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With textured hair, your styling options are endless. However, one of the most tried-and-true looks is a "wash and go." This hairstyle involves washing and styling your hair without much heat or manipulation, allowing your natural curls and coils to shine.
While the name implies it may be a quick, effortless process, a wash and go is a multi-step routine that must be tailored based on your hair type. However, the time spent shampooing, conditioning, and defining is always well worth it. To help you navigate your wash day routine, we tapped two curly and coily experts for their advice on building the perfect wash and go.
Meet the Expert
- Ona Diaz-Santin is a celebrity hairstylist, curl expert, and owner of 5 Salon and Spa.
- Brendnetta Ashley is a hairstylist and a Schwarzkopf professional ambassador.
Pre-Treat Your Hair
Diaz recommends soaking your hair with water and using a pre-treatment like a scalp scrub to exfoliate and remove build-up before you wash your hair. "Scalp scrubs deeply cleanse and rejuvenate the scalp, promoting healthy hair growth and reducing dandruff," she says.
A healthy, refreshed scalp will facilitate the detangling process, so once you've given it the TLC it needs, you can start to detangle your hair. To do this, you must section your hair and apply a detangling product. "Use a large tooth comb or a detangling brush and work through each section of the hair, starting from the ends up towards the scalp," Ashley says. For best results, Ashley recommends working in small to medium sections of hair.
Shampoo Your Hair
Once you've done your initial detangling, Ashley recommends cleansing your hair with a moisturizing shampoo. "Look for a shampoo that adds moisture to the hair while supporting frizz control," she adds.
Diaz says you should also consider your hair's texture when shopping for the right shampoo. "The key to a successful wash and go is experimenting," she adds. Try out different shampoos and conditioners to find the best match, and remember that the amount of product you use should be based on the density of your hair."
As you work your chosen shampoo through your hair, you'll also want to finger-detangle each curl. "Use your fingers to work the shampoo down the cuticle," Ashley explains. "As you do this, you will notice how easier it is to move your fingers through your hair. Once you are done, rinse your hair thoroughly."
Condition Your Hair
Conditioning is such an important step in any wash-and-go routine. "It softens your hair and makes it more manageable," Ashley says. "I'd recommend looking for a conditioner that adds moisture and shine to the hair while controlling frizz." You should leave the conditioner on your hair for the recommended time listed on the packaging. However, most brands suggest anywhere between 5 to 10 minutes.
Finish Detangling Your Hair
Once you've cleansed and conditioned, detangling should be pretty easy. Ashley emphasized that you should continuously work through knots and tangles throughout the process to improve manageability. After gently squeezing out some excess water with a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel, Ashley says to "spray a leave-in conditioner into the hair and use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush beginning from the ends up to the scalp."
Apply Your Styling Products
When selecting products to apply as part of your wash-and-go routine, consider the style you want. "If you want a light-hold, airy look, use [a curl cream]," Ashley says. "If you want more defined curls, use [a curl gel or definition jelly]. Some people may want to use a combination of curl cream and gel"
Each product you apply helps set the curls, ensuring your hair maintains definition and volume. "If your curls aren't set properly, your style won't last," Ashley adds. Our experts also stress that once you've applied your styling product throughout your hair, you should refrain from touching your curls until they are dry to avoid disrupting your pattern.
Air Dry or Diffuse Your Hair
You can either air dry or diffuse your curls. Your decision should depend on the amount of time you have and the result you're looking to achieve. "By air drying the hair, you can create more of a natural look without heat while diffusing the hair provides more volume," Diaz says.
If you go with air drying, Ashley recommends starting the wash and go process as early as possible. "Start washing in the morning so you won't be going to sleep with wet hair." With this method, she says it's imperative to wait until your hair is fully airdried before fluffing and manipulating it.
When diffusing your curls and coils, place your dryer on low to medium heat (make sure to use a heat protectant) and move the diffuser attachment around your head in a scrunching motion to enhance volume and definition.
Ashley recommends using a light oil to separate your curls once your hair is dry and gently raking through your hair with a wide-tooth pick for additional lift at the roots.
Refresh Your Style
Ashley suggests spraying your hair with water or a leave-in conditioner mist and then applying a small amount of curl gel or cream to refresh your wash and go. "Once you've done this, scrunch the hair well and let your curls air dry, or if you're in a hurry, use a diffuser on the cool setting," Ashley says.
Diaz is a fan of using a curl-enhancing spray to refresh her hair. "It revives and redefines my curls, adds moisture, and brings bounce back into my hair," she explains. "Using a spray formula is convenient for me as it makes it easy to refresh my style and maintain the look of my curls throughout the day."
