@Britt, The first set I got I brought hair and had to go back to store to get more, it was quite the inconvenience.. Luckily store was just up the block, couldn't imagine using the different textures of hair as the braiding spot I went to used something different.
2nd set, same spot, just got hair dont their with their hair as it turned out to be same price , or even cheaper... Just got to bargain price, Lol...
cutiebe2 Thank you! I didn't even know there's a certain type of hair to use for the senegelese twists. Do you know what they normally use? Is it not good for senegelese twists?@Britt I go to Aminata and I bring my own hair. For me, it works out to be cheaper but that could depend on what style you get. I only need to use 2-3 packs of the hair I get. If you go to Aminata you can talk to them and see what hair they use and if you don't like it you can just go buy something else. I have seen several people come in and do that.
cutiebe2 Thank you! I didn't even know there's a certain type of hair to use for the senegelese twists. Do you know what they normally use? Is it not good for senegelese twists?
Oh wow, your twists blend very well with your natural hair.@Schakiaw
This is a photo of my Havana twists after about 8 weeks. I took them out last week. I'm natural so this texture works best for me. It's Finger Comber hair that I bought and took with me to the braider.
The brownish/red is from my henna treatment.
They usually use Kanekalon hair. I like a certain brand of kanekalon so I usually bring that. To me, some of the pictures posted above are called "kinky twist" as they are slightly curly and use more kinky textured hair. My twist usually come out like the pics I have attached with slightly larger parting. The best thing to do is to talk to them, and show a picture of what you want so that you are on the same page. Once you have gone a few times they know what you like. View attachment 257347View attachment 257349
They look good naturalmanenyc ... How long does it take to install? I'm go to a local African braiding shop
Thanks Chica.ronie For that style Marley hair was used, which I think will match your texture. However, I think it's also about technique. I have blown out my hair in the past for braiding but I don't prefer it. When my hair shrinks up upon washing I feel like my braids loosen too much. I don't do any special prep for braiding, other than a protein treatment. Usually some kind of gel is used on the hair or edges. I've never seen wax used. I've never used Silk Dreams products and can't compare them to anything. You can try Marion Council George at (718) 783-9078. She's been braiding hair for about 30 years and has done my hair several times as well as my neighbors hair.
I've been meaning to make a YouTube video about this, but I have not gotten around to it. I do not think Senegalese twists are a good protective style for several reasons.
The hair used can cause irritation/itching, the weight of hair is not good for your edges, the products they use to make the twists stay in (gel/spritz) can cause breakage, my hair is always tangled up with the twists when it's time to take them down and my naturally thick hair seems thinner. The braiders also "trim" flyaways. I did not allow them to do this to my hair, but I watched them cut quite a bit of someone's natural hair that was puffing out of the twists.
For long hair, it takes forever to install and when they dip the ends in hot water, some of your hair can get "sealed in" the twists. I experienced a set back from my last set of Senegalese twists and I will never get them again. Hopefully, if you decided to get them, some of the tips shared here will help you avoid damage.
I've been meaning to make a YouTube video about this, but I have not gotten around to it. I do not think Senegalese twists are a good protective style for several reasons.
The hair used can cause irritation/itching, the weight of hair is not good for your edges, the products they use to make the twists stay in (gel/spritz) can cause breakage, my hair is always tangled up with the twists when it's time to take them down and my naturally thick hair seems thinner. The braiders also "trim" flyaways. I did not allow them to do this to my hair, but I watched them cut quite a bit of someone's natural hair that was puffing out of the twists.
For long hair, it takes forever to install and when they dip the ends in hot water, some of your hair can get "sealed in" the twists. I experienced a set back from my last set of Senegalese twists and I will never get them again. Hopefully, if you decided to get them, some of the tips shared here will help you avoid damage.
@lulu97 thanks for your reply missy. I have an appointment for Friday morning. I hope everything goes well, and I will report back with pictures.
@simplydebra girl now u getting me scared, lol. What do you recommend?
I think like any style, you need to pay attention to what the braiders are doing, go to a good braider who is not going to argue with you when you want changes, etc. The last time I took down my twist which was about two weeks ago, I had no matting. My hair was sooo moisturized. I took them out after two months, and went to run an errands. I agree that they can cut fly aways, use gel etc. It is up to you to watch what they are doing. I often bring my own comb, hair (which you can clean in the vinegar mix), and lotion for them to moisturize my hair with. I also watch how they install the hair around my edges and they know to do bog parting. After a few week, if some braids are coming out I take them out and wrap the hair around another braid.
Like any other style, you can't just let people do what they want with you hair. I've been wearing this style for about two years now, 2 months on, 1 month off. My hair has grown from SL after a set back to grazing BSL. Hopefully by the end of the year I will be full BSL.
@simplydebra
Senegalese twists and twists in general are one of the best protective styles due to the low manipulation of the hair (with or without extensions). Braids are more harsh than twists because they require more manipulation. Your issue is with your braider, not the style.
@ronie
It's always a good idea to wash hair in advance of installing to remove any coating or it can cause itching.
There is no requirement to use gels or spritz. The braider will use whatever product you prefer.
I've never had a braider try to trim fly aways from my twists. Then again, the method for installing twists does not leave fly aways. I suppose if one is getting a more puffy twists, rather than a firmer twists, there would be fly aways. I prefer my twists to be more firm.
My extensions are always a bit longer than my own hair such that the ends of my hair are never touching the hot water to curl the extensions.
I removed twists last week after about 8 weeks and I had no hair tangled up in my twists. It only took 1 hour to remove them. I then carefully detangled my own hair.
With all due respect, I'm not a newbie at hair care. Not all low manipulation styles make for good protective styles. I don't know your hair history or anything about your hair length, retention, thickness/density, goals, etc. All of those factors may have affected your experience versus mine, but I've been on my journey for years and I have had both Kinky twists and Senegalese twists installed.
I know what my experience is and I know that there are many horror stories regarding Senegalese twists. The braiders were fine and I made my requests regarding my hair clear. My opinion stands that I do no think the they are a good protective style. I am also certainly NOT the only person who has this opinion.
One thing about this online hair care world is that people don't like a diversity of opinions. That's why I don't post often. My hair is thriving. I have no reason to e-argue with other people about what you choose do with your hair.
ETA pictures: This is what my last set looked like a few months ago. I do want to go bigger next time though just to kinda switch it up.
They usually use Kanekalon hair. I like a certain brand of kanekalon so I usually bring that.
Once you have gone a few times they know what you like. View attachment 257347View attachment 257349
I currently have in Senegalese twists and I'm almost on my 6th week of having them in. My edges started to grow out so I bought an extra pack of hair and went on Saturday to have front redone and a few in the nape.
Since I've had these twists in I've done 2 regular washings with shampoo in the shower and in between that I did spray bottle with shampoo and rinse with water from another spray bottle method. I've been also oiling my scalp.