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What I define as a ” perfect wash and go”
Definition, body, and durability aka how long can this style last without me having to redo or rewash my hair. That last one is really important because I am a self-titled lazy natural which means I want a simple routine, with as little steps as possible for the maximum results.
Ever since I let go of how I thought my hair should look and stopped comparing my hair to other curly hair influencers I have been able to appreciate my own texture and really fall in love with my hair journey. Now, before I let you in on the secret to achieving the perfect lazy natural’s wash and go. If you haven’t read my post on attending my first natural hair event, go ahead and do that. I’ll be waiting right here, teacup in hand.
The SOulFully Textured event was full of natural hair goddesses with twists, locks, and curls right out of my coily headed dreams. People came up to me to compliment me on my hair…little ol’ me!
They wanted to know my hair routine and how I achieved these results and were shocked when I told them it was from a wash and go. So I figured since I personally have been on the other side of a failed wash and go that I would share my very achievable and realistic hair tips.
As I have mentioned before I am self -proclaimed lazy natural, this means I do the bare minimum in my hair care. Once a week I wash my hair, maybe twice a week if it’s a particular sweaty week and in that case, I’m using a co-wash and skipping the deep conditioning.
I style on hair washing day while it’s freshly clean and soaking from the shower. Before I got this wash and go routine in place, I used to do my hair and pray it would still look decent by the time my next hair washing day rolled around. I call this the style N’ pray. Ladies, style n’ pray no longer !!
Don’t be afraid of the Scissors
In all honesty, my routine or choice of styling products wouldn’t have mattered if I hadn’t made a trip to a natural hair salon. Back in February, I visited The Loft Hair Studio in Medford to get a curly cut. The cut was done on dry hair as she inspected what seemed like every strand on my head in order to trim and shape my hair.
Sharita the owner, is out there making people’s hair dreams come true. She laid her hands on my head and I left there a well-styled naturalista. The products she uses will depend on your hair type and needs. What I loved about my experience was that she gave a hair prescription of all the products she used and will talk you through what she is doing and why.
This is not the kind of hair salon where your hair only looks good the day of because you don’t know how to recreate the look. Sharita armed me with hair knowledge which was a huge added bonus to the styling experience. If you are looking for a knowledgeable curly and natural hair focused hair salon I can’t recommend The Loft Hair Studio in Medford more. You can follow the Loft Hair Studio on Instagram here
So the first steps for a bomb wash and go is to check the health of your hair. Healthy hair is the foundation for any good hairstyle. Like in life, remove what no longer serves you. Trim those ends, dead ends are not real length and will actually cause your hair to break. Get regular trims or practice the dusting method at home. My curly cut was great for trimming my ends and shaping my hair, the shape added more life and bounce to my curls which was transformational for my wash and go. This is the only reason I am able to achieve my results. So thank you Sharita!
For Cleansing and Conditioning
I am a Shea Moisture girl, the Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo & Conditioner is my tried and true line. I like the results, the ease of access, and the affordability. It leaves my hair so soft and hydrated which helps bring my coils to life. I deep condition once a week and switch between moisture and protein masks.
Pro tip: deep condition every week, switch between a moisture focus and a strength focused mask and use heat to double the benefits.
For moisture, I use the Oil Intensive Hydration Treatment Masque from the Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil line.
Before my visit to the salon, I had never tried DevaCurl products but at the salon, Sharita used the Melt Into Moisture Mask on my hair. Since I already had a moisture mask that I loved (and that was cheaper) I have been using Deep Sea Repair; Strengthening Mask instead.
LOC + G
The LOC method means Liquid Oil Cream and it’s in that order that I layer my styling products. I find the LOC method works best for hydration but for my wash and go I switch out cream for two different kinds of gel. The gel helps keep my curls intact and preserve my do all week.
On soaking wet hair, I start with my leave in Conditioner as my L, then add my oil over the conditioner to seal in the moisture. Add my curl activating styling gel and finish off with my flaxseed gel. Using the rake and shake method I work each product through my hair section by section, again making sure my hair is soaking wet by spraying it with a water bottle.
L- Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strength & Restore Leave-In Conditioner The benefits of Jamaican black castor oil is long and lengthy, it helps moisturize, thicken, strengthen, and rapidly increase hair growth while also preventing breakage.
O- I use extra virgin olive oil, yes the one from your grocery store. Olive oil is great for hair growth, sealing ends, keeping your scalp moisturized and dandruff free.
C- My C in the winter have been whatever styling product that I liked for twist and braid outs. I have used them all, cream, mouses, souffles. For my “perfect” wash and go my “cream” has been Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic Stimulator which is an aloe based gel. It gives me the best curl definition and fights frizz like no other. Again, make sure your hair is still wet. I start my styling right out of the shower. Working on soaking hair was a recommendation from Sharita and it has made a huge difference.
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G- I end the routine by lightly raking and shaking Aunt Jackie’s Flaxseed Elongating Curl Gel over each section. This product has just enough weight in it to help fight shrinkage while not creating a gel sheen or crunchy hair.
Moisture, moisture, moisture
If you can’t tell, my routine is focused on keeping my hair moisturized. I give priority to things that will keep me hydrated, water and oils are a curly girl’s best friend.
What is great about the wash and go is that it truly speaks to the low maintenance part of me and works best in warmer weather. I would not advise this routine in the winter unless you are going to completely dry your hair before you leave the house, which is possible if you get a hood dryer (just be careful with the heat). As the weather gets warmer I air dry my hair by pulling it into a low ponytail, this helps with shrinkage as well. If you want super defined curls then don’t touch your hair until it’s completely dry. For me, I don’t mind some frizz.
Then in a few hours or even the next day, I shake out my hair to let the middle dry. This is how I achieve my defined, elongated, hydrated and low maintenance wash and go. For my night time routine, I pull my hair into a very loose high pony and put my bonnet over it. In the morning, I shake out my hair and lightly spray with water and add gel as needed. Voila, wash and go that lasts a week! What I love about this is that there are days when I wear my hair up and my curls are perfectly coiled into a pineapple and then the next morning, if I decided I want to wear it down all I have to do, is shake my hair out and touch up the back ( If needed) by scrunching with water and gel and I’m out the door.
The “GO” in Wash and Go
I know there are some naturals out there that practice the literal wash and go by washing their hair and letting the hair dry completely unstyled and product free. While this is not for me because my hair needs moisture added back in and I prefer a styled looked this process is still less time consuming than say a braid out.
There really isn’t a “go” in this wash and go process. It’s more like a wash, deep condition, detangle, section, apply leave-in conditioner, rake, apply oil, rake, apply styling gel, rake & shake, then apply the gel and lastly give the whole head one last rake and shake.
Yes, it’s not as simple as the name makes it seem, but with these tips, I have saved myself so much time, frustration and coins!
With love,
Dani
Get the Recipe for a bomb wash and go below