Braids & Twists Protective Hair Styles For "Afro Textured Hair" & What's The Difference Between Marley Hair & Other Brands That Are Sold

Vandy Vanity, Sep 30, 2019  

So you want to do twists but don't know where to start? Although they are called different things all over the world, it all really boils down to what type of hair you are using and how you are using it. This video will show you the basic differences between marely, spring and passion twist. We will cover the types of hair needed to achieve specific looks and best ways to use each type. So get your pad and paper and take notes!

I'm Vandy and I have been braiding hair for over 20 years and professionally for over 7 years. I am completely self taught and want to share what I know with those who want to learn here in Braid School. I hope to help those wanting to sharpen their knowledge and skills in braiding, along with promoting positive conversation among the braiding community.  Practice makes perfect!The techniques shown are strictly for demonstration purposes. If you learned something, thumbs up and tell a friend! 

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Edited  by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a video about different types of hair that is sold for twists (extensions). 

This post also presents selected comments from this video's discussion thread along with some online excerpts about twists and braid protective hairstyles for "afro textured hair".

The content of this post is presented for cultural and educational purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Vandy Vanity whose vlog is showcased on this post and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
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This pancocojams post is part of an ongoing series on the use of the word "kinky" as a reference to certain types of hair. Notice that the vlogger in this showcased vlog refers to a style of twists that is known as "Kinky Twist". That style of twists undoubtedly got its name in the 2000s from the "kinky" types of Marley hair extensions that it uses.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/10/black-women-discuss-whether-they-use.html for another post in this series. That post is entitled "Black Women Discuss Whether They Use "Kinky", "Nappy", "Curly", Or Other Words To Refer To Their Natural Hair".

Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/10/kinky-twist-protective-hairstyle-for.html for the closely related pancocojams post in this series that is entitled "Kinky Twist" Protective Hairstyle For Afro-Textured Hair (information, videos, & comments)".

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NITxYkubhUY

1. khristle floyd, 2020
"I love Marley twists! I’m a type 4 naturalista & Marley twists seemed to work the best with my fluffy roots. They also seem to look better the older they get for me!"

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Reply
2. Foggy Lenses, 2020
"Same. If ur hair starts to frizz up it’ll blend right in"

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3. morgan simone, 2020
"your braid school series has saved my life! i’ve been practicing on myself before i start doing clients and this has helped SO MUCH!!! i would love a video like this for the different types of faux locs everyone is doing now ❤️🥰"

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4.  Tra'C, 2020
"I'm new to twists and my rule of thumb is that the hair must look as closely to my natural hair as possible. For that reason, I prefer Marley hair💙"

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5. JustC, 2020
"I do my own twists. I have been wearing kinky rope twists every winter for years. This winter I tried the spring twists. I really like the look and lightness of the hair, but it does slip and needs to be redone more often. Not sure if I want the hassle again, especially along the nape of my neck where my hair is finer. I had to redo those every few days, defeating the purpose of a protective style. I also did my sisters hair and her strands are courser than mine. She didn't have the same problem. Only one of hers slipped once."

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6.morgan simone, 2020
"Your braid school series has saved my life! i’ve been practicing on myself before i start doing clients and this has helped SO MUCH!!! i would love a video like this for the different types of faux locs everyone is doing now ❤️🥰

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7. Samone O, 2020
"My favorite for myself is the fluffed spring twist! I love it long and two-toned! I also like the Marley twist to the right! This video is the best video ever for me! I loved how you compared and contrasted the twists. I got schooled and I am happy!! Thank you so much!"

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8. Jea Curry, 2020
"Love the way you explain the differences, and took the time to show it both ways.... New subbie here, and I like both the spring twist (not fluffy), and the passion twists.."

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9. SHEeats, 2021
"This video is gold! Thank you so much because I’m so easily overwhelmed when I go to the hair store but you have helped me pin point which hair is best to buy for different results 👌🏾"

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10. Carlene Christie, 2021
"Thank God I found you!!! I was not getting the Afro Kinky twist curly and springy even after watching so many other videos. You save me. God bless!!!"

