Two-Strand Twists: Benefits, Style Tips, And More - Hair - Byrdie

Looking for a protective style that not only looks super cute, but is easy to do and doubles as a cute hairdo once you take it out? Two strand twists.

But if you've ever tried to two-strand twist and ended up saying to yourself I don't think this is for me, we want you to consider giving twists one more try. We asked stylists Larry Sims, Ebony Bomani, and Sarah Sango to give us their expert-approved guide on two-strand twists, from the benefits of the protective style to how to maintain twist styles on natural hair. Plus, we show you to master the style on your own.

Meet the Experts

• Larry Sims is a celebrity stylist and master hair educator who works with Gabrielle Union, Danai Guirra, Kerry Washington, and Alicia Keys. Sims is also the co-founder of Flawless by Gabrielle Union.
• Ebony Bomani is a hairstylist and master cosmetologist.
• Sarah Sango is an expert in natural and Afro-textured hair and an in-house stylist for Lush.

What Are Two-Strand Twists? 

Twists, also widely referred to as two-strand twists, are a hairstyle created by twisting two sections of hair around one another to the ends. Sections of hair may range from large to small.

The Benefits of Two-Strand Twists

"Two-strand twists are one of my favorite styles for naturals," says Sims. "They're lightweight, [add] no tension on the hair, [and] require zero heat." Bomani agrees: "[Two-strand twists] help the hair hold on to moisture longer and keep it tangle-free. Low-maintenance hairstyles allow the hair to rest, as there's less manipulation. Less manipulation, coupled with better moisture retention, causes hair to break less."

Other benefits include:

• Long term style: Two-strand twists are a great protective style because you can leave them in for days or weeks.Can still wash hair: You can also cleanse and condition your hair while in twists if you want to wear them for a while.
• Incredibly versatile: Twists also work well in combination with other natural styles. You can flat twist the front of your hair to the crown and leave the remaining lengths in two-strand twists. You might also get creative by fashioning the same set of twists into an updo, one big braid or ponytail, or a simple bun. There are a variety of styling possibilities you can attempt with this one hairdo.
• Can be an extra hairstyle: Plus, when you're tired of leaving your hair twisted, unravel them and you have yet another hairstyle: the twist-out.

With all of those benefits, we can see why two-strand twists receive high marks from hair experts and naturals alike.

How to Two-Strand Twist