Lately I feel like the question I get asked the most when out is: “How’d you get your hair like that?!” Surprisingly, I receive the question from other natural-headed women the most. I’ve noticed that most of the women I’ve met have yet to find the right products for their hair, or a go-to style for their hair. Both of these things take time and money, but once you’ve found what’s perfect for you, it’s smooth sailing from there on out!
After your hair dries a bit, it’s time to part it into four sections. You can do so by creating a t shape in your hair. I personally prefer a side part instead of a middle part. So after creating my t, I usually bring more hair over. It’s important to part your hair the way you want your hair to lay after you take them out. 
Continue following the same steps with each section. By the third section, you will probably be ready to give up and go on about your merry way with half a head. I know the feeling! At that point I sit and take a break. I try and think about how much money and time I’m saving in the long run by not having to go to the hair salon every few weeks. I think after a few times, your hands get used to doing the style, and they automatically just do the work without you really paying attention to what you’re doing.
And you’re finished twisting! I like to keep my twists in for the rest of that day and the next day to make sure they’re all the way dry. Normally, I will throw on a scarf or a hat, or wear them as is.
This style will last a good week or so for me, with barely any maintenance except a good moisture and large re-twist here and there. It prevents me from touching my hair too much. And it makes my busy days so much easier because I have one less thing to actually do. 
Two Strand Twist
two strand twist tutorial for men or women
Instructions
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When beginning any real style, I always co-wash my hair. In other words, I always wash my hair with conditioner only. This helps keep the moisture locked in. I’ve noticed that my hair looks so much better in the end if I let it air dry a bit prior to styling. If you have thick hair like mine, this will work wonders for your final style. Also, instead of washing and styling your hair at night, try doing it during the day. You want to let your hair dry out in the twists as much as possible, and it’s hard to do so when you’re sleeping on freshly twisted, damp hair.
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After your hair dries a bit, it’s time to part it into four sections. You can do so by creating a t shape in your hair. I personally prefer a side part instead of a middle part. So after creating my t, I usually bring more hair over. It’s important to part your hair the way you want your hair to lay after you take them out.
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Take your coconut oil (or any base moisturizer you use for your hair) and rub it in your palms. After rubbing, you will want to rub your hands in the hair that’s out, and then gently untangle it. At this point you can also use your wide tooth comb for gentle detangling, but I always recommend using your hands if they do the trick. Natural hair thrives when it’s left alone and isn’t pulled on or pulled out in a rough manner.
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Then, take a small piece of your hair and separate it into two pieces. Grab a finger tip worth of your styling products. In my case—mousse and curly pudding. Take the tip of your finger and just rub it on your hair from root to tip, and then begin your twisting. You want to always try and have smaller twists in your hair if you are trying to create a more defined curl pattern. If you have thick hair and large twists, they will surely come undone and leave you with an uncurled fro. When I reach the tips of my hair, I like to grab a little more coconut oil and styling cream to moisturize and lock the ends.
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Continue to separate hair, moisturize, apply products, twist, and reapply products at the end to lock each twist. It may take a while but continue until you've done your entire head.
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I like to keep my twists in for the rest of that day and the next day to make sure they’re all the way dry. Normally, I will throw on a scarf or a hat, or wear them as is. The next day is so incredibly easy. All you have to do is moisturize your hands with your moisturizer of choice and undo your twists. After taking out your twists, grab your comb and just tease your roots a bit if they’re falling a little flat.
68 Comments
Thank you for showcasing different textures of hair 🙂 this is just amazing!
As one with mixed-up hair, part wave, short breaking curls around the face, and going straight in the back, I would die to look this fantastic.
I don’t know my own origins, thus I also have no clue about my weirdly difficult hair. Combing and brushing distributes natural scalp oils nicely, BUT breaks the strands unless I am very very careful with a light hand.
Regular anti-frizz stuff just super-slimes with a silicone feel. Hair spray makes my hair fight back. Mousse gives flake fallout. Anything style using heat is utterly undone the second it hits humidity. Ethnic products are a little too much, though with a light hand they’ve served well.
