Hairstyles

If you have curly, textured hair and want sleek, shiny straight hair without a chemical relaxer, a silk press is exactly what you need. Every curly-haired girl knows that it’s important to tread lightly when it comes to heat because curly hair tends to be on the drier side and therefore more susceptible to breakage. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t indulge in a silk press while still protecting your curls. 

Gone are the days of having to spend hours and a ton of money applying chemical relaxers to textured hair to achieve a silky straight look. The silk press is the safest way to straighten your hair without applying potentially harmful chemicals that may irritate your scalp, cause breakage and damage your curls.

The best part about having curly textured hair is that you get to mosey between the worlds of afros, twist-outs, top-knot buns, braided protective styles and straight hair whenever you see fit. A silk press is the perfect hair look for those days when you want to take a little break from your curls and coils. Before we dive into how you can safely protect your curls during a silk press, let’s first dip our toes into what exactly a silk press is.

What is a silk press? 

A silk press is the process of straightening curly textured hair using a blow dryer followed by a flat iron. Silk presses are done on hair that is curly, natural and not chemically processed with a relaxer. If you’ve recently transitioned to natural hair, you know that one of the hard-and-fast rules of being a naturalista is to steer clear of excessive heat styling, which is why silk presses are perfectly healthy for your hair if done in moderation. It’s best to get a silk press during winter, fall or spring months because the humidity of summer months will cause your hair to revert back to its curly state and not maintain the straight, silky texture. It’s also best to do no more than three or four silk presses per year to avoid damaging your beautiful bouncy curls. 

“One can receive a silk press every three to four months to maintain the health of their hair and to retain length without heat damage,” said celebrity hairstylist Le’Ana McKnight of West Hollywood’s Stylist Lee Studios.

What sets a silk press apart from a chemical relaxer is that it won’t alter your curl pattern the way a chemical relaxer will. When done frequently over time, chemical relaxers can permanently damage and loosen the pattern of your curls which can ultimately only be repaired by doing a “big chop” a.k.a. cutting off all of your hair right down to a buzz cut. So if you’re looking to safely achieve the straight hair look, while maintaining your curl pattern, the silk press is the best look for you.

“What the silk press did is give us back our power and also remind us of the magic within our hair and our skin. The updated press has movement, shine, body, and bounce” said celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen of the Ursula Stephen The Salon.

How is a silk press done and how can you protect your curls?

In order to do a silk press, you’ll need the following tools:

The first step you want to do before doing a silk press is to make sure your hair is freshly washed with a sulfate-free shampoo and free of any product buildup. Excess product buildup will leave your hair stiff and motionless instead of soft and bouncy.

The reason you want to be sure to use a sulfate-free shampoo is because shampoos with sulfates will leave your curls extremely dry and coarse. After shampooing your hair, apply a hair mask for 15-20 minutes, which will hydrate and replenish every inch of your tresses. If you have overly dry and/or damaged hair, you want to be sure to apply a Length Repairing Hair Mask, which will help to repair split ends, reduce frizz and provide an extra blast of moisture to your hair cuticles.

During winter months natural hair textures become especially dry due to frigid temperatures and common accessories such as wool hats and scarves so a hair mask is a must-have for the winter season when your hair starts to shed more than usual.

After applying a hair mask for 15-20 minutes, you’ll need to rinse it out using lukewarm water. After rinsing, allow your hair to air dry until it reaches a damp state. Once your hair is on the damper side, you’ll need to apply a moisturizing leave-in conditioner to get your hair just a tad bit softer and leave your curls extra hydrated. Next, you’ll need to apply a heat protectant spray to protect your hair from heat damage before using any heat styling tools. The heat protectant will help to protect your curls by creating a barrier between your hair and the blow dryer and flat iron, seal in moisture in your hair cuticles and help smooth out frizz.

Next, you want to begin to prep your hair for the silk press process. You should start by sectioning off your hair into four separate sections (two sections on the top of your head and two sections at the bottom of your head), using scrunchies or hair clips. Sectioning off your hair instead of blow drying it all at once will allow you grab small sections and be able to precisely straighten out your hair. After you’ve divided your hair into four individual sections you’ll want to start from one of the back sections and take out about an inch of hair out of your scrunchie or hair clip and start blow drying your hair. Repeat that process until your hair is entirely dry and as straight as you can get it using a blow dryer.

Once you’ve blow dried your hair, you’ll want to put the top part of your hair back up and separate the back section only. Starting from the back section, you’ll want to get as close to your roots as possible and start flat ironing your hair. Getting close to the roots will help your hair be soft, flowy and bouncy. Since you’ve already blow dried your hair to get it nice and straight, you want to make sure you only do one pass of the flat iron to your hair to protect your curls from being heat damaged. Doing multiple passes over time will lead to hair breakage because it will deplete your hair of the natural oils it produces.

