Short passion twists are truly a style to adore. It’s the perfect go-to when you want to switch up your protective style, are bored with braided hairstyles, and want to give twists a try. Passion twists can be simple and classic, twisted into cornrows or styled into my favorite: an updo or ponytail. This style gives effortless versatility without too much daily effort.
If you’ve wanted to try passion twists at home, we’ll walk through how to do short passion twists, what you need, plus two different beginner friendly methods to achieve a flawless look.
Both methods will take practice, so if you don’t get every twist perfect on your first attempt, don’t sweat it. Start with a comfortable length, work in small, easy sections, and the technique will come to you naturally.
Let’s get into the how to and the collection of short passion twists hairstyles for inspiration.
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| Freetress Water Wave Crochet Hair (6–8 packs) Shop on Amazon → | Rubber Bands Shop on Amazon → | Eco Style Gel Shop on Amazon → |
| Edge Booster Shop on Amazon → | Rat Tail Comb Shop on Amazon → | Setting Mousse Shop on Amazon → |
First, Some Frequently Asked Questions
What are passion twists? Passion twists combine locs and Senegalese twists into a bohemian-style two-strand twist. They’re braided using water wave hair, which gives the finished twist its classic bouncy, voluminous texture.
What hair do you use to do passion twists? You can choose between two, which will ultimately come down to the curl pattern you prefer. Freetress water wave gives a looser, wavy curl, while deep wave gives a gorgeous, tighter, bouncier curl.
How many packs of hair do you need? For a full look, you’ll need about 6 to 8 packs of Freetress water wave crochet hair, or about 3 packs if you’re using deep wave. Always keep in mind the desired volume, length, and twist size.
How long do passion twists last? Passion twists can last up to 3 months.
How do I keep my passion twists from frizzing? The key to low frizz is minimal manipulation. When styling your hair daily, apply a small amount of mousse to maintain shine and eliminate frizz. Of course, always sleep with a satin pillowcase and/or satin scarf.
Can you wash passion twist hair? Yes, you can wash it the same way you’d wash any synthetic hair. To avoid loosening the twists or creating extra frizz, wash only 1 time a week and use a sulfate-free shampoo to protect the hair’s shine.
Before You Start: A Note on Tension
Since both methods below involve securing hair close to your scalp, either with a rubber band or a braided base, for the twist to feel a little snug at installation is normal, but if you feel tightness, throbbing, or tender sensitivity that lingers into the next day, that section is too tight and should be done over, looser. Neither should ever feel painful. This is especially true with the rubber band method, since the rubber band wrapped too tightly at the root can cause hair loss. Don’t be afraid to loosen and redo a section just for the sake of the hairstyle.
What You Need
Freetress Water Wave Crochet Hair (6–8 packs)
This is considered the original and most trusted water wave crochet hair on the market, widely used by stylists specifically for passion twists and faux locs.
- Shop on Amazon
- Price range: $6–$12 per pack, depending on length
Rubber Bands (if using Method 1)
- Shop on Amazon
- Price range: $3–$6 for a large multi-pack
Eco Style Gel
- Shop on Amazon
- Price range: $4–$8 depending on size
Edge Booster
- Shop on Amazon
- Price range: $5–$12 depending on size
Rat Tail Comb
- Shop on Amazon
- Price range: $3–$8
Setting Mousse
- Shop on Amazon
- Price range: $6–$10
How to Do Short Passion Twists: 2 Methods
Step 1: Prepare your natural hair
Always start with clean, detangled hair. Condition it, apply just enough leave-in if needed, and stretch your hair gently to make sectioning easier. Your hair should be clean, detangled, and moisturized without being soaking wet or coated in heavy product.
Method 1: Rubber Band Method
Best for: This method is the first method I’d choose when trying to do passion twists for beginners. This is for who want a secure hold without knowing how to use the latch hook, or if your natural hair is on the shorter or finer side, since the rubber band gives extra grip at the root.
- Part your hair with a rat tail comb into squares, spaced at least an inch apart. You can part your entire head from the beginning or section as you go. Smaller sections usually create more individual twists, while larger sections create a fuller, chunkier look.
- Apply a small amount of Edge Booster to the edges of the parted section, then apply the rubber band. Keep it snug, never tight. If your scalp feels uncomfortable, loosen it immediately.
- Wrap the water wave hair around the rubber band and braid it into your natural hair about half an inch down.
- Two-strand twist the rest of the hair down its full length, pulling and fluffing as you go to add volume and help prevent unraveling.
