Should I ditch twists for plaits? (for MAXIMUM LENGTH RETENTION natural hair)
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- čas přidán 2. 06. 2024
- Let's discuss which is best for maximum length retention? Should I ditch twists for plaits/braids?
Twists and plaits are two popular protective styles known for promoting natural healthy hair growth, but which one is truly the champion for length retention? 🔥🔥 Join as I explore the benefits and drawbacks of each style, whilst drawing on the experiences of well known long haired naturals who have already walked the road and achieved their hair goals.
📖 Chapters 📖
0:00 - Twist vs. Plaits: Maximizing Length Retention
1:18 - Pros of Twists
2:36 - Cons of Twists
4:29 - Pros of Plaits/Braids
6:23 - Cons of Plaits/Braids
7:33 - Long Hair Natural Influencers
9:53 - What's the Verdict
10:58 - Encouragement
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I used to be a twisted natural, mainly because I didn’t know how to braid. Now that I know how to braid, I’m forever loving my medium size braids! I keep them in for the summer months, (Feb-Dec since I live in Louisiana) and I recycle my parts. The initial installation takes about 6 hours and every other time it takes just at 3 hours and 30 minutes. When it’s time to do them over (at the beginning of each month), I convert them to twists, do my wash day, and let them dry with my leave in conditioner. The next day, I get to braiding. I wear about 7 cornrows going in a low bun in the winter months. I don’t recycle my parts for this and wash once a month as well. This works for me 🫶🏾!!
Wow, it's so cool how you have your set routine, it's such a necessary part of the journey. Ah you've intrigued me with the 7 cornrows into a low bun. I've been tempted to try that style cus it looks nice on other but feel like it'll look too boy-ish on me (I rarely wear earrings or makeup that's why). Are you actively growing your hair longer? Or just doing you and having healthy hair in the process?
@@Natural2020_ thank you! It works extremely well, especially with time. I don’t use makeup but I will wear earrings. You’d be surprised at how nice you’d look just by parting them diagonally. I think you should try that and see how you like it.
Right now, I’m actively looking to grow my hair, but I’d rather have thickness and health over length. But this routine is for sure allowing me to get past those SSK. Keeping my ends tucked away and being gentle with the take down REALLY helps a lot.
@@setapartaay925 Hopefully I'll give it a go one day.
Ah that's really cool. Yes, we definitely wanna keep it healthy as it grows longer 🙌🏽🙂
Fun fact: I’m African American and we AA’s also called them plaits. I correct people often when they refer to them as braids. Braids are flat onto the scalp. At some point Some point post 2015 younger AA and non-black people are using the term braid versus plaits. However, growing up in the late 70s, 80s, 90s most African Americans referred to them as plaits. I agree with everything you said. I prefer twists because they are quicker to complete and take down. I’m going to try mini twists for the first time this week.
Ah that's really interesting to know. Interestingly, I'm more familiar with the term canerows or cornrows for the one that are flat onto the scalp. I bet your mini twists will look great! Really appreciate you watching 😊
My understanding is that plaits are when they installed on children and/or just a few of them. Cornrows/canerows lay flat against the head that has always been the case. When there are many they are called braids.This was my understanding growing up in the 70's and 80's . I am 50ish. Jmu
@@Takbir0505 thanks for sharing. It's so interesting how we've all grown up calling them by different names.
@@Takbir0505 that’s not correct. As an African American born in the late 70 and grew up in the 80s and 90s ( at least in Florida) any thing that was sectioned off or boxed was called a plait no matter if it was a child or adult and no matter how many there were. You could be an adult with a head full of plaits. A braid was essentially a corn roll onto the scalp( I.e French braid) .
I grew up further up north in the DMV...and I only remember getting braids(many with beads) and cornrows. Only had 3 plaits that my mom did for me. Like I said that was my understanding, (my experience) there is no right or wrong here.
