My second favorite hairstyle by all means is flat twists. They are easy to put in and take out.

They also keep my hair stretched, moisturized, and tangle-free. I’ve even done demos in the past where I showed the ladies who came out to my natural hair workshops how to do flat twists.

It became known to me that a lot of hairstylists and naturalistas are confused by this particular hairstyle that only requires wrapping two strands of hair over one another.

There are many YouTube videos you can watch that demonstrate how to do flat twists. You will need to practice a few times to get this hairstyle right.

It also helps to have pre-stretched and fully detangled hair, otherwise, your flat twists won’t turn out as clean as you’d like it to look.

As mentioned in another blog post about two-strand twists hairstyles, the way your flat twists will turn out will depend on a variety of factors such as the length of your hair, hair texture, and whether you twist on wet or dry hair. 

To get a smooth look like the ones from Esther of Game of Fros, it’s best to work with dry stretched hair. Twisting your hair with creams or gel causes shrinkage, which could then result in frizzy flat twists that can look old.

What is a flat twist hairstyle?

Flat twist is a combination of two-strand twists and cornrows in one hairstyle. It involves intertwining two strands of hair on top of each other to form a rope-like braid.

Depending on your braiding technique, flat twists can be easier and faster to install than traditional cornrows.

One shocking revelation is that a lot of hairstylists struggle to do this easy hairstyle because they’ve become accustomed to traditional cornrows, that it has now become difficult to switch to flat twisting all of a sudden. I’ve also had some of my readers admit that they struggle to do flat twists.

They tell me that they have gotten so used to cornrows that they often find themselves starting out twisting their hair and somehow find themselves splitting their hair into three strands and finishing off with cornrows.

I guess old habits die hard!

And here I am, struggling to do cornrows because flat twists are much easier for me to do than cornrows.

In fact, I get a lot of compliments every time I wear flat twists, and sometimes I will do a quick tutorial to show how I flat twisted my hair within minutes.

Apparently, a lot of women that I meet are on the struggle bus when it comes to flat twists.

How do you flat twist 4c natural hair?

You can flat twist both long and short hair of all textures. But I find that 4c hair tends to last longer in flat twists than other hair textures.

To get a smooth look, you will need to thoroughly detangle your hair and moisturize it before twisting it so that you can easily twist your hair without running through knots and tangles.

It’s also best to work with stretched hair so that you can get a smooth look. You don’t have to do a blowout or use heat at all.

You can just comb your hair out or work on hair that has been stretched out with other hairstyles such as a twist out, braid out, or even a bun,

To learn how to flat twist your hair, short or long, please watch this hair tutorial by Fantastic Favour.

How do you keep your flat twists tight?

To keep your flat twists tight, you will need to braid more securely, but not too tight, so that you don’t pull on or put too much tension on your scalp.

Remember that healthy hair should always be a priority over a cute-looking hairstyle that can end up causing damage.

RELATED POST: Please avoid these protective styling mistakes.

Are flat twists good for natural hair?

Yes, flat twists are good for natural hair. In fact, you can find me in flat twists about 20% of the time.

This is my favorite way to stretch out my hair and keep my two-strand twists stretched at night.

Are flat twists a protective hairstyle?

Yes, Yes, Yes! Flat twist is a protective hairstyle. Since protective hairstyles are any hairstyles that protect your hair and the ends of your hair from damage and breakage, it’s a no-brainer that flat twists are the perfect protective hairstyle.

Can flat twists grow my 4c natural hair?

Yes, flat twists can grow your hair if you do it correctly by not pulling too tightly on your scalp when twisting.

To ensure that your hair grows healthy and long, you should remember to moisturize your hair with a good leave-in conditioner or curl refreshing spray.

How long do flat twists last on 4c hair?

Depending on the hairstyle you get done, how your hair was twisted, and how you maintain your hair during the day and at night, you can expect your flat twists to last anywhere from three days to three weeks.

Is it better to flat twist on wet or dry hair?

If you want a silky smooth hairstyle, it’s best to twist on dry hair. you don’t want to twist on wet hair because your flat twist will not have the polished look you see on some women.

It can even look frizzy and shrunken. You caninstead twist on damp hair that was freshly washed and moisturized, but not hair that is dripping wet.

How do you maintain your flat twist hairstyle at night?

To keep your curls together at night, be sure to use a satin bonnet, and double up that protection by sleeping on a satin pillowcase in case your bonnet slips out at night.

