Senegalese twists, also known as rope twists, are becoming increasingly popular among men and women. It adds extra protection to your hair while simultaneously letting it grow and just looks so fire. Senegalese twists get their name from the place they originated, Senegalese, in West Africa. The style first became popular in the early 2000s and has gain popularity ever since, and even became part of a controversy in 2015. Suffice to say that the controversy added some more fans to this style, and it has now become a global trend, just like the box braids and cornrow braids.
Senegalese twists are usually worn with ornaments and a lot of hair accessories. Still, in recent times it has also got quite the makeover by being adapted to modern-day hairstyles. You can even try Senegalese twists on Mohawk braid hairstyles and pull it off with minimal effort. The fundamental design of the Senegalese twists is unlike the normal braids we see. Instead of the standard three-strand format, Senegalese twists are done by taking small sections of hair, dividing them into two parts, and then just twisting them around each other. Sounds so lovely, right? Well, it looks nice too but surely, this style would take a lot of time too. When fully done over the head, the hair begins to resemble the structure and design of a rope, and hence the name “Senegalese twists.”
You can wear the Senegalese twists in a wide variety of ways, from short bobs to long ponytail styles and even as a multi-colored braid style with a different color or streak on each section of your hair. You may find it a little wearisome to do the twists by yourself, but you can be a pro in this hairstyle within no time with practice and effort.
Supplies You’ll Need To Make Senegalese Twists:
Comb Hair extensions Hair clips
Steps To Do Senegalese Twists:
1. Wash and dry your hair
Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. To get better results with the Senegalese twists, we need dry hair, but not so dry that it becomes brittle. This is why you should not forget to use conditioner since it will help lock in the moisture and keep your hair hydrated even when dry.
2. Divide your hair into sections
Based on your convenience, divide your hair either into an upper section and lower section or into 4 equal sections. Either way, we start doing the twists from the very bottom, from the length of the nape, so take the rest of the hair upwards or sideward and secure them carefully with hair clips.
3. Start twisting your hair
Next, take a one-inch section of hair and divide it into two sections. Start by twisting both of these sections to the right. (You can find that this starts to take a coil-like shape) Next, we are going to add the extensions. Before installing the extensions, make sure to stretch it as much as possible and thin out the ends. This is done to ensure that the hair doesn’t come out loose while braiding or twists. After that, take the extension, fold it into half and then start combining them with your original hair. It is at this folded and bent point that the extension gets combines with your real hair.
4. Twist your extensions
After you have added the extensions, now start twisting them. The bent part of the extensions should come in the middle. Twist all your strand to the right until it forms a coil shape. Once you get the coiled strands, next, you should wrap each of these coiled strands around each other. Continue doing this twisting and coiling method until you reach the end of both combined sections.
5. Repeat the same steps
Now, take the remaining sections of hair and repeat the above processes in each section till you get a head full of Senegalese twists.
6. Secure the ends
The last step in this hairstyle is securing the ends of the hair. Even though there is no prescribed manner of doing this, a commonly used method is dipping the hair’s ends in hot boiling water. This will ensure that the ends are sealed for longer durations. After the water dries, apply some oil to the ends to prevent them from being dry and brittle.
Maintenance of Senegalese Twists
Maintaining and caring for hair when it’s in Senegalese Twists will determine how long your style is going to last. The same will help to keep your hair protected with no damage.
Wrap your hair with a satin scarf or bonnet before going to bed at night. Wrapping will help to keep the style intact and minimizes the chances of unraveling of hair edges. Sleep on a satin pillowcase that will prevent frizz formation. Keep your hair moisturized by spraying moisturizers. The best option is to use water, and with the help of a spray bottle, spray it on the scalp. Natural oils can be applied twice in a week with a light massage. But make sure you don’t disturb the Senegalese Twists. Take care of your hair by cleaning it with a mild shampoo once a week. Dirt, sweats, or even odor buildup, will get eliminated by doing so. Dry your hair soon after washing. Washing makes your hair weighed with water. With drying soon, you’ll reduce the burden on hair strands. Limit constant styling of Senegalese Twists. Instead of trying styling daily, you can reduce it to 2-4 times a week. How long can I wear my Senegalese twists?With proper maintenance and the right care, you can wear these twists for as long as up to 2-3 months. Mostly, this also depends on the type of hair you have and your hair structure. If your twists feel too tight or become very dry, don’t wear them for longer than required.
How often can I wash my hair?If you’re wearing Senegalese twists, don’t wash your hair more than once a week.
How long do Senegalese twists take to complete?The typical duration is around 6-8 hours, but it can take longer than that, especially if you are a beginner. However, a lot of products are now available in the market, which will make your braiding process much quicker. For instance, using pre-made crochet Senegalese twists is a foolproof method.
Is it good to try Senegalese Hair on Natural Hair?Most people prefer to use synthetic hair extensions for Senegalese Twist. Synthetic hairs will prevent premature unraveling of the twists. Moreover, styling can be better possible with synthetic hairs. Most hair beautician advises using Kanekalon hair types. These hair types are cheaper and more manageable.