9 ways to wear Senegalese twists | West African flair

If you’re looking for a stylish, protective hairstyle in 2024, Senegalese twists are a brilliant option. They’re easy to style and last for up to six weeks, provided you care for them well.

Here, we introduce you to this twist hairstyle and reveal nine ways to wear twists in 2024. We finish off with a step-by-step guide that explains how to create them at home if you don’t want a stylist or braider to help you.

What are Senegalese twists?

This is a type of braided hair known as a protective and textured style. Senegalese twists are very similar to box braids and passion twist hairstyles, but they use two rather than three strands of hair to wrap. Alongside Havana twists and box braids, these Senegalese braids are extremely popular in 2024, featuring prominently across social media with influencers and celebrities alike.

One of the cornerstones of this look is the braids resemble ropes when styled, which is why they are often known by their nickname of “rope twists”. You can achieve this look with synthetic or human hair, but the latter is widely regarded as the best option, though slightly more expensive than its synthetic counterpart. Below are 9 ways to style Senegalese twists this year.

1. Half-up half-down medium Senegalese twist

Rather than letting the braids run all the way down to the foot of your spine, consider wearing them half-up and half-down. Knot a bun in the center of your head and allow the remaining twists to run beyond shoulder length. Another great addition to this stylish look is to add color to the braids, with fiery red a great option.

2. Beaded small Senegalese twist

Beads of all shapes, colors, and sizes are the perfect way to accessorize African braiding Senegalese twists. Consider beads that match your personality, and don’t be afraid to mix things up. We think braids work brilliantly with small braids, but there’s no reason not to add them to big or even jumbo Senegalese twists if you prefer.

3. Big bun large Senegalese twists

Big and jumbo braids are a stylish choice for this African hairstyle, and tying them in a high, big bun can be lots of fun. You can position the bun front and center or slightly towards the back, but we recommend leaving one or two braids out of the bun to frame your face.

4. Short Senegalese twists

If you’re not sold on big ropes, opt for shorter, smaller braids. You can go for short, spiky twists that run down to the chin-line to wear these braids without feeling intimidated by the weight and flow of the bigger variants. You can also accessorize these twists with beads and colors to elevate the look further.

5. Space bun braids with Senegalese twist

Another great option is to work your twists into space buns. The trick here is to weave your braids into equally sized buns before pinning them in place with bobby pins. Again, beads can add an extra dimension to this look.

6. Boho Senegalese twist

Boho braids start as micro braids at the crown, running into loose, bouncy waves further down your back. Boho goddess Senegalese twists are one of the trendiest ways to wear micro Senegalese twists in 2024, and you can head to TikTok for inspiration, as this look is widely celebrated on the social media site!

7. Senegalese twists with wavy ends

To avoid your rope twists from looking flat, incorporate waves or curls into the ends. You can even add blonde or colored highlights to the braids to further accentuate the curly ends.

8. Crochet Senegalese twist

The crochet approach is one of a few ways you can braid your hair, and it works brilliantly with rope twists. We recommend this approach for micro braids in particular, as it adds intricacy and grace to the chic style.

9. Senegalese twist with color

Though primarily a protective style with black braids, adding color to these twists is an extremely easy way to add a new dimension to the style. You can opt for synthetic hair of numerous colors, ranging from bleached blonde to ruby red, depending on your preferences.

How to do Senegalese twist? A step-by-step tutorial

If your budget is tight, you can braid your hair yourself, without the help of a stylist. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Order human or synthetic hair to start your braids. Note that human hair is preferable, but it’s also more expensive. Extensions like Toyokalon and Kanekalon work well for Senegalese twists.

After receiving your extensions, open the pack and separate the strands. You can then trim the strands to your preferred length.

Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner, and then dry it with the Laifen Swift Special. Using one of Laifen’s ionic dryers will avoid frizz and prevent your hair from drying out.

Once dry, part your hair and separate it into quadrants to prepare for the braiding.

When you’ve separated your hair, begin twisting each section and incorporate the hair extensions as desired.

Working methodically, wrap the coils around one another, incorporating the extensions as you go.

For standard twists, sealing the ends with boiling water will hold them in place in the long run.

The final step is to style your braids via any of the above options. You can also accessorize with beads.

Final words

Braids and twists are extremely popular protective hairstyles in 2024, offering you the chance to stylize your hair in many different ways. Whether you prefer short, micro, or even jumbo twists, this exotic and stylish look will turn heads for all the right reasons in 2024.

You can use our eight-step tutorial above to achieve this look at home, or you can employ the services of a talented braider or stylist to save yourself the effort.