Passion Twists Are The Pretty, Boho Chic Protective Hairstyle That Will Cure Any Hair Fatigue

Looking for a way to style your natural hair that won’t cause damage? Look no further than passion twists. If you combined goddess locs and Senegalese twists, you would get this boho chic protective hairstyle that’s perfect for preserving your natural curls and makes a major statement.

With a little patience and practice you can easily recreate the two-strand twists at home and rock a short, medium, or long version of the hairstyle. If you're feeling fatigued by natural hairstyles, passion twists are a fun, easy way to switch up your look, which is especially helpful if you're trying to grow out your hair or transition to natural hair.

Since passion twists have taken over our social media feed, we thought it was time to spotlight the pretty style so you can recreate the look at home...or at your salon.

What are passion twists?

This boho look became popular on Instagram when Miami-based hairstylist Kailyn Rogers (who is known as The Boho Babe) posted a photo of the twists. “She was looking to create a new protective style and passion twists took the braid world by storm,” says Jamila Powell, hairstylist, owner, and founder of Maggie Rose Salon.

These two-strand twists are a departure from the braided hairstyles you might be used to, especially when compared to faux locs or spring twists. “Passion twists are a protective style used when braiding hair and gives you a bohemian look that’s natural and easy to maintain,” says Powell. The major difference is that passion twists aren’t as tightly braided, and that’s largely in part to the type of hair that’s used during the braiding process (but more on that later).

Not only are they a beautiful, boho style, but once you’ve braided your hair, it’s easy to keep this look intact while you protect your natural hair.

Passion twists vs. Senegalese twists:

In order to achieve the flowing look of passion twists, the type of hair extensions you reach for will make a major difference. In order to achieve the look of passion twists, you’ll need to use Freetress Water Wave Braiding hair, which is now known as passion twist hair. The hair options include both synthetic hair and human hair.

“The twists are not as compact, so it will give you a more lived-in look,” says Powell of the lightweight, water wave hair that allows you to achieve the textured, silky look that appears a little unraveled, especially when compared to Senegalese twists or Marley twists. “Senegalese twists use regular braiding hair and the twists are very compact,” says Powell. Rogers used this hair the very first time she tried the style on herself, and since then it’s the secret behind recreating the beautiful boho style. For more dimension, you can also recreate the look with ombre hair extensions.

While both passion twists and spring twists are two coily hairstyles that practically look the same, passion twists have more texture compared to their tightly-twisted cousin. Spring twist hair is also shinier and smoother, which creates more tightly-wound styles.

How to do passion twists at home?

If you want to DIY the style, be sure to have all the right supplies before you begin and consult a few tutorials on Youtube to get the hang of the process. “You need the braiding hair, a rat tail comb, and clips to keep the hair sectioned,” says Powell. Depending on how full you want your passion twists to look, you’ll probably need seven to 10 packs of hair.

Prep your natural hair by washing and moisturizing with conditioner before partially drying your tresses. “You definitely should work with dry hair that is slightly blown out,” says Powell. The reason you won’t want your hair completely straight is to retain some texture so that the hair extensions can grip onto and the hair will seamlessly blend together during the installation process. “Passion twists work best on any hair that has texture, as to not risk them from sliding out,” says Powell.

While you’ll want some texture, depending on how curly or kinky your natural texture is, partially blow drying will stretch your natural hair and make it easier to work with. “When washing your natural hair, the main thing to focus on is the scalp,” says Powell. A clean, moisturized scalp is the first step in creating passion twists. The more hydrated your natural hair is, the less likely it is to experience breakage.

Next, divide your hair into desired sections. “You can start passion twists like a regular braid, or you can use a crochet method,” says Powell. If you opt for crochet braids, it might limit your styling options after you’ve completed the look. Apply edge control gel on your fingertips to the area where your braided hair meets your natural hair to secure it in place. When it comes time to twist, twist your strands in the direction of the curl. If you're not confident in your twisting abilities, you can also try pre-looped twist crochet hair to simplify the process.

While recreating the look may take some practice, Powell says the secret to success starts with securing the hair. “The key is securing the hair near the root so the extension hair will have a foundation, and can be twisted into your hair,” says Powell. This also ensures your passion twists will stay in place.

In order to finish the back of your head and install the twists in hard to reach places, you can try the passion twist rubber band method.

How long do passion twists last?

While passion twists have a more undone look, proper maintenance and hair care is required to keep your twists intact-- but with proper care, you can sport the style for over a month. “Passion twists can last four to six weeks depending on upkeep and maintenance,” says Powell.

While you might assume you should avoid any fun in the sun to keep your twists dry, the reality is that this low-maintenance style is perfect for vacation, because it’s totally okay to get your passion twists wet. If you do go swimming, rinse out your hair afterwards and co-wash to restore moisture. “Just make sure they also get completely dried to avoid any future problems,” says Powell.

In order to get the most mileage out of hour hairstyle, be sure to secure your twists before you hit the pillow. “To get the most out of your passion twists, make sure to wrap them up at night with a silk scarf, or use a silk cap,” says Powell, who also advises clients to sleep on a silk pillowcase.

The longevity of the style also depends on the size of the twists. The larger the twist, the less likely it is to stay put for six weeks. “Smaller twists will last longer and provide more volume,” adds Powell.

In order to protect your natural hair, keep your scalp clean and moisturized with a cleansing scalp spray, which you can follow-up with a leave-in conditioner. Ensuring your natural hair that’s tucked away under the twists stays hydrated will minimize breakage. The beauty of passion twists goes beyond their flowing appearance, as the style also gives your natural tresses a break from styling and allows your hair to grow, which is great if you’re in the transitional phase but not ready to commit to a drastic change, like the big chop.

Once you’ve braided your hair there are a variety of passion twist hairstyles you can try. When you’re ready to take out your twists, you can also rock a twist out.

How much do passion twists cost?

While passion twists are especially affordable and much easier compared to other intricate braided, twisted hairstyles if you decide to DIY the look, you can also turn to your braider to give you passion twists without breaking the bank. While the price certainly varies by state and region, “typically, passion twists can cost $150 to $250,” says Powell.

If you’re all about protective styling but are itching to try something new, passion twists just might be for you.

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