Kinky twist hairstyles offer the perfect combination of style, versatility, and hair protection. This technique, which involves twisting hair with extensions for added length and volume, has become increasingly popular for its stunning results and protective benefits. Whether you’re looking for a short bob, medium-length style, or dramatic long twists, this versatile hairstyle works beautifully for all hair textures.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, kinky twists serve as an excellent protective style that gives your natural hair a break from daily manipulation and environmental stressors. The twisting technique helps minimize breakage while promoting hair growth, making it ideal for those looking to maintain healthy hair while still enjoying stylish options.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve curated 50 stunning kinky twist hairstyles to inspire your next hair transformation. From casual everyday looks to elegant formal styles, and from traditional colors to bold fashion shades, you’ll discover endless possibilities for expressing your unique style while keeping your hair protected and beautiful.
1. Shoulder Length Kinky Twist Hairstyles for Women
Contrary to popular belief, kinky twists don’t necessarily have to be very long. In fact, they can be as long as you want them to be. These ones, for example, stop at shoulder length and are perfect to frame any type of face.
2. Short Bob Twists Hairstyle for Women
You can even create a short bob out of twists. Style it by parting your hair on one side and using a pair of oversized earrings and you’re good to go. That’s the beauty of kinky twists. They can be transformed into any type of hairdo you can dream of while still protecting your hair.
3. Long Nutmeg Twist Hairstyles for Women
Long kinky twist hairstyles require a lot of maintenance after you get them. However, they look so beautiful that nothing else matters. These twists come in a fantastic shade of nutmeg brown that puts other colors to shame.
4. Elegant Twist Updos for Women
A fancy event such as your graduation, prom, or even your big day doesn’t mean that you have to give up your twists. Instead, you can have them retwisted into this beautiful and intricate updo style.
5. Formal Twists Updo Hairstyle for Women
It’s very easy to create a formal updo when your twists have been braided correctly. If you can’t think of ideas on your own, don’t worry. Look for inspiration on YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest.
6. Symmetrical Twist Hairstyles for Women
If you’re a fan of symmetry then you will simply love this idea. It’s all about parting the hair in very regular squares and then taking each resulting strand and braiding it into a kinky twist. You will be left with perfect parallel twists.
7. Cornrows into Kinky Twists Hairstyle for Women
Here is how you can make two amazing trends meets. You start off with the traditional cornrows at head level and you continue by braiding the loose strands into kinky twists instead of the classic three-strand braids.
8. Chunky Kinky Twist Hairstyles for Women
There are slim kinky twists, jumbo kinky twists, and then there are the chunky ones. They are called like this because of their look, which is pouffed up and very voluminous. The effect comes from the extra padding given by the hair extensions.
9. Sandy Colored Kinky Twists for Women
These kinky twist hairstyles are so incredibly beautiful that they remind one of the desert sands blowing in the dry winds day and night. They also remind us of heat, lonely scarabs, and the queen of the desert walking quietly through her empire.
10. Dark Tan Kinky Twist Hairstyles for Women
A darker-toned version of the sand twists is this tan hair one. The great thing about this color is that you can actually find tan extensions that match your skin tone. This way, you will reign over the beach on your summer holiday.
11. High Bun Twist Hairstyles for Women
If it gets just a little too hot to handle, there’s always the high bun. Look for tutorials online on places such as Pinterest and YouTube on how to build this beautiful beehive and start rocking this look right now.
12. The Head Wrap Hairstyle for Women
A high fashionable style accessory, the head wrap can save and take you out of many pickles, including if you have some hair growth and you haven’t had time to visit your stylist. You will need to check out some tutorials on how to wrap it here as well.
13. Marley Twists Hairstyles for Women
We begin with some of the most basic variations on the classic twists, both in style and length, the so-called Marley twists. If you don’t have enough hair to pull off this kind of volume, don’t worry! You can always use Marley hair extensions.
14. Easy Kinky Twist Hairstyles for Women
Here’s a tip for you. The bigger you make the twists, the easier it will be to use crochet braiding and kinky braiding on them. They will also be that easier to maintain. Plus, jumbo kinky twists look cool!