When you wake up the following morning, all you need to do is to take out the bonnet and spray your hair with a curl-refreshing spray such as the ones mentioned in this article.

RELATED POSTS

• 60 Simple Flat Twists Hairstyles on All Natural Hair Types, Textures and Length
• 40 More Flat Twists Hairstyles on Black Hair
• 10 Best Curl Refreshing Sprays for a Protective Style
• 60 Elegant Two-Strand Twists You Can Do On Your Hair
• Hits and Misses of Protective Styling: This Determines If You Can Grow Your Hair With Protective Styling
• A Quick Guide on Protective Styling Worth Reading

40 Beautiful Flat Twists Hairstyles on 4c and other Natural Hair Types

The majority of these pictures are sourced from Pinterest. To be credited for your personal picture, please contact me with the exact picture, and I’ll be sure to credit you. I’ve also added some affiliate links to this post, which means that I earn a small referral commission when you make a purchase with my link, at no additional cost to you. 

1. Halo Flat Twists on Blow-Dried Long 4c Hair

These halo twists were twisted on blown-out hair, which is the reason why it looks smooth and polished. Amma mama also loosely twisted her hair, so that she will get this “full look”.

What you’ll need: A blow dryer to do the blowout, a hair oil or shea butter for shine, and maybe an edge control gel if you’re into laid edges.

How long it can last for: one week.

2. Flat Twists with an Updo Bangs

If you’d like to play around with your hair, you can leave some of your hair loose, so that you can change up your hairstyle every few days.

The loose part can be twisted into two-strand twists like some of the hairstyles below, or you can curl it using perm rods such as these gorgeous perm rod hairstyles.

What you’ll need: A blow dryer to do a blowout so that you can get a fluffy updo up at the top.

How long it can last for: about one week.

3. Flat Twist Updo For Weddings

You will need to have long hair, to be able to pull off this hairstyle. The simplicity of this hairstyle makes it a quick hairstyle for special events such as weddings and other special occasions. If you’re a bride, you can clip your veil at the back of this hairstyle or attach a tiara at the front.

What you’ll need: Curl-defining cream such as these ones.

How long it can last for: 1.5 weeks.

4. Mohawk Flat Twists

Although you can get this hairstyle done yourself, you might need the help of a hairstylist, so that you can get a neater look, especially if you want the partings to be perfect!

What you’ll need: Curl-defining cream such as these ones.

How long it can last for: up to two weeks.

5. Flat Twists with Two Strand Twists Bangs

This is another hairstyle that you will need a hairstylist for. To get this shiny look, a curl-defining cream was used and each flat twist was probably sealed with a light oil like olive oil.

How long it can last for: up to two weeks.

6. Flat Twist Updo Hairstyles with Twist Out Bangs

When you have healthy hair that you worked so hard to maintain, you really don’t need to hide it under hair extensions.

This is why I love flat twists because it effortlessly shows off the thickness and health of your hair. You will need to twist with a curl-defining cream such as these ones in order to get this juicy look.

How long it can last for: up to two weeks.

7. Flat Twist Mohawk With Two Strand Twists Bangs on Short Hair

I believe in enjoying your natural hair while it’s short because once your hair grows longer, you will miss your short hair that was much easier to style and maintain.

A hairstyle that I loved to do while my hair was short was flat twists. A talented hairstylist like Esther of Game of Fros will be able to bring out the beauty of your hair, regardless of its length.

What you’ll need: Curl-defining cream such as these ones.

How long it can last for: up to two weeks.

8. All Back Flat Twist Updo Hairstyles

If you have long thick hair, you can achieve this easy hairstyle. To keep it moisturized, just spray it a few times a week with a curl refreshing spray.

How long it can last for: up to 1.5 weeks.

9. Accessorized Flat Twist Mohawk

This is one of my favorite hairstyles to do when I want to take a break from hair extensions. A twisting cream will be needed to get this supple and shiny look.

How long it can last for: About ten days.

10. Pin Wheel Flat Twists With Blonde Highlights

If you have long hair and are wondering what to do with the ends of your hair, you can easily fold your hair into a pinwheel or another creative look of your choice.

What you’ll need: A soft hair gel such as eco styler gel.

How long it can last for: 1.5 weeks.

11. Flat Twist Hairstyles For Women 40+

Whatever age you’re at in life, you can look good in any hairstyle of your choice, as long as your hairstylist is talented and knows how to work with clients of all ages.

