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.

Kinky twists – fast, easy method, beginner-friendly

With Marley twists, the hair extensions are twisted from the root all the way 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.

Kinky twists can be worn for up to 8 weeks. Because Kinky twists tend to be shorter, the style is usually worn down instead of being in a ponytail or bun.

How To Do Kinky Twists?

To achieve these twists, people usually stick to using a certain type of hair for Kinky twists. Marley Extension Hair is used to extend the twists and add a bit of thickness instead of using your natural hair.

Although, Kinky twists aren't very lengthy or thick twists even with extension hair added. The twists are not meant to be very thick, nor are they meant to exceed shoulder length.

Their size and length are what make the twists known as a very manageable type of twist.

Since Marley twists have taken the forefront over Kinky Twists, it can be helpful to compare the two. Other than the twists' length, there are two other significant differences between Kinky twists and Marley twists. The first difference is the installation process.

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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.

Afro kinky twist braids on natural hair

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.

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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.

How long do Kinky Twists last?

Kinky twists can be worn for up to 8 weeks. Wearing your twists past, this may result in your hair tangling and even beginning to lock up.

Because Kinky twists tend to be shorter, the style is usually worn down instead of being in a ponytail or bun.

Kinky twist – Glam by Merry

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.

Pros and Cons of Kinky Twists

Pros:

• It's a low manipulation style. Kinky twists are an excellent choice for protective styling. They provide little manipulation, meaning you won't have to touch your hair for a few weeks. Not only will it cut down on the time it takes you to get ready, but it will help your hair flourish. By leaving your hair for a few weeks, it will grow and reduce average breakage from day-to-day manipulation that would usually occur while your hair is not in twists.
• They will last a while. Like the upside of low manipulation, this style is long-lasting. You won't be bothered by your hair for at least eight weeks, which will save you plenty of time. Although it may take your stylist hours to complete, it may be a fair trade if you don't like doing your hair often.
• They appear more natural. Marley extension hair is known for being a very natural type of synthetic braiding/twisting hair. Since Kinky twists use Marley hair extensions, it helps them appear more natural. Also, since Kinky twists are usually at a shoulder length, this helps with their natural appearance. The length will also help with the manageability of the twists, which is also a pro.

Cons:

• Not a very versatile style. While Kinky twists can be a nice change from your natural hair, the style is slightly one noted. Some people even complain that the style can be bulky. This, paired with the traditional shoulder-length, can make it hard to achieve updos with the twists.
• Lengthy installation time. These twists can take up to 6 hours, more or less, depending on your stylist. Sitting in a salon chair all day just for a hairstyle isn't desirable, no matter how you put it. Of course, if the time this style will save you on doing your hair for a few weeks is worth it, then this is less of an issue, but the time the style takes is important to consider.
• The twists can be bulky. Although the twists are usually smaller than other twists, they can still be quite bulky. This can be an issue for some looking to put their twists into updos instead of always wearing them down. This can also pose a problem if you're looking to cleanse your scalp throughout your protective style.