. I welcomed the challenge--since that meant I would get to put 2 strand twists on her sweeeet textured hair!

Here are the steps that I took in order to do 2 Strand Twists on Thinning, Short Length Coily Hair:

1. Dampened and then put some Olive Oil on the Hair. (pre poo). *I did this because I wasn't sure how her hair would react to the shampoo. This served as a sort of "buffer" between us and possible tangles!
2. Clarified (I used V05's Clarifying Shampoo). At first, I didn't get a lather. This was probably because she typically coats her hair with "Doo Grow", and then puts her hair under a wig. There was definitely product buildup on her strands. I Shampoo'd 2 times.
3. Deep Condition. I used my favorite home-made Avocado, Honey, Olive Oil, Mayonnaise Conditioner Treatment. AWESOME Results.
4. Steam Treatment for 20 minutes (with the Deep Conditioner on her hair). This helps to infuse the moisture into the strands. I also did this step because we didn't have time for her to sit with the conditioner on her hair for 1 hour.
5. Rinsed out the Deep Conditioner after steaming, then I conditioned (with Giovanni 50/50 Conditioner). Detangled with the conditioner on her hair (in sections). NO TANGLES! She says that her hair is not typically easy to detangle!
6. AIR DRY (a bit). T-Shirt dried the hair a bit. Blow Dry (Tension Method) a bit. KEPT THE TEXTURE IN HER HAIR. WILL NEED THE TEXTURE TO HOLD THE TWISTS PROPERLY.
7. Used Giovanni's Wicked Texture Sculpting Pomade to twist her hair. This allowed me to direct the twists where I needed them to go. Also, this helped to lay down her hair (which otherwise may have "stood up". This pomade is an all natural product that does not leave a residue, and seems to add moisture! I LOVE IT!

Want to "Fill Out" Sparse Hair Sections? Pinning Back the Hair Does the Trick

For those of you who are concerned about your "open forehead" section, this is what I did:

She has at least 4.5'' length in the front of her hair, however, her hairline is damaged. I sectioned off the front and directed the section that I would lay down towards her forehead. I pinned that section down so that it would air dry in the direction that I want it to (forward). This now becomes her bang area. I twisted her bang area using the Giovanni Wicked also, while directing the twists towards her forehead. After about 15 twists, I used bobby pins and pinned down the bang until it dried fully. When she sleeps with this, she will sleep with a satin scarf, which will further lay down the hair in the direction the style was done in.

After Air Drying, T-Shirt Blotting, & Finally Blow Drying Slightly

Now, because of her thinning areas (on the crown section), I chose to pin her hair back a bit. Pictures are a great way to track growth progress. I told her that if she kept the twists in for about 3 weeks, that would help her with length retention enormously! Also, if she's able to get her hair twisted once a month, this would be a nice break from the day to day wear and tear on her fine tresses. She lives in Georgia, so I wouldn't be able to twist her hair up, but I wish that I could!

Either way, she can wear her twist out or wear her wigs while her hair is cared for and placed in a low manipulation style. This will ensure length retention, and hopefully will allow her hair the fill out a bit more.

We will try to keep up and update on this coily haired angel's beautiful mane. I look forward to posting more information on her and her luscious locks!

Meantime...........................................................................................stay beautiful.

tia


P.S....I don't often see the Giovanni Wicked Hair Wax in the stores, so I buy mine online. If you don't find it in your local drug/grocery store, check out Amazon's prices.

Cornbraid Fro Hawk Styling Featuring Two Strand Twists!

Elegant & Stylishly Daring Corn Row Hairstyling

The thing I love about this corn-braided "fro hawk" style is the way that it highlights her facial structure. The way that the cornbraids are directed adds even more to her high cheekbones. I also love the clean cut sides against the contrasting wayward two strand twists. 

BENEFITS TO THIS STYLE: 

It is a GREAT Low Manipulation Hair Style

It can be turned into an Excellent Protective Hair Style (tucking ends under)

It is easily Moisturized

It holds Moisture Well

It is Versatile 

This style was so versatile that she was able to wear it into the office by putting the back and crown into a chignon and leaving the front down. She opted to pin the bangs to the side on occasion. 

Two Strand Twists & Cornbraids for a "Fro Hawk" Style

THE EXECUTION:

• The hair was sectioned off at each side. The middle section was a vertical rectangle (that's the section that was made into the loose two strand twists. 

• I made sure to use clamps and securely put away each section, as I'm not a strong corn-braider (?), and didn't need the added drama of getting hairs from one section into another.

• How I decided which direction to angle the parts of my cornbraid was just by looking. I already had an idea of the direction I wanted the sides to branch out to. I can pretty much do any style that I see on paper. It just takes me a while to do the parting (the parts are the hardest thing about this style).

