secrets and expert tips for successful vanilla

As fascinating as it is inspiring, frizzy hair has a nature in its own right: they have their own characteristics, their peculiarities, their very specific needs, as well as a whole range of hairstyles associated with them … Here, we are interested in the one of them in particular: vanilla. Protective and can be called both a classic and a trend at the same time, this hairstyle has it all.
Vanilla and its perfect realization may still be a mystery to you, but rest assured: it is not likely to last long. Indeed, thanks to the tips and professional advice provided by Alexis Rosso – ambassador Mizani and expert in frizzy hair – you will soon know all the secrets of vanilla and will be able to adorn your hair.

Focus on vanilla

Like braids, vanilla is a traditional African hairstyle. Otherwise called twists – or "twisted" in English, a name that refers to the technique used to achieve this hairstyle – vanilla particularly art to sublimate frizzy hair.
Always appreciated, twists are actually pretty classic twists that have been greatly modernized over the years. Indeed, there is no longer one and the same type of vanilla, they are now categorized under different names depending on their thickness. Alexis Rosso distinguishes them: “ there are classic vanilla, twists out, flats twists out, twists, or even twist braids »… What varies between these various kinds of vanilla? It’s mostly the thickness of the twisted locks of hair and whether or not synthetic hair is added to the hairstyle, which helps give afro hair a certain whimsy.

Preserving the very nature of the hair and achievable without heat, the twist is popular !

The twists, What's the point ?

Loose, tied up or in a bun, vanillas allow you to play with movements, volumes and lengths, sometimes even adding a pretty touch of color to the hair! So, of course, this hairstyle is first recognized for its aesthetic quality, but know that that is not all about the why of its success. Indeed, the twists are also a protective hairstyle allowing to preserve the hair – and especially the ends of the hair – while keeping them natural. Thanks to a hairstyle such as vanilla, you will no longer have to fear the friction that could damage the hair, nor the temptation to succumb to much more aggressive styling techniques such as clearing, weaving, or even glued braids which, too tight, can damage the hair and scalp.
Alexis Rosso however recommends " not to keep a protective hairstyle for more than fifteen days, a period during which it will also be necessary to adopt a daily hair routine with appropriate care, which will serve to preserve the fiber and the scalp ".

Vanilla, who's it going to?

As we told you, vanilla is particularly suited to the nature of frizzy hair, on which twists hold without difficulty. In fact, it is on this type of hair that we see them most often! However, more and more people with different hair types are showing off with this hairstyle. No wonder Alexis Rosso, who tells us that curly and frizzy hair can easily be adopted too. If the texture of your hair is smoother or very flexible, additions will be essential if you want good hold and a beautiful texture. With the addition of synthetic hair, almost all hair types can adopt the twists : " it is enough that the technique is carried out with care and without pulling too much at the level of the roots », Concludes Alexis Rosso.

How to make twists ?

When Alexis Rosso is asked how to achieve this afro hairstyle, he replies that it is enough to take two strands of hair and wind them separately on themselves in the same direction, before twisting them together, one around. the other. It is then enough to carry out the operation on the whole of the hair so that the trick is played… Only there, in practice and as very often when it is question of hair: it turns out much easier to say than 'to do. This is why many prefer to have their twists in hairdressing salon. Alexis Rosso explains: “ it's all about mastering the technique and respecting the attraction of strands of hair when styling. (…) If this is mastered, then you can just as easily make your vanilla at home as at a professional. I still think that the latter will offer you a more defined and stylized result. ".

Tutorial: make vanilla yourself

If you choose to achieve your twists yourself rather than entrusting your hair to an afro hairstylist, here is a little tutorial:

• Preparing the hair : a particularly important step, the preparation of the hair – which always starts with a good shampoo – will not only make the hairstyle easier, but also make the vanilla stick much longer. According to Alexis Rosso: “ a treatment adapted to cleanse the scalp and a moisturizing treatment for the lengths is recommended before any realization of vanilla ". Take advantage of these treatments to properly detangle your hair.
• The creation of separations : Using a tail comb, separate your hair into several sections. Then trace each section more or less coarse – depending on the thickness of the twists desired – and finally tie the rest of the hair. This work will help you to see more clearly and to proceed step by step.
• The realization of vanilla : once the separations are done, grab the lock of hair thus left aside and divide it in two. Now just do it as Alexis Rosso suggests: twist each strand of hair separately and in the same direction, before winding them together, passing them one on top of the other. Be sure to squeeze the vanilla at the root – neither too much nor too little – so that the hairstyle holds, without damaging the scalp. If your hair is frizzy, no need to tie your vanilla, it will hold on its own thanks to the nature of your hair. However, if this is not the case, be sure to secure the tip of your vanilla with a small discreet elastic that will blend into your hair.
• Repeat the process : once the first vanilla is done, all you have to do is repeat this same process until you have achieved vanilla on all the hair.