15. Half Up Half Down Twist Styles for Women
To shake things up a little, you can always add a twist to this modern hairstyle and go for the half up half down look. It’s very bohemian and chic, and you can complement the look with the appropriate accessories and clothes.
16. Light Brown Kinky Twist Hair for Women
Another thing you can do to stir some life into your traditional and protective kinky twists would be to choose a creative color. In this case, it’s a light brown mixed with some other complementary shades that highlight the eyes.
17. Kinky Twist Hairstyles with Milk Chocolate Highlights
How about this amazing milk chocolate shade of dark brown that also has a few vanilla strands in it? The light-colored ones are there to illuminate everything and highlight your amazing facial features.
18. Diagonal Twist Protective Hairstyle for Women
If you have skilled fingers and are brave enough to attempt this on your own or if you have a very good stylist, you can always go for diagonal twists. They are a natural side-swept style that will look beautiful from behind too!
19. Cute Kinky Twists for Women with Hair Accessories
Sometimes, the accessories that we wear can really make or break an entire outfit. It’s the exact same thing with hairdos. This is a very cute elastic headband that has stylized metallic golden leaves at the front.
20. Beautiful Twist Hair with Highlights for Women
When they are done just right, twists really are a work of art. They can frame your face beautifully and, aided by the perfect makeup, they will make you look like a queen wherever you are.
21. Mahogany Kinky Twists Styles for Women
Here’s another hair color idea This mahogany brown is so lush and delicious you almost want to dip a spoon into it. The great thing is that you can find extensions in this color, so you don’t have to worry about damaging your natural hair while trying to get this shade.
22. Red and Black Kinky Twist Hairstyles for Women
If you’re not a fan of blending two or more colors for a natural look, you can always separate them into two solid blocks for a striking appearance. All you need are two different sets of hair extensions, and your job is done.
23. The Nicole Ari Parker Hairstyle for Women
You may remember actress Nicole Ari Parker from movies such as Brown Sugar. Did it not make us all question ourselves: ‘When did you fall in love with hip hop?’ Here, she proudly wears her locks in kinky twist hairstyles.
24. Strawberry Wine Kinky Twists Hairstyle for Women
This color combination of purple and red has given birth to what we now call strawberry wine. You can dye your own hair in this magnificent shade, or you can find some natural hair extensions colored like this.
25. Layered Senegalese Kinky Twists for Women
If you want to add more volume and depth to your new hair – meaning hair that has been recently turned into twists – then you can always get a layered haircut. The principle remains the same as with traditional, loose hair.
26. Burgundy Kinky Twists for Women
This burgundy shade is actually mixed with a bit of marsala, which makes it even more adorable. However, you need to be careful with the makeup. Keep it to a minimum so as not to risk looking too theatrical.
27. Honey-Colored Twist Hairstyles for Women
If you have the right skin tone and eye color, you can always try a milder color for your twist hairstyles. This is scrumptious honey in a solid block of color, meaning it has no highlights or lowlights across it.
28. Colorful Kinky Twists for Women
You can always try several different colors in your twists. After all, seeing as you are, most likely, building them up using extensions so as to protect your precious natural hair, why not try different colored extensions?
29. Pencil Kinky Twist Hairstyles for Women
A variety of the classics, pencil twists are long, narrow, and very straight. If you go for them, you will likely also have to get hair extensions because the style calls for a huge number of these braids before they can be called pencil twists.
30. Black and White Twist Styles for Women
Platinum blonde is an amazing color that will work great no matter your type of twists. Here’s a fair warning, though: this color will mean a lot of work when it comes to maintenance.
31. Cool Kinky Twist Hairstyles for Women
What does cool mean? Laidback and fresh in this case, with a set of newly weaved, jumbo kinky twists. Add a casual denim shirt, a men’s white tee, and some killer sunglasses and you are ready to rule the streets.
32. Golden Tips Kinky Twists for Women
Yes, you can still rock the ombre trend even when you have twists. All you need to do is either dye your extensions or add some tips in different colors. This example shows us some in golden on dark brunette.
