Mini Twists Are TikTok’s Latest Protective Style Fixation

Hair experts explain how to get the look in six simple steps.

February 13, 2025

three side by side images of Black women wearing mini twists

Mini twists have long been a stepping stone to a beautifully bouncy twist-out. But in recent years, it’s become a reliable protective style. “This low-maintenance hairstyle for natural hair can help retain length and moisture, as well as provide a versatile base for many different styles,” says Sabrina Rowe Holdsworth, a New York City-based hairstylist and founder of NTRL by Sabs. Celebrities like Lupita Nyong’o and Tabitha Brown consistently prove how versatile mini twists are, wearing them in styles like half-up ponytails and side-parted bobs.

Mini twists are usually done on natural hair with no extensions. In April 2023, the look went viral on TikTok. (The hashtag #minitwists racked up over 65.8 million views.) We’re seeing it trend again, but with an unexpected update: Many who love the style are creating it with human hair, saying that it makes for a more natural-looking result.

Meet the experts:

Sabrina Rowe Holdsworth is a New York City-based hairstylist and founder of the hair-care brand NTRL by Sabs.
Ashanti Johnson is a Chicago-based hairstylist and braider who works with Rebundle, a synthetic braiding hair-care brand.
Kelsey Edwards is a Baton Rouge-based hairstylist and educator for the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute.
Tukia Allen is a New Jersey-based hairstylist and educator for the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute.
Jamila Powell is a hairstylist in Miramar, Florida, and founder of the hair-care brand Naturally Drenched.
Yolanda Lenzy, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and licensed cosmetologist based in Chicopee, Massachusetts.

There are many things to consider when getting a mini twist, whether you decide to add extensions or not. Ahead, experts break down everything you need to know to achieve the look at home.

In this story:

What are mini twists?
How to do mini twists?
How long do mini twists last?
Do mini twists help grow out your hair?
Mini twist inspiration

What are mini twists?

Mini twists are a protective style that involves small sections of two-strand twists. “Each piece of hair is continuously crossed over the other, creating a rope-like pattern,” says Ashanti Johnson, a Chicago-based hairstylist and braider who works with the synthetic braiding hair brand Rebundle. The style can be done solely on natural hair or with kinky texture extensions to add a bit of length and fullness.

Tools you'll need

To give yourself mini twists at home, your styling station should be prepped with:

Parting comb to help section your hair
Wide-tooth comb or brush to detangle as you go
Leave-in conditioner or curl cream to enhance your curls
Hair clips or scrunchies to secure your sections
Braiding gel for neater parts
Optional: kinky synthetic or human hair extensions

How to do mini twists

Preparation:

As with any protective style, it’s best to start with freshly washed hair to ensure your twists look neat and last as long as possible (dirty hair might have product buildup or tangles that make it difficult to style). It’s also important to moisturize your strands before styling since you might not be able to do so as easily and thoroughly when your twists are in.

Creating mini twists requires applying a bit of tension to the hair and well-conditioned hair is less likely to break during the process. Holdsworth suggests saturating your hair with a deep conditioner for 20 to 30 minutes and sealing your hair with a leave-in conditioner once you’ve hopped out of the shower.

Before twisting your hair, you may want to stretch your curls by blow-drying. Though this step is optional, Holdsworth says that stretching your hair can “help make your twists appear longer and more uniform.” If you opt to blow-dry before twisting, Johnson recommends reapplying your leave-in product afterward to bring a little bit of your curl pattern back into your blown-out hair. This will keep your twists from looking and feeling limp.

If you plan to use extensions for your mini twists you’ll need to consider what type of extensions you want and if your hair is a good fit for extensions. “If you’re someone with low-density hair [fewer strands per square inch], adding extensions will make the style heavier,” says Baton Rouge-based hairstylist Kelsey Edwards. According to the stylist, human hair is lighter than synthetic hair, so if you have low-density hair and want to add extensions, opting for human hair will give you more lightweight mini twists.

Another benefit of human hair over synthetic extensions for this style is the natural look. “With synthetic hair, the curl tends to drop and the twists lose their bounciness over time with the more styles you put your twists in,” says New Jersey-based hairstylist Tukia Allen. “Whereas human hair will maintain that curl.”

Now, you’re ready to twist.

Step 1: Separate your hair into four to six sections depending on how thick your hair is (you should be able to hold each section in one hand). Secure each section with scrunchies, leaving one loose.

Step 2: Within this loose section, grab a smaller segment about the width of a pencil. Use a pea-size amount of braiding gel to define the segment, making the part on your scalp appear crisper.

Step 3: Smooth a pea-size amount of twisting cream or gel along the entire small section. (Holdsworth recommends Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter because it provides a soft hold and defines curls.)

Step 4: Split this segment into two smaller pieces and begin twisting, wrapping one around the other, going clockwise. If you’re using extensions, this would be the time to add them. There are several techniques for adding extensions, including wrapping the extension starting at the root or adding the extensions further down after you’ve twisted a few inches of natural hair.

Step 5: Continue twisting down the length of the hair until you reach the end. Twirl the ends around your finger in the same way you would create a finger coil until your twist is secure. Repeat this process across your entire head, section by section.

How long do mini twists last?

Mini twists can last up to four weeks. After that, the twists can begin to mat and tangle, turning into locs of sorts, explains Jamila Powell, a Florida-based hairstylist and founder of hair-care brand, Naturally Drenched. If you’re planning on keeping your mini twists for a while, great news: You can wash them. Powell recommends adding two to three tablespoons of shampoo to an empty bottle that has a nozzle and diluting it with water. “Apply the mixture to the twists and scalp, gently massaging your scalp with your fingertips before rinsing thoroughly with water,” she says. Repeat the same steps for conditioner, then dry your hair with a microfiber towel, which absorbs more water and is gentler on the hair. You can also use a blow-dryer for speedy drying.

No matter how long you plan to keep your mini twists, it’s important to moisturize your hair and scalp throughout that time. Powell suggests spritzing on a hair mist (we like Pattern Hydrating Hair Mist for this) two to three times a week and using a hair oil to seal in the moisture.

If you’re using kinky human hair extensions for your mini twists, keeping the twists moisturized will be especially important, since the extensions and your natural hair will get frizzy from everyday wear and the environment. Spraying the twists with a hydrating, water-based product (like 4U By Tia Curl Refresher Mist) will keep the springy curls looking fresh and neat even weeks after you install them.

Do mini twists help grow out your hair?

Stylists agree that, as with many protective styles, mini twists can help you grow out your hair and retain its length. “This is because your hair is not exposed to daily manipulation,” Powell explains.

Board-certified dermatologist and licensed cosmetologist Yolanda Lenzy, MD, clarifies that hairstyles alone are not a means through which to grow your hair (there’s nothing about putting your hair in twists that will speed up your natural growth rate, but keeping it in a protective style can help prevent excess breakage) but the pro does agree that “mini twists, without added extensions, can be a good low tension style, for people looking to facilitate healthy hair.”

Mini twist inspiration

With mini twists, you can opt for a middle part or a side part, wear them in an ultra-cropped pixie or a flowy bob, add accessories, or keep it simple. There are endless possibilities for styling mini twists, but here are a few of our favorites.