The short answer
A twist out is a popular natural hairstyle created by twisting damp hair into two-strand twists, letting them dry fully, then unravelling them to leave the hair in soft, defined, uniform curls and waves. It is a heatless way to stretch and define Afro-textured hair, giving more definition and less shrinkage than wearing the hair loose, without the damage of heat styling. The result depends on the size of the twists, the products used and how well the hair dries, and a good twist out can be refreshed and worn for several days. It is one of the most loved everyday natural styles. In the UK the creams and butters that make a good twist out are sold by Afro hair and beauty shops. African Stores lists Afro hair and beauty shops near you.
What to remember
- A twist out is made by twisting damp hair, letting it dry, then unravelling the twists.
- It leaves the hair in soft, defined, uniform curls and waves without heat.
- It stretches Afro-textured hair and gives more definition and less shrinkage than wearing it loose.
- The result depends on twist size, the products used, and drying the hair fully.
- It can be refreshed and worn for several days, and is a favourite everyday natural style.
The twist out is the heart of the natural hair journey for many with natural hair in Britain. It is the evening spent twisting in front of the mirror, the hope that it dries in time, the small daily thrill of unravelling to see the definition, the wash-day ritual that turns into a week of a style. It carries the shared learning of natural hair, the tips passed between friends and family and communities about which cream works and how to get the roots to lie right, and the pride of wearing your own texture, defined and full.
There is real meaning in it too. The twist out is one of the styles at the centre of embracing natural, Afro-textured hair rather than straightening or hiding it, a way of celebrating the hair's own pattern and volume. Getting a twist out just right, and wearing it with confidence, is part of a wider journey of loving and understanding your natural hair. That mix of everyday styling and quiet self-celebration is what makes the twist out so cherished.
What a twist out actually is
A twist out is one of the most beloved everyday styles for natural, Afro-textured hair, a simple and heatless way to get soft, defined curls. It is made by dividing damp hair into two-strand twists, letting those twists dry completely, and then carefully unravelling them, which leaves the hair in a pattern of uniform waves and curls shaped by the twists. The idea is that the hair, having dried in the twisted shape, holds that shape once the twists are taken out, giving definition and stretch that loose natural hair does not have on its own. You can read about the twisting technique itself in our guide to the two strand twist.
The appeal of the twist out is that it makes the most of natural hair without heat. Afro-textured hair shrinks and can look undefined when worn loose, and a twist out both stretches it, so it appears longer and fuller, and defines it into a consistent curl pattern, all while being gentle since no heat is involved. It is versatile, everyday, and endlessly variable depending on the twists and products used, and it sits at the heart of natural hair styling alongside guides like caring for 4c hair and using curl cream.
How a twist out is done
Understanding how a twist out is done explains what makes a good one. The hair is usually washed, conditioned and moisturised, then, while damp, a styling product such as a curl cream, butter or custard is applied to define and hold the curl. The hair is divided into sections and each is twisted with the two-strand method from root to tip. The size of the twists sets the result: smaller twists give a tighter, more defined curl, while larger twists give a looser, wavier one, so the number and size of twists is a choice.
The twists are then left to dry fully, which is the single most important step, since unravelling before the hair is completely dry gives a frizzy, undefined result. Drying can be done by air, which takes longer, or with a hooded or bonnet dryer, and some people twist at night and unravel in the morning. Once dry, the twists are gently unravelled, ideally with a little oil on the fingertips to reduce frizz, and then the hair is separated and gently fluffed at the roots for volume. Patience with drying and a gentle hand at the unravel are what separate a defined twist out from a frizzy one.
Twist out versus braid out
A twist out is often mentioned alongside a braid out, and the two are close cousins worth telling apart. Both work the same way, the hair is set in a shape while damp, dried, then unravelled for definition, but a twist out uses two-strand twists while a braid out uses three-strand plaits. The difference shows in the curl: a twist out tends to give a softer, rounder wave or curl, while a braid out often gives a more crimped, defined, zig-zag pattern from the plait.
Neither is better, they simply give different textures, and many people try both to see which they prefer for their hair and the look they want. The choice can also depend on which technique you find easier and quicker. Beyond the braid out, twist outs also relate to the wider family of heatless sets like flexi rods and perm rods, which use rods rather than twists to shape the curl. All share the same gentle, heatless philosophy of defining the hair by how it dries.
How to keep a twist out fresh
A good twist out can be worn for several days with a little care, which is part of its everyday appeal. The main enemy is frizz and losing definition, so protecting the hair at night is key: loosely gathering the hair up, sometimes called pineappling, and wrapping it in a satin or silk scarf or sleeping in a satin bonnet keeps the curls from being crushed and frizzed by the pillow. In the morning, the curls can be gently reshaped and fluffed to refresh them.
Keeping the hair lightly moisturised without weighing it down helps too, and avoiding too much handling during the day keeps the definition. As the days pass and the curls loosen, a twist out often ages into a lovely, fuller, softer style, so it changes but stays wearable. When it is time to start again, the hair is washed and the process repeated. Because it is heatless and gentle, a twist out can be part of a regular natural hair routine without any of the worry that comes with frequent heat styling.
Where to buy twist out products in the UK
A twist out needs no special tools, just your hands and the right products, all of which are easy to find in Britain. Afro hair and beauty shops that serve Black communities stock the curl creams, butters, custards and setting products that define and hold a twist out, in many formulas for different hair types, and the staff can help you find one that gives good hold and definition without leaving the hair hard or greasy. A leave-in conditioner and a light oil are useful too.
If you are new to twist outs, an Afro hair and beauty shop near you will have the styling creams and the satin scarves or bonnets to protect the style at night, and can recommend products to start with. The products are also sold by many online retailers. The real secret to a great twist out is less about what you buy and more about technique and patience, twisting neatly, drying fully and unravelling gently, so with a good cream and a little practice, a defined twist out is well within reach.
Frequently asked questions
What is a twist out?
A twist out is a natural hairstyle made by twisting damp hair into two-strand twists, letting them dry fully, then unravelling them to leave the hair in soft, defined, uniform curls and waves. It is a heatless way to stretch and define Afro-textured hair, giving more definition and less shrinkage than wearing the hair loose.
How do you do a twist out?
Wash and moisturise the hair, then, while damp, apply a curl cream or butter and divide the hair into two-strand twists from root to tip. Let the twists dry completely, by air or under a dryer, then gently unravel them, using a little oil to reduce frizz, and fluff the roots for volume. Drying fully before unravelling is the most important step.
What is the difference between a twist out and a braid out?
Both set the damp hair, dry it, then unravel it for definition, but a twist out uses two-strand twists while a braid out uses three-strand plaits. A twist out tends to give a softer, rounder wave or curl, while a braid out gives a more crimped, defined pattern. They simply produce different textures, and many people try both.
How long does a twist out last?
A good twist out can be worn for several days with care. Protecting it at night by loosely gathering the hair and wrapping it in a satin scarf or bonnet keeps the curls from being crushed and frizzed. As the days pass the curls loosen into a fuller, softer style, so it changes but stays wearable until you wash and start again.
Where can I buy twist out products in the UK?
Afro hair and beauty shops serving Black communities stock the curl creams, butters, custards and setting products that define and hold a twist out, along with leave-in conditioners, light oils and the satin scarves or bonnets to protect it at night. They are also sold by many online retailers, and the shopkeeper can recommend a cream with good hold and definition. African Stores lists African and Caribbean food shops across the UK, so you can find one near you.