Great video! I think twists look fuller and therefore nicer. The problem I have with them is, because they’re not at tightly woven, my strands move too much, which causes tangling. I can’t moisturize in twists because they shrink too much, which causes tangling. So the maintenance of them keeps my hands in my hair, which is what I don’t want to do while protective styling. Braids, or plaits 😅, stay put which makes shed hair slide out easier. I can wet my braids with water and conditioner and not worry about too much shrinkage. I still have access to my scalp. So braids are definitely better in terms of efficiency and retaining length faster in my opinion, but they’re not as cute! 😅 I do however twist sections nearest my hairline because they do not have the same tension as braids. But yeah, it really is an individual preference. If I figure out a way to wear twists and not have to manage them as much, I’ll definitely make the switch! Thanks for this video! ☺️❤️
Really appreciate you watching. Haha it's a real dilemma and I agree with your points. I think your last point about not having to manage twists as much is definitely key. I hope you figure out what's best for you 😊
Have you ever thought of braiding the twists,
Like a protective hairstyle in a protective hairstyle?
@@PeaxieCrochets hey 👋🏾 I wasn't sure if this was to me or @A_Wilson but yesss!!! I did an olddd video on this about 2/3 years ago. I tend to wear my twist in a bun for one week then the second week I put them in two braids and tuck the ends up. Do you braid your twists?
@@Natural2020_ yes, I do. It really helped my twists routine. It allowed me to stretch my hair and tuck aways my ends. I recommend.
You can also put it in Bantu knots.
@@PeaxieCrochets that makes sense! Brilliant 🙌🏽
For my fine, low density hair, I prefer plaits; however I do a sort of "hybrid" method that helps me take them down with less tangles. I plait my hair most of the the way down and twist the last 1 to 2 inches.
That makes sense, when I do plaits I do the same too.
My hair is the same and I recently decided to start doing the same. I think I finally found a protective style that I can stick with for healthy long hair 🥰
@@Thelovely_shade yay! I love that for you.
Both works for me but i prefer plaits 😊
That's really cool that you know what works for you and which you prefer. Keep going sis 💪🏾
This is a great video! I use to do small to medium twists, however I love doing chunky twists now to save on time. Chunky twists take about 3 hours while small twists were taking 6-9 hours 🥴. I want to grow my hair but don’t want to spend all day doing it. I do a loose braid at the roots now to cut down on matting and frizz. I do get a fair amount of lint in my twists for whatever reason, even though I wear them up mostly. Aesthetically, I like twists better than plaits. I recently started using plaits for braid outs. Plaits create more length than twists outs and more definition in curls for me when I do braid outs. So far, less matting, less lint, shows more of my length, and less tangles. But I do like the look of twists better than how plaits look. If I wear plaits during the week, I could wear braid outs on the weekends and wear my hair out more. I may start wearing plaits more! Thanks for this discussion and video. Something to think about. 😊
Hey, thanks so much for watching. Wow three hours for chunky twists? Is your hair quite long already or really dense maybe? Brilliant thought process on your pros and cons of each and it kind of sounds like you're leaning towards braids and braidouts. But I hope you find what works best for you 😊
@@Natural2020_ My hair is fairly long and dense, yes! I would say close to waist length. But I think why it takes longer for me is 1) I’m doing it myself and I can’t always see everything I’m doing depending on where the twists are on my head and 2) detangling 🥴. I take my time and be gentle when detangling to preserve as much hair as possible and to not rip out more hair than necessary. I usually wait a month before I redo my twists again. The tangles aren’t bad, I just take my time. And thank you for the compliment regarding pros and cons! 😊 I’m gonna have to play around with styles with plaits some more, cause compared to twists for me plaits take no time at all! Subscribed! 🤗
@@greene_te ah that makes sense. I definitely resonate with taking time to detangle. Thanks so much for subscribing 🙌🏽 I see you have hair content too so I subscribed also.
@@Natural2020_ Yay! 🙌🏾 Thanks so much! 🤗
To kind of get the best of both worlds I either braid the roots or do a braid out on twists
I like mini plaits. I want to see my length and there's no concern when shampooing my hair or frizz. When i reach my goal of 24 inches(this time next year) I'll wear loose twists.
