It's no mystery that wash and gos are one of the most straightforward methods to style and maintain curly hair.
Everyone wants their curls to look great without a lot of work, and wash and gos are quick, simple, and perfect for your hair if you use the right product combination and styling methods.
But what is a wash and go? How do you achieve one? It totally depends on your hair type and we're here to help.
This starter guide will help walk you through everything you need to know so that you can rock a wash and go like a pro!
What is a Wash and Go?
A wash and go is simply what it sounds like - you wash your hair (ideally with a cleanser that works well for your hair type), then proceed to style it.
With a wash and go, you're essentially combining your entire hair care and styling regimen into your shower routine. It's a fantastic approach to rediscover your natural curl pattern.
It's critical to figure out what texture you have—whether it's wavy, curly, or coily—and by knowing this you'll know what products and methods to use. Many people with curly hair have more than one curl pattern, so it's not unusual to see a mix of textures.
Not sure which texture you are? This blog post is a great place to start.
Learning how to take care of your specific texture is key to having a lasting and an all around healthy wash and go.
The Benefits of a Healthy Wash and Go
There are many benefits to having a healthy wash and go.
First and foremost, it's a great way to protect your hair from heat damage.
If you're someone who often straightens or uses hot tools on your hair, giving your hair a break with a wash and go will help to keep it healthy and strong.
Another benefit of wash and gos is that they can help your hair to retain moisture better. This can also help to promote growth, as healthy hair is less likely to break.
Lastly, wash and gos are simply a great way to show off your natural texture and let your hair shine!
How To Do a Wash and Go
It's important to note that all of our products work well for all curly types. The kind of wash, conditioner, and styling product you use will be determined on the amount of moisture and/or definition your hair requires.
For example, our clarifying shampoo is a shampoo that infuses your hair with light moisture and can be used on all hair types, but if your hair needs more moisture, opt for the Pure Silk Moisturizing Shampoo or Hydra Drench Cleansing Conditioner (for the most moisture).
We always recommend doing a little experimenting to see what works best for you and your hair type.
Step 1 - Cleanse your Hair
You want to make sure that your hair is clean and free of any build up before you start, as this can weigh your hair down and make it difficult to style.
Using your fingertips or a shampoo brush, gently massage a cleanser through your roots (and hair) for a few minutes, then rinse. The friction is what helps break up the oil, gunk, and build up on the hair and scalp.
We recommend using our Gentle Clarifying Shampoo to help remove any build up from your scalp and hair.
Step 2 - Condition your Hair
After you've cleansed your hair, it's time to add some moisture back in with a conditioner.
Perhaps the most essential component of any wash and go is the conditioner. Conditioner helps to hydrate and detangle your hair, making it easier to work with when you style it.
Some people prefer to substitute their normal conditioner with a deep conditioner, and our Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner is perfect for an extra dose of hydration.
Next, detangle your hair while it's saturated with conditioner. Starting from the ends up to the roots, use your fingers or your favorite detangling tool to gently remove any knots or tangles.
Leave the conditioner in for approximately 3-5 minutes, then completely rinse it out.
Step 3 - Add your Favorite Styling Products
Now that your hair is clean, conditioned, and wet - it's time to add in your favorite styling products. Water in your hair helps distribute the product through your coils more quickly and easily.
Think layers (leave-in conditioner, curl cream, foam/mousse, gel/custard). This is where you can get creative and experiment with different product combinations to see what works best for your hair.
Wavy hair is the least curly of the bunch and can be easily defined with a simple product cocktail consisting of a curl cream and gel, or just gel.
While coily hair can take on more product, and can be incredibly versatile, coily hair tends to do best with heavier products like a curl cream or butter, followed by a gel or custard.
And finally, curly hair falls somewhere in the middle and can be defined with a leave-in conditioner, curl cream, and gel/custard combo.
Don't dry or scrunch your hair until after you've applied your styling products to your hair, that way you'll get the best definition possible.
Note, the ideal product combination will look a little different for everyone.
Step 4 - Air Dry or Diffuse your Hair
Once you've applied all of your products, it's time to let your hair do its thing!
If you're someone who prefers to air dry their hair, simply let your hair dry naturally. You can speed up the process by using a diffuser on low to medium heat.
Just make sure not to touch or scrunch your hair while it's drying, as this can disturb the curl pattern and cause frizz.
Maintaining your Style
Now that you've got your perfect wash and go, it's important to know how to properly maintain it.
Wash and gos typically last 3-5 days, but with the right products and techniques, you can make them last even longer.
It's crucial to note that the more curly or dry your texture is, the more frequently it needs moisture to get the best out of your wash and go regimen.
If your coils are left exposed to the elements for too long without moisture, they can go from protective to damaging in a matter of no time, so make sure to keep them hydrated.
Here are a few tips:
- Avoid touching your hair too much, as this can cause frizz.
- Sleep with your hair in a satin or silk bonnet or pillowcase to prevent your hair from drying out overnight.
- Re-wet and re-style your hair every few days to refresh your style and add moisture back into your hair.
Now that you know how to do a healthy wash and go, put these tips into practice and enjoy your bouncy, beautiful curls!
The Best Products for Waves, Curls, and Coils
A complete wash & style kit for wavy hair. This money-saving kit contains the following travel size products:
- Bounce Curl Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
- Super Smooth Cream Conditioner
- Moisture Balance Leave-in Conditioner
- Light Hold Gel
A complete wash & style kit for curly hair. This money-saving kit contains the following travel size products:
- Bounce Curl Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
- Super Smooth Cream Conditioner
- Avocado & Rose Oil Clump & Define Cream
- Light Hold Gel
A complete wash & style kit for coily or thick hair. This money-saving kit contains the following travel size products:
- Bounce Curl Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
- Super Smooth Cream Conditioner
- Moisture Balance Leave-in Conditioner
- Defining Butta
Takeaway
Congratulations on completing your wash and go regimen! With a little practice and the right products, you'll be able to achieve bouncy, beautiful curls that last.
Remember to keep your hair hydrated and avoid touching it too much to prevent frizz. With these tips, you'll be able to enjoy your healthy wash and go for days to come!
