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

This is a featured post by someone who's blog you have got to check out. Her blog is great and has helped me quite a bit. I read this post and knew I had to feature it on here. So, here's the post:

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By Tia of AngelsRinglets

 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

Oh my....my....yesterday!

SO..... I was at a supermarket yesterday when a lady called my mum and I over to part of an aisle right opposite the foil papers and cling films (which my mum wanted to buy). She started talking about some new and "VERY" good product Dark&Lovely has started selling. She said, "it will make your hair grow long and strong, manageable, it will give your hair a very good texture......." then she picked up a box of relaxer and said, "this is the product." Lord have mercy on us! My mum and I laughed. Then I just kept on grinning while my mum did the talking, "um....she's natural," she said, "and she's convinced me to go natural and there's no way you can convince her to purchase your product." The lady was like, "she's natural and you're going natural," my mum was like "yes" and she was like, "and you like your hair like that?" the look on her face was a cross between slightly bothered and slightly disgusted. My mum went on to say, "your relaxers have damaged my hair before and....." The lady then went on to pick up another product, she was like, "we have something a natural like you could use," my mum warned her, "she's very particular about the ingredients in products," the lady gave me the product with all confidence and was like "check it." As I looked, I kept shaking my head and saying, "no," "no," "no," as I crossed so many terrible ingredients. The lady looked a tad bit bothered. I asked, "do you by any chance have the Dark & Lovely Au Naturale products" she was like, "what?" I repeated, "Dark & Lovely Au Naturale" she was like, "what is that?" I was like, "the new product line Dark & Lovely is selling, the one they just launched recently" and she was like, "I've never heard of it," I stared at the "Dark & Lovely" t-shirt she was wearing.....a D&L worker that doesn't even know the products her company sells.
ANYWAYS.....
THAT WAS A F.U.N EXPERIENCE! Bad humour, I know, anyways.....

Frankie is Naturally Glamorous!

I got to interview Frankie! Do you know how happy I am? :)

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When did you and what made you decide to go natural?
I went natural January 2011. I was away in college and it was hard keeping my hair maintained by myself, only getting it done when I came home for breaks.  I also wanted to have curly hair and hoped that going natural would do the trick.

Did you big chop or transition?
I transitioned for a year and a half, clipping my ends.  I was one of the people who was not so brave to try and big chop.
 
How did you manage your hair while going natural?
At first, I was treating it just like how I treated it while it was relaxed: tight ponytails, flat ironing, and blow drying.  Then, I embraced my hair for what it was and tried twist outs and bantu knot-outs, which eventually gave me great results.

 

When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
My initial reaction to my natural hair was frustration! It was so hard dealing with two textures and I never really know much about styling hair or anything. I was used to ponytails, but after awhile, they were no longer working for me so I knew I had to try something else.

How did your family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
Since I grew my hair out, no one really knew I was natural until i started saying it, or until I started wearing my hair curly.  I have always been complimented on my hair, although there are those comments by people who I believe just don't have the courage to start this journey.

What does this journey mean to you?
It means a lot to me! I finally embrace my hair for what it is.  I also am able to try styles and everything for the first time.  I love reading and watching videos about hair and educating myself.
 
What is your daily regimen (including your night-time routine)?
I really don't have a daily routine, because my schedule is really hectic.  I basically just make sure my hair looks presentable for the day, which might be just wearing a beanie.  Then, at night, I make sure to put on a silk cap.

What are your go-to hairstyles, which is your fav. and how do you achieve it?
I know a minimal amount of hairstyles, so I do not really have go-to's. At the moment, I only know how to do twist outs, wash-no-go's, frohawks, and bantu knot-outs.  Bantus might be my favorite, even though they take me longer to do, but they do produce a very nice style, instead of just wild curls everywhere.  I have been practicing flat-twisting, french rolls, cornrows, pin ups, and pompadours. All of my styles are achieved by first spritzing with water, adding in my castor and coconut oil mix, my leave-in conditioner (basically the L.O.C. method) and either a curly gel or a curl refresher.

How do you deal with hair issues such as: breakage, shrinkage, length retention and moisture?
Since I stopped applying heat to my hair, I really haven't had that much breakage at all.  So, I think no heat has really played a larger factor. I have serious shrinkage and honestly, there's not much I can do about it, so I let it handle itself on its own. For length retention, I just make sure to keep my hair moisturized and massage my scalp sometimes to stimulate growth. For moisture, my spray bottle comes in handy!

What products do you currently use, and how are they working for you?
Right now, I am experimenting with products.  I really loved the Silk Elements Mixed Silk lines, but they were discontinued, so I have been searching for something new.  I just came upon the Pantene Truly Natural line and I plan to see how that goes for now.  I use a little of everything.  I have a box under my counter just for hair stuff lol.

Hand-In-Hair syndrome an issue I have now only that....it's not my hand. Do you have this issue? Do people ask before touching your hair or they just randomly reach out and touch (or grab) it? How does this make you feel? What is your reaction to this?
 (This question made me laugh lol) I have always struggled with everyone wanting to touch my hair.  From when it was relaxed and people used to ask if it was my real hair and they would randomly start searching for tracks, until now, when people want to feel if my hair is soft or not.  I think now, it's more of a peeve because touching my hair can add frizz or completely mess up the style. So, I'll snap, then quickly apologize, and then explain why I do not like people touching my hair lol. I do think it is rude because you don't know where someone's hands have been! I feel like someone can be putting bacteria in my hair!


What have you learned throughout your journey?
Patience is a virtue! Patience for growth, patience when trying a new style, patience while waiting for your hair to dry, patience while detangling!  You must have patience with natural hair.  And for me, my patience has been paying off.

Any advice for those who are considering going natural, are currently transitioning, are newly naturals or "Nana" naturals?
Do not let anyone else's opinions affect you.  If you want to go natural, go ahead and do it.  But make sure it is something you are willing to commit to.  Like I said, you need patience. You have to be willing to learn and willing to spend money to buy stuff.  You have to learn to take care of your hair.  It's like a class course; you have to stay on top of your game to get the results you desire!