Havana Twists vs Marley Twists; Which is Better?
We’ve talked about many different kinds of two-strand twists on this site and why you should consider getting them. In this article, you’ll see a showdown of Havana twists vs Marley twists to see which of the two is the better twist for you.
The difference between Havana twists and Marley twists is the kind of hair extension you use in making them. While Havana hair uses the Havana Braid Hair, Marley twists use Marley Hair. The better one of the two is subjective, as the end results tend to look pretty different in most cases.
In this article, I’ll analyze both Havana twists and Marley twists to help you decide the better hairstyle for you. You’ll learn about the costlier, which one lasts longer, as well as the pros and cons of each of the hairstyles to make an informed decision.
What are Marley Twists?
The Marley twists hairstyle, otherwise known as kinky twists, are two-strand twists that you make with the very specific Marley Braid Hair. It doesn’t matter what kind of hairstyle you end up making; as long as it’s two-strand twists and you’re using Marley hair, it qualifies as Marley twists.
When you make your hair using Marley Braid Hair, you end up with thinner and smoother twists by default. Unless you use a lot more hair than is required, which automatically translates to buying even more hair, you don’t get the natural fullness of Havana twists.
Despite the main difference being the kind of hair you use during the installation, there are a fair bit of differences between Marley twists and Havana Twists. That said, the following sections will answer some questions about both hairstyles and compare them directly.
What are Havana Twists?
Havana twist is a term used to refer to any two-strand twist hairstyle that you make using the Havana Braid Hair. You can use the hair extension to make any kind of twists and it will still qualify to be referred to as Havana twists.
The hairstyle typically looks a bit larger than other kinds of twists, thanks to the curls of the hair that inflates the perceived size of each strand. A completed Havana twists hairstyle will look fuller and coarser than the average two-strand twists hairstyle.
Havana twists are pretty long-lasting, with the style typically lasting as long as two months. It also requires fewer hair extension packs than Marley twists to get a fuller look, if that’s what you’re typically after.
Do Havana Twists Last Longer than Marley Twists?
One crucial area of interest for people interested in Marley and Havana twists is how long each hairstyle lasts. When analyzing the price, you should factor in how long each hairstyle is expected to last to determine when you’ll need to get another hairstyle.
On average, you can expect Havana twists to last a tiny bit longer than Marley twists with everything else being equal. The former should last for two months at least, with the possibility of carrying it for even longer with proper maintenance and planning.
On the other hand, Marley twists only last for around six to eight weeks at most. You’ll need optimum maintenance to match the Marley twists hairstyle with a random Havana twist. Nonetheless, both hairstyles can be regarded as long-lasting styles.
Havana Twists vs Marley Twists: Which is More Expensive?
If you’re looking to save money on your hair, Marley hair should be your best bet, as it’s the more budget-friendly option of the two. Of course, the total cost will still be highly dependent on how you want your hair to be exactly and how expensive your hairdresser is.
Marley hair goes for around $7 per pack, with six packs generally being enough for the average Marley twists hairstyle. On the other hand, Havana hair could be as expensive as $13 per pack, with you needing roughly five packs to make your hair.
If you need your hair to look fuller, you’re better off sticking with Havana twists or buying more packs of Marley. Either way, you can rewash and reuse any of them to avoid spending on the same thing over and over again.
Pros and Cons of Havana and Marley Twists
Before outlining the differences between the two hairstyles being discussed today, it’s important to list their advantages and drawbacks. If you’re after any specific features from your hairstyle, this section will help you determine if it’s available from either.
Without further ado, here are some of the pros and cons of Havana twists vs Marley twists.
Pros and Cons of Havana Twists
Havana twists feel a lot lighter to carry than Marley twists, which is generally regarded as a good characteristic. When you consider the fact that it looks fuller regardless, you’ll notice why the hair extension for kinky twists sells for a lot more than that of Marley twists.
The style is also very versatile, as you can easily make your Havana twists into other hairstyles in no time. Since it qualifies as a protective style, it generally supports length retention and promotes hair growth in most people.
As for the negatives, however, Havana twists are costly compared to Marley twists, which is its only competitor in this comparison. The twists may also unravel quickly if you have certain types of curly hair. So, before installing Havana twists, you may want to ensure you have the correct hair type as well as a scalp that reacts well to synthetic hair extensions.
Pros and Cons of Marley Twists
The biggest advantage of Marley twists over Havana twists is the availability of the hair extension used for the style. Not only is it available across almost any beauty store across the United States, it’s also massively cheaper, requiring you to pay a lot less upfront for the hair.
Marley twists also share many of the benefits of similar protective styles, including length retention, versatility, and growth enhancement. The hair also comes out smoother than the competing Havana twists, an effect that makes it look thinner. While I’m not a fan of that, I won’t call it a disadvantage.
On the negative side, Marley twists can take very long to install, especially when you’re going for a full look. Also, the hairstyle isn’t as water-friendly as Havana twists. Going swimming while having Marley twists on will only make the hair heavier; recall it’s already heavier than Havana twists by default!
What are the Differences between Havana and Marley Twists?
The major difference between Havana twists and Marley twists, as hinted earlier in this article, is the type of hair extension used in making the style. Havana twists are made using Havana Braid Hair, Marley twists make use of the Marley Hair.
While that’s the most noticeable difference between the two hairstyles, there are a couple of other differences too. Here are some of the other differences between Marley twists and Havana twists.
1. Cost
Havana twists are more expensive to purchase and install than Marley twists, making it a costlier hairstyle overall. It’s mostly only available online, and you may need to spend up to $100 for enough Havana hair to make a full head of the hairstyle.
In addition to the initial cost, you’ll still have to cover the cost of shipping, since you’ll most likely be buying online. If you’re also planning to install the hair at a hairstylist’s, you’ll need to expand your budget even further, which adds up pretty quickly.
2. Look
Looks are subjective, so I won’t say a certain one looks better than the other. However, if you like the look of fuller twists better, the Havana twists hairstyle will make a better pick. Marley twists tend to look a lot thinner and smoother with all other things being equal.
3. Weight
Before choosing a hairstyle, you should consider how heavy it will feel after installation. While Havana twists look fuller, they’re actually a lot lighter than the average Marley twists hairstyle. The reduced weight puts less tension on your hair, making it a better hairstyle for your scalp.
Conclusion
If you’re after a hairstyle that looks fuller with a coarse finish, Havana twists should be your best bet. On the other hand, Marley twists have a finer and thinner texture. Havana twists also tend to last a lot longer and they do better underwater, but you’ll also end up paying a lot more to install them.