33. Diamond Kinky Twist Hairstyles for Women
Diamond-colored twists are just as rare as their natural counterparts, diamonds. But this is why we love them so much. Not only do they look amazing but they also go with any makeup style you choose.
34. Blue Yarn Kinky Twists Hairstyles for Women
If you want an unconventional color for your kinky twist hairstyles, you have two options. You can either go with hair extensions or you can do it with yarn. Yes, the yarn has become an increasingly popular choice for twists.
35. Ombre Kinky Twist Hair
Stay cool and fresh by following the latest styling trends even when you are wearing kinky twists. One of these trends is ombre hair and you can rock it in any color you want thanks to those hair extensions.
36. Small Twists with Fulani Elements for Women
The smaller the twists, the finer the art. It’s an intricate job to weave and braid your hair so finely, but you can take the time and try it at home or go the easy way and just relax in your stylist’s chair for some hours.
37. One Side Kinky Twist Hairstyles for Women
This is a very simple look but one that can turn glamorous in a minute. In other words, it transitions beautifully from day to night, depending on the clothes that you wear as well as the makeup you put on.
38. Three Tone Kinky Twist Style for Women
Here is an interesting idea for your twist hairstyles. Not only are there three colors to work with, but the shades themselves are interwoven. This means that you get two or three colors in the same twist.
39. The Half Bun Hairstyle for Women
This is a half bun with a middle parting. It’s a very easy hairdo that you can try on a Monday morning, for example, when you’re in a hurry to get to the office but you still want to look as stylish as possible.
40. Wine Kinky Twists for Women
Another amazing color that you could try for your kinky twist hairstyles is this burgundy wine. If you use some golden hair accessories, they will make the color stand out even more!
41. The Crimson Spice Braided Hairstyle for Women
If you’re not feeling up to the challenge of having your entire set of kinky twists in a nontraditional color, then you just go for a spice. These are brunette twists that have been spiced up with a little crimson here and there. The color is brought out by the intricate braids in the hairstyle.
42. Red and Ginger Kinky Twists Styles for Women
This is a summery color combination if there ever was one. Some of the undertones are dark red in color while the upper tones are ginger with just a touch of strawberry blonde. We also love the amazing ethnic-inspired accessories.
43. Short Kinky Twist Hairstyles for Women
This is a long or medium pixie cut made of twists and we absolutely adore it. It looks really cool and fresh and we feel like it would work great with some hair accessories in it as well as a pair of statement earrings with colorful rhinestones.
44. Messy Twist Hairstyles for Women
Sometimes, messy really is the best styling option. Since twists are a protective style – which means that your real hair is hidden somewhere underneath – you can go as messy and knotted as you like with your twists.
45. Jumbo Twist Hairstyles for Women
Even though this particular style requires a lot of extensions, it will save you quite a lot of time and effort in terms of weaving or braiding. Apart from that, jumbo braids are a lot easier to maintain and rebraid than the small or pencil ones and they look very cool too!
46. Curly Hair Ends Style for Women
Not all twists have to have straight ends. You can also think outside the box, get creative, and find a style that suits you best. If that style requires the ends to be all curly and squiggly, then why not? We are reliving the 90s after all, aren’t we?
47. Micro Twists with Kinky Ends Hairstyle for Women
Here is a set of super micro twists with kinky ends in a lovely golden-brown color. Their long length makes them the perfect size style any way you want. And we still can’t get over how amazing this color is!
48. Kinky Twist Hairstyles for Women with an Undershave
To be more exact, this is what we would call a razor fade on the sides and in the back with a very long top that has been braided in the shape of kinky twists. Of course, you can use your natural hair or go for a weave.
49. Forest Green Long Twist Hairstyle for Women
Don’t be afraid to try unconventional colors because this has been one of the major trends of these past few years. It started as a craze people used to wear in the summertime at music festivals but quickly evolved into so much more!
50. Romantic Kinky Twist Hairstyles for Women
What can be more romantic than flowers in your hair? Take it to the next level with some oversized blossoms such as orchids, peonies, roses, or sunflowers. The more theatrical, the better – case-dependent!
Frequently Asked Questions About Kinky Twist Hairstyles
How long do kinky twists last?
