A Cuban woman living in the United Kingdom became the center of a humorous encounter at a supermarket when she entered with a "torniquete" on her head, a well-known hair styling technique among Cuban women.
Leonor Rosales, known on TikTok as @chinita_9210, shared her amusing experience in a video posted in mid-August, narrating the event with pride and humor. "I'm a Cuban living in England, and today I'm going to share some gossip," she begins in the minute-long clip.
As she tells it, a supermarket employee who was familiar with Leonor had been curious about what she wore on her head. That day, Leonor decided to unveil the mystery: she removed the cloth covering her head to reveal the torniquete. "Look, this is a torniquete," she explained, much to the employee's astonishment, as she had never seen one before.
Leonor then elaborated on the technique, also known in Cuba as "coquito": the hair is washed, dried, a bit of oil is applied, and then the torniquete is put on before going to bed. The aim is to keep the hair straight and smooth. "It's like a flat iron and keeps it looking beautiful," Leonor summarized.
The employee was so intrigued that she expressed a desire to learn. Leonor promised to return to the supermarket to demonstrate. "Don't worry, I'll come back and show you how it's done," she reassured her.
At the end of the video, Leonor posed a question to her followers: "What do you call this in your country? Torniquete, coquito, what name do you use? Tell me."
The torniquete is a popular hair technique among Cuban women, involving sectioning and combing the hair to wrap it around the head, secured with clips, a scarf, or a hairnet, to keep it straight for hours.
Leonor made it clear she feels no embarrassment walking outside with a torniquete. "I'm Cuban wherever I go, and I don't mind going out with this," she stated. "Because when I let my hair down, it looks gorgeous."
The video brings to mind other content featuring Cuban women abroad, showcasing cultural habits from the island that intrigue people in their new countries.
Back in May 2026, another Cuban in England drew attention on social media for using a toilet paper roll as a hair curler, a practice many Cubans instantly recognized.
This time, Leonor's scene sparked curiosity among her followers, who shared the various names for torniquete in their countries. The video garnered over 7,000 views on TikTok.
Understanding the "Torniquete" Hair Technique
What is a "torniquete" in Cuban hair care?
A "torniquete" is a traditional Cuban hair styling method used to keep hair straight and smooth by wrapping it around the head and securing it with clips, a scarf, or a hairnet overnight.
Why do Cuban women use a torniquete?
Cuban women use a torniquete to maintain straight, sleek hair without using heat-based styling tools. It helps keep their hair smooth and beautiful with minimal damage.