How to Twist Hair With a Hair Clip

Hair clips like this one stay put all day.

The versatility of a hair twist secured with a stylish clip allows for a casual daytime look or an elegant evening up-sweep that stays put all night. The key to mastering the look is a twist that appears polished and tidy without looking too severe.

Things You'll Need

• Paddle brush
• Root lifter
• Styling mousse
• Blow dryer
• Hair clip (chip or claw version)
• Hairspray
• Shine spray

Instructions

Prepping Hair for the Twist

1. 

   Paddle brushes give more control over styling.

   Brush hair to its smoothest texture using a paddle brush with widely spaced teeth. Paddle brushes allow for more control when styling hair into a twist. Remove tangles and any small knots by gently brushing through them without damaging hair. Ensure ends are smooth and manageable to avoid unwanted fly-aways after hair is styled.

2. 

   Prepping hair with root lifter adds volume and lift at the crown.

   Apply root lifter close to the scalp to add volume and lift to hair. Spray no more than six to seven pumps and distribute evenly through the roots, gently scrunching hair at the scalp to maximize volume. Make sure application remains closely concentrated to the scalp and avoid the tendency to overload hair with root lifter. It can become sticky and difficult to work with when it's used too generously.

3. Disperse a small amount of styling mousse---egg sized---to the palm of the hand and rub hands together to maximize even product distribution through hair. Spread fingers and work the styling mousse through hair starting just past the roots and going lightly toward the ends.

4. 

   Blow dry hair on a high heat setting.

   Blow dry hair on the warmest setting for added texture and manageability. Flip hair over and blow dry from the bottom for more volume, especially if hair is fine and straight. Run fingers through, or gently brush the length of hair while blow drying to keep new tangles from forming. Avoid over-brushing the hair during the drying process as it diminishes the effects of the mousse and root lifter.

Style and Secure the Twist

1. 

   Length of hair is gathered and twisted at the nape of the neck.

   Gather hair toward the back of the head and brush it into a low, unsecured ponytail at the nape of the neck. Twist hair at the base, directing the twist in an upward position. Continue twisting the length of the hair upward until the twist tightens and forms a loopy shape. Shorter hair requires less twisting and takes the shape of a singular loop.

2. 

   Allow ends of the twist to fall naturally around the clip.

   Secure the midpoint of the twist to the head, about three inches up from the nape of the neck. Clip it in place with a decorative, but firm hair clip that's tight enough to hold fast without slipping away from the head. Finer hair can be held in place with a lighter spring clip or smaller claw clip. Leave one to two inches of the twist unsecured. Allow ends of the twist to fall naturally, or make a loop that swirls around one side of the clip.

3. 

   Allow side wisps to fall naturally or hold them in place with a spritz of hairspray.

   Finish the style with a light spray of shine serum to highlight the twist's natural texture. Apply additional shine serum to flyaway ends to give the twist a streamlined and tidy appearance. Allow side wisps to fall naturally, or tuck them behind the ears for a casual look. Create a more conservative look by holding side wisps in place with a spritz of hairspray.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow hair to take its natural shape for a twist that looks effortless.

• Avoid securing hair too tightly as the finished twist will look too severe.

• Find beautifully decorative clips online for special occasions.

• Avoid keeping high heat on hair for extended lengths of time.

• Use a cooler setting on the blow dryer if hair has been previously damaged.

• Avoid breaking and damaging hair by using quality hair clips that won't snag and catch delicate hair.

References

• Beyond Jane: How to Do a Halfway Up Twist Hairdo
• Intuition: Tips and Techniques
• Self Magazine: Beyond the Beauty Pages

Resources

• Wedding Chicks: Feather Hair Clips