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11. Shaderra Armstead, 2021
"I wish I saw this video before I went on vacation to Mexico. I got the passion twist thinking I can get in the water. Lol that was a mistake. I spent so much money just to get my hair done and it only lasted a week. I don't think passion twist is for 4a 4b 4c hair because my hair was sticking out the twist. I will try rope Marley twist with kinky hair to see if that makes a difference."

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EXCERPTS ABOUT PROTECTIVE HAIR STYLES

These excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

EXCERPT #1
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protective_hairstyle
"A protective hairstyle (a term generally used with reference to Afro-textured hair) is a hairstyle that tucks the hair away and keeps it free from manipulation.[1] Protective hairstyles include braids, wigs, locks, and twists.[2][3][4][5]

Afro-textured hair is often prone to breakage or damage from the elements; protective hairstyles aim to guard against this.[6] However, protective hairstyles sometimes involve tension at the scalp, which, if prolonged, may lead to traction alopecia.[7][8]

Depending on the hairstyle and how well it is taken care of, protective hairstyles can last between two weeks to two months."...
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Here's information about some of the protective hairstyles that are mentioned in this excerpt:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braid
"A braid (also referred to as a plait) is a complex structure or pattern formed by interlacing two or more strands of flexible material such as textile yarns, wire, or hair.[1]

[...]

Although many cultures want to take sole credit for the braid, they cannot be traced to a single origin… One early example of hair braiding takes place in 1279-1213 bce as recorded in the story of Isis: "when some of the queen's maidens came to the well, she greeted them kindly and began to braid their hair."[5]"...
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreadlocks
'Dreadlocks, also known as locs or dreads, are rope-like strands of hair formed by locking or braiding hair.[2]"...
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_twists
"Hair twists, flat twists, or mini-twists, are a hairstyle popular with Afro-textured hair around the world, and sometimes with other hair textures. The style is achieved by dividing the hairs into several sections, twisting strands of hair, then twisting two twisted strands around one another. They can also be created with one strand of hair at a time, with a comb.[1] They are not to be confused with larger, longer dreadlocks, (or "locs")

[…]

Twist out

A variation of hair twists is called a "twist out",[5] where twisted hair is untwisted to create a large, loosely crimped texture. There are two different variations to a "twist out," one method can be done with using two stands of hair and another method uses three stands of hair called a "three stand twist out". Both result in a textured hairstyle when untwisted.[6]

Other twist hairstyles include Senegalese twists, Marley twists, and Havana twists. All of these hairstyles require specific types of hair extensions that are installed to one's head. These styles have been labeled as protective styles because they protect the person's natural hair from daily manipulation. Senegalese twists originated in Senegal, Africa and are commonly performed in African hair salons across the U.S. This style uses synthetic Kanekalon hair, which can last anywhere from one to three months. Marley and Havana twists are more recent hairstyles widely spread through the black hair community in 2013. They look very similar to one another, but have distinct differences. Marley twists use Marley hair extensions that can be found in most hair supply stores from various hair companies and Havana twists use Havana hair extensions sold by few companies that are only available online. Havana twists are generally done with fewer twists than the Marley hairstyle and also weigh less in density because the hair is much fluffier in texture than Marley hair. Both hairstyles like Senegalese can last from one to three months, but should not be kept in for a longer period of time. Due to the technique of these hairstyles a person's natural hair can begin to get matted or form into dreadlocks.”…

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EXCERPT #2 
From https://mielleorganics.com/blogs/mi-university/braids-vs-twists-which-one-is-better#:~:text=The%20main%20differences%20between%20braids,twists%20are%20perfect%20for%20you. Braids Vs Twists: Which Is Better, July 22, 2022 By Tiffany Walker
"Protective styling is one of the best and most efficient ways to grow your hair, strengthen your hair, and keep it healthy. The most popular go-to styles for naturalistas when they want a protective style are braids and twists. If you’re trying to decide between braids vs twists and which style is right for you and your hair goals, continue reading!