After you’ve flat ironed your entire hair, you can do a doobie wrap, (which consists of wrapping your hair in a circular motion) on your hair and hold it in place using a plastic wrap to continue to protect your hair from heat then sit under an overhead or bonnet hair dryer for 15 minutes to seal the silk press in. This will also help your silk press to last longer. 

After 15 minutes you can unravel your hair from the plastic wrap and spritz a little finishing oil-based hair spray and voilà, your hair is silk pressed and slayed. Want to add more volume to that beautiful silky hair? Clip on a set of hair extensions to give your hair that extra dose of body to make it bigger and better. If your hair is on the shorter side, check out our TikTok tutorial on how to blend hair extensions with shorter hair.

How long does a silk press last?

Typically a silk press will last for around 2-3 weeks. Luckily there are ways to make your new do last longer. Below are some maintenance tips on how to keep your silk press looking perfect.

How to make your silk press last longer?

Do protect your hair before bed

Remember that doobie wrap you did to seal in the silk press? This is exactly how you want to continue to wrap your hair up every night before going to bed. You can also pin curl your hair using bobby pins if you’re looking to do a wavy haired look. Once you’ve doobie wrapped or pin curled your hair, you should tie a silk/satin scarf and/or bonnet around your head to protect it from drying out and becoming frizzy as you toss around while you are asleep. Consider also purchasing a silk or satin based pillowcase because cotton pillowcases cause friction that leads to your hair becoming dry.

Do stay away from water

If you have curly hair then you know that getting your hair wet is going to cause it to revert back to its curly state and when you have a silk press you want to maintain those straight locks for as long as possible. This is why it’s important that you stay away from water. When showering, be sure to protect your hair by wearing a bonnet and shower cap to keep your hair from puffing back up again. You also want to avoid hot saunas as the humidity will also cause your hair to curl back up again. On rainy days, you want to be sure to wear a hat (try wearing one lined with satin instead of cotton) and always carry an umbrella around.

Do trim your hair

Hair with split ends will tangle up in a heartbeat because the splits will make their way up to your roots. Think of when you get a hole at the bottom of your favorite pair of stockings and that tear travels upwards and ends up completely ruining that pair of stockings. That’s exactly what happens to your hair when you have split ends. This is why it’s super important to trim your hair after getting a silk press. Trimming your hair will also make it fuller and fluffier and most importantly, your hair will be healthier than ever. 

Don’t keep flat ironing your hair daily

Once you’ve gotten a silk press, you want to be sure not to continue flat ironing your hair on a daily basis. Continuing to flat iron your hair daily after getting a silk press will be just as damaging as a chemical relaxer and can cause your curl pattern to be completely destroyed over time. Instead, if you see that there’s a section of your hair that is curling up again, simply apply a dollop-sized amount of hair gel to slick your hair back into place.

Don’t overuse hair styling products

As we mentioned earlier, excess product buildup causes your hair to become stiff and motionless which is a no-no when it comes to maintaining a silk press. Using too many products will weigh down your hair and cause itchiness in your scalp, which can lead to breakage. 

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Written by Ashley Inkumsah

Among all the variety of haircuts for men, two strands twists have always been one of the favorites for black men with coarse Afro hair. No wonder, since in line with dreadlocks and box braids, 2 strand twists for men are an awesome protective hairstyle that tames natural curls, looks stylish, allows for numerous styling options, and is fairly easy to maintain. All those benefits of two-string twists with their unique look on top made men with naturally straight hair get interested in the two-strands twists fad. Thus, nowadays, two-strand twists are adjusted to short, medium, and long hair, can be paired with braids, fades, undercuts, mohawks, ponytails, top knots, and much more. Twists are also rather quick and straightforward to create – they take less time than cornrows or box braids. Wanna investigate more reasons to opt for two-strand twists? Scroll down.

How To Take Care Of Hair Twists

@rudisloc.d Both short and long twists are fairly easy to maintain, just set the routine down and stick to it:

• To keep your twists smooth and protect your hair, always use a leave-in conditioner or dread cream;
• Wash your twists at least once a week with a residue-free shampoo;
• To prevent twists from unraveling, you can braid them together in several fat braids before washing;
• Wash your hair from scalp to ends, moving your hands in a vertical angle to prevent frizziness;
• Don’t scratch your scalp if you’re experiencing itching. Instead, use light hair oil like peppermint oil or tea tree oil;
• It’s a good idea to wrap your long twists in a silk scarf or a light turban-style towel while you sleep.
• Try to let your twists air-dry as long as possible to lock in the definition or use a blow-dryer on the lowest setting.

