Remembering two-strand twisitng

30 December 2007 was memorable because that’s the day I decided to give my hair a break and stop everything that I thought was damaging and thinning my hair - especially the front. That day my hairdresser came to braid me, but I told her how one day I wanted her to try out the two strand twist with my kinki hair and without adding hair extensions. And she said, let’ give it a try out now.' I was so pleased with the results and that was the turning point. Unfortunately I lost my hairdresser cause I decided that I’d start to twist myself after that. I had not been the type to braid, plait, corn-row or even perm myself – it was all too tedious - but this time I wanted to try. Through trail, error, determination and a lot of patience, I'd stand in front of a mirror and try and try until I got it. I must give credit to Welly, a dear friend from Barbados who for years tried to convince me that twisting with my type of hair could work.

So I began a weekend ritual on Saturday or Sunday just to twist my hair. I remember cancelling lots of outings coz I needed to fix my hair. At times I did it on a Friday night after work which meant sleeping around 3am. I could have left the locks in for at least 3 weeks but the dandruff – those flakes – they’ve bugged me for years. Anyways, it took me between 6-8 hours twisting. I’d sit in front of the telly and twist and twist and twist - oh yes my arms hurt. I tried out lots of twisting gels but the one that worked best for me was Lustre’s moisturizing gel; it made my locks soft and manageable. I was thankful to the many sisters who posted video clips on different types of twisting methods, crèmes, maintenance and styling.

My last twisting weekend was 18 April 2009, one week before my microlocks were installed. I was going to miss twisting my hair but over a year was enough and I was ready for another change.

Now I look at some photos of my twisting days and I truly feel proud of what my hands could do. My locks were a success and am glad I had a go at them. So really, where’s there’s a will, there’s definitely a way. I shared my twisting experience in a Zambian magazine last May and I can only hope that I helped some ladies with this freeing and priceless hairstyle. Voilà!