Now that you have the keys to making twists, all you have to do is follow these steps to the letter, but above all, arm yourself with patience! Indeed, it turns out that this afro hairstyle is far from being the fastest to perform … Indeed, as Alexis Rosso tells us: "eIn terms of time, this varies depending on the desired model, the volume and the length of the hair, but also whether or not you add additions. On average, it can take between thirty minutes and five hours to make vanilla. ".
Alexis Rosso's little tip? " To achieve perfect vanilla or twist braids, practice on another person first so that you are fully proficient in the technique before doing this hairstyle on yourself. ". So all you have to do is find a guinea pig!

© Pinterest / matybakayoko

How to style your twists ?

Once your twists made – whether in a hairdressing salon or by yourself – know that there are a thousand and one ways to wear them! In a bun, in a ponytail, in a half-bun, loose… Why not even try even more original hairstyles? With vanilla, you'll be spoiled for choice. On a daily basis, it does not matter how you choose to display your twists, this afro hairstyle will always have the art of making an impact!

Caring for vanilla

Do not imagine that you will just have to achieve this hairstyle and no longer touch your twists until the day you decide to remove them to preserve it: vanillas require maintenance! One of the main problems with twists – still according to Alexis Rosso – lies in the fact that over time, they risk opening or swelling, which would jeopardize their hold and force you to have to undo your hair in advance … And when you go several hours to do a hairstyle, if there is one thing that we dread, it is this one! To prevent this from happening to your twists, you will have to take care of it, without forgetting to pamper your scalp too.
So that your twists preserve their shine as long as possible: do not put a cross on your shampoo, continue to hydrate your hair morning and evening, perform a delicate hair massage before sleeping, use oils to care for your hair on a daily basis, protect your hair immediately night by wrapping it in a silk or satin scarf … It is compliance with this kind of good practice that will allow you to protect your splendid twists for a long time. As a reminder: this afro hairstyle can be kept for up to a whole month, but it is strongly recommended not to exceed a period of fifteen days, a point on which Alexis Rosso insists.

The products necessary for the maintenance of twists

Here are some maintenance products recommended by Alexis Rosso:

And now for more products suggested by the editor:

• Organic Planète Virgin Coconut Oil, magical for revitalizing and repairing hair, organic coconut oil has proven to be one of the oils best suited to the care of Afro hair.

• René Furterer's Karinga Hydrating Styling Cream, a product designed to meet the needs of frizzy, curly and relaxed hair, this treatment instantly softens very dry hair and thus facilitates styling and disentangling of the hair.

• Baobab Oil from PhytoSpecific, this product is an oil formed from the mixture of eight other oils. It prevents breakage of dry hair and takes care of the scalp.

The question of cultural appropriation

Difficult to miss: while many public figures fall for vanilla and post it on their social networks – like Eva Queen or Coralie Porrovecchio, for example – in the comments, the question of cultural appropriation often comes up. So what is it all about? Sociologist Eric Fassin describes this phenomenon born in the 90s as the recovery of codes falling within a context of domination between a "dominant" culture and a "minority" culture. In general, we speak of cultural appropriation when someone grants himself the right to appropriate the cultural property of another while ignoring his history, or without showing respect. Does this apply to vanilla? We asked Alexis Rosso the question and here is the answer he gave: " I find it quite normal that a woman wants to change her look, regardless of her cultural background or her origin. (…) I just call it diversity and a multi-ethnic tendency ". In the globalized society in which we live, it is normal and important that these kinds of questions be raised, however we must be careful not to go into excess.

There you go, the vanilla – or twists, as you prefer – no more secrets for you! So all you have to do is get started … When are you going to finally succumb to these superb twists who will not only sublimate, but also preserve your natural hair?

Thanks to Alexis Rosso – Mizani ambassador and specialist in frizzy hair – for his expert look, his tips and advice.

Read also :
– How to choose and shampoo? The 7 steps to mermaid hair!
– Frizzy hair: how to take care of it?
– 20 bridal hairstyles for afro hair
– Lots of braid ideas for goddess hairstyles
– Best Afro Braids Ideas for Little Girls

Caring for frizzy hair

Video by stupefy