Best Two Strand Twists Hairstyles for Guys

@rvhairuk Thinking of getting two strand twists? Don’t wait for another second, get the inspiration from our 2 strand twisties for men, and do it right away!

Two-Strand Twist + Short Hair

@laylahsparlor The shorter your locks are, the faster you’ll get your twists done and the more low maintenance your gangsta look will be. Like a charm for Afro coarse hair, two-strand twists will tame your short mane.

Thick Twists with Highlights

@mrs_elitetouch Twists are a win-win choice for guys with thick hair. And if you also add some contrasting highlights, people won’t have any other options rather than to look your way.

Flat Twist Hairstyles For Men

@locs_of_royalty How to style the most classic and well-known twisted hairstyle in an unusual way? Consider braiding your longer twists in two ropes that wrap around your head creating a flat two strand twists hairstyle.

Twisted Man Bun

@locd_journal Buns are a super cool hairstyle to diversify your long twisted style and make you look really bold. Sweep all of your twisted locks back and raise them into a bun. Just look how great this male bun hairdo works with a beard.

Mini Twists + High Bald Fade

@bstylish.byou Two-tone hair makes a great two-strand twists hairstyle for men. To enhance that fresh vibe, add a clean high fade for a killer look.

Dreadlocks Two Strand Twist

@theglamuraiexperience Did you know that twists gradually turn into dreadlocks if not re-twisted timely? And medium-length two-strand twists look great when paired with all kinds of fades.

Undercut Mohawk

@locs_of_royalty For a more outstanding Viking-inspired image, try twisting your long hair on the crown and shaving the sides and back section. Facial hair is often paired with such styles to balance the look.

Twisted Cornrows

@salon25ltd If you are up to trying a Viking style but not ready to shave the sides, try twisted cornrows – this style is made exclusively for you!

Twists with Disconnected Undercut

@locs_of_royalty And here is another way to style long twisted locks combined with a disconnected undercut. Two-strand twists are easy to wrap into a knot or a bun, so don’t forget about this styling option when you’re looking for a change in your style.

Long Twist Out Hair For Men

@hairby._manda If you have long hair, twists will save your time so much! You can ignore styling as much as you want, you can forget even about brushing your long locks! You also have lots of options on how to tie or braid your thick twists to alter the look.

Low Twist Ponytail

@locdbyshika A low ponytail is a way to manage thick and heavy long hair. You can also spice up the look with color pop or by adding a shave-in design on the sides.

Twists with Temple Fade

@barberbanelli It’s a good idea to add a temple fade and an edgy front hairline to a two-strand twists hairstyle for straight hair. Since smooth hair tends to get undone much faster, we’d also recommend using coconut oil along your twists to keep them protected and last longer.

Basic Thicker Twists with Pattern and Middle Part

@kinkyrootz A triangle two-strand twist is meant to give you a unique hairdo. The same two-strand twists will level up if you switch the classic square sections to triangle ones. As for those short twists, just let them fall down naturally.

Twisted Ponytail for Men

@loclovstyles First, braid your long 2 strand twists in a kind of cornrows, next, tie them up in a low ponytail using one of the twisted dreadlocks. Oh, that very moment when long hair doesn’t care at all!

Messy Medium Two Strand Twists

@bennieagid All you need to do for this hairstyle is to get classic two-strand twists by dividing the hair into various small sections and twisting them with two-strand weaving. And wait. It’s gonna get messier day by day. Perfect for guys with medium hair, it doesn’t require any effort to maintain.

Short Twists for Old Men

@paula_b_raw_elegance_ Who said two strands twists are only for young men? Older men can rock amazing short hair twists, mixing them with a fade that will help to balance a receding hairline and overall hair loss. The salt-and-pepper hue will also look cool with two-strand twists.

Extremely Tight Twisted Hair

@sasha.fearless Tight twists not only look different but also last longer than loose two-strand twists. If you like this smooth twists vibe, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t give this hairstyle a try. Also, consider combining it with a central parting to exaggerate that neat look.

Blonde Twists with Loose Ends

@locs_of_royalty Blonde two strand twist are not your average hairstyle. Contrasting with dark skin, they always stand out. Remember, however, your natural hair is gonna suffer from bleaching it so drastically.

