Twist-Back Sides
Out of her eyes, all day.
Follow it step by step in the free app.
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- Steps
- 6
- Level
- Easy
- Hair type
- Every hair type
- Ages
- Young children to pre-teens
- Hair length
- Hair between her ears and her chin, or longer
You'll need wide-tooth comb, tail comb, fine-mist water bottle, snap clip. For curly and coily hair, also leave-in conditioner.
The front hair on each side twisted back along the hairline and clipped above the ear. Made for chin-length hair, and for front hair that's growing out.
Her job
She holds the second clip until you need it.
The steps
Where the method changes for curly and coily hair, the step says so underneath. In the app, choose Curly or Coily under “her hair today” and you only see the steps for her hair.
Step 1 of 6
Comb the front and sides
Comb through the front and sides, from the hairline to the ends.
Before you move on
The comb runs from her hairline to the ends with no catching.
Curly and coily hair
Detangle it damp
Mist her hair until it's damp, not dripping, and smooth a little leave-in through with your fingers. Work in sections, ends first, fingers then the wide-tooth comb.
Before you move on: Your fingers slide through each section, root to tip.
Technique: Detangling curly and coily hair
Step 2 of 6
Find her part
Use the part she already has. If there isn't one, draw one with the pointed end of the tail comb from the middle of her hairline straight back, about two fingers' length.
Before you move on
A clear line runs back from the middle of her hairline.
Curly and coily hair
Find her part
Use the part she already has. If there isn't one, draw one with the pointed end of the tail comb from the middle of her hairline straight back, about two fingers' length. Smooth the curls either side of it with your fingers.
Before you move on: A clear line runs back from the middle of her hairline, with the curls lying to either side.
Step 3 of 6
Take the first strip
Stand in front of her. On her right side (your left), use the tail comb to take a strip of hair two fingers wide along her hairline, from the part to just above her ear. Hold its end between your fingers.
Before you move on
One flat strip is lifted away from her hairline, and the rest of her hair hangs loose beneath it.
Curly and coily hair
Take the first strip
Stand in front of her. On her right side (your left), use the tail comb to take a strip of curls two fingers wide along her hairline, from the part to just above her ear. Mist it if it has dried, and hold its end between your fingers.
Before you move on: One strip of curls is lifted away from her hairline, and the rest hangs loose beneath it.
Step 4 of 6
Twist it back
Turn the strip so it rolls back, away from her face, like turning a key, without adding any more hair. Keep turning until it is a firm rope lying against her head, running back towards the top of her ear.
Before you move on
The rope lies along her hairline and stays twisted while you hold the end.
Curly and coily hair
Twist it back
Split the strip into two halves and twist them round each other, away from her face, without adding any more hair. A two-strand twist holds on curly and coily hair where a single twist springs open.
Before you move on: A neat two-strand twist runs from the part to above her ear.
Step 5 of 6
Clip it
Hold the end of the rope just above her ear. Slide a snap clip over it, pointing towards the back of her head, catching a little of the hair underneath as well so the clip has something to grip. Keep one finger under the clip as you snap it shut.
Before you move on
The clip points back, lies flat and doesn't pinch, and the rope stays twisted when you let go.
Curly and coily hair
Clip it
Hold the end of the twist just above her ear. Slide a snap clip over it, pointing towards the back of her head, catching a few curls underneath as well so the clip has something to grip. Keep one finger under the clip as you snap it shut.
Before you move on: The clip points back, lies flat and doesn't pinch, and the twist holds when you let go.
Step 6 of 6
Do the other side to match
On her left side (your right), take the same strip, twist it back away from her face, and clip it at the same height with the second clip.
Before you move on
Seen from the front, both clips sit at the same height.
Curly and coily hair
Do the other side to match
On her left side (your right), take the same strip, split it into two halves and twist them round each other, away from her face. Clip it at the same height with the second clip.
Before you move on: Seen from the front, both twists and both clips sit at the same height.
If it goes wrong
What usually happens: The twist unwinds as soon as you let go.
The fix: Twist further than looks necessary, and clip right at the end of the twist, not partway along it. On very silky hair, mist it first so it has some grip.
More in Fix It: It won't stay in: falls out within an hour · It doesn't look right · She won't sit still
Common questions
How long does Twist-Back Sides take?
About 4 minutes once you know it, in 6 steps. The first few times take longer; the steps tell you what to check before you move on, so you are never guessing.
Does Twist-Back Sides work on curly or coily hair?
Yes. Twist-Back Sides suits every hair type. Where the method changes for curly and coily hair, the step above gives that version: detangle it damp, work in sections and keep the hairline soft. In the app, choosing Curly or Coily shows only the steps for her hair.
What do I need for Twist-Back Sides?
Wide-tooth comb, tail comb, fine-mist water bottle and snap clip. For curly and coily hair, add leave-in conditioner. Each one is on the Kit page with what it is for and what to avoid.
What usually goes wrong with Twist-Back Sides?
The twist unwinds as soon as you let go. Twist further than looks necessary, and clip right at the end of the twist, not partway along it. On very silky hair, mist it first so it has some grip.
What if Twist-Back Sides won't stay in?
Fine or smooth hair doesn't grip a single elastic. Wrap it one more time than feels right. It should be firm. Then take a second elastic and wrap it 3cm below the first. Two anchor points hold far better than one through a school day, especially on fine hair. Fix It has the full set of checks for a style that falls out.
Do this in the app
The page tells you how. The app does four things a page cannot:
- Her hair, not hair in general. Choose Straight, Wavy, Thick, Curly or Coily under "her hair today" and the steps and pictures change to the method for her hair.
- A check before every step. Each step ends with what it should look and feel like, so you know it is right before you move on.
- Fix It, mid-style. When something is not right, "Something's not right" opens the fix for it without leaving the step.
- The diary. Add a photo and a note when you finish, and see what you have done and what to try next.
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