My hair is dry and brittle, needing almost no typical shampooing for weeks. But it does require some light care to wash out dirt and such. I guess the best description is combo hair.
I can wrap it up damp with water, or curl spray, lotion, gel or cream, and sleep it dry. Next morning, I have killer kinky curls that last till next wetting, but there’s no curl size control. I can also braid it to air dry. And as my color is a funky mix of black & brown, dark & light grey, stark white & shiny silver, waves or curls look neat and are mega fun.
I’m gonna try a style combining some lock looks with gentle moisturizing and finger separation instead of brush & comb work.
I’d love to braid it, but I know it will break easily at scalp level. And I do not have a nicely round head. So I kinda need a little weight and puff at the start of the strands.
Soooo – I’m considering taking a year out & go for tiny dreads, but my spouse is looking at me askance at the notion.
What does HE know? HIS family has a lot of great strong curls they have to do NOTHING with to look fantastic, granted bya mix of Black Irish, Scot, Creole & Native American. (And they’re all long-lived, plus disgustingly gorgeous well into their 80s, but they DO sunburn – whereas I only get red shoulders and nose, and that’s a recent effect of olive skin fade. Har.
I think I miiiiight trade for the hair.
Anyway, your info has been most helpful. I will explore further.
I do that too yet my definition is gone after a few hours and I’m left with a fluffy afro.
I’m on a never ending search to remedy this. My hair is the super shrinkage type so thought it would hold onto a twist out 🙁
I love the natural beauty hair twist please send me your information
LaTonya!!!!!!
I cannot describe how excited I get seeing you on my FAVORITEST BLOG EVER!!!
Stay put Girl and keep it coming with the tips – I’d strayed from Miss Jessie’s for Oyin Handmade, but maybe I’ll try her out again…
<3
I just found your posts and they are SO helpful. I recently adopted two little girls (5 & 7) from Uganda and they’re growing their hair out for the first time in their lives. I’m Caucasian, so I’ve been reading everything I can get my hands on to learn about natural hair care. This was such a find. Thank you!
Hi Andi! If you’re talking about untangling I would highly suggest just trying to do so without a tool. But if you need to, I suggest the deman brush for sure. Use it while you’re in the shower and your hair is really wet with the conditioner still in.
xx
LaTonya
I’ve been a fan of Abs for years and I’m so happy that they’re incorportating natural hair tips! I’m a natural chick and twist my hair weekly too. I have been using the wide tooth comb for years but I’ve been think about going back to the deman brush when I co wash. Advice??
You… are beautiful! That’s just all I have to say about that! kaPOW! I wish I could get any sort of ANYTHING going on with my dead flat hair! 🙂
WOW!!! hair envy! i love this natural look
That’s gorgeous!
Love your hair and the pictures are very useful. You should try using Wonder Curl’s Butter than Love Pudding and Curl Control Styling Lotion. You’ll get great definition and soft fluffy curls. http://www.wondercurl.com/
Love your twist out results and the photos look great!
Thank you , thank you, thank you. <3
Oh! I also wanted to ask:
[1] What kind of hats you wear over your twists?
[2] What are some good ways to tie a scarf over twists?
My hair takes for-ev-er to dry & my twists aren’t even remotely presentable.
I’ve had difficulty with my ends staying with two-strand twists & found more success with three-strand twists. So true about wanting to quit halfway through- a puff is my go-to due to carpal tunnel.
Hi Natika!
Yes, sometimes I will watch tv and before I know it my hair is done. Your hands guide you and do the work so fast once they’re used to it
And thank you, nose rings are awesome.
Thank You! I am getting more and more comfortable with the twists in.
Thank you LaMesha!
Oh yay! I hope it turns out okay!
xx
Awesome, I know everyone doesn’t have natural hair, but It’s always so good to know what people do with their hair. I find it fascinating.
xx
LaTonya
haha thank you so much, so sweet of you!
xx
LaTonya
Thank you Sarah!
xx
LaTonya
Yes, they are!
