Twist Out for Curly Hair: how to create the perfect styling

Do your curls refuse to define the way you want? Do some sections seem to have a mind of their own, or is your volume hard to control? A Twist Out can truly make a difference. It’s a simple yet strategic technique, perfect for giving shape, order, and longevity to your natural texture — especially if you have tight curls or are going through a transition.

All you need is a bit of patience, the right products, and a step-by-step guide. In this article, we explain everything: how to prep your hair, how to create the twists, and what to do (and avoid) to achieve results that make you say “wow.”

The Twist Out is a styling technique that involves creating twists — two strands of hair wrapped around each other from roots to ends, forming a spiral — which, once undone, reveal a defined, elastic texture full of movement.

It’s particularly suitable for very curly or afro hair (types 3C, 4A, 4B, and 4C), but it’s also incredibly helpful during the transition phase, when you’re returning to your natural texture and gradually abandoning chemically altering treatments (such as relaxers or straightening). In these cases, twists help visually blend the difference between natural roots and treated lengths, creating a more harmonious and defined look.

When talking about twists for curly hair, we can distinguish between:

• Two-strand twist: the classic version, where two sections of hair are wrapped around each other from the roots to the ends.

• Flat twist: a version created close to the scalp, more technical and also suitable for protective styling.

For a Twist Out, the two-strand twist is the primary method: the twists are left to dry completely and then carefully unraveled to reveal well-defined curls.

Preparation is essential for a successful Twist Out. It all begins with a targeted Curly Routine that gives your curls the hydration and definition they need. Here’s how to set the foundation.

1. Cleanse and moisturize
Start with a gentle shampoo to remove buildup and impurities. Follow with a nourishing conditioner to detangle easily and provide softness and elasticity.

2. Divide into sections
Separate your wet hair into manageable sections, using clips or bands to keep them apart. Working in sections ensures even product application and prevents strands from being missed.
If any section begins to dry while you work, mist it lightly with a spray bottle before applying your styling product.

3. Apply styling to wet hair
For the best Twist Out results, your hair should be very wet when you apply your styling products. Water helps distribute the formulas evenly, improves absorption and helps set the twist shape more effectively.

You can use a styling cream, gel or mousse, choosing the texture that best suits your hair’s porosity: richer formulas for high porosity hair, lighter textures for low porosity hair.

Once your hair is prepped, you can move on to the technique itself. Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieving a flawless Twist Out.

Section and prep
Start with a manageable section. If you have thick or very full hair, you may want to work in 6–8 sections. Make sure each section is thoroughly wet and apply your styling product from roots to ends.

Create the twists
Take a small strand from the section and divide it into two equal parts. Hold one strand steady while wrapping the other around it, twisting the two together along the length of the hair. Continue down to the ends, keeping consistent tension to create a neat, uniform spiral.
You can secure the twist with clips or hair ties (such as Curl Clips, Curly Hair Bands or silk mini scrunchies) to keep it coiled in place. Repeat this process on all sections until your entire head is complete.

Let it dry completely
Allow the twists to air dry, or use a hairdryer with a diffuser on low heat. The key is to make sure the twists are completely dry before unraveling them — this prevents loss of definition and tangling.

Unravel gently
Once the twists are fully dry, carefully undo them starting from the ends. Then use your fingers to gently separate the curls and add volume, taking care not to disrupt the definition you’ve created.

Now that you know all the steps to achieve a flawless Twist Out, all that’s left to do is put it into practice: experiment, play with shape and… enjoy your sculpted, movement-filled curls!

With practice, it will become a simple, intuitive, and fully customizable gesture — just like other curly hair styling techniques.