4. Your application and technique need work.
How you apply the product and how you go about distributing the product throughout your hair are critical to the outcome of your wash and go. The two most common problems that come up are that most people are not applying styling product while in the shower on soaking wet hair and those who are not distributing the product from root to tip.
READ: 15 Things You’re Doing All Wrong To Your Natural Hair
Applying products to soaking wet hair actually allows you to use less product (that’s if you’re using highly concentrated products). The water helps in distributing the product throughout your hair. As for getting the product distributed root to tip, I always suggest that people think of it like flat ironing to get the hair straight. Part small sections to make sure you’re getting great coverage and that you’re hitting up those roots.
With patience and practice you’ll have it down in no time.
You May Also Like
5. You need a haircut.
Having your hair cut or your ends trimmed is super important to the overall look and health of your hair. It’s doubly important in the effort to avoid having your hair result in a wash and no. With your texture being highlighted with every single kink, coil and curl on display, if they are not in the best shape the wash and go will put all your business in the streets.
6. You disturb the curls.
Once you’ve set your style don’t touch it! The hair needs to dry completely before you put your hands all up and through it. I know that hands in the hair syndrome is high among naturalistas, but don’t allow the temptation to touch lure your hands near your follicles. Keeping your hands out of your hair decreases the amount of frizz and ensures that you won’t end up on the NOPE side of the wash and go.
7. You need to adjust your expectations.
It seems like a majority of naturals had this idea of what their curls look like as opposed to what they actually look like. I’ll be the first to admit that I thought my hair was going to look like Tracee Ellis Ross’. I’m not sure how high my delusions of grandeur were but it took me a little while to collect myself and accept what was growing out of my scalp. I have even found myself saying “If only my curls in the front were like those beautiful luscious ones in the back.”
Most recently I’ve come to a place that I realize that I need to stop nitpicking at my hair and let it live. That front area where it curls some and frizzes some is what it is and I need to go put on some dope lipstick and a splash of blush and call it a day.
You May Also Like
Embrace what’s coming out of that scalp, ladies! You’ll be better and so will your wash and go.
Need more help and guidance with your wash and go? Well, you’re in luck! Natural stylist Aeleise J. and I have put together a 7 day wash and go challenge that’s scheduled to begin April 21-28. Sign up to our email list at 30dayhairdetox.com to get all the details on this exciting interactive challenge that is sure to give you awesome advice, product recommendations that work, tutorials and more!
For more great hair articles, click here.
Aishia Strickland is full-time mom to a little Chocolate Prince, lover of multi-textured hair, tastemaker, Editor of Chocolate Curls Beauty and co-creator of the #30DayHairDetox!
