• ⏰ Welcome, Guest! You are viewing only 2 out of 27 total forums. Register today to view more, then Subscribe to view all forums, submit posts, reply to posts, create new threads, view photos, access private messages, change your avatar, create a photo album, customize your profile, and possibly be selected as our next Feature of the Month.

The Mini Twist / Mini Braid Thread

⏳ Limited Access:

Register today to view all forum posts.

Register Log in
Y'all better trademark "twaids" and "brists" before it's too late!! :lachen:

ETA: I had always had short hair before I joined the hair boards back in 2008 -- I'm talking 3" or less, usually shaved with a clipper. So during one of my "longer" moments of 2-3" of hair, I would install curly extension hair using those cheap little rubber bands. I started doing it back in 1998, while I was stationed in Vegas with no car and no way to find a braider. I'm not saying I created the technique but it came to me out of desperation for a new look and limited options and funds. lol And from then on out, I would install my extension braids that way, cheaply and by myself.

So when I joined the boards, I shared that with my fellow short-haired natty ladies so that they too could install extensions on short hair for a good long term PS. A few of them jokingly told me that I needed to trademark it but I was happy to just share a technique that would bring someone else happiness. And now I go on YT and see all sorts of rubber band extension install vids and I'm happy inside, even though the technique is different than what I did bc they're usually done on longer hair. Funnily, when I install extensions on my long hair now, I actually prefer to install them the way that I used to with the rubber bands! :laugh:
 
Last edited:
I just had my mini twists in for a bit longer than a month. It took 4-5 hours to install and and 2-3 dedicated hours to take down. I loved them because it really is a breakage reducer!

I see that 4-5 weeks is my limit because my new growth starts webbing. It wasn’t too hard to untangle, but I don’t want to test it after a longer period of time.

I plan on installing again this weekend for another month. And then I will wear my hair loose for a week. My goal is to repeat this cycle for the rest of the year.
 
Finished my minis yesterday. I made them smaller in the front and bigger in the back for easier install and take down.
Sorry, I know it's harder to see on the black sweater but I'm too cold to take it off.

1747684459634.png 1747684501178.png

I converted micro twists to mini braids. NO more microtwisting for me! The twirling created lots of little sections of hair, clumped together that were hard to separate than when I do larger twists. And I can't twist without twirling anymore - my hands are locked in to that motion. I'm sticking to mostly braided or twaids.

And definitely sticking to starting out each one with a least a few rotations of braiding. Twisting from the roots, led to more marrying for me as there was less tension to keep the parts separated. Looks better but not functional for me :(
 
MzSwift said:
Finished my minis yesterday. I made them smaller in the front and bigger in the back for easier install and take down.
Sorry, I know it's harder to see on the black sweater but I'm too cold to take it off.

View attachment 504226 View attachment 504228

I converted micro twists to mini braids. NO more microtwisting for me! The twirling created lots of little sections of hair, clumped together that were hard to separate than when I do larger twists. And I can't twist without twirling anymore - my hands are locked in to that motion. I'm sticking to mostly braided or twaids.

And definitely sticking to starting out each one with a least a few rotations of braiding. Twisting from the roots, led to more marrying for me as there was less tension to keep the parts separated. Looks better but not functional for me :(
Click to expand...
They look wonderful. They are so nice and neat.

I feel you about the twirling. It is really hard for me to not twist and twirl when it is small sections of hair.
 
snoop said:
@MzSwift When you say "twirling" do you mean rope twists or twirling to finish the ends?
Click to expand...

@snoop

I guess I should say rolling instead of twirling.
Yes, the motion we do when making rope twists when we roll the hair between our fingers before crossing the sections over. I can't just do regular twists anymore. And honestly, I can't even think of a time when doing a regular twist would be more beneficial for my hair anyway. Rope twists help to lock in moisture, last longer and they also impart a pattern for an out style if I wanted to rock one.
 
Ordered 4 packs of QVR Afro Kinky Hair in natural black for mini brists or braids. I’m still undecided, but leaning towards braids. The hair should arrive on Monday. This will make two weeks with my hair loose. I’ve been wearing my hair in buns and cowashing daily. I’m looking forward to braiding my hair.
 
I finally started the process of installing mini-braids using human hair. I divided my hair into 5 sections and so far I’ve completed one section. I will most likely complete one more section before I call it a day and finish up tomorrow.
 
I completed two sections. I have three more to go. In hindsight, I should have ordered 24” Afro kinky hair instead of 20”. The 20” pack is more like 18” of full hair, end to end. 20” is barely extending past my real hair and I don’t know how to do feed-in braids/ knotless.
 
I'm 5 weeks and 2 days in this set of twaids that I converted after 4 weeks in microtwists. I'm having trouble keeping my hands out of my hair now that they have some length. Pretty sure that's not good for my retention. So now I'm debating just rocking cornrows or starting my curly wig regi that I had planned to start this fall. I need to protect my hair from myself right now!!
 
25InchesStarting'25 said:
I have a distant relative in her Pre Teens that needs to do mini to medium twists. She is coming into town next week and want to help her learn how to do them. I'm a braider but not familiar with twists

I'm not sure what are best practices

Should twists be from root to ends or braid down a few then twist?