If you’re looking for a hairstyle that will last a few weeks due to your busy schedule, I suggest trying this hairstyle.

What you’ll need: Curl-defining cream such as these ones.

How long it can last for: about three weeks.

12. Banana Shaped All-Back Flat Twists on 4c Hair

If you have medium-length 4c hair, you can totally pull this hairstyle off and look beautiful! You can work with shrunken hair that has been fully detangled, all you need is a soft hair gel or a curling custard.

How long it can last for:  about ten days.

13. Flat Twists on 4a Hair

Regardless of where you fall on the hair chart, you can be rest assured knowing that flat twists will look stunning on you, as long as you have curly hair.

What you’ll need: Curl-defining cream such as these ones.

How long it can last for: 1.5 weeks.

14. Flat Twists on Transitioning Hair

If you’re transitioning from hair color, relaxer, or chemically altered hair, you can keep your hair protected in a hairstyle such as flat twists. It will keep your hair stretched, ends protected and hair moisturized so that your new hair growth stays healthy and growing.

How long it can last for: up to two weeks.

15. Waterfall Flat Twists on 4c Hair

This is a flat twist hairstyle that can last up to a month if taken care of properly. The twisted bangs also add more volume and character to this already beautiful hairstyle.

What you’ll need: An oil-based twisting cream like one of these can be used.

How long it can last for: about one month.

16. Chunky Flat Twist Updo Hairstyles

If you prefer to do your own hair yourself and don’t care much about how straight the partings look, then you can do this easy hairstyle by yourself. To change up your hairstyle mid-week, you can twist the up-do area for a new look.

What you’ll need: Leave-in conditioner can be applied prior to styling.

How long it can last for: 1.5 weeks.

17. DIY Flat Twists With Some Cornrows

If you’re the type that gets confused while flat twisting, you can do this easy hairstyle. Simply cornrow the front section of your hair and flat twist the rest, just like you see here.

What you’ll need: Apply a leave-in conditioner before twisting.

How long it can last for: 1.5 weeks.

18. Elegant Flat Twist Updo Style

This is an advanced flat twist that I have to admit I cannot do by myself because only a skilled hairstylist will be able to pull off this elegant hairstyle. This is a hairstyle that will make you stand out at large events and also gain you lots of compliments.

What you’ll need: A blow dryer to do a blowout, a hair oil or shea butter for shine.

How long it can last for: about one week.

19.  Flat Twist Hairstyle for Professional Women

If you’ve ever had to ask yourself if natural hair is professional, it means you haven’t discovered the right hairstyle yet. This hairstyle is ideal for the office or any professional environment.

What you’ll need: Curl-defining cream such as these ones.

How long it can last for: about two to three weeks.

20. Cascading Flat Twists for College Students

If you’re a busy college student who has to juggle academics, part-time jobs, social life, and family, you will be able to reduce your workload by getting these easy flat twists done.

A skilled hairstylist can get this hairstyle done within an hour, freeing you time to enjoy the rest of your day.

What you’ll need: Curl-defining cream such as these ones.

How long it can last for: About two weeks.

21. Side Sweep Flat Twist with Two Strand Twists

All you need for this hairstyle is moisturized and fully detangled hair. Then proceed to twisting with a twisting cream or shea butter.

How long it can last for: 1.5 weeks.

22.  Simple All-Back Flat Twist Hairstyle

This hairstyle is similar to the one above, except that it’s more chunky, which means that it’s faster to put in and take down.

How long it can last for:  about ten days.

23.  Stitch Flat Twist Styles on Natural Hair

Who says you can’t wear a protective hairstyle without hair extensions? This all-back flat twist is a good way to show off the health of your hair, while also keeping your hair protected and growing.

What you’ll need: Curl-defining cream such as these ones.

How long it can last for: 1.5 weeks.

24. Flat Twist Hairstyle on Transitioning Hair

If you’re transitioning and not sure how to work with two contrasting hair textures, you will be content with a flat twist hairstyle such as this one. It is so elegant and can even be worn to professional events such as networking events.

To prevent the hair from shrinking up while flat twisting, I recommend using an oil-based product like Melanin haircare twist elongating cream, instead of a water-based curling pudding.

How long it can last for: about two weeks.

25. Confident 4c Flat Twists

Whenever you start to feel insecure with your 4c hair, I encourage you to do this hairstyle. You will immediately fall in love with your hair and be inspired to keep going forward in your natural hair journey.

