How to Do Senegalese Twists

Senegalese twists are an advanced form of cornrows that add a "twist" to the regular cornrow braid. The Senegalese version of the braid use a doubling up technique to create tight cornrows that have some extra coil at the bottom of each twisted strand. Follow these steps to do Senegalese twists.

Instructions

1. Grab a strand of hair. To start the twist, take a strand of hair of medium thickness. Make sure that the strand is straight and free of kinks of knots that might interfere with the twist. Comb through the hair with a regular or rat-tailed comb to make sure the strand is in good shape.

2. Pinch the hair near the root. For this step you need to separate the strand from the root by pinching or clipping the strand a couple of centimeters away from the root. Make sure you hold or clip the strand very tightly since you can literally twist the strand out of the scalp if the clamp on the strand is too loose.

3. Start twisting. Twist the strand as one piece, as you do with a piece of rope or telephone cord. After the strand has twisted completely it will start to double up on itself, creating a second layer of twists on the already twisted strand.

4. Fold the strand in half. As the strand begins to double up on itself stop twisting and place a finger in the middle of the strand. Fold the strand in half by bringing the tip over your finger and back toward the root.

5. Continue to twist with your finger in place. With the strand "folded" around your finger, continue to twist the strand from the tip. The strand will take a braid like structure with a loop at the end where your finger is. Continue to twist until the second level of coiling (or braiding) has reached the clip near the root.

6. Remove your finger and secure the strand. Once you've twisted the strand around your finger you can remove that finger and the strand should stay coiled in place. To finish the Senegalese twist clamp the strand near the root, where the clip was, with a filigree tube or other permanent band.