As a tight coiled natural, you might have wondered how to create the perfect “wash and go” routine, and maybe even questioned, “Is it really possible with my tight coils?” There is an odd belief in the natural hair community that a wash and go is tailored to looser curl patterns. A wash and go is a curl defining technique suitable for all hair textures when you’re equipped with the right steps and the right products. We will serve as your guide to mastering the technique for a 4C wash and go.
Continue reading for our tips and tricks, suitable products, and easy-to-follow steps. Unleash the potential of your coils and achieve a flawless wash and go look with this detailed guide.
What is a Wash and Go?
A wash and go method is a styling routine designed to bring out the natural curl pattern of your hair. It’s a simple and efficient method to style your natural hair, enhancing your coils’ beauty. The goal is not to transform your curl pattern to mimic another but to define and nourish your existing curls, leaving them moisturized, well defined and shiny. For 4C hair, which is known for its tight coils and high shrinkage, achieving the perfect wash and go only requires a good understanding of your hair specificities and using the right products.
Disclaimer
We are only using the term 4C hair as this is the most common term among naturals to define the tightest coils. An infinite type of curl pattern exists among naturals that cannot be restricted to a defined hair type chart.
Why Style your 4C hair in a Wash and Go?
The wash and go routine, when done right, can define your natural curls and keep them hydrated, giving your hair a beautiful, shiny look. It’s a quick, low-manipulation hairstyle that reduces breakage, thereby promoting hair growth. Wash and go is a gentle hairstyle as it does not create a lot of tension on your hair and do not require you to always use heat.
Steps to Create the Perfect “4C” Wash and Go
Step 1: Start on Wash Day
Your 4C wash and go routine should always start with clean hair. In general, styling your hair on wash day will always ensure the most successful hairstyle. Washing your hair is important, as it will help you remove product build-up and sweat from your hair.
Depending on your hair state, use a moisturizing or deep cleansing shampoo to cleanse your hair and scalp, ensuring that any residue from previously used products is fully removed. Starting on clean hair is crucial to prepare your hair for optimal product absorption to define your coils for a wash and go.
Step 2: Deep Condition Your Hair
This is a must if your hair feels dehydrated and in need for deep moisture. This will depend on when you washed your hair last. Moisturized hair will translate in more defined curls for your wash and go. After washing, apply a generous amount of a deep conditioner to your hair, focusing on the ends – the oldest and typically driest part of your hair. Read our article on the best deep conditioners for low porosity here. We have selected the best products for low moisture retention hair.
Step 3: Apply a Leave-In Conditioner
To maintain the moisture level of your strands, apply a water-based leave-in conditioner while your hair is still wet. This step needs to be done on wet hair to achieve a wash and go. It will provide a moisture base for the styling product and help to further define your curls. Thoroughly moisturized curls will give you healthier and shinier curls for your wash and go on 4c hair.
Choosing the right leave-in conditioner is important to moisturize your hair effectively. Low and High porosity hair do not have the same needs as some curls will need a lighter, watery base to be able to absorb the product while high porosity hair can benefit from thicker leave-in conditioners.
Step 4: Use a Curl Defining Mousse or Gel
Now, it’s time to define those curls. Whether you choose to apply a gel or mousse is up to your personal preference. There are amazing gels for 4c wash and go which we wrote an article about here. Gels are generally more effective in defining each curls and can give you results that might last longer. However, if you use a mousse with hold, your wash and go will also have very defined coils with an added shine. A holding mousse is beneficial as it will give you moisture and hydration as well as definition.
Section your hair and apply the styling product of your choice by saturating your hair and distributing it evenly. This step is crucial for all your curls to be well defined for the perfect 4c wash and go. Use your fingers to apply the products from your ends to your roots and the other way around to check that your hair is thoroughly detangled and that no curls is left without styling product.
Step 5: How to stretch a 4c Wash and Go
Once you’ve applied your styling products, you can choose to stretch your hair without heat, or use a blow dryer with a diffuser on the lowest heat setting for faster results.
- The banding method
Separate your hair in sections (they do not have to be small) and tie each sections with 2 or more scrunchies from your roots to your ends. You can also use one large band and tie it around your hair the same way than with scrunchies.
- Stretching with heat
The tension method
This is effective to dry your hair if you do not have a diffuser. Hold the ends of your hair and set your hair dryer on the lowest heat setting. Move the hair dryer up and down on the hair section until dry.
Blow drying with a diffuser
For curl definition on a 4c wash and go a diffuser is best to use. Always go for the lowest heat setting on your hair dryer to avoid damage. Separate your hair in sections and place the diffuser on your ends. Repeat for all sections.
Wash and Go on 4C Hair: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Expecting a different curl pattern
One of the most common misconceptions about the wash and go technique is that it’s supposed to enhance your curls by creating a looser curl pattern. However, this method aims to enhance your beautiful coils, not change it. Embrace your unique 4C coils as they are – beautiful and versatile.
Using the wrong products
The success of your 4C wash and go heavily depends on the quality of the products you use as well as it’s compatibility with your hair. Choose products that are specifically designed for your natural hair and its porosity. They should deeply moisturize your hair best definition and free from harsh ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and mineral oils.
Not thoroughly detangling your hair
Gentle and proper detangling is crucial in a 4C wash and go routine. Always detangle your hair when it’s wet and conditioned, using a detangling brush for your curls to be well defined. Curl definition is the goal on a wash and go therefore your hair has to be well detangled.
A great technique on a 4c wash and go keeps your natural hair hydrated, healthy, and well-defined. With a little practice and the right products, you can achieve a stunning wash and go look, showing off your beautiful 4C curls to the world. Remember, the essence of natural hair care is to love and embrace your unique hair texture, not to change it.