LaTonya
Glad to see some hair tutorials for women with something other than straight, shiny hair!
I wish my hair did that! Lucky (and beautiful)!
I think it’s as you said – your hands get used to it. I’ve watched my good friend do this many times during late night chats and she can do it super quickly. (She re-twists every night before bed). Both the twisted and untwisted versions are super cute.
I’m going to agree with everyone else that your make-up is awesome, but I wanna add that I like the nose ring too. I might be biased though as I have one myself!
Agree! I have really fine, lank hair, but I LOVED reading this and looking through the photos.
You are so beautiful!!! It looks really cute with the twists in, or the twists undone! No need to cover that cuteness with a scarf 🙂
Oh my gosh, this tutorial is awesome! Can I just say how much I appreciate seeing natural hair tutorials on A Beautiful Mess? You guys rock!!
Me three! 🙂
LaTonya, your hair is amazing! <3
Really loving that ABM has Latonya as a commentator on hair! As a woman of color I often can’t apply any of the hair or makeup tutorials that you might feature. Would love to see more diversity in these areas. Keep up the great work 🙂
Can’t tell you how refreshing it is to see this. Beautiful post by a beautiful lady. Keep it up, please!
Absolutely gorgeous!
www.cumulusdiaries.com – @cumulusdiaries
Gorgeous LaTonya!
So beautiful
As a natural haired Cajun girl from Lafayette, LA who is dating a Bosnian immigrant, I absolutely love cultural diversity. Seeing a woman of color on A Beautiful Mess, makes me love the blog all the more. Kudos! I look forward to seeing even more ethnicities and cultures featured in the future! Happy Thanksgiving!
Love this style series – I have straight black hair which is like the opposite of this (my hair won’t stay curled even if I use an iron), but I love LaTonya’s style and I LOVE LOVE that you guys are showing some diverse voices here! So many of the popular blogs are a little one-dimensional like that and this is a welcome change.
ABM, I’m so happy that you’re incorporating women of color! I think I commented once before about this, but it really means a LOT to me as a readers…especially since, though I love the hairstyle tutorials that you post, my hair texture doesn’t really work with them. Yay! Go team!
Oh my word, you are so pretty.
Unreal. So beautiful.
So refreshing to see a WOC featured on such a popular blog. Kudos.
Great tutorial! I have to find my go to style.
I am obsessed with Shea Moisture products! Great tutorial and I love your hair color.
You are one beautiful lady! Always love your posts here 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing~ your hair looks amazing
Me too!
UGGGHHHHHH i’ve wanted a fro my entire life. DAMN MY ITALIAN HAIR
Thanks so much for adding this tutorial. It is much-needed in my hair life right now. LaTonya is a fantastic addition to the Beautiful Mess team!
You look beautiful! Great tutorial
Xo
Great tutorial! I love seeing A Beautiful Mess featuring a woman of color too 🙂
so beautiful! your hair is amazing!
xx nikki
www.dream-in-neon.com
You’re one gorgeous lady, LaTonya! And that hairstyle totally fits you.
She is gorgeous! Wowza.
Thank you for sharing this.
Gorgeous!
My hair could not be more opposite…but I loved the tutorial. Like a beautiful handmade gift, I can now appreciate the time and art!
Looks so cute!
xx OXANAMUA | Autumn OOTD Post!
Woah, lady, you get some awesome volume with this trick! I also love Miss Jessie’s products. They’re fantastic for curly hair 🙂
Cat
http://oddlylovely.com
Oh how I continue to fail at this haha
Ah well I’ll keep trying I guess.
im loving the hair but all i can think is wow! what a beautiful human!
i love LaTonya! and that hair!….heart eyes emoji!!!!
so cute!!
This is amazing!! Loving the tutorial. Thank you!
So cute.
Beautiful! I love your makeup too 🙂
I’m jealous. I wish I could make my hair look so good.
You are so pretty!
SO pretty!