HOW TO CAPTURE THOSE WASH & GO COILS
A good texture expert stylist will walk you through how to achieve your best wash & go. Especially after you big chop with them. If not, ask them to!
Image: My friend Alliccia on the night of her Big Chop with @hairgirlreginapearl. Blog post to come!
If like me you thought it was impossible to achieve a wash & go (W&G) on your tight coils, be prepared to be corrected.
I have been natural since Jan 2014 and attempted my first wash & go in March 2017, (largely because of the results I saw on my friends/colleagues who also have a similar natural texture to mine), and now I barely resort to the twistouts/braidouts that once were my go-to styling techniques.
The trick is using the right combination of products (amount of product is also key!) that will 'capture' your natural coil pattern. By 'capture', I mean clump, define and hold it in place (for me, I need a week).
So just for you coily girls and boys, I got with Broome Street Society's and #TLApproved texture expert Reece (@styledbyreece) to get the professional lowdown on how to achieve your best W&G. Et voila!
STEP 1 - Clarify & Condition
A W&G requires so much product to capture the coil, that you want to start with a blank canvas so be extra generous with your helpings. Kick start your routine with a clarifying shampoo to rid your hair and scalp of product build-up.
Follow up with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to inject hydration right from the cleansing step of your routine. It's important that your hair is fully moisturized every step of the way for optimal W&G results.
STEP 2 - Detangle
After rinsing out the conditioner, prime and detangle soaking wet hair with the mother of all leave-ins 25 Miracle Milk.
This is the secret sauce. I tell you, I hate having to step out of the shower for anything once I am in it. But if I forgot to bring my 25 Miracle Milk into the shower with me, there's no negotiation. I'm gonna go get it and kick myself later for not being prepared.
STEP 3- Coil Capture!
Apply True Textures Curl Enhancing Lotion liberally in sections from root to tip, ensuring every strand is coated. You can use the raking method to ensure this by using your fingers to comb the product through each section of hair repeatedly.
Next scrunch in True Textures Twist and Coil Jelly gently for that added hold (this is what will get you to 7 days of wear).
I like to dip my hair back under the shower at this point (quickly), followed by a session of back and forth, left to right hair whipping to shake off the excess water.
STEP 4 - Let it Dry....
...however you wish! Air dry, diffuse or hooded dryer. I get my hair 70% dry using the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer (super fast!) and let the rest air dry naturally. I find any initial crunch tends to disappear by the following day or so. But if you are concerned, once fully dry you can scrunch out the crunch with your favourite nourishing hair oil.
TIP: Do not touch your hair while it is wet, unless you want a frizz bomb.
And there you have it. Remember practice makes perfect and be patient.