24" yasssss sis!!! I love that for you. Would you say plaits have got you to your current length? Or were you utilising other styles too? How cool that you've already planned your style for one year down the line 😂👏🏾
It definitely depends on your hair and what’s best for you. I can’t say which is better because I always did twist but I will be doing braids for the next 3 months.
I don’t see a problem with doing both. Twist for 3 months , braid for 3 months . Idk as long as you achieving your length retention I don’t think it matters
It's so true. Ah that's cool that you're alternating between both every three months. I think I recall you said you're doing a hair challenge, hope it's going well so far. Thanks for watching.
@@Natural2020_ yes I am. So far so good! I’m finding my hair regiment doing the challenge so that’s good
@@M.C.I_ awesome! Well done for sticking with it 🙌🏽
New subbie🎉 Great video❤
Aw bless you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for subscribing too 🤗
Great video ❤
Aww thank you so much 🤗 and for watching.
@@Natural2020_ ❤️❤️
I prefer braids because my hair is really fine and tangles easily. I did twists a lot when my hair was shorter but now that my hair is closer to my waist I need a style that will help reduce tangles and for me that is braids.
Hey, that's so interesting. So would you say twists helped you get to near waist length? And are you still actively growing your hair?
I totally agree with you! Great insight, I think I will go back to plaits to stretch my hair instead of blow drying hair on cool setting. Save me some time to do other things.😊
Hey, appreciate you watching. Ah I'm so glad you have a plan of action. I occasionally blow dry, but definitely not every wash day lol.
Try brists. Braids and twists
Haha brilliant. I've heard it called Twaids but not Brists 🤣. I guess in a way I do that already because I braid the root then twists the rest. Do you have a particular preference?
@Natural2020_ that's it!
@@osofoxleyoxley4093 got yah. Awesome!
Mini braid/plaits gurl here👋🏿
I think my high porosity hair retain better moisture, doesn't shrink that much after hair washing or tangles that easy anymore.
Still after 2 weeks i fight with frizz but it happens to me as well with twist
So I would say, you can wear mini braids longer therfore you retain more length!
@@Thatgurl that's a really good point. I agree. They definitely last longer. Thanks so much for watching ☺️
I love plaits over twist ❤❤❤
Aww that's really cool! Thanks for watching 😊
Twists and braids do two different things for me. Mini twists for me are very wearable, last for at least 2 weeks, and work as a style for my awkward length hair. But for some reason my twist OUT’s are never cute. My chunky braidouts though are beautiful, but then the thinner Felicia looking braids themselves at my length don’t look like a wearable style yet on me. 🤷🏽♀️❤
I get you! So for 'out' styles, braids work better for you. But you can rock twists for a couple of weeks. That's really interesting. I've never gotten into braid outs or twists outs, but I think when I've hit my length goals I'll wear my hair out much more. Thank you for much for watching.
I’m a mini twist girl - there are at least 130 in my head. Thinking about braiding the twists in about a week or so 🤔
Wow 130? They sound very mini lol. I bet they look amazing though 🤩
I ALWAYS do my hair on damp, freshly washed hair. Therefore, I ALWAYS do twists. I’ve done plaits on freshly washed hair, but something about how my hair expands but plaits constrict created an uncomfortable tension on my scalp. Twists are my go-to. It usually only takes me about an hour to install every wash day (I wash every 1-2 weeks) and they are easy. I like to wear a twistout for 2-3 days before washing my hair again. I detangle before washing, so I put the hair back into about 8-12 huge twists to wash because I like to unravel the twists after shampooing to make sure the conditioner gets on every strand. I don’t wash in the twists I styled, so I don’t care about them lasting through washing.
My hair is already pretty long (grazing waist length), so I am more worried about ease and convenience. Twists look cuter because my hair is longer. I never even stretch first, though I may stretch the twists throughout the week. I throw hair jewelry on them and people assume it’s an actual style. I want aesthetic, convenience, ease and health all at once and twists allow me all of that.
