If you’ve subscribed to the idea that kinky natural hair can’t do wash and gos, I’m here to prove you wrong! When I cut my hair a few weeks ago, the Devacurl team styled my hair in a wash and go. I loved the magical curl definition that appeared, as well as the ease of everyday styling (just spritz with leave in and go!). I’ve done modified wash and gos a couple of times with my hair (with braided roots and with flat twists & a puff), but I’ve never done a full video showing a wash and go from start to finish. Until now! Here’s are five tips for a banging kinky hair wash and go.

Start with COMPLETELY wet hair

Although I styled my hair in my office, it’s best to do a wash and go in the shower while your hair is still completely drenched. The weight of the water actually helps elongate your hair a bit, but most importantly, water is the best moisturizer and prevents stiff, crunchy hair!

Mix a heavy moisturizer and curl defining product

For products, it doesn’t matter so much what brand you use – though you should try a few different combinations to find the perfect pair. What’s most important is that you mix a heavy moisturizer and a curl definer for definition. Looser hair textures can get away with just a leave in spray, but if you’re hair is thick and kinky like mine, layer on a creamy sealant under your gel, custard, or curl activator so your hair is both moisturized and defined.

Use your fingers

Some wash and go tutorials will suggest using a Denman brush to define your hair. A brush will clump your ends but will also pull out way more hair than using your fingers alone. Your fingers are an extremely effective detangling tool, so use them to rake product throughout each section and create natural definition.

Sit under a dryer

While you can air dry a wash and go, I find that it leaves your roots a bit damp and thus poofy. If you sit under a hooded dryer, or even a soft bonnet attachment, you can concentrate more warm air onto your scalp, leaving you with a less shrunken wash and go.

Reactivate with water

The best thing about a wash and go is how easy it is to upkeep! Just spritz your hair with a bit of water or leave-in conditioner to reactivate the gel and moisturizer, and fluff with your fingers. Then go on and be great!

Those are my tips for a banging kinky hair wash and go! Have you done wash and gos on your hair? What tips do you have?