Kinky Twists: Pros and Cons

[blksndrlla]

Hello Ladies!

So, I'm about 14 months into my transition. Needless to say, I need break from my hair. I know no matter what I have to do somethng to it, but any break is appreciated. So, I have decided to put in my own kinky twists...YouTube convinced me I could . I know the look I am going for (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jHPzALwwgk) and I know what she does, but I wanted to check with you all before embarking on this journey.

I have done a lot of research, but didn't find as much info as I'd like. After reading set backs from micros and sew ins...I just wanted to know what I was getting my self into.

Just a few questions. Just answer what you can and provide any advice you have to help prevent a set back.

I am doing a protein treatment and trimming my ends prior to installing.

1. Do you suggest one brand of hair over another? If so, why? I want really full twists...
2. Do you suggest starting with a twist or with a braid? A stylist told me that you would get more matting starting with a twist b/c you are twisting your hair into the synthetic hair. She also said kinky twist in general result in matting more so than braids...
3. Do you dip the ends in hot water? did you have damage from this?
4. Have you experienced any setbacks? If so, why do you think? If not, what do you think ensured this?
5. How often did you retwist?
6. How long did you leave them in?
7. What was your Kinky Twist regimen? (How often did you wash, condition, moisturize etc..)
8. How did you remove them without a major setback?
9. Anything else???

I really appreciate any help that is provided! I just don't want to be on hear e-crying talking about if I just woulda known...

 

[Creatividual]

1. Do you suggest one brand of hair over another? If so, why? You just want to make sure you get "marley braid" hair. In my experiences, brand isn't a huge factor. I pay no more than $5 a pack for the hair and use about 2-2.5 packs.
2. Do you suggest starting with a twist or with a braid? I start mine with a braid. I'm better able to anchor it onto my hair this way.
3. Do you dip the ends in hot water? did you have damage from this? I put the ends on perm rods and dip them in hot water to set them. Just be careful not to burn yourself. My hair doesn't incur any damage b/c it's no where near as long as the twisting hair.
4. Have you experienced any setbacks? If so, why do you think? If not, what do you think ensured this? Nope, nothing but good things with kinky twists. I'm thinking of doing them again sometime in the winter.
5. How often did you retwist? I retwisted the front about 2 weeks later but that's really it.
6. How long did you leave them in? I leave mine in anywhere from 6-8weeks.
7. What was your Kinky Twist regimen? I tried to wash bi-weekly with either dry shampoo or in the shower. I moisturized daily with my mist avoiding my scalp though b/c it would build up and itch like crazy. That's all I did and my hair thrived.
8. How did you remove them without a major setback? I experience/d no set backs. I simply took them down. The daily moisturizing kept my hair really soft. My hair felt lovely after I took them out.
9. Anything else??? I was concerned about my edges too but I just made the sections up there smaller and used less hair so there was less tension on them and don't pull your hair up in tight styles and you should be fine

 

[blksndrlla]

Thank you! I really appreciate your response! I am headed to the hair store after class!

 

[coilynapp]

1. Do you suggest one brand of hair over another? If so, why? I want really full twists... I use the janet collection hair or any soft feeling twist hair. the hair is much softer than the marley braid. Use 100% kanekalon hair. Some people use human hair, but I found the feel of human kinky twist hair is the same as the soft twist hair you can find at the BSS (perhaps a little rougher)
2. Do you suggest starting with a twist or with a braid? A stylist told me that you would get more matting starting with a twist b/c you are twisting your hair into the synthetic hair. She also said kinky twist in general result in matting more so than braids... I think starting with a twist makes the look more natural IMO. If your hair is really short, then you might want a braid start. I like twist starts though. I don't think I get more matting than braids. As long as you keep your hair and scalp clean you should be fine
3. Do you dip the ends in hot water? did you have damage from this? well you only dip the ends of the kinky twist hair and not your hair, so no damage should ensue. I too use rods on the ends for a curly look
4. Have you experienced any setbacks? If so, why do you think? If not, what do you think ensured this? Nope. As long as the person doing your hair doesn't pull your edges. I tell my braid lady NOT to do my very edges and of course when I do them, I don't pull my edges
5. How often did you retwist? I actually don't.
6. How long did you leave them in? 4-6 weeks, I get too anxious and need to change my hair after a while. I leave them in for longer if I get them done, but if I do it myself, I can feel ok taking them down after a shorter period. I try and do them myself and go to the braid lady when I don't have a whole day/weekend to sit and do my hair myself.
7. What was your Kinky Twist regimen? (How often did you wash, condition, moisturize etc..) I wash weekly with diluted shampoo and I spray daily with protective mist bodifier (used to use greg juice) I'm not really careful to avoid my scalp as I have dry scalp so I need moisture. I also massage my scalp nightly with oil (This is why I wash every week, to avoid buildup)
8. How did you remove them without a major setback? If you start kinky twists with a twist, it is SO EASY and FAST to remove. Just be careful when you reach the roots of your hair to avoid breakage when you are removing the fake hair from your hair
9. Anything else??? Don't tie too many ponytails, you'll loose your edges. Wear a silk/satin scarf/bonnet at night to keep the style neat and also to prevent dryness and breakage. Keep your hair moisturized and take down will be a breeze! (use a detangler to take down if needed)

ETA: this is the hair I use. I get it at the BSS for 9.99 and I use 2-3 bags (I like my twists short). If you want softer hair, at the BSS you can usually find hair that has already been divided and each piece has a rubberband around it (there are different brands) but that hair is usually softer. HTH

kinky twist hair

 

[BrownSkinQT]

Hey Blksndrlla, being that I'm still a newbie, I don't know how to reply with the questions attached. My apologies. But anyway my advice on twists is as follows:

1) The brand I used, Marley braid 100% kankelon, really irritated my forehead, ears, and neck. My skin would be so dry and peeling to the point it would hurt. I know this sounds weird but I may have to use the rougher texture because that hair was a kinda silk-like.

2) My braidlady started with a braid and I experienced no matting.

3) I don't like the ends of my twists to be curly so I had her braid the ends and dip them in hot water for a crinkly look since they were kinda long.

4) I didn't have one setback whatsoever just progress.

5) I didn't have them retwisted.

6) I left my set in for about 7 weeks.

7) My regimen was in the morning I would moisturize with my various concoctions of Better Braids braid spray, evco, and a dash of water. At night I used Motions leave-in con (diluted) because I did not an oily pillow and also covered with a satin bonnet.

8) A couple of hours before I removed them I sprayed my scalp with a concoction of mine that had conditioner in the mix. It me 3 1\2 hours to remove and it was so easy. I just made sure I detangled every part of my hair I took down and I could literally count the strands of hair that came out. I was very surprised that I was able to retain 98% of my hair.

9) I forgot to add that I had to spray my scalp consistently due to that hair drying out my scalp and other areas. God only knows what it was doing to my hair. I'm getting another set this coming weekend and I hope I have better luck with a different brand.

HTH and good luck.

 

[blksndrlla]

All of your input is so HELPFUL!

I swear picking a weave is worst than finding a man! lol...so many choices...

 

[blksndrlla]

I am worried about dipping my ends. My hair is about collar bone length and I don't want my twists too much longer...

Maybe I will moisturized and seal my ends...maybe a heat protectant....I would think if they can handle a CHI flat iron they can handle 20 seconds in hot water...hopefully!