The Wash and Go Method
The wash-and-go method is one of the best ways to take care of natural hair with little effort. If you do it right, this method keeps your hair healthy and gives it shape.
But if you use the wrong product or style, you could have a bad hair day. Read on for a full explanation of the wash-and-go method, including what products to use, how to do it, and what mistakes to avoid.
What Is Wash And Go Method?
If your curly hair has been looking dull and flat, it might be time to change how you wash it. If you are thinking about trying the wash-and-go method, you might ask:
- How does the wash-and-go method work?
- Do I need additional products?
- Is it the right wash and styling practice for my hair?
This article has the answers to these and other questions. Read on to find out more about the wash-and-go method and decide if it’s right for you.
The Wash and Go Method Video
The Wash and Go Method: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
The wash-and-go method is as simple as it sounds: you wash, style, and dry your hair without using heat. This method works well to keep your curl pattern or find it again.
The method requires less maintenance than other ways to style curly hair, but that doesn’t mean it’s easier.
Because you don’t use heat, the wash-and-go method depends a lot on the products you use and how you use them. Here are detailed steps for a simple “wash and go” routine.
1. Wash Your Hair
The first step of the wash-and-go method is as obvious as it sounds: you wash your hair. Massage your favorite shampoo with your fingertips.
Try a shampoo without sulphates if you want to clean your hair without taking away its natural oils.
Use a scalp massager that exfoliates your scalp instead of your hands to work the shampoo into your hair follicles for a deeper clean. Lather for about a minute at the roots, then rinse. If there is too much buildup, do this step twice.
2. Use Conditioner
After you wash and rinse your hair, it’s time to add conditioner. Conditioning is an important step because it helps keep each hair strand moist, which makes it easier to untangle later.
Choose a conditioner that is very moisturizing or even a deep conditioner. If your hair is dry, you need to use more than you think or what the bottle says.
3. Detangle Your Hair
Start detangling your hair before you rinse out your conditioner. The conditioner makes it easier for your brush to move through your hair, which helps keep it from breaking.
Use your fingers, a detangling brush, or a brush made for wet hair to do this step. Start at the ends and work your way up until there are no more knots. Rinse out your conditioner after you are done detangling.
4. Add Your Products
Start adding your usual styling products while you’re still in the shower or while your hair is still very wet. If you don’t know where to start, some possible products are:
- Mousse
- Cream
- Oil
- Leave-in conditioner
- Gel
It takes a lot of trial and error to figure out what works best for your hair. Things like the way your hair curls and how porous it is can make the journey much easier.
We recommend using the “curly girl method,” which says to use products without sulphates and parabens. And make sure to use a lot of water. Water helps the products spread out evenly, which gives the texture more definition.
5. Dry Your Hair
When you’re done putting something in your hair, you’re done. Leave your hair alone until it’s dried. If you don’t have much time left, you don’t have to let the clothes air dry.
Use the diffuser attachment along with the low setting on your hair dryer. You can also use a dryer with a hood if you have one. Once your hair is dry, you can leave it out for a few days and wash it when you want to.
You Might Also Like:
- How to Plop Your Natural Hair
- The Best Natural Hair Care Tips for Beginners in 2022
- How to Dry Curly Hair 5 Easy Ways
Four Outstanding Wash and Go Variations
The standard wash-and-go method is shown above. During different steps of the process, however, some people’s hair types need to be changed.
The wash-and-go method helps to define texture and keep it fresh, but changing your routine can help your curls look even better.
Here are four of the most common variations on the wash-and-go:
- The finger raking method
- The scrunch-and-go method
- The prayer hands method
- The finger curl method
The Finger Raking Method
For this first change, start by untangling your hair with your fingers after you’ve washed it. Then, use your products in the same way. First, work in a moisturizer, such as a leave-in conditioner. Add any hair products, such as mousse or gel.
Keep running your fingers through your hair, and you’ll see that curls are starting to form. Using this method over and over again helps your curls get longer and re-establish their texture.
The Scrunch and Go Method
One of the most popular variations on the wash-and-go style is the scrunch-and-go. It adds more definition to your curl pattern and makes it look better. Scrunch and go is a great way to get curls and waves that are not as tight.
After getting the conditioner out of your hair and rinsing it, put on the rest of your products in the usual order, scrunching your hair from the bottom up. Hold the product in your hair for at least three seconds while you squeeze it in.
The Prayer Hands Method
The prayer hands method is another way to make curls longer. This method is also great if you want your hair to be smooth and free of frizz because it helps seal the cuticle of your hair.
Instead of using a detangling brush or raking through with your fingers, move your hair in a prayer-like motion between the palms of your hands. Do this until your whole head is done.
The Finger Curl Method
The finger curling method takes longer, but the curls are more even and clear. After you put the product on, find each curl or wave and wrap it around a finger.
FAQ For The Wash and Go Method
⏩How long does a wash and go last?
Depending on your hair type and how well you take care of it, wash-and-go styles can last for a while. Most hair types can stay fresh for up to five days before they need to be refreshed. Putting your hair in styles that protect it can make your wash-and-go last even longer.
⏩Why is my hair frizzy after a wash and go?
If your hair dries frizzy after a wash-and-go, it could be because you touch it too much as you style it and let it dry. To stop frizz, put your products on hair that is dripping wet and seal the cuticle with an oil.
⏩What are the best wash-and-go products?
For a wash-and-go to work, you only need a few things. Think about spending money on the following:
- A sulfate-free shampoo
- Hydrating conditioner
- Leave-in conditioner
- Long-lasting gel
Depending on the texture of your hair, you might also find that using products like a lightweight mousse or hair oil helps define your curls even more.
⏩Do wash and go’s damage your hair?
Depending on how your curls are made, the wash-and-go method could make them loose. For example, people with dry hair may be more likely to get split ends and frizz if they wait too long between washes, while looser waves tend to last for a few days.
⏩How often should you wash and go?
As much or as little as you want, you can wash and go. Some people do this once a week, and others do it twice a day. How often you wash and go depends on how oily your scalp gets and when you think your hair needs a rinse.
⏩What Is Wash And Go Method?
The wash-and-go method is a great way to keep your hair healthy and clean with little effort. Some people change the wash-and-go method, like by raking their fingers through their hair or scrunching it.
Try the wash-and-go method in these different ways and see which one works best. Also, while you’re here, check out our other complete guides on how to care for and style your hair. Your hair will thank you for it.
Conclusion
Thanks for sticking around. I hope this Wash and Go Method post tells you everything you need to know. If you like this post, don’t forget to tell your friends and family about it.
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I am a beauty and hair specialist. I have been a hairstylist for nearly 4 years now. And love to explore different salons and their features. As a result, I decided to create a blog that tells people about the various salons and their pricing, services etc.