Oh how I LOVE to change up my hair!!! I’ve always been a natural who is a fan of braids, twists, locs, short hair, and yes wigs and weave (aka accessories)! It’s fun to change up my look whenever I want and not give a care about what other people have to say! I installed Senegalese twists for the very first time back in July right after I returned from the Essence Festival. You can find that post here. It was extremely hot wearing them during those warmer months, but now is the perfect time to do a protective style such as braids/twists. Below are some frequently asked questions.
FAQ’S:
- What kind of hair did you use? 100% Kanekalon braiding hair. They also have a brand called Expressions where you don’t have to use as many packs and you can use the “pulling method” to make the hair stretch.
- How much did the hair cost? $1.99 a pack
- How many packs did you use? Approximately 11 (my twists were waist length)
- Did you wash them? I did not wash them, mainly because I didn’t keep them up long enough. However, I did use a spray bottle (water, coconut oil, JBCO oil, and a little conditioner) to spritz my scalp and my hair in twists daily. I also spritzed my scalp with peppermint oil and olive oil after my workouts.
- How long did it take? Approximately 11 hours (it was my first time, my second time was close to 8 1/2 hours)
- What’s your nighttime routine? I pulled my twists back in a ponytail and slept with a stain cap. sometimes I’ll put a scarf around my hair and wear the cap.
- Were they tight? Not at all. I never install twists, braids etc tight around my edges. It’s almost that looseness after the tightness has worn off after most braiders install them ( if that makes sense).
- What do you use on your scalp? I use Organic Root Stimulator body and hair spray or DAX (Vegetable oils w/ Lanolin) Pomade, and JBCO (around perimeter) when needed.
Chunky Senegalese Twists
In between this time…I decided I wanted to take them down and I wanted to try long kinky twists with Marley hair. I’ll post about those soon. I reinstalled them again in September. I really love these twists, they have so much versatility!
Semi-chunky Senegalese Twists
I took this set down, because I was preparing for my first 10K with Black Girls Run! in Atlanta. They were too heavy to be running in and it was HOT. I guess I should’ve thought about that before I did them — which is why I decided to wait to do them in the cooler months. I am planning on doing my very first installment of box braids this Winter! I’m excited about that. Be on the lookout for those!
If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below!
Love your hair! Fab!
Thank you Kia!!! :)
Those are very pretty! I love the length and the size.
Thank you so much!!!
Such awsome hair <3 I love it
Thank you!!!
I can’t wait to try the twists this winter! Yours look GORGE!
Thank you J! You will love them!! And you better not chicken out! :)
Reblogged this on Aphrodite Kinks.
Your Senegalese twists are gorg :)
Thank you so much!!!
Found this very helpful :)
Well thank you! Glad I could help!
how long did you keep these twist in before they became very frizzy and started looking old ?
They didn’t get frizzy or start looking old. I kept them moisturized and I tried to remember tying them up at night or protected with a scarf which helps preserves.
I recently got some twist done a little larger than yours and they got extremely frizzy and started coming undone within 2 days so now i am getting them redone using Marley hair instead of kanekalon I don’t know what went wrong ? I will try to use some of the same products you listed above thanks ..
I was going to ask did you use Marley hair, because Marley hair has the tendency to be a little frizzier. You can also use a twist/lock gel when getting your hair twisted or if you’re twisting it yourself. You don’t have to use the products I used, I just recommend using a good moisturizer and sealant as it’s being twisted; and keep a spray bottle to help moisturize the hair in the braid. It will help keep the frizzies down when it’s tied up. Sorry you didn’t have a good experience the first time I’m not quite sure what happened, but hopefully the next time it will work out for you!
Lovely! And very helpful! I’m doing them tomorrow. :)
You’re going to love them! Thank you!
Thank you! I’m sure they are lovely!
Did you use a brand called Sassy?
No, I don’t think it was. It was just whatever they had. There was a silky kind and regular. They are all about the same. Cost $1.99 a pack.
How did you seal the ends of your twists??
I used the pulling method for the twists so the ends would be thinner. Once you’re done, dip the ends in hot boiling water. I add a little essential oil to my water (olive, coconut etc) to give it a little moisture/shine. I hope this helps!
Thank you!
I know this is an old post, but how did you get them to be long? I’ve seen others that are shorter, but I want mine to be this length. They are beautiful!
Thank you! I used Kanekelon braiding hair and used the pulling method. You can see vids on YT to show you how to stretch the hair. I hope this helps!
I do alot of running, i run cross-country, indoor and outdoor track. Would these twists be to heavy to run in? And if not how long do they last?
Hi Chyna, it all depends on the length or how you wear them. I had them very long, about waist length, and they were a bit heavy. Then again I have a small head, so that could be why they were heavy lol I like to pull my hair up when I run and my bun made it heavy because it was a lot of hair. I think if you wear them down, pulling a few twists from both sides to the back (securing with a band, similar to the picture above) or perhaps a ponytail, you will be fine. I tell ppl they can last 2 to 3 months if you take care of them. I like to change my hair a lot so mine don’t normally stay up that long, but def. at least 2 months!
Hi, I know this post is old, but I am having major problems. I got Senegalese twists done on Saturday at a salon and they started unraveling a couple hours after I left. She used the pulling method AND dipped them in boiling water, but I guess it did not help. I went back and the lady was really nice and offered to fix them, but here I am two days later with the same problem. I got them done using Vivica Fox 100% Kenekalon hair. However, I am thinking of getting them re-twisted using Marley hair. With the kenekalon hair I have now, I am scared to manipulate them too much, at the risk of them falling out again. Being that I spent $180, I want them to absolutely last as long as possible. The stylist offered to do them again using different hair if I continued to have the problem. I want to be able to keep my twists for a long time, not be afraid to touch them, style multiple ways, maybe even swim, and even wash my hair (gently) and I know that will be impossible with this kenekalon. Do you think I can do everything I want IF I get them re-twisted using marley hair???? Please help :(
I’m IN LOVE with your Chuncky Senegalese Twist! I am getting my hair done in this style Saturday and I love the size of yours because they aren’t too big or small. Can you please tell me how much hair you used for each strand to get them that size? Also, My hair is relaxed and shoulder length so I am really nervous about getting this done. So do you think this type of hair will blend well with my hair compared to Marley hair? .. Thank you advance! I know you wrote this blog a long time ago <3
Hi Arianna, thank you so much! I used 11 packs of Kanekelon braiding hair (not Marley). It’s like $1.99 a pack. Also there’s a regular and silky kind…I used silky. The regular I had to blow dry a little it to make it a little straighter to twist smoother. Your hair being relaxed should actually make it blend better. I had the hardest time because I had to make sure it was sealed good enough to reduce frizzies. I hope this helps! If you’re on twitter, tweet me a picture! I’d love to see the finished product. Info on my blog.
What products would you recommend to prevent frizzy looks?
I used twist lock gel as I was twisting it and that helps a lot. Pulling your hair in a bun or ponytail at night helps too with a scarf helps too.