Curl Sponge Tutorial for Natural Hair TWA

We posted about sponge coils in the past here and here, but it felt like it was time to do a much needed update. Since our initial posts, sponge coils has become wildly popular for men and women with shorter natural hair. For women with TWAs, sponge coils offers a way to style short natural hair while also giving it a feminine appearance with beautiful curls that accentuate the face.

How to Keep Your Sponge Coils Moisturized

Sponge coils is a natural hairstyle created by using a sponge and a styling cream or gel to coil the natural hair. Sponge coils are an easier way to create a coiled natural hairstyle without having to coil each individual hair strand. After you have styled your hair in sponge coils, you will need to regularly moisturize your hair. Follow these steps to learn how to keep your sponge coils soft and hydrated.

1. Use a water-based spray or cream instead of a butter or oil. A creamy spray like Alba Botanica Hawaiian Leave-in Conditioning Mist Drink It Up Coconut Milk will be better at adding moisture to your hair than a thick butter. A water-based spray is easier to apply and it adds water to your hair and seals it in for longer-lasting moisture.

You can also make your own spray. Simply add 1/2 cup of distilled or bottle water, 1/2 cup of aloe vera juice, and 1/4 cup of your favorite oil like olive oil, grape seed oil, or avocado oil to a spray bottle. Keep refrigerated.

2. Sleep on a satin or silk pillow case. Sleeping on a satin pillow case will protect your hair, while also preventing it from being flattened down by a scarf or sleeping cap. Just make sure you do not apply your moisturizer before you go to bed or else the oil from your hair will seep into the pillow case. To avoid this, moisturize your hair in the morning.

3. Massage your scalp regularly. Massaging your scalp will help it secrete its natural oil, sebum. This will keep your scalp from getting dry or irritated. You can also dilute an essential oil in a carrier oil use it in your massage. Some good essential oil choices are lavender, rosemary, or tea tree essential oil.

To learn how to make sponge coils, watch this Sponge Coils video tutorial.

More: Everything You Need To Know About Sponge Coils

"Make The Switch" Photo courtesy of: Michelle Phan

How do you moisturize your sponge coils?

Everything You Need To Know About Sponge Coils - Updated

Sponge Coils are single strand curls created by using a sea foam sponge. Sponge coils are a professional hairstyle that can be styled on a short afro or a teeny weenie afro (TWA) for a curly look. Sponge coils are also ideal for women with 4c natural hair to create a coil pattern.

Where to Purchase a Sponge

You can purchase a sea foam sponge at your local convenience store like CVS or Walgreens. You can also find sea foam sponges at Target or any store that sells spa beauty products. 

Tips for Selecting a Sponge

1. Make sure it's soft - Select a sea foam sponge that is soft to the touch, yet firm. A soft sponge ensures that you will not snag or cause breakage to your hair while styling into sponge coils.

2. Make sure it's medium sized - Picking too small of a sponge will make the styling process slower while too large of a sponge will be harder to hold during styling. Choose a medium size sponge that fits easily in your palm.

3. Make sure it's holes are medium sized - The size of the holes in the sponge will determine the tightness of your sponge coils. Small holes will create tight coils, large holes will create looser coils.

Creating Your Own Sponge

To create your own sea foam sponge you will need: scissors, a marker, and a sponge.

1. Use the marker to draw small circles on your sponge. Remember: the smaller the circles, the tighter your coils will be, the larger the circles, the looser your coils will be.
2. Using your scissors, cut holes into the sponge where the circles are drawn.
3. Your sponge is ready to use.

Styling Natural Hair in Sponge Coils

Products you will need...

• sea foam sponge - to create the coils
• hair spritz/spray - to moisturize the hair and add hold
• styler/holding cream - to condition & provide hold
• hair gel - to provide hold

1. Moisturize your hair with a hair spritz that contains water. You can also make your own by mixing together a little Aloe Vera Juice and water in a spray bottle.

2. Condition your hair with a styler then follow up with a dime size amount of gel. You can also use the hair gel by itself.

3. Rub the sponge onto your hair in a clockwise motion covering the whole circumference of your head. You should see coils appear.

For more help watch these video tutorials.

Sponge Coils For Woman Tutorial



Sponge Coils For Men Tutorial




Sponge Coils Lookbook

Want to see how you can wear Sponge Coils with a professional outfit? Check out the My Fair Hair Lookbook.

More Resources

Sponge Twists on 4c Natural Hair via Black Zulu

This article is part of My Fair Hair's "Hairstyles for 4c Hair" series. These hairstyles are selected especially for women with 4c, short to medium length natural hair. If you have thick hair, thinning edges, or a less "visible" curl pattern, these styles are for you as well!

What products do you use to style your sponge coils?

Lookbook: Finger Coils with Spring/Summer Outfit

finger coils | outfit

How do you create your finger coils?

Lookbook: Finger Coils and Casual Dress Outfit

finger coils | the outfit

How to Create Coils with a Sponge - Updated

Sponge Coils are single strand curls created by using a sea foam sponge. Sponge coils are a professional hairstyle that can be styled on a short afro or a teeny weenie afro (TWA) for a curly look.

This video demonstrates...
how to create sponge single coils
what the hair looks like after styling

Sponge Finger Coils are great for...
small afros like teeny weenie afros (TWA)
a quick, professional hairstyle

To learn how to moisturize your sponge coils, read How To Keep Your Sponge Coils Moisturized.

More: Everything You Need To Know About Sponge Coils