Reader Q&A: CurlyNikki's Secrets to the Perfect Wash-and-Go

Calling all naturalistas: Do you have urgent tress questions? If so, you’re in luck. Every Thursday, natural hair blogger extraordinaire CurlyNikki will be solving your curly hair conundrums! Submit your questions by tweeting them to @EssenceMag with the hashtag #AskCurlyNikki.

Check out the newest installment in CurlyNikki’s reader Q&A series:
READER QUESTION: I loved the photos of your wash-and-go while you were on vacation in Rio. How did you achieve the curl definition?

CURLYNIKKI’S RESPONSE: I hadn’t revisited the wash-and-go in years! My fine, highly porous hair was always left tangled, dry and plagued with single strand knots.  However, my recent trip to Rio renewed my interest and this time around, I have a new set of products and have added the ever-important ‘sealing’ step to my routine. Although my hair is still a bit more dry and tangly than it would be with a Twist-n-Curl, the texture and volume is killing it! I plan to continue to experiment with the wash-and-go this summer!

Here are the steps to creating your own super-defined wash-and-go:

1. Cleanse hair while in the shower.
2. With your hair still soaking wet, apply a moisturizing, slippery conditioner (such as Aussie Moist) and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes while you complete your shower rituals.
3. Gently detangle hair with fingers (ends to roots) under the shower stream while rinsing the conditioner out.
4. While still in the shower, lightly wring hair dry and apply your leave-in conditioner of choice in a raking motion (Redken Smooth Down Butter Treat or AG Fast Food). Try to create clumps of curls and waves between your fingers.
5. Get out of the shower and gently scrunch out excess water with a t-shirt. Apply styler in sections in a raking motion, finger twirling and smoothing the frizzy bits. (This step is optional).
6.  Seal ends with an oil of your choice.
7.  Allow to air dry without manipulating it in any way.

Do you have any tried-and-true secrets for the perfect wash-and-go? Share them in the comments section below!

Nikki “CurlyNikki” Walton is a successful psychotherapist and creator of one of the most credible online sources about natural haircare, maintenance, and decoding the psychological ties between black women and their hair. Visit her at her blog CurlyNikki or follow her on Twitter @CurlyNikki.