Wash And Go: The Easiest Hairstyle For Natural Afro Textured Hair

I’m a huge fan of low-effort hairstyles. I want to look and feel great without spending too much time or money on my 4C hair. A wash and go is one of my favorite looks, and I believe everyone with afro textured hair should try it. You’ll be surprised by how versatile this natural hairstyle is. So I’ll take you through how to wear and maintain a wash and go as your main hairstyle or to include it in your range of looks.

Wash and Go For Different Afro Textured Hair Types

A wash and go looks different depending on your natural hair type. A 3A wash and go will have rich, full curls, while a 4C wash and go will be tall and voluminous. A wash and go will shrink, too, because that’s what natural hair does. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing because you can easily freshen up your hair and get the curls and volume back.

A wash and go is also great for transitioning to natural hair if you’re used to chemical treatments or braiding all the time. It allows your hair to relax and breathe because you only need to clean and moisturize it without any extra manipulation. You’ll enjoy the freedom of a wash and go after wearing tight braids or spending time and money on salon treatments.

No matter your hair type, you’ll need to keep your natural hair moisturized to really enjoy a wash and go. Otherwise, you’ll spend more time and money on products to combat frizz and dryness. Sometimes it’s as easy as spritzing your crown with some water or applying a lightweight oil to your curls. Other times, you’ll need a deep conditioner for a full refresh. Learn to read your hair to know what it needs to stay healthy and vibrant.

Wash and Go Step By Step

Step 1: Wash and detangle

Start by washing and detangling your natural hair to remove knots and allow your moisturizing and styling products to work properly. It also means your wash and go will feel soft and light with well-defined curls. You can opt to do your deep conditioning at this step as well.

Step 2: Dry your hair

If your hair is short, use a microfiber towel to gently squeeze out the excess water. Don’t rub your hair vigorously with a regular towel to dry it because it might tangle your strands or cause them to break or lose their curl patterns. For longer hair, use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to dry it after washing. Also, you don’t want your hair to be completely dry. Leave a little moisture in for your styling product to hold.

Step 3: Apply your styling product

A curl-defining cream or gel works really well for afro textured hair. Section your hair and apply the product while twisting or finger-coiling the strands. You can also use a lightweight natural hair oil as your styling product to add a healthy sheen to your strands. If you want to add more volume to your wash and go, use a wide-toothed comb to lift your hair at the roots.

Step 4: Set the style

Decide if you want to wear your wash and go as a full afro or with a middle or side part. Air-drying is the best way to set your wash and go curls. Even though it takes longer, it’s a more gentle way for your hair to absorb the product and fix the curls. You can also use a hair dryer, like in step 2 above.

Step 5: Accessorize

Headbands, scarves, hair pins, flowers–these accessories go great with a wash and go hairstyle. They’re not only adding shapes, colors, and textures to your look, but they can also keep flyaway strands secure and save you on a bad hair day.

Bonus: Nighttime care for a wash and go

Wear your wash and go in a pineapple style before bed. Gather the strands to the top of your head and wrap a scarf around it to keep the curls intact. You can also wear a satin bonnet to lock in moisture and prevent friction while you sleep. This way, you’ll only need to fluff up your wash and go with your hands in the morning.

How To Maintain A Wash And Go

You can wear a wash and go for weeks or even months at a time with the right care routine, which is quite straightforward:

• Rehydrate your hair every couple of days by spraying some water on your curls or applying a small amount of your leave-in conditioner. Reshape your curls, and you’re good to go.
• Try to minimize manipulation, especially if it’s your first time wearing a wash and go. You may want to keep touching it to make sure it looks okay, but you might end up making your hair too frizzy by the end of the day.
• Keep an eye out for the weather, too. If it’s hot and humid, use a little extra moisturizer or conditioner to minimize dryness. If it’s raining, expect your wash and go to shrink if you’re caught in a drizzle.
• Cleanse your hair once a week to prevent product buildup, especially if you’re using a styling cream or gel for your wash and go.
• You can totally experiment with a wash and go with different hairstyles like updos, half up-half down, high ponytails, etc. This style is versatile enough for formal and casual wear, so dress it up or down as the need arises.

Showcase Your Natural Hair With a Wash and Go

There you have it: the easiest hairstyle you can wear is a wash and go. It gives your crown a break from braids, emphasizes your natural curls, and works with lots of different accessories and looks. Keep your hair moisturized, and enjoy!