Twisted Mohawk + Undercut

@kentathehairartist No doubt, this twisted mohawk with a perfect fade is mind-blowingly cool! To achieve this hairdo, let your top hair grow to an appropriate length (don’t need a big length, actually), divide it into smaller sections, and twist them. Next, add an edgy fade on the sides to complete the style. And this is a perfect combo for little boys.

Twisted Man Braids

@olendastyles Box two-strand twists for men can change their mood if you make braids of them. This is a simple way to alter the style of your twists.

Twisted Cornrow Fohawk

@hair_by_kay99 And here we go with another twisted fohawk hairdo. But in this one, the sides are braided in actual cornrows, while the twisted part is only the hawk. Also, pay attention to how different the strands look if you leave the curly ends.

Short Frizzy Twists

@kentathehairartist Add a high fade to the side and back hair for added perfection of your short two-strand twists.

Twists for Straight Hair

@sasha.fearless If you think two-strand twists won’t suit your straight hair, you take it wrong. Just look how well they can go with straight hair as well.

Twisted Fringe with Drop Zero Fade on the Sides (and Beard)

When you combine 2-strand twists with shaved faded sides, you end up with a mixture of disorder and neatness. The beard is another element that always works magic with short sides long top types of hairstyles.

Shaggy Twists with Extra Short Mustache

@locs_of_royalty If you don’t fancy wearing a beard, an extra short mustache might be a good alternative.

Natural hair two strand twist

@wheatx2 These 2 strand twist dreads don’t look too ideal – they just look natural as if you didn’t care too much to show off but still managed to get them stylish enough.

Double twist men

@hairby._manda Remember what we said about the previous style? This one with a high fade is the complete opposite. Perfectly divided into sections, perfectly shaved, and perfectly twisted with that perfect glossy damp hair effect.

Curly hair twists men

@locs_of_royalty Tame your curly hair with a loosely twisted hair-do.

High top two strand twist

__hairbyju With short hair on the sides, it’s best to choose the maximum length at the top. However, you can borrow this single-twist color pop-up idea and implement it in all types and lengths of two-strand twists.

FAQ

Does two-strand twist grow hair?

No way. Twisting or braiding hair doesn’t make it grow faster. However, you can have an illusion of your hair being longer since when making twists the hairstylist will stretch your hair (if it’s curly). If you wanna grow your hair, better focus on hair care, nutrition, and consider taking biotin to assist with faster hair growth.

How long does it take for 2 strand twist to lock up?

Definitely, you should get your twists done by a professional who knows how to do 2 strand twists. But later, it’s up to you how long it’s gonna take your two-strand twists to lock up. The locking process can take between 6 months and 1-2 years. The more textured your natural hair is, the faster it’s gonna lock, so a lot of twisted styles lock up in 4-8 months. However, if you wanna wear your twists neat and unlocked, you’ll probably need to have them re-twisted every 3-4 weeks.

How long do twists last male?

Two-strand twists typically stay intact for 2-6 weeks depending on how well you look after them, how tight twists are, and the thickness of each twist. Thin twists last longer than thick twists.

Conclusion

To twist or not to twist – that is the question. It is “to twist” for sure! At least once in a lifetime. Better switch to another question: What type and length of two-strand twists should I choose? And we hope, you’ll find the answer in this brand new guide!

If you’re looking for some new protective style inspo, pls feast your eyes on the braided cross buns making their debut on today’s episode of The Braid Up. The side braids! The curls! The full-on party in the back! Everything about this look is absolute fire. Stylist Claudia-Ann Arthur executed these “2 Cross Buns Braids” flawlessly—which honestly isn’t a surprise. She’s the creative genius behind some of my most favorite Braid Up looks of all time, including the iconic “Love On Top Bun”. But let’s focus on the now, shall we? Check out the video and tips below for making this style your own.

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Keep your style in tip-top shape with these four tips:

This article originally appeared on cosmopolitan.com

Here’s an easy hat hairstyle tutorial that fits under your hat.

A few years ago I made a New Year’s resolution to wear more hats. It turned out to be my most successful New Year’s resolution ever.

I chose hats for a few reasons…

Firstly, resolutions never work so why take them seriously?

I was joking with friends and stated that this was “the year of hats” and it stuck.

Plus hats provide amazing sun protection and they cover your hair and scalp from environmental damage too.

Wearing hats is a bit of a mindset thing.

People say “hats don’t suit me” but I think you haven’t tried enough hats. And you haven’t given yourself permission to wear something bold.

Hats draw attention so it can feel weird wearing them at first, but it’s worth pushing through the initial awkwardness.

Everyone should wear more hats!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=/LmE2esU11C4

Click here if you can’t see the video above

But how do you style your hair under a hat?