What you’ll need: A leave-in conditioner to seal in moisture and curl defining cream for bounce.

How long it can last for: two weeks.

26. Curvy All-Back Flat Twists Hairstyle For Work

Because the ends of the hair will be tucked in, you don’t need to have long hair or a different hair texture. You can just work with what you have. To get this juicy look, you will need to use a curling pudding so that your hairstyle looks soft and moisturized.

27.  Flat Twist Updo With Juicy Two-Strand Twists

Like the style above, you will need to use some curling pudding to get this soft and juicy look.

How long it can last for: about two weeks.

28. Coral Shaped Flat Twists Updo

Why hide your grey hair when you can show them all off with flat twists? since the ends are loosely twisted, you may need to re-twist them so that your hairstyle lasts longer.

Twist on stretched hair and use some curling pudding while twisting to get this soft look.

How long it can last for: about two weeks.

29. Flat Twists Hairstyle on Kids Hair

This is  hairstyle to do for special occasions, and a few days later, you can flat twist the braided middle section so that the hairstyle can last a bit longer.

How long it can last for: about two weeks.

30. Flat Twist Updo on Burgundy Natural Hair

A soft gel or curling pudding will be needed to replicate this soft and moisturized look. You can add your own touch to this hairstyle for more creativity.

How long it can last for: about ten days.

Flat Twist Hairstyles With Added Hair

The next few hairstyles I will be recommending include flat twist hairstyles with hair extensions. These hairstyles are ideal for women with thin, fine, or short hair.

31.  Flat Twist Styles for Thin Hair

If you recently started your natural hair journey or enjoy keeping short hair, you can occasionally wear your hair long by adding some hair extensions to it. This simple hairstyle incorporated some Marley hair extensions.

What you’ll need: Curl-defining cream for hold.

How long it can last for: about two weeks.

32. Flat Twist Hairstyles on Short 4c Hair with Marley Hair

If you want a fuller bun when you put your hair up, you can add some loose Marley hair at the ends of your hair.

How long it can last for: about two weeks.

33. Flat twists on Fine Hair in a Marley Bun

You can tell that this client has fine hair, by the spacing on her scalp. So for volume, she added some Marley hair to the ends of her hair, though it looks like her flat twists also had some hair extensions in it.

If you want a thicker look throughout, you can add some Marley hair to the flat twists so that your hairstyle will come out looking thicker.

How long it can last for: about two weeks.

34. Flat Twist with Feed-In Marley Hair Extensions

If you want a hairstyle that will last at least two weeks, I recommend adding hair extensions to your hair. Not only will you get a fuller look, you will also be able to wear your hairstyle much longer.

What you’ll need: Edge control gel for your edges and a soft gel to blend your hair with the hair extensions while twisting.

How long it can last for:  about two to three weeks.

35. Feed-in Flat Twists on Nigerian Hair

If you believe your hair is too “strong” because you’re from a particular African country, you will need to seek out a 4c natural hairstylist like Esther, who is based in Lagos, Nigeria. A 4c natural hairstylist will be able to transform any 4c hair into a beautiful hairstyle that will make you proud to be a part of this exclusive hair group.

What you’ll need: Marley hair extensions.

How long it can last for: up to one month.

36. Realistic Looking Feed-in Flat Twist Ponytail on 4c Hair

Feed-in flat twists work in a similar way as feed-in cornrows, except for the fact that you are only working with two strands of hair at a time.

What you’ll need: Marley hair extensions and a soft gel to blend your hair with the hair extensions while twisting.

How long it can last for: about two to three weeks.

37. Feed-In Two-Strand Flat Twists with Red Hair

To add more excitement to your hairstyle, you can use colorful hair extensions like these burgundy Marley hair extensions.

How long it can last for: up to one month.

38. Flat Twist Ponytail with Marley Hair

If you want to have a realistic-looking hairstyle that perfectly blends in with your hair extensions, you will need to start with dry and stretched hair. Not doing so will produce frizzy hair that looks a few days old.

How long it can last for: up to one month.

39. All-Back Feed-In Flat Twists with Marley Hair Extensions

If you’re the type that likes to have a lot of volume when you get your hair done, then you will need a few packs of hair for this hairstyle.

What you’ll need: About 2-3 packs of Marley hair extensions and a soft gel to blend your hair with the hair extensions while twisting.