• All in all, this style took me about 3 1/2 hours to complete (with food break in between). It lasted about 2 weeks with proper care/maintenance at night. She used a spray bottle of Eden Body Works and water with some avocado oil daily for moisture (on the two strand twists).

If you're interested in doing this style and would like information on techniques for two strand twists (on fine, natural hair), check out our blog post: http://angelsringlets.blogspot.com/2012/08/got-fine-wavy-textured-hair-you-can-do.html

How About YOU? Have You Tried a Cornbraided Style Yet?

~~Also~~

What is the difference between Corn Braiding or Corn Rows?

Twisted Hairstyle with "PRETTY TWISTED" Shirt

Cute Shirt with Vibrant, Contrasting Colors "Pretty Twisted" OR is it "Twisted Pretty"? No one knows but you! 

Available For Purchase, Click Link Above

Many Hair Style Options for Transitioning Hair

Some Everyday Transitioning Hair Styles
                                                                        ....ensure that every day is a good hair day

Medium Sized Rollers for Curls on the Relaxed Ends, 8 Large Plaits for texture to the Natural Hair

Braidout Done on Blow Dried Transitioning Hair

This style didn't last all day. The Natural Hair Puffed, while the Relaxed Ends Stayed Stringy

Braids Done on Transitioning Hair (link to process below)

http://angelsringlets.blogspot.com/2011/11/transitioning-hair-blues-give-yourself.html

My hair grew long during transition!

Best not to Wet this transitioning Hair Braided Style.

Braidout Done on Transitioning Hair (as more relaxed ends were cut, this style became easier to do)

A nice, blunt trim done on Transitioning Hair

Bangs were cut all natural for styling transitioning hair with versatility

Cassia Obovata treatment done on transitioning hair!

Everyday Bun Styling on Transitioning Hair

Love the Buns on Transitioning Hair (can be done on blow dried hair or textured hair)

Beginning of Transition, Flat ironed hair put up in a bun

Flat ironed transitioning hair, wrapped nightly for maintainence

Braids done with extensions on Transitioning Hair. Gives a nice styling break!

Braidout done on Transitioning hair

Cornbraids done on transitioning hair

These are just a few of the styling options available for transitioning hair. Stand by for our 2nd installment of this series. During our transition, we stayed true to our sense of style. That's what made our long term transitioning easy. While T enjoyed straight styles, I had a blast playing with different textured styling. We both "took breaks" with braided extensions whenever we were too busy to manage the two differing textures. If you are more skilled than I am at braiding, then you will have that much more style options. However, keeping low manipulation styling in mind....try to make your style last at least 1 week. Low manipulation styling enabled me to retain length.

The more I trimmed my transitioning hair, the easier it was to manipulate without tangles at the ends. 

Once I found the right moisturizing product that satisfied BOTH textures, styling without breakage was easy.

Some days were difficult with the two extremely opposite textures, but I found a staple "go to" texture that ensured NO bad hair days were in sight.

What is your "go to" hair styling? Transitioning, Natural, Relaxed

Could You Use Some Solutions to Your Transitioning Hair Frustrations? Check out this Post

Little Girls Natural Hair Styling Option #1 Playing With Coils

The weather will be changing drastically in a few weeks (sooner for most). How will you style your little one's hair if you've been enjoying wash n go's? Cold weather and wet hair is a combination asking for sick days. The little one and I have been enjoying our wash n go's, so I've had to start changing my hairstyling pace. I did a braidout on her hair last night, and for some odd reason--her coils refused to disappear! 

One of Our many Wash N' Go Styling

We got no definition from our braid out. I just made a vertical part in the middle of her head (sort of), and bunned her ponytails. I gave her a bang and defined her coils with Aloe Vera gel and Castor oil mix. Then further ensured that the curls would not poof up in the middle of the day by adding some Eco Styler Gel. I brushed some along her hairline to keep down frizz during the day as well. 

 This is an excellent protective style as well. Her bun consists of 2 twists that are twisted around each other--into the bun, and the ends are tucked in. 

Products used: Aloe Vera Gel (approximately 1 ounce), and 1 tablespoon of Castor Oil. This is mixed in a spray bottle and was used to do the braid out, and to refresh the hair in the morning. 

This is a quick and easy style! It can and will help to retain length.

I find that this ensures that her style does not become frizzy/fuzzy at all that day. I don't put too much because I don't want to have to wash her hair in order to do a different style the next day. We decided to accent her hair with some bows (well, she did). We can still do styling with her coils even if we're not doing a wash n go.