Kinky twists typically last between 6-8 weeks with proper care and maintenance. The longevity depends on factors like your hair growth rate, how well they were installed, and your maintenance routine. To extend their lifespan, protect your twists at night with a satin bonnet or pillowcase, avoid excessive manipulation, and keep your scalp clean with gentle cleansing products. Some people may choose to keep them in for up to 12 weeks, but this isn’t generally recommended as it can lead to excessive buildup and tangling at the roots.
Are kinky twists good for hair growth?
Yes, kinky twists can promote hair growth when installed and maintained correctly. As a protective style, they keep your natural hair tucked away and protected from daily manipulation, environmental stressors, and heat styling. This protection minimizes breakage and allows your hair to retain length. Additionally, giving your hair a break from daily styling can reduce mechanical damage. However, it’s important to ensure they’re not installed too tightly (which can cause tension and breakage) and to properly moisturize your hair underneath the twists to maintain healthy growth.
What’s the difference between kinky twists and Marley twists?
While both styles involve twisting hair with extensions, there are some key differences. Kinky twists are typically created using hair extensions with a kinky, coily texture (often called “kinky hair”) and result in a more defined, springy twist pattern. Marley twists, on the other hand, use Marley hair, which has a more textured, matte appearance similar to locs. Marley twists tend to be thicker and have a more natural, less defined appearance compared to kinky twists. The installation technique is similar for both styles, but the different hair textures create distinct final looks.
How should I wash my hair with kinky twists?
Washing kinky twists requires a gentle approach to prevent frizz and unraveling. Dilute a sulfate-free shampoo with water in a squeeze bottle and focus on cleansing the scalp rather than the twists themselves. Gently massage the solution into your scalp and let it run down the length of the twists. Rinse thoroughly but gently, avoiding excessive rubbing. Follow with a lightweight, diluted conditioner applied primarily to the ends. After washing, gently squeeze excess water with a microfiber towel (avoid rubbing) and allow your twists to air dry completely before styling to prevent mildew. Washing every 1-2 weeks is typically sufficient to maintain clean twists without causing excessive frizz.
What hair type is best for kinky twists?
Kinky twists work well for most hair types and textures, but they’re particularly ideal for type 3 (curly) and type 4 (coily/kinky) hair. These natural textures provide good grip for the twists, helping them stay secure. However, with the right technique and products, kinky twists can be adapted for straighter hair types as well. For those with fine or straight hair, a professional stylist might use specific techniques or products to add texture and grip before installing the twists. The beauty of kinky twists is their versatility—they can be customized in size, length, and color to complement any hair type, face shape, and personal style.
Choosing Your Perfect Kinky Twist Style
Kinky twists offer incredible versatility for anyone looking to protect their natural hair while enjoying stylish, low-maintenance options. From the short bob styles that frame your face perfectly to the dramatic long twists that make a bold statement, there’s a kinky twist hairstyle to complement every personality, face shape, and lifestyle.
When selecting your ideal kinky twist style, consider these important factors:
- Lifestyle needs: Choose a length and style that works with your daily activities and maintenance preferences.
- Face shape: Different lengths and partings can enhance your natural features—shoulder-length twists generally flatter most face shapes.
- Hair health: Consult with a professional stylist about the best installation technique for your current hair condition to ensure maximum protection.
- Maintenance commitment: Consider how much time you can dedicate to caring for your twists—larger twists typically require less daily maintenance than micro twists.
Remember that proper installation and maintenance are key to ensuring your kinky twists not only look beautiful but also truly protect your natural hair. Regular moisturizing, gentle cleansing, and protecting your twists at night will extend their lifespan and keep your hair healthy underneath.
With these 50 inspiring styles as your guide, you’re well-equipped to find a kinky twist hairstyle that celebrates your unique beauty while giving your natural hair the protection it deserves. Which style will you try next?
Richard is fascinated by everything that has to do with styling techniques and how technology can play an important part in the industry’s development. He started out his career as a barber, and later found his passion for both men and women’s hairstyles. Richard now works as a writer for fashion magazines, blogs, and is actively taking steps toward launching his own online platform!
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