How to Achieve the Best Wash and Go on Kinky Hair

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Being natural for almost 7 years, wash day can be long so I love doing natural hairstyles that don’t take all day. The weather in NYC is getting nicer so that means it’s the perfect time to wear a wash and go.

A popular belief in the natural hair community, especially ones with kinky coily hair is that wash-and-go hairstyles are for naturals with a loose hair texture, but that’s not true. The technique is everything when you practice enough, using the right wash and go products, and styling tools.

If you’re in need of some tips on how to achieve this easy style no matter your hair type, here’s a quick step-by-step tutorial on how to achieve a defined wash and go.

Use the Right Products

Before learning the technique of achieving the perfect wash and go on kinky hair, you need to use the right styling products. Over Memorial Day weekend, I walked over to my local Family Dollar to pick up the SheaMoisture Red Palm Oil & Cocoa Butter Collection from the beauty aisle.

This collection is formulated with Red Palm and Flaxseed Oils which makes it rich in antioxidants and vitamins and is great for elongating shrunken natural hair.

If you didn’t know, Family Dollar has the same high-quality personal care and beauty brands you know and love, but for a great value. You can also save more shopping at Family Dollar by using Family Dollar Smart Coupons.

Wash & Detangle

When doing any new natural hairstyle, it is best to start with clean hair. For this wash and go style I used the SheaMoisture Red Palm Oil & Cocoa Butter Hi-Slip Detangling Shampoo. This is a sulfate-free shampoo, is safe for colored hair, isn’t thick, lathers well, and removes product buildup. A little really goes a long way when using this shampoo.

I followed my regular hair care routine by using a wide-tooth comb to separate my hair into four large sections and used a dime-sized amount of the Hi-Slip Detangling Shampoo to cleanse. I then finger detangle before applying the conditioner.

The detangling process is also very important when styling a wash and go on kinky hair. Detangling ensures your hair is free of shed hair that causes knots, tangles, and matting. To distribute the product evenly through and clump my curly hair, I used a detangling brush after finger detangling.

Condition

After cleansing and detangling, I followed up with the SheaMoisture Red Palm Oil & Cocoa Butter Leave-in or Rinse out Conditioner. After applying enough condition to my head, I kept them in twists for a few minutes using it as a deep conditioner before rinsing the product out with cool water. This conditioner is thicker than the shampoo and left my hair soft and shiny.

Apply Your Styling Product

After washing and conditioning, make sure to apply on damp hair. If your hair gets dry while applying the product, add some warm water to a spray bottle and spritz your hair. To start the wash and go method, I applied the SheaMoisture Red Palm Oil & Cocoa Butter Curl Stretch Pudding in small sections of my hair.

This product helps minimize shrinkage and moisturizes the hair. It also gives a frizz-free, light hold showing off your natural curl pattern without your hair feeling crunchy like styling gel would. For extra hold, you can also use the Curl Stretch Pudding with the Styling Gelee.

How to Dry Your Wash and Go

There are several ways one can use to dry their wash and go. You can let it air dry (I like to do this in the warmer months), sit underneath a hooded dryer, or use a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment.

If you are letting your hair air dry, the drying process may take all day depending on the length of your hair and the porosity. You will also get a lot of shrinkage vs using a diffuser where you can stretch the curls without messing up the curl pattern.

How to Maintain a Wash and Go

Knowing how to maintain a wash and go is just as important as creating a wash and go routine. To maintain a wash and go for a couple of days, use a satin scarf, bonnet, or silk pillowcase, and keep your natural curls in place using the pineapple method.

To refresh your wash and go style, spritz your hair with some water or leave-in conditioner spray to reactivate the curls.

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Have you tried a wash and go hairstyle on your natural hair?