How long it can last for: 1.5 weeks.

40. Smooth Feed-in Flat Twists With Marley Hair

The hairstyle you are going for will determine how much hair to add. For this hairstyle, you will need to add large amounts of hair, so that you can achieve this jumbo hairstyle.

What you’ll need: About 2 packs of Marley hair extensions and a soft gel to blend your hair with the hair extensions while twisting.

How long it can last for: 1.5 weeks.

41. Feed-in Flat Twists Bun With Kinky Hair

Flat twists are not as popular as cornrows, which means that you will need a skilled hairstylist to achieve this hairstyle. Because it involved feeding in hair extensions into your hair as she flat twists.

What you’ll need: About 3 packs of color #27 Marley hair extensions and a soft gel to blend your hair with the hair extensions while twisting.

How long it can last for: 1.5 weeks.

42. Ombre Flat Twists For Professional Black Women

If you’re looking for a simple hairstyle to wear to work, these flat twists will keep your hair protected, while also looking professional.

What you’ll need: Curl-defining cream such as the shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie.

How long it can last for: 2 weeks.

43. Double Mohawk (Patewo) Flat Twists

This hairstyle can be done with or without hair extensions. If you have thick long hair, you can use your own hair and skip hair extensions altogether. This is a popular hairstyle in Nigeria and I even did this hairstyle a few times as a primary school student.

If you are going to be adding some Marley hair extensions, be sure to choose a hair color that best matches your hair color, and only work with small sections of hair at a time, so that your hairstyle looks realistic.

What you’ll need: 2 packs of color #30 Marley hair extensions and a soft gel to blend your hair with the hair extensions while twisting.

How long it can last for: 1.5 weeks.

44. Accessorized Flat Twists on College Students

This is an easy hairstyle you can do by yourself if you can twist and part neatly. For the puff, crochet some Marley hair extensions on the ends of your hair and accessorize it with your favorite hair accessories.

45. Feed-In Flat Twists With Extensions

To blend the hair extensions in your hair, you will need to use some soft gel when feeding the hair extensions into your hair.

Flat Twists on Type 3a, 3b, and 3c Hair Textures

The last few hairstyles in this article feature type 3 hair. I decided to include other hair textures in this article, just like I do with my other articles. The reason is that a lot of women with type 4 hair do not have a realistic expectation of what their hairstyle should look like when they get a particular hairstyle done.

So in case you’d like to replicate one of these hairstyles, but you have a hair texture that’s similar to the ones above, please do not expect your hair to turn out looking like any of these hairstyles.

46. Burgundy All-Back Flat Twists on 3c Hair

If you have just colored your hair, you can show it off in these all-back flat twists that will also keep your hair healthy and moisturized.

What you’ll need: Curl-defining cream such as these ones.

How long it can last for: about one week.

47.  Blonde All-Back Flat Twists on Medium Length Hair

Naturals with any hair length, texture and even hair color can wear flat twists and feel beautiful in them. If you’ve just colored your hair and want to keep it protected while you go about your day, you should consider wearing flat twists.

This particular hairstyle is quick and easy to do, which means that if you don’t have much time on your hands and with little budget, you will be best served by this hairstyle.

48. Chunky Flat Twists on 3b Hair

If you’re not good at flat twists but you still want to put some of your hair in flat twists, you can start practicing your flat-twisting skills with chunky hair sections.

If you have short hair, you can add in some hair extensions to help with length.

What you’ll need: Curl-defining cream such as these ones.

How long it can last for: 1 week.

49. Chunky Flat Twists on 3b/c Natural Hair with Two Strand Twists

This is an easy hairstyle you can do by yourself at home. You only need to flat twist 2/3 of your hair and twist the rest.

What you’ll need: Curl-defining cream such as these ones.

How long it can last for: one week.

50. Flat Twists on Voluminous 3c Hair

This is a quick and easy hairstyle to do if you’re short on time and don’t know what hairstyle to wear after washing your hair.

What you’ll need: Curl-defining cream such as these ones.

How long it can last for: a few days.

CONCLUSION

Flat twist hairstyles can be made to look beautiful on all-natural hair types and lengths. If you have a shorter hair length, you can add some hair extensions for fullness and added length.

You can also style it in any way you wish, as long as your hairstylist is up for it.

Any other flat twist hairstyle tips I should know about? I’d love to hear about them on my Instagram page.