Wash N Go PERFECT: NO MATTER THE LENGTH or CURL PATTERN

 Immediately after my big chop, I began defining coils for a wash n go. I remember using Kinky Curly Curl Defining Gel. I got lots of shrinkage. Of course I knew NOTHING about defining coils. I still loved my coily, springy hair though.

When I started to experiment with Braidouts and Twistouts, I stopped doing wash n go's as much. I was working with about 6'' of natural hair, and my hair was just about to enter the "awkward" stage.

Too long for wash-n-go's (but not long enough to hang). Short, but not short enough to be put into a cute hair clip-free wash-n-go styling. The great thing about natural hair is the versatility. When I felt that my hair was not looking good in a wash n go styling, then I did braidouts/twistouts.

 So these next few pictures show me playing with Eco Styler Gel. One thing I love about Eco Styler Gel (well, I love a few things about Eco Styler Gel)--but the main thing is how it can help stretch coils. I wasn't used to the shrinkage that I was getting with my wash-n-go's, and the Eco is great for stretching. It washes out easily, and doesn't dry the hair.

I mostly did some sort of pinned back styling, not loose like I wear my coils now (for my w&g). For this post, I'll share the "good, the bad, and the not so good" LoL!

 I still didn't have my wash n go technique situated yet, but I was having fun. I was playing around with product combinations, and application techniques. Today I can say that I understand the wash n go texture pretty well (from wash to finish). There are a lot of factors that can effect the outcome of a wash n go. 

Figuring out my wash n go step-by-step works out great for me. I avoid white product build-up, can avoid too much shrinkage if I want to. I know how to avoid puffy wash n go's (if I want to).

In 2013, I'm about to start learning how to style on a wash n go! It may be easier now that I have about 17'' of hair to work with.

But enough about that, lets get back to our walk down memory lane...

The great thing about wash-n-go's is that the hair is kept in it's natural state. Usually no heat involved (although some people stretch the roots with heat). Wearing the wash n go is an opportunity to keep the hair moisturized. Don't get me wrong, there are products that are used for w&g's that are drying. Stay away from those products (for instance, hair gels/curl definers with alcohol or mineral oil).

In the next few pictures (below), I definitely notice length. I also notice that I start getting the "hang" of laying down my hair. It doesn't hurt that the new length is adding weight and assisting with the "laid down" look.

I start to use less clips and styling accessories to wear my w&g at this new length.

It seems that I'm past the "awkward" length for wash-n-go's, so I start to focus on perfecting the curl definition, the shine/sheen, the way the hair lays, and the texture (I don't like hard-hat curls). I don't mind some crunch to my hair (matter of fact, I need a bit of crunch to hold the curls for a few days), I just don't like when it feels like my hair is glued together.

I love to define curls and then use the ponytail to display them! It's a break away from wearing my hair down--especially when the time is hot. In the above picture, I defined my coils with Jane Carter's Curl Defining Product (can't recall the name right now). It's really great! It's just super expensive. But the ingredients make it pretty worth the money. When you rinse out a product like this from your wash n go, your hair is left soft and ready for it's next style!

By late 2012, I can say that I figured out the wash n go on my hair and on Dimple's hair. Her coils are pretty similar to mine.

So I encourage you to keep searching for your hair's favorite base ingredients to define your coils. No matter the length or the curl pattern (you just have to have a curl pattern). If you don't have a curl pattern, no worries--you can create them (that's a whole different post)!

Take the mystery out of defining coils. Yeah, I slowed down on doing w&g's when my hair was a difficult length, but I didn't rule them out. I'm glad I picked them up again, because I wouldn't want to miss out on yet another one of the MANY versatile and beautiful ways to wear coily hair.

GIRLS WITH COILS HAVE MORE FUN

Cleansing For Coils: Apple Cider Vinegar Mix & Aritha

Over the next 3 weekends, I'm going to do specialized deep conditioning treatments. Since my flat iron session, my wash n go's just don't seem the same. My coils are there, yes....but they seem sad, loopy, and not as vibrant as they were before. I'm using the same products to define my coils. I even did a deep conditioning treatment (Aubrey Organics GPB Glycolic) I may not be saying it right, but you guys know which product I'm talking about. 

The pictures below were back in August. Look how well the hair lays down. Look at the luster and the coil definition. No signs of frizz to be found.

 So now I'm going to show you pictures of what my hair has been doing lately when I try to do my wash n go's.






What the WHAT? I see lots of frizz. I don't see consistent definition. My application technique was the same. I do the same techniques every time I do a wash n go. I am thoroughly perturbed! I'm guessing that I may have "stuffs" on my strands, so first order on the list of figuring this foolishness out is to clarify. I'm going to use Aritha paste to cleanse (see link below). Then I'm going to use 2 tablespoons of Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (to clarify) and put that into about 4 ounces of water. I'll spray that on my hair and leave on for about 10 minutes.

I gotta tell you guys about something that happened to me and this apple cider vinegar mix. A few months ago, I had a spray bottle of the Apple Cider Vinegar and water mix left over sitting in a bottle on my vanity table.  I remembered all this talk about people using it to clean sinks and stuff. I have a black porcelain sink that's supposed to look shiny. 

Well, by the time the girls and hubby (never me) finish brushing teeth and doing God knows what else, this sink looks straight up crazy. Films of toothpaste and I'll spare you the monstrous details made my sink look like it had a white mask on it. I couldn't even see the black properly anymore. Usually, I'll have to sprinkle some Ajax, make a paste with some water, and wait a bit before scrubbing with the hard part of my sponge. This time, I took my spray bottle with the vinegar mix, and sprayed the sink. I left it on for about 10 minutes (I was busy doing other things). By the time I got back, I took the soft part of my sponge, and wiped the sink. WTH??? The white residue wiped right off, leaving a shiny black sink. I was amazed that something so natural (but I know it's strong), was able to be diluted, and still work wonders. No more Ajax needed for me! Gonna try it out on the scary shower stall (I'll keep y'all posted on that wonderment).

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Back to my hair story, gonna use the vinegar mix after I cleanse with Aritha and then I'll share some pictures of the cleansed coils. I'll worry about my conditioning plan a little bit later.

Aritha Paste on Coils to Cleanse

After Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Ready to Go Out! Successful Wash N Go FINALLY

When I did the Aritha paste to cleanse, my coils felt softer after I rinsed the paste off completely. After I did the vinegar mix, my hair felt literally "squeaky clean" when I was rinsing it off. But understand that if felt soft, squeaky clean, and NOT DRY. I think that was a perfect combination to cleanse (Aritha and then ACV Rinse). I did not deep condition again, because I did a deep condition the night before. 

AFTER

BEFORE

See the difference? Less frizz, more definition, more shine, hangs lower. All of the characteristics of MY wash n go that I look for. Overall I was happy before I left to go out. I love that I managed my hair. Did not let it manage me (and pull it back into a ponytail). I figured out what I needed to do. This is the result of cleansing. Hmmmm.......I wonder what a good deep conditioning will do with this.  That will definitely be next....