How To Get the Perfect Wash and Go With 7 Valuable Tips and More
The three-step hairstyle for curls galore
Hair | September 17, 2021
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If you haven’t tried a wash-and-go yet, then now is your time. It is a hairstyle that doesn’t require much skill. You spend more time getting to know what your hair wants and needs.
To be better prepared when attempting to do a wash and go, it is best to know all the tips and tricks you will need to achieve a beautiful outcome.
What Is A Wash and Go?
A wash and go has become a well-known hairstyle within the natural hair care community. The true meaning of this hairstyle is pretty much its name, and that means you wash your hair, style it, and go. Generally, this style is done in the shower, but it can be done elsewhere.
A wash and go is a style used to moisturize and define your curls. This is the hairstyle that highlights your natural curls and gives you time to find out what products and methods your hair likes.
3 Steps to Create the Perfect Wash and Go
1. Wash and Prep Your Hair
This style works best after freshly washed hair for longevity, but it is not a necessity. At this point, it is all about getting your hair wet. You can do your regular routine when washing your hair, a co-wash (only using conditioner to wash your hair), or just saturating your hair with water.
The important thing is that your hair is soft and detangled by the end of this step, so your hair is well prepared for the next step.
2. Apply Products and Style Your Hair
Now that your hair is soaked in water and tangle-free, it is time to do the fun part, styling. When starting out, it is best to apply your products from thinnest to thickest. So, you would use any liquid-like product first, then a gel-like product (ex: curling custard) or a cream afterward.
When applying products, you can also follow one of the two methods. The LOC method (liquid, oil, cream) or the LCO method (liquid, cream, oil).
Applying your products this way helps your hair soak up all the moisture and nutrients your hair needs, and in return, your hair will be better protected from potential damage. After adding all that moisture, you can end with a gel that will hold your curls for a longer time and give them more definition.
When adding the products, make sure your strands get an even distribution of the product. Keep in mind that the products you use and the methods you use to apply them will result in how your hair will look in the end. When you are done styling, squeeze or scrunch your hair to remove any excess water.
Later on, I will give you some styling tips that will help you perfect a wash and go.
3. Dry Your Hair
How you dry your hair will set the tone on how your hair will look. You have three ways to dry your hair.
Hooded dryer:
Many hair salons use this method since it does speed up the drying process, especially if you have low porosity hair. Hooded dryers are gentle and will evenly dry your hair. So if you want to resemble a salon-quality look, consider investing in a hooded dryer.
Diffuser:
Most people opt for using a diffuser because they can give your hair a lot of volume. When diffusing, wait until your hair is at least 80-90% dry and gently diffuse your hair on a low-to-warm setting until your hair is dry.
Do not increase the heat, or you risk the chance of causing dryness or damage. You should use a blow dryer with a concentrator attachment so that you don’t lose definition.
If you have type 1 or 2 hair, focus on your roots. This method will give your hair some extra volume.
If you have type 3 or 4 hair, you can use this method to elongate your curls for added length and volume.
Air dry:
Allowing your hair to air dry is considered the best method for drying your hair. It is the slowest drying time, but it is the best way to maintain the definition you achieved during the styling process. If you used good products and applied them correctly when styling, you are least likely to have fizz if you choose to air dry.
Also, the point of the wash and go is to simply wash and style your hair and go. There is no need for this extra drying step because you can leave it as is.
Styling tips
Now that you know the three steps to achieve a wash and go, you should also know some valuable tips to help you achieve a successful wash and go each time. When it comes to mastering a wash and go, you must find out what your hair needs and how you should handle it.
You should know your hair type because your hair could have a wide range of curl patterns, and specific curl patterns may need different techniques when applying products. Also, you will benefit from knowing your hair density and hair thickness to ensure you are using the right products for your hair and applying the correct hair-to-product ratio.
7 Valuable Tips
- Products labeled as curl creams are great for adding definition and elongation
- Try not to use too much product on the first application
- Start off with a safe amount (enough to cover your hand) and add more based on how your curls look after that or the current condition your hair is in
- Avoid using too many products
- Use a maximum of four products
- Apply the products from underneath the layers of your hair
- If you use too much by accident, the section of hair that is weighed down is hidden
- It is better to apply a bit more than you need if you have dry or coarse hair or, especially when it is cold outside
- End with an oil to help seal in the moisture
- If curl creams are too heavy for your hair, opt for a liquid leave-in conditioner and use a gel to hold your curls
4 Methods of Apply Products
There are multiple ways to apply your products, and each method will give your curls a different definition than the other. It is up to you to find out which method you prefer when doing a wash and go.
