Marley Hair 101: How To Use Marley Hair

Marley twists, Havana twists, and Senegalese twists are all popular protective styles. While all three styles have similar looks, they are not the same. Marley twists are medium-sized twists done using – you guessed it – Marley hair. Havana twists also use Marley hair but the twists themselves are a lot thicker. Some people prefer to use another type of hair called Havana hair, which has a slightly different texture than Marley hair, but they both get the job done. Senegalese twists are typically done using Kanekalon hair, a different type of synthetic hair that has a smoother look and feel. Senegalese twists are also smaller in diameter than Marley twists. Keep in mind that thicker twists tend to put less tension on your roots (because your hair is sectioned into larger sections), so if your hair is fine and/or breaks easily, Havana twists may be a safer bet than Senegalese twists or even Marley twists.

As mentioned before, Kanekalon hair is slightly straighter and has a smoother look and feel than Marley hair. It’s also a little more expensive than Marley hair. For styles such as box braids, Kanekalon hair is a better choice because it will give the braids a smoother appearance and help them last longer. However, Marley hair is a great choice for other styles such as updos and buns because it blends well with so many hair textures.

Faux locs have gained popularity over the past few years. The protective style is a great choice for women who want the look of real locs without committing long-term. The style is achieved by braiding or twisting the hair (with or without extensions) then wrapping synthetic hair around each braid or twist from root to tip to resemble real locs. Marley hair is a popular choice because it results in extremely natural looking faux locs. Kanekalon hair is another popular choice, as is acrylic yarn. Ultimately, it comes down to the look you want and how well you want to match the texture of your natural hair.

Not all Marley hair is made alike; there are many brands to choose from, so it’s always a good idea to do a little research before you commit to buying Marley hair for your next protective style. Reading reviews online is a great way to find out what other customers have to say about specific brands. Of course, different people will have different opinions, but your best bet is generally to go with a high-rated brand of Marley hair. Freetress brand hair has consistently good reviews on Amazon, as does the Innocence brand. Many brands produce Marley hair in a range of vibrant colors and even two-toned ombre hair.

Crochet braids are a popular protective style, praised for their versatility and natural look. The style is achieved by braiding the hair into cornrows then using a special crochet needle to thread the crochet hair into the braids. At first glance, many crochet braid styles are mistaken for a two-strand twist out or Bantu knot out. Marley hair is a great choice for crochet braids because it looks so much like naturally kinky-curly hair, allowing you to wear a cute, natural-looking style while your hair is protected underneath.

Before installing any protective style, it’s always a good idea to wash and deep condition your hair beforehand so that you can start with a clean slate. Many ladies like to soak their Marley hair in apple cider vinegar diluted with water before using it. This helps remove the chemical residue that coats the hair and sometimes causes the scalp to itch. Rinse the hair after soaking and allow it to air dry. You can also wash your hair while wearing styles such as Marley twists. For the best results, dilute your shampoo with water and apply directly to the scalp with an applicator bottle. Rinse your hair carefully and use a t-shirt or microfiber towel to squeeze out excess moisture. You can either air dry your twists or use a hooded dryer or a blow dryer on low heat. Here are 20 gorgeous styles featuring Marley hair.

These classic Marley twists are the perfect length, falling right around the chest. The twists are finger parted on one side to show off the perfect box-shaped parts.

These gorgeous Havana twists are adorned with gold beads. Havana twists are a great choice if you prefer chunkier twists.

For this style, use Marley hair to create chunky flat twists, then use bobby pins to pin the twists up. This cute updo is another example of what you can do with Marley hair.

These Havana twists are styled into a cute half up half down style featuring a supersized high bun.

Crochet braids offer a ton of styling versatility. This gorgeous rod set is just one example of the many ways you can wear crochet braids.

If you prefer shorter twists, these shoulder-length Marley twists are a great choice. Shorter twists don’t take as long to install, which is another plus if you’re installing them yourself.

These gorgeous Havana twists can be styled in a variety of ways, like this simple half up, half down style.

This pretty tuck, pin, and roll protective style is a great way to style your crochet braids. The look is so natural, no one will even guess that it’s Marley hair.

These beautiful purple Marley twists are sure to turn heads. Protective styles like braids and twists provide the perfect opportunity to play with funky colors, all while keeping your natural hair protected from damage caused by hair dye and daily styling.

Faux locs have risen in popularity in recent years and they probably won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Many will argue that Marley hair is the best choice for faux locs because it gives the style an extremely natural look.

If you want Marley twists that are a little lighter than your natural hair color, ombre twists are a great, subtle way to compromise. Use ombre Marley hair like this one to get this look.

This gorgeous twisted updo is another example of how you can create beautiful styles using Marley hair. This is a great way to create a larger than life updo if you want to give your natural hair a break and/or if you’re transitioning to natural hair.

These pretty red Marley twists are a great choice if you want to experiment with color. Their long length provides a ton a styling versatility.

These gorgeous Marley twists are created using brown Marley hair, a great choice if you want to experiment with color that will give you a natural look.

This beautiful low bun is a great way to style your Marley twists. This look is also an ideal way to wear your twists while you work out.

This chic high ponytail is a simple but cute way to wear your Marley twists. Add a few beads to jazz up the look even more.

This cute double bun style is a great protective style. Just pull your hair into two high ponytails/buns and wrap Marley hair around them, securing with bobby pins. This is also a great way to wear double buns if you have shorter hair.

These waist-length Marley twists are great if you want a lot of length to play with. You can style them into a bun, ponytail or updo, but they look just as gorgeous left down with a simple side part.

This gorgeous, off-center high bun is created with the help of Marley hair. This is a great style that’s perfect for both formal and casual looks.

This gorgeous crochet braid style is perfect if you want the look of a twist out while protecting your natural hair.