This easy hat hair tutorial is a go-to for me and was inspired by a question on Instagram.

(I’m @hairromance and you should really be following my stories too!)

I love when you ask questions and request tutorials. Jilly asked about a hat hairstyle she could wear in messy hair and this ticks all the boxes for me:

• I love messy hair
• This style works in dirty hair
• This hairstyle is also great for wavy and curly hair
• You only need bobby pins for this style!

Things to consider when styling hair under a hat

• Where does your hat sit? ie does it cover your hairline?
• Where does the band of yourhat sit at the back? The occipital bone is that bone you can feel at the back of your head. Hats usually sit around this but some can be higher or lower.
• How often will you be taking your hat off?

Styling tips

If you have thick or long hair:

• Use hair elastics or hair bungees to secure your hair before creating the twists

If you have fine hair:

• Don’t twist too tightly! Flatten the twists out to make your hair look thicker

Where to find hats

I bought this hat on a trip to Cuba and the boater hat was a gift so I’m not sure where it’s from.

I hate these kinds of answers, so I’ve done the shopping around to find similar ones for you if you’re looking for a new hat.

Here are some of my fave hats right now:

Shop these hats here: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

Pin this Pinterest so you can try it later (and follow me @hairromance too!)

Let me know if you try this style. I’d love to see it in your hair. Tag me #hairromance on Instagram.

***
I love getting my dolly’s eyelash extensions. It is such a treat to see her beautifully curled lashes!
Section: I have heard that some people are allergic to these products, so I would have a test run before applying them.
Section: When you apply the product, make sure that it doesn’t get in your eyes or on your skin.

Section: If possible, I would recommend using an old pair of underwear as a “towel” while applying the product if you don’t want any mess on your clothes or sheets.

Doll eye eyelash extensions

Doll eye eyelash extensions can be done by professionals, but it’s also a great DIY project for those who want to make their own lashes. In this article we’re going to show you how to do doll eye lashes at home using your own false lashes and glue.

The process is very simple and easy!

The first thing you need to do is get your false lashes ready. You can find them at any beauty store or drugstore (there are many different brands and styles available).

Doll Eye

Doll eye is a kind of eyelash extensions, which is made up of small pieces of hair. It’s a trendy hairstyle that can be worn by any woman and it’s super hot in 2022!

Doll eye is fashionable because it gives you more volume on your eyelids. The best thing about this style? It looks great with any makeup look and can be worn as a casual day look or an evening party look.

The first step is to prep your eyelashes by applying a warm compress. This will help open up the pores and soften the skin around your eye area. Next, apply an adhesive remover to get rid of any leftover stickiness from previous glue applications. Then gently wipe off any residue with a cotton pad soaked in water or oil-free makeup remover.

Doll eye eyelash extensions is a trending fashion nowadays and best hairstyle for girls

Doll eye eyelash extensions is a trending fashion nowadays and best hairstyle for girls. Doll eye eyelash extensions is a creative way to create an interesting look.

Doll Eye Eyelashes: The doll eye lashes are long, round and natural looking which gives the illusion of having longer lashes. They are perfect if you want to add length but don’t want to wear false lashes.

Doll Eye Eyelash Extensions: Also known as lash lifts, these are similar in shape and size to regular falsies but they come in larger sizes so that they can be used on their own or combined with regular falsies for extra volume!

Doll eye eyelash extensions are long, round and natural looking. They are perfect if you want to add length but don’t want to wear false lashes. These lashes give the illusion of having longer lashes without looking too fake or overdone!

Doll Eye Eyelash Extensions: The doll eye lashes are long, round and natural looking which gives the illusion of having longer lashes. They are perfect if you want to add length but don’t want to wear false lashes. Doll Eye Eyelash Extensions: Also known as lash lifts, these are similar in shape and size to regular falsies but they come in larger sizes so that they can be used on their own or combined with regular falsies for extra volume!

Conclusion

In conclusion, doll eye eyelash extensions is a trending fashion nowadays and best hairstyle for girls. Doll Eye Eyelash Extensions is great for all hair types but it makes your eyes look more beautiful than ever.

Legends Never Die
Rapper Coolio, known for songs “Gangsta’s Paradise” (which we all know the words to) and “Fantastic Voyage has passed away at the age of 59.

Also known for his iconic BRAIDS! How many of you wanted Coolio braids or ended up with them unintentionally!

He’s definitely a icon in our eyes with a career spanning 3 decades, a Grammy under his belt and a 3 week stint at the top of the billboard charts in 1995. Artis Leon Ivey Jr. your legacy will live on.