Twists

Twists are a beautiful protective hairstyle to help your hair grow and stay healthy. If you’ve worn box braids a lot and are ready to just switch up, twists may be a great look to try out. Also known as two-strand twists, they are a hairstyle created by twisting two sections of hair around one another from the root to the ends. Sections of hair can range from large to small. There are many different styles of twist hairstyle options such as:

Havana twist

Marley twist

Strand twist

Spring twist

Senegalese twist

Twisted top knot

Two-strand twist

Bun twist

Curly twist

Passion twist

[…]

Both twists and braids lock in moisture well and are great options for protective styles. The main differences between braids vs. twists are the length of the installation process, how long they last, and which are hair types they work best on. If you are looking for a quick, low-tension style and you have a more kinky, coily, type hair, then twists are perfect for you. However, keep in mind that they may not last as long as box braids or other braided protective styles. Box braids are the right choice for you if you want a long-lasting, low-maintenance style and don’t mind spending a bit longer getting it done. Figure out what your needs are to make the best decision. No matter which style you choose it will be great to protect your hair from damage and promote hair growth.”…
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This article includes a list of pros and cons for twists and for braids.
“Box braids” is a type of braid that is bigger than “regular" braids. Another type of braid that isn’t mention in this article is  “micros” (“micro braids”). . As their name suggests, those braids are narrower (smaller) than other braids.

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EXCERPT #3
From https://ebena.net/style/kinky-twists/49 Kinky Twists [no author or publishing date given]
"Origin:

Kinky twists, along with other braiding styles, date back to Africa many centuries ago. The Kinky twist trends of today has began in the early 2000s.

Pros:

Promotes hair growth; Length retention; Low maintenance

Cons:

Can cause hair breakage; Lack of versatility; Long installation time

Category: Twists

Avg. Price: $ 110

Lasts on average: 8 weeks

Avg. Time: 6 hours

Description:

Kinky twists have not been as popular in recent years as Marley and Havana twists, but they are still a great choice for African-American women. Kinky twists are a two-strand twist that generally falls at the shoulders with curled ends.

Other than the length of the twists, there are two other major differences between Kinky twists and Marley twists. The first difference is the installation process. When installing Kinky twists, the hair extensions are first braided for about an inch at the root before being twisted down to the ends.

[…]

When installing Kinky twists, the hair extensions are first braided for about an inch at the root before being twisted down to the ends. With Marley twists, the hair extensions are twisted from the root down to the ends.

The second difference between the two is the thickness of the twists. Though both styles utilize Marley hair, Kinky twists tend to have a much smaller thickness than Marley twists.

Another type of twist that can be noted for being like Kinky twists is Nubian twists. Like Kinky twists, they aren't usually worn past the shoulders in length. However, if you want either twists to be longer, that can still be achieved. It's just not common.

Another Installation Technique

Besides the traditional method of installing Kinky twists, you may want to consider the crochet method if you're looking for a faster approach to achieving the style. With this method, you can buy pre-twisted Kinky twists.

To install these, your stylist can either cornrow your hair down or separate your hair into individual plaits and use a crochet hook to intertwine the twists into your hair.

Kinky Twists Versatility

Kinky twists have taken a backseat to other twists but are well-loved for their natural appearance. These twists are good at mimicking your natural hair and are a great choice of a twist if you're looking for a professional protective hairstyle.

The style's length may not add much versatility, but you can always get creative with the hair color. Like any other twist, Kinky twists are never limited in the shades they come in.

Who is this Style Suitable For?

This style is not limited to a type of scalp, but Kinky twists starting as a braid may cause more tension to the scalp than other twisting methods.

Keep that in mind if you're more on the tender-headed side.

Also, the style will look great on a variety of hair textures, mainly ranging from 3A to 4C. The silkier the hair, the easier it may be for the twist to slip out, which may also affect the style's longevity.

When to Wear Kinky Twists?

Kinky Twists can be worn year-round and be quite professional for protective styling in the workplace due to their manageable length. However, the style might add a needed change for a warm summer vacation where the twists can keep your natural hair tucked away while you enjoy your time soaking up the summer sun.”… 

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