1. Praying Hands
For even distribution of products, this is the method you should use. This is usually the method you start with, then move on to one of the other three.
2. Finger Raking
With your hand covered in product, your hand is in a claw shape as it rakes through sections of your hair. As you are raking through a chunk of hair, you should also move your hand from left to right as you move down. You will be creating a downward zig-zag motion.
3. Denman Brush or Comb
With this method, the Denman Brush or a regular comb will be doing all the work. Make sure you have a good Denman Brush to get the job done. Most people like to remove some rows to give the brush more of a wide-tooth comb feel. Just remove every other row starting with the second row.
4. Finger Twirls
The most time-consuming method of the four, but it can give you some great definition. It is perfect for people with sections of hair that have a looser curl pattern compared to the rest of their hair.
Ways to Stretch Your Hair
If you deal with shrinkage, then you should consider stretching your hair. Stretching your hair is a great way to show off your length. It is best to do this when your hair is at least 70% dry. You want your slightly dry, so you don’t mess up the definition too much. Here are two methods you can try:
1. Use a concentrator attachment
Avoid your ends! Just focus on the roots to halfway down the length of your hair. You want to hold and pull down your hair as you use the blow dryer with a concentrator attachment.
2. Banding method
A heatless method that only requires scrunchies or hair ties. Separate your hair into 4-5 sections and use your hair tie to band your hair from the root to the tip. It is best to use long scrunchies, but you can use regular ones too. Also, avoid banding your ends. When you are done, leave them in for about 30 minutes.
You can combine both methods for extra length and volume, but you might end up with a little bit of frizz and alter the definition you achieved earlier. After this, you can add more volume by picking out the roots using an afro pick.
How to Protect Your Wash and Go at Night
How you prepare your hair for bedtime will also set the tone for how long your wash and go will last. One method you can use is to put your hair in a pineapple style and then wear a satin or silk bonnet or scarf.
The pineapple might not be best for you if you have short hair or a kinky hair texture. What you should do instead is put your hair in four loose ponytails and then protect your hair with a bonnet or scarf.
Make sure the scarf is not tightly covering your hair because that can flatten your hair more and disrupt the curls.
If you don’t like wearing a bonnet or scarf, you should consider using a satin or silk pillowcase. These pillows are not only good for your hair, but your skin will benefit from them too.
It is even better if you use both a satin or silk bonnet/scarf or a pillowcase.
What Should You Do to Revive and Maintain Your Wash and Go
The next day after protecting your hair at night, all you have to do is remove your scarf or bonnet, lightly moisturize your hair, and fluff out your hair. Take this time to give your hair the shape and volume you want, and add a little oil or moisturizing product to add moisture and shine to your hair.
You want to redefine and hydrate your curls so that your hair continues to look great. So, every other day you should use a water and conditioner mixture in a spray bottle or a curl-refreshing spray.
When adding volume, you can use an afro pick to pick the roots of your hair or use a blow dryer with a concentrator attachment. If you choose to use a blow dryer, remember, you are drying out your hair, so make sure you apply that moisture back in.
How Long Should I Keep My Wash and Go
As days go by, your wash and go will lose its curl definition and shine. Eventually, your hair will look and feel dry, and it may tangle up a bit. The length of time you can wear a wash and go typically depends on your hair texture. Looser curl patterns usually last a bit longer before the frizziness and dryness take over.
With that being said, that does not mean kinkier curl patterns cannot maintain their style for as long as looser curl patterns. It means you will need to begin incorporating other hairstyles until your next wash day. Hairstyles like the puff or buns are the way to go.
You can keep a wash and go for about a week, but remember that this style can go from being protective to damaging. With your hair being exposed to the elements and your inability to add more moisture other than the little bit you add every other day will cause dryness, breakage, and split ends.
That is why it is recommended that you don’t wear this hairstyle any longer than two to three days.
Takeaways
Are you ready to achieve a beautiful wash and go? This simple hairstyle that can all be done in the shower is perfect for those short on time.
All this hairstyle requires is first wetting your hair, then styling your hair with whatever products you choose to use, and lastly, letting your hair dry. You need to know if a wash and go is good for you and what methods or techniques work for your hair.
Don’t let the idea that coarser curl patterns can’t do wash and gos stop you because that is far from true. Hair that is mistreated and the use of ineffective products is the only reason why people struggle with their hair. So, I hope all of this will help you attain the perfect wash and go.
