Kinky Twists for African American Women: 50 Outgoing Ideas on How to Wear Yours!

Kinky twists are one of the most beloved styles of African-American hairstyles.

Generally, this style is recommended for girls and women with curly or “kinky” hair, hence the name.

Even more so, it is considered to be one of the best protective hairstyles for women with afro-textured hair.

As far as we’re concerned, we see it as a playful, charming and all-around beautiful hairstyle. See our favorite approaches below!

1. Long Kinky Twists

Even though you’ll often find kinky twists worn shoulder-length or shorter, their long alternative is just as brilliant. Moreover, the longer the twists are, the more the intricate braiding technique will be highlighted.

2. Loose Twisted Bun

If your twists are set and ready to rock, you can start by looking into styling ideas to emphasize them.

For instance, this loose twisted bun is ideal for complementing your locks. We warmly encourage you to consider the long bangs swept to the side too.

3. Kinky Twist Braids with Headband

What about hair accessories? Sometimes, you would be surprised to find out how much of a difference a detail like this can make.

Take this hairstyle, for example. The twists are indeed eye-catching, but the cherry on top is the gold leaf headband.

4. Half Up Twist Hairstyles

If you’re not into full updos, you can always experiment with half up half down hairstyles for your kinky twists. In this photo, you can admire a gorgeous hairstyle from this category, one fit for even the fanciest of events.

5. Short Kinky Twist Hairstyles

Nevertheless, if you do want to keep everything short and sweet, you can use this shot for inspiration.

The twists are short, bouncy and layered for even more volume than ever. You should go for this idea if you like keeping your hair down often.

6. Crochet Kinky Twists

Crochet braiding is actually a technique that rests at the foundation of numerous African hairstyles. In this context, it’s an exceptional way to obtain kinky twists. This rope method results in sleek and stylish braids.

7. Wavy Twists

You can create your twisted hairstyles to appear in different forms. In other words, your kinky twists can take a wavy shape, among others.

This side-swept hairstyle has beautifully curled tips that create an overall wavy aspect for your locks.

8. Spring Twists

Although spring twists aren’t exactly synonymous with kinky ones, they fall under the same category of twisted styles. With this approach, your braids obtain a tight, spring-like shape, hence the name of the hairstyle.

9. Curly Kinky Twist

If you want your twists to be even more textured, you can surpass wavy and reach curly. See how the kinky braids curl from half of the hairstyle down. In addition, we recommend the chic half-up styling.

10. Casual Half Up Styles

Speaking of half up hairstyles, here is another example to inspire you. This one has a more casual touch to it, and can be worn in day to day situations. The tips are also curled, resulting in a textured style.

11. Afro Kinky Twist

One of the outnumbered benefits of afro-textured curls is that they can easily take an afro form.

To put it otherwise, this hair texture can naturally turn into an afro, without much effort. Provided the braids are trimmed in layers, you can enjoy afro kinky twists.

12. Copper Twists

How about women who want to bring a splash of color to their hairstyle?

There are plenty of shades you can experiment with, but you can start with some tones from a natural palette. Copper, for instance, is a widespread favorite to consider.

13. Kinky & Flat Twists

If preferred, feel free to try out combined hairstyles. Just one example is mixing kinky twists with flat twists.

Start with the tightly braided flat twists and finish in kinky braids. The outcome is a cute and protective hairstyle for your natural hair.

14. Small Kinky Twist

Another nice part about this twisted hairstyle is that your braids can have various widths. Just an example is this version of small twists. Generally, the narrower the twists, the more they resemble individual strands.

15. Kinky Twist with Shaved Sides

Jill Scott is an inspiration to us all, from her talent to her personal style. She is an avid supporter of the African hair community and usually sports enchanting hairstyles that embrace her roots.

For this look, she opted for kinky twists with a steep undercut.

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16. Platinum Blonde Twists

To get back to our ladies seeking bold colors for their twists, here is an example to stand out in a dazzling way. Platinum blonde is indeed a popular shade, but when paired with braids, the results are breathtaking.