Do you use aloe gel or pomade at the roots or the entire length of hair , or...?

What prevents them from unraveling?

Any other important things to note?

Thank you for any help in advance! :)
Click to expand...

Gosh, this is kinda hard bc it depends on how her hair responds.

When I was natural, I couldn't do mini twists bc they would unravel. So my hair preferred mini braids instead. Whichever one she chooses, she should try to stop twisting toward the ends and usually twirling or rolling the last 1-2 inches helps to keep them from unraveling. Once they are wet, the ends curl up and the pre-rolling seems to help the hair clump together in a curl. But some ladies find it works to twist all of the way to the ends.

I usually don't use anything as I'm installing minis/micros. It makes mine look really skinny. So I do any wash, DC, etc beforehand or afterwards. Once I finish the install, I like to rinse them in the shower and then slather my product on them. Some ladies find it more beneficial to apply product as they're twisting/braiding though. I would say to try one with product and try one without to see which one her hair prefers.

I find that braiding the roots at least a couple of rotations helps to keep my new growth from marrying (sticking together) as the style grows out. Also, I find that frequently wetting them leads me to have more new growth. It's easier and faster to just start them as twists though and if she is up for refreshing them every two weeks or so, that might be a good option for her!

My favorite sets of "twaids" have been done on blown out hair. I also find that they're easier to take down too, when they're installed on blown out hair.

My advice would be to not try to do it all in one sitting if it's too overwhelming. Maybe start them in the front and then pull it all back into a low bun until she's ready to keep going. And it's ok if it takes DAYS (or weeks :look:) to install them. Refreshing them is much, much faster.

I hope this helps a little, I know I didn't offer any specifics. Like all of our hair stuff, it's definitely based on personal preference and how her hair responds. Please tell her GL and have fun!!:D
 
Hey yall. I purchased a subscription service with my braider for twists. I get my hair retwisted once a month. My sub ends November and I will do a silk press for the first time in years. I'm trying for waist length this year , but I usually cut before then.

I was so fed up when I went to see her about these twists and actually ended up crying in her chair. My hair is unmanageable for me. It tangles so easily and I have lived in braids and twists for the last 3 years or so. Anyways it's so good to find a stylist you connect with. She understands and cares about my hair.

Anyway I wanted to share a few pics. The first pic was my May trim. The second is my hair now. I'll be getting a cut next month. PhotoGrid_1750825692421.jpg
 
leona2025 said:
Hey yall. I purchased a subscription service with my braider for twists. I get my hair retwisted once a month. My sub ends November and I will do a silk press for the first time in years. I'm trying for waist length this year , but I usually cut before then.

I was so fed up when I went to see her about these twists and actually ended up crying in her chair. My hair is unmanageable for me. It tangles so easily and I have lived in braids and twists for the last 3 years or so. Anyways it's so good to find a stylist you connect with. She understands and cares about my hair.

Anyway I wanted to share a few pics. The first pic was my May trim. The second is my hair now. I'll be getting a cut next month. View attachment 505092
Click to expand...
Your hair is so pretty and thick! Is your hair unmanageable due to its density?
 
25InchesStarting'25 said:
We should have a braid 2 together one day for motivation to not give up! :)

I'm going to re fresh the front of my braids either July 20th or July 27th, it'll be about 72 braids

Then the back, about 72 briads, August 10th

Let me know if any of these dates work for a Braid/Twist Together :)
Click to expand...
This is so sweet, thank you! Let’s shoot for 10 August. I’m removing and reinstalling my extensions a little after mid-July.
 
keranikki said:
Your hair is so pretty and thick! Is your hair unmanageable due to its density?
Click to expand...
Honestly, I don't know why it's so tangly. It's been like that my whole life. Even when I was relaxed, it was tangly. As a child, my mother struggled with it too. I missed the bus to school many days with her struggling to detangle my hair for some plaits lol.

As fair as it being unmanageable for me, yes, it is because of my density. There's a lot of hair there, and it takes forever to do anything to it. I don't enjoy styling my hair anymore so it's tedious. No washngos at all anymore because the tangles and tears after are never worth it.
 
MzSwift said:
@leona2025

Your hair is :drool::drool:

I love the size of your twists! And they look so juicy!

I used to do twists on my natural hair that size but I've recently been thinking about putting in twists that size in my texlaxed hair.

It looks like yours are started with a few braided rotations as well?
Click to expand...
Yes she starts with a braid. I prefer that! It allows my twist to stay fresh a little longer. Also, my nape texture is extremely soft. If not for the braid, it would come down immediately.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Mini Braid Thread 2013
2
Replies
52
Views
16K
Ann0804
Ann0804
sweet_silvia88
Mini Twists Take Down | Natural Hairstyles Two Strand Twist Video
Replies
0
Views
3K
sweet_silvia88
sweet_silvia88
Naturelie
Mini twists and swimming
Replies
4
Views
7K
Jobwright
Jobwright
M
Mini Braid Challenge- Fall 2012
3 4 5
Replies
134
Views
45K
NaturalfienD
NaturalfienD
R
mini twist question
Replies
5
Views
5K
Nonie
Nonie
Back
Top