It can happen to the best of us. Look at me…the wash and go queen, the cannot-even-think-about-trying-another-style diva who wishes to wash and go for the rest of my life, can one day have issues with a wash and go too. I’m far from perfect but I do know that not everything will always work as planned, and that most definitely includes natural hair.
It is rare that all hair routines will actually well work forever, and that is because anything is susceptible to change. Our lives are forever changing and there are certain factors that will continue to alter your plans and practices when you least expect it. Some of the most famous ones are pregnancy, hormones, aging, health, environment, job, and chemical treatments. All of the above can wreak havoc on your tresses at any given time, so if you are so busy rocking the hottest wash and go and for an unknown reason you wake up with a wash and won’t, you may want to take heed.
Wash and Go Triage
First off, if you have been working on your wash and go because it doesn’t have its glory anymore, something may be wrong. It could be that you need a haircut because of heat damage. It could be you need to incorporate protein treatments, deep conditioning after every wash day, or try the baggy method to restore your moisture.
That same product may not be working as well as before (they may have changed the formula!”> or you may have to consider switching up brands or products (e.g. switching from butters to moisturizers”> if the changes are occurring as you embark into a different season. Dryer months need different products than the more humid ones, so figuring out what’s wrong may just require changes in your products or routines to rejuvenate your amazing wash and go.
Try a Different Variation of a Wash and Go
No one says you have to rock the same wash and go. A wash and go can vary from each person or climate. You may have to alter the products or the technique on how to get your wash and go back to stellar shape. If your hair has gotten longer you may have to pineapple to achieve a better second or third day out of your wash and go.
If you have a Deva Cut and its growing out, you may find problems with your style as it loses its shape. If you don’t want to cut it then you have to improvise and either switch up your part or pin up a side (or your bangs”> to give the illusion of the same cut while it grows out.
Give protective styles a try
A true wash and goer would never resort to protective styling just because her hair was acting up. It’s ok to admit defeat or try other styles while your hair is in a rut. Try Marley twists, box braids, twists, or the thousands of others styles that protect your hair and give you a different aesthetic. This may turn into a seasonal change if you can’t or don’t want to your wash and go during winter.
Get creative with the scissors
It might be time for a style change. A Deva Cut that will make your wash and go look much better. Your curls will fall and expand better. Check out our MyDevaCurl Curly Stylist Finder for the best curly cutters in your area.
Roll with the punches
If all else fails, rock it right and rock it hard. Do you and that means you wear your wash and go as you see fit. Got more frizz? Accept it and use it as volume! Some sides curl tighter than the other sides? Put more product on the less curly side, scrunch, and keep it moving. Wear it and be proud. It’s your hair and it’s beautiful no matter what.
What part of your routine seem to stop working? What did you do differently?