17. Kinky Twist Kids

Another aspect of kinky twists that we love is that they form a hairstyle that is appropriate for children. If you have a little girl, you can brighten her day by braiding her adorable locks in kinky twists.

18. Half Curly Twists

To accentuate the idea that twisted braids can be textured, here is another example with curls.

Similar to the first one we presented, the twists are curled halfway down. However, you can see how the look is with all the locks laid back.

19. Kinky Twist Updo

As far as styling is in discussion, updos are a must for braided gals.

In this delightful example, you can observe curly twists wrapped in a loose top knot, with a few strands left in the front as bangs. It doubles as a classy and casual hairstyle.

20. Ombre Twists

Coloring your kinky twists can involve more than one tone. As an example, ombre is a sweet way of mixing up colors in your hairstyle.

For a natural approach to your color blend, think about combining two earth tones, like black and brown.

21. Red Brown Twists

Nevertheless, a bit of red can be the spicy touch to your entire hairstyle. If you’re not into the idea of candy red or other flashy takes on this color, you can explore red brown tones.

22. Medium Sized Kinky Twists

After showcasing small twists, we want to expand to medium-sized braids. This is the ideal approach for women who want a balanced look, without being too bold or bland. You can get them in any length and shine all day.

23. Jumbo Kinky Twists

Still, you can leave an unforgettable impression with jumbo size braids. While they will obviously draw more attention to your appearance, they are still as classy and stylish as any other type of kinky twists.

24. Twisted Bangs

We may not associate bangs with braids all the time, but we guarantee that the combo will be impressive.

Particularly if your braids are shorter and layered, the outcome will be fresh, funky and make for a creative way to rock a twisted hairstyle.

25. Kinky Bob Haircut

When thinking about twisted braids, it is best to keep haircuts in mind too. The sky is the limit when it comes to the length, shape, and texture of your curls.

Specific cuts, like the bob, will help you pave the way to your dream hairstyle.

26. Half Up Kinky Twist Updos

As you can notice, half up half down hairstyles are popular with kinky twists.

One of the main reasons is that they are easy to obtain, simple to maintain, and accessible for this braided style. Pin up a handful of strands for this outgoing look.

27. Cornrow Kinky Twists Styles

In addition to flat twists, cornrows are also a common choice for kinky twist style combos. With a hairstyle like this one, you can recreate the idea of a shaved side, or just add some spunk to your twisted braids.

28. Curly Colored Tips

Instead of coloring your braids entirely or with an ombre, you can add a dash of color to the tips. This idea works wonderfully for women that have kinky twists with curled tips.

29. Side Cornrows and Twists

Yet another way to sport cornrows with your twisted braids is to have them done just on the side. As opposed to our first example, this hairstyle contains just a few thin cornrows that spice up the look in a subtle fashion.

30. Sleek Kinky Twist Braids Styles

We frequently pair African hairstyles with the idea of volume, dynamism, and shape.

Nonetheless, there are quite a few braided styles that look exceptional when left down. This example shows how your braids can flow delicately down your back.

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31. Long Side Bangs

We love presented two “sides” to every hair story, so here is an example that firmly contrasts the aforementioned one.

While #30 is based on a straight and graceful approach, this one goes wild with volume and ample side bangs. It goes to show that hairstyles are closely connected to personality.

32. Micro Kinky Twists

We have covered small kinky twists, but what about the world of micro braids? Just like the name describes, this category of braids and twists is as small as you can get. As a result, they come close to separate strands.

33. Two Tone Twists

Ombre isn’t the only way you can mix two colors in a braided hairstyle. Here, we can appreciate a skillful job of top highlights on a black base. The rusty red used for the highlights is perfect for giving the look a bit of glam.

34. Mohawk with Kinky Twist Hair

While we can’t state that this is a mohawk per se, it’s a spectacular example of a faux hawk with kinky twists.