- Coil for definition: apply a small amount of Eco Style Gel to your fingers and coil the twist around your finger to lock in flyaways and define the twist’s shape.
- Set with mousse: apply generously through the twists and let air dry.
- Finish your edges with Edge Booster.
Need a visual?
Method 2: Crochet Method
Best for: anyone who wants a faster install, or who’s using pre-twisted passion twist hair rather than loose water wave hair.
Note: This method also works great with 6–8 packs of pre-twisted water wave passion twists, which skip the manual two-strand twisting step entirely.
- Part your hair the same way as Method 1, at least an inch apart.
- Apply a small amount of Edge Booster to the edges of the parted section, then braid your natural hair down to the ends.
- Slide the latch hook through the braid, connect it to the passion twist hair, and gently hook it into your natural hair so the braid is hidden beneath the twist.
- Set with mousse: apply generously through the twists and let air dry.
- Finish your edges with Edge Booster.
Need a visual?
Rubber Band vs. Crochet: Which Method Should You Choose?
- Choose rubber band if you want more control over shaping each twist by hand.
- Choose crochet if you’re using pre-twisted hair (which saves most of the install time) or if you want a faster overall process. This method installs quicker once you’re comfortable with the latch hook motion.
Common Passion Twist Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
My twists are unraveling at the ends. This usually means the twist wasn’t tight enough at the base, or it wasn’t sealed with enough gel at the tip. Go back and re-twist loose sections, coiling the ends around your finger with a bit more Eco Style Gel.
My scalp hurts where the rubber bands are. This can’t wait. The best thing to do is to remove and redo that section looser. Consistent tension at the same point on your scalp is how traction alopecia develops over time.
My twists look thin or uneven in some spots. This is almost always a sectioning issue. Keep your parted squares as consistent in size as possible, and make sure you’re using an even amount of hair per twist.
My hair is frizzing within the first week. Frizz early on is often a sign the twists need more daily mousse, or that they were exposed to too much friction. Remember to keep them hydrated and sealed with a satin bonnet or pillowcase.
At-Home vs. Salon: What’s the Cost Difference?
A professional short passion twist install typically runs $100–$300+ and maybe more if the stylist provides the hair. The price always depends on length, location, and stylist. Doing it yourself costs roughly $40–$80 total for hair and styling products.
20 Ways to Style Short Passion Twists
Short passion twists are popular and always will be precisely because they’re versatile and low-maintenance. Wear them down, pull them up, or dress them into an updo; let’s take a look at some inspiration you can use to help choose your next style.
1. Boho Passion Twists with Curls
2. Short Passion Twists in a Half up, Half Down
3. Bob Length Jumbo Passion Twists
4. Short Passion Twists
5. Cute & Fun Short Passion Twists
6. Boho Bob Passion Twists
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12. Mini Bob Passion Twists
13. Ginger Red Short Passion Twists
14. Short Jumbo Passion Twists
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How to Maintain Short Passion Twists
Wash gently and infrequently. Stick to 1–2 times a week with a sulfate-free shampoo, focusing on your scalp rather than saturating the twist itself.
Moisturize your scalp regularly. A lightweight oil applied after washing and again at night helps prevent the itchiness and dryness that’s common with any crochet-based protective style.
Refresh with mousse as needed. A light layer worked through daily keeps shine up and frizz down without requiring a full re-twist.
Protect your hair at night. Sleep with a satin pillowcase, or gather twists loosely, put them in a pineapple bun, and wrap with a satin scarf or bonnet to prevent frizz and breakage.
FAQ
Can I swim or work out with passion twists? Yes, but of course chlorine and sweat can dry out both your natural hair and the crochet hair faster than normal wear. Rinse with fresh water after swimming, and refresh with mousse more frequently if you’re working out often.
Do passion twists damage natural hair? Not if installed with reasonable tension and given proper breaks between styles. The twists themselves are low-manipulation, which is protective — the risk mostly comes from installing too tight or leaving the style in well past the recommended 3-month mark.
How do I remove passion twists without damage? Unravel gently starting from the ends, finger-detangling as you go rather than reaching straight for a comb. Deep condition immediately after removal, since your hair has gone weeks without regular moisture.
Short passion twists are one of those low tension, very versatile, and beautiful hairstyles that create a textured protective style while retaining your natural hair length. Whether you prefer creating individual twists or working with pre-made crochet twists, take your time choosing the right hair and finding a method that feels comfortable for you.
Gather your supplies before starting, keep your natural hair and scalp in mind throughout the process, and save a few short passion twist styles for inspiration before you begin.
