Should I ditch twists for plaits? (for MAXIMUM LENGTH RETENTION natural hair) 

I used to be a twisted natural, mainly because I didn’t know how to braid. Now that I know how to braid, I’m forever loving my medium size braids! I keep them in for the summer months, (Feb-Dec since I live in Louisiana) and I recycle my parts. The initial installation takes about 6 hours and every other time it takes just at 3 hours and 30 minutes. When it’s time to do them over (at the beginning of each month), I convert them to twists, do my wash day, and let them dry with my leave in conditioner. The next day, I get to braiding. I wear about 7 cornrows going in a low bun in the winter months. I don’t recycle my parts for this and wash once a month as well. This works for me 🫶🏾!!

Fun fact: I’m African American and we AA’s also called them plaits. I correct people often when they refer to them as braids. Braids are flat onto the scalp. At some point Some point post 2015 younger AA and non-black people are using the term braid versus plaits. However, growing up in the late 70s, 80s, 90s most African Americans referred to them as plaits. I agree with everything you said. I prefer twists because they are quicker to complete and take down. I’m going to try mini twists for the first time this week.

Great video! I think twists look fuller and therefore nicer. The problem I have with them is, because they’re not at tightly woven, my strands move too much, which causes tangling. I can’t moisturize in twists because they shrink too much, which causes tangling. So the maintenance of them keeps my hands in my hair, which is what I don’t want to do while protective styling. Braids, or plaits 😅, stay put which makes shed hair slide out easier. I can wet my braids with water and conditioner and not worry about too much shrinkage. I still have access to my scalp. So braids are definitely better in terms of efficiency and retaining length faster in my opinion, but they’re not as cute! 😅 I do however twist sections nearest my hairline because they do not have the same tension as braids. But yeah, it really is an individual preference. If I figure out a way to wear twists and not have to manage them as much, I’ll definitely make the switch! Thanks for this video! ☺️❤️

For my fine, low density hair, I prefer plaits; however I do a sort of "hybrid" method that helps me take them down with less tangles. I plait my hair most of the the way down and twist the last 1 to 2 inches.

New subbie🎉 Great video❤

It definitely depends on your hair and what’s best for you. I can’t say which is better because I always did twist but I will be doing braids for the next 3 months. I don’t see a problem with doing both. Twist for 3 months , braid for 3 months . Idk as long as you achieving your length retention I don’t think it matters

This is a great video! I use to do small to medium twists, however I love doing chunky twists now to save on time. Chunky twists take about 3 hours while small twists were taking 6-9 hours 🥴. I want to grow my hair but don’t want to spend all day doing it. I do a loose braid at the roots now to cut down on matting and frizz. I do get a fair amount of lint in my twists for whatever reason, even though I wear them up mostly. Aesthetically, I like twists better than plaits. I recently started using plaits for braid outs. Plaits create more length than twists outs and more definition in curls for me when I do braid outs. So far, less matting, less lint, shows more of my length, and less tangles. But I do like the look of twists better than how plaits look. If I wear plaits during the week, I could wear braid outs on the weekends and wear my hair out more. I may start wearing plaits more! Thanks for this discussion and video. Something to think about. 😊

Both works for me but i prefer plaits 😊

I totally agree with you! Great insight, I think I will go back to plaits to stretch my hair instead of blow drying hair on cool setting. Save me some time to do other things.😊

Great video ❤

I like mini plaits. I want to see my length and there's no concern when shampooing my hair or frizz. When i reach my goal of 24 inches(this time next year) I'll wear loose twists.

I prefer braids because my hair is really fine and tangles easily. I did twists a lot when my hair was shorter but now that my hair is closer to my waist I need a style that will help reduce tangles and for me that is braids.

Twists and braids do two different things for me. Mini twists for me are very wearable, last for at least 2 weeks, and work as a style for my awkward length hair. But for some reason my twist OUT’s are never cute. My chunky braidouts though are beautiful, but then the thinner Felicia looking braids themselves at my length don’t look like a wearable style yet on me. 🤷🏽‍♀️❤

Try brists. Braids and twists

Mini braid/plaits gurl here👋🏿 I think my high porosity hair retain better moisture, doesn't shrink that much after hair washing or tangles that easy anymore. Still after 2 weeks i fight with frizz but it happens to me as well with twist

I’m a mini twist girl - there are at least 130 in my head. Thinking about braiding the twists in about a week or so 🤔

I'm a twists girl

Whenever I try doing braids, I get a lot of breakage during the takeout. For some reason I am not able to get the braids out without breaking my hair all along the strand. So I am a twist gal for sure. I do get lots of shrinkage at first, but I can stretch them by braiding them at night.

Y’all can plait your hair loose to get that full bouncy look while keeping your hair intact. For me it takes a little over a month to start shrinking and I can moisturize it often

I saw a video a while ago doing the twist they use to do back in the old days. I am not a black person but is not a good idea to do nothing and just wear a hairband. And let it be free and take care of scalp and hair and no heat no pulling.

My hair comes close with twists

No twists are not good for some 4 type hair, esp. 4c high porosity.. I mean you can put your hair in twists, but if you're going for length retention you need to use plats. At least leave them in for 2 weeks at a time. And keep them moisturized. I noticed that those four type girls who use twist to grow their hair out don't have 4C high porosity hair. Now I tell you once you get your hair passed bra strap length, then twists become great. And if you're really deep conditioning really good. Your hair will look completely different once it's passed bra strap. It will hang more when wet and out the shower. I think naturally Gwen has a really good hair regimen and her hair to me proves it. Because she wears her hair out a lot. And she works, I think she's a doctor. But she was a hair influencer first. And she doesn't use any fake hair. I think you can go back like 7 years in her videos to see how her hair used to look compared to today. All in all if you follow the regimen really good or whatever works for your hair, it's going to take 5 years at least to achieve a good length of hair. So you're 3 years in, it looks like you're right where you should be. Now in the next two years is when you should start seeing some length.