Afro Natural Hair – Flat Twists Updo

It is that season of protective styles again.  I do not experiment much with styling but I really wanted to try a different protective styling, besides my usual single twists.  I tried this very easy flat twists style and I really like it.  Read on to see how I did it:

This style is very easy and what I like most about it is the fact that its very gentle on the scalp compared to normal three-strand twists.  I can wear it for a week or two.

•  It’s best to start with stretched hair.  Section your hair into 3 sections: the front part that will form the pompadour updo and the other two parts at the back divided into two.

• I will advice you work each section separately.  This makes it easier and faster to work.  You can put away the other two sections in a large twist and tuck away or keep it out of the way with a butterfly clip.  Whatever works for you should be fine.  I personally use large butterfly clips.

• I usually start at the back.  First I take a small part I want to use to create a flat twist.  I apply my moisturizer and in this case I used the Root 2 Tip Kinki Coili Kurli Heaven’s Hair Milk and used my wide tooth comb to remove any tangle (if there are any). Start flat twisting the sides towards the middle of the head and repeat till all the hair in the section has been flat twisted. Once one of the sides is complete, do the other section the same way.

• Once the backside is done move to the front.  In this case, instead of forming flat twists, you do single twists.  The size depends on how you want to be.  I prefer middle size, so it produces enough volume and not too thin which can take too much time.   The front side can also be left without creating the single twists and you can create your updo with loose hair.

• Once you are done, you take the end twists of the flat twists and flat twist them upwards starting at the back and work your up your head till you reach the single twists.

• Take the single twists and the large twist collecting all the twists from the back, and create a loose large braid/twist enough to create the size of the pompadour you want.  Tuck the finished braid under the single twists.  This will  create the pompadour updo.
• You can create the size and shape of your updo according to how you want it by using bobby pins.

• For the final touch, use gel (or whatever you use)  to tame your edges. I use Eco-Styler Olive Oil gel and I like it since it is gentle enough on my very delicate edges.

• The final result is a very nice, neat and easy pompadour updo  which works also for those days when you have limited.  I would recommend this style for the office too.  This will work for dreadlocs too.

What are some of your favorite protective styles? What do you use for your edges?