We’re extremely impressed by the vertical braiding in the back and on the sides, as well as the marvelous spring of twists that flow from the top.

35. Lowlights and Jumbo Twists

For this example, we wanted to mix two distinct ideas. Firstly, it is another fantastic representation of jumbo twists. After that, the look magnificently comes to life with some rich, burgundy lowlights in strategic areas.

36. Ombre and Updo

To continue the same idea, here is what kinky twist look like when they’re colored halfway and styled in an updo. An intense chocolate brown was used for the ombre, while the updo chosen absolutely glows with beauty.

37. Elegant Kinky Twists Hairstyles

On this note, this refined hairstyle will certainly inspire you for formal events. If you already have your twists in place, you can pin a few braids to the side, revealing your cheekbone and jawline.

38. Kinky Twists with Metallic Beads

This photo goes to show that playing with different lengths can go a long way for the volume of your braided hairstyle.

However, the main idea we want to point out here is the use of metallic beads as hair accessories. Adorable!

39. Long Pixie Kinky Twist

We’re so head over heels in love with this hairstyle that we’re not sure where to start.

To keep it simple, we will point out the long pixie haircut, the broad range of highlights, and the creative undercut. What could you want more from a hairstyle that will make heads turn?

40. Side Tossed Kinky Twists

In some cases, styling your braids can be as simple as 1, 2, 3! Just like in this photo, you can rake your fingers through your twists and toss them carelessly to the side.

41. Swept Back Half Up Styles

Remember what we said about half up half down braided hairstyles? This example confirms their versatility, with an elegant, swept-back approach to the look.

We also recommend angling your braids to the side when sweeping them back.

42. Layered Kinky Twists

We have mentioned layering throughout our article, but we believe this aspect is so significant that it deserves an entry of its own.

Stacked or layered cutting can make a tremendous difference for your twists, with all the volume you could ever hope for.

43. Twisted Pompadour

Few updos have the impact that pompadours do. This timeless hairstyle has always been a symbol of refinement among women and men alike. For kinky twists, it serves as a glamorous hairstyle for women with fine tastes.

44. Side Swept Kinky Twists

Instead of tossing your braids to the side for a casual look, you can obtain an elegance boost by sweeping over one shoulder. While you still enjoy revealing your pretty facial features, this approach is even classier.

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45. Coiled Curls

When studying African hairstyles, you will often come across the term “coils”.

To put it simply, coils are tightly curled strands or braids that have almost a doll-like impact. These corkscrew beauties are definitely a detail to consider.

46. Dark Magenta Twists

A deep tone of magenta, for instance, is a terrific choice for ladies with bright personalities. We also recommend the balayage technique used for the coloring.

47. Kinky Twists for Mature Women

Braided hairstyles know no age. Even if you have reached your senior years, you can still rock kinky twists ravishingly.

In fact, a style like this one can bring out your youthful side, all while remaining perfectly age-appropriate.

48. Brown Balayage Kinky Twists

What truly impresses us regarding this hairstyle is the mix of coloring techniques. While the base method is undoubtedly balayage, there are certain points of intensity that remind us of classic highlights.

Put them together and you have a hairstyle that won’t go by unnoticed!

49. Inverted Bob with Twists

If you want to show off a bob haircut with your twists but still keep all that natural volume, this is the optimum solution for you.

Inverted or angled bobs are well-trimmed to accentuate the dynamic part of the hairstyle, with volume all around.

50. Stacked and Colored Twists

We will end our list on a bright note, with a daring color that looks outstanding on kinky twists.

This wine red is phenomenal not only on the twist but also against darker skin tones. The stacked cutting is also essential for that radiant final shape!

So, What Is YOUR Hair Motivation?

To wrap everything up, kinky twists are an excellent idea for African American women looking to protect their hair in a fabulous way.

There are more than enough approaches available so you can find the perfect twists for you.

No matter if you chose short and bouncy twists or you go for long and luscious ones, wear them with confidence and a broad smile! What’s your favorite?

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