An hour!!! Girl I need to know your secret. Do you wear 8-12 twists on a normal day to day basis then? Or are they only your wash day twists? Your routine sounds great. How many years have you kept up with that routine? Really appreciate you watching 😊
@@Natural2020_ I usually end up with about 20-25 twists. I do kinda have permanent chunky partings from my years of twistouts. I’m somewhat lazy, so the twistout sections are the sections I use for regular twists, too. I make a homemade “braid/moisturizing spray” (a bit of light leave-in, a bit of oil and the rest water) and spray them down every night and then use a scarf to tie down the twists to confine frizz and then cover with a bonnet.
I “prepoo” (detangle damp hair with conditioner before getting into the shower), so I take the regular twists out and, as I detangle, I put it into 8-12 twists to shampoo. Then, after shampoo, I take each twist down to condition , leaving hair in 4 huge, loose sections. I rinse the conditioner out each section and then apply my leave-in/moisturizer in the shower. This is key, for me, for long lasting moisture. I then get out and proceed to twist into 20-25 twists.
@@Natural2020_ Oh, and I’ve been fully natural since 2013-ish and I did twists as my first style after removing my relaxed ends (I transitioned a little over 1.5 years). I have had periods of wash n gos (which I really like but I hate drying them), but twists and twist-outs are home, for me.
@@lakacialloyd9027 that's really cool. Sounds like a great routine for you. I like the sound of your braid/moisturising spray and applying it each night. Really good idea. Your hair journey is really interesting.
Whenever I try doing braids, I get a lot of breakage during the takeout. For some reason I am not able to get the braids out without breaking my hair all along the strand. So I am a twist gal for sure. I do get lots of shrinkage at first, but I can stretch them by braiding them at night.
Umm breakage during takedown is so key to be mindful of, so I definitely hear you there. Okk, so it's twists 100% for you 😊 love the certainty!
Y’all can plait your hair loose to get that full bouncy look while keeping your hair intact. For me it takes a little over a month to start shrinking and I can moisturize it often
Hey thanks for watching. That's really cool, you're a lose plait girly. Brilliant.
I saw a video a while ago doing the twist they use to do back in the old days. I am not a black person but is not a good idea to do nothing and just wear a hairband. And let it be free and take care of scalp and hair and no heat no pulling.
If I understand your comment correctly, yes I agree. It's not a good idea to do absolutely nothing with it. It results in it tangling up, matting and locking.
I'm a twists girl
Twists Gang 🙌🏽🙌🏽
My hair comes close with twists
Hey! 👋🏾 Comes close? What do you mean by that?
No twists are not good for some 4 type hair, esp. 4c high porosity.. I mean you can put your hair in twists, but if you're going for length retention you need to use plats. At least leave them in for 2 weeks at a time. And keep them moisturized.
I noticed that those four type girls who use twist to grow their hair out don't have 4C high porosity hair.
Now I tell you once you get your hair passed bra strap length, then twists become great. And if you're really deep conditioning really good. Your hair will look completely different once it's passed bra strap. It will hang more when wet and out the shower.
I think naturally Gwen has a really good hair regimen and her hair to me proves it. Because she wears her hair out a lot. And she works, I think she's a doctor. But she was a hair influencer first. And she doesn't use any fake hair. I think you can go back like 7 years in her videos to see how her hair used to look compared to today. All in all if you follow the regimen really good or whatever works for your hair, it's going to take 5 years at least to achieve a good length of hair. So you're 3 years in, it looks like you're right where you should be. Now in the next two years is when you should start seeing some length.
Hey 👋🏾 appreciate you watching and commenting. I didn't know that about high porosity hair. But now that you mention it, twists don't do too well in the front edges of my hair and I think I'm more HiPo there. I'm LoPo in general though. I do enjoy seeing the begining stages of women who have grown long hair, so that's really cool that she has vids from 7yrs ago. And yes, I believe I'm right on track. I predicted 7 years from shaved to tailbone 😅 so we'll see if we reach it in the next 3 years. Are you intentionally growing your hair or have you already reached the length you desire?