Category Archives: Hairstyles

First Wash & Go EVER!

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This weekend I did my first actual wash & go. I’ve been hesitant about it for a very long time because I thought the shrinkage would be incredible. I also feared more single strand knots than usual. As the warmer weather approaches, I thought it wouldn’t be so bad to try.I had NO idea where to begin, so I checked out a bunch of YouTube videos by the people whose wash & go’s I love on Instagram (@MahoganyCurls @HealthyHairToToe @Te_am_o)

The biggest tips were to begin the process in the shower, do it while it’s wet and don’t manipulate it too much until it dries completely. I thought the products I used would play a big part in the outcome, so I wanted to choose them carefully. I noticed none of the Instagrammers/YouTubers highlighted products, it seemed to be more about the process.

As for me and my hair… I washed and deep conditioned my hair as usual. Herbal Essences Shampoo (any kind) and Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment. These are my staples. I always wash my hair at the kitchen sink and that didn’t change. I rinsed out my deep conditioner at the kitchen sink as well. I then followed the process recommended, by beginning the styling process in the shower. I let the water run on my hair and made sure it was detangled in the position I wanted my wash and go to fall. I twisted it into a low bun while I showered, then just wrapped a towel around my whole head when I got out of the shower.

For styling, I let the curls fall as they may and just straightened my side part. I applied Extra Virgin Olive Oil to each section (4 loosely pinned up quadrants) because I swear by my “liquid gold.” The next and most important step was to separate smalls sections and apply EcoStyler gel (I used the Argan Oil one, but I’m sure any one would be fine) while smoothing it down the length of my hair ensuring that there was enough gel to prevent frizz and fly-aways. The process was very quick… maybe 15-20 minutes. I then let it air dry. It did take several hours to air dry, but it was never dripping wet.

I must say that I am VERY pleased with the results. My curls are defined. It actually didn’t shrink up as much as I anticipated. Of course the fact that one side of my hair curls more than the other was even more evident in its curly state. I’m currently on day 3 of my wash and go and it’s holding up extremely well. #Success
DAY 1

DAY 2
DAY 3

 
XOXO,
Rece

Straight Hair Talk Continued

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I’ve gotten a few questions regarding straightening my hair, so here are the answers…

Q. Do you put Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) in your hair before the heat protectant or after?

A. I use EVOO before the heat protectant. On freshly washed hair, I apply EVOO (and sometimes a leave in conditioner), then blowdry. 


Q. How much EVOO do you use?

A. I section my hair into 4 quadrants before I blowdry it and I use a little more than a quarter sized amount of EVOO in each quadrant. I pay extra attention to my ends


Q. Do you blowdry then flat iron?

A. Yes, I blowdry my hair first on medium heat, to dry it, not straighten it, then I flat iron. 


Q. When do you apply the heat protectant and EVOO?

A. First, I apply the EVOO to wet hair, then blowdry. I do not apply the heat protectant to blow dry my hair because blow drying on medium isn’t enough heat to cause heat damage to my hair. 

Second, I apply the heat protectant to each small parted section just before I flat iron it. I make sure to smooth it very well over the length of my hair. 


Q. How do you not have heat damage?

A. It probably depends a lot on hair texture and resilience. I know some people can get heat damage just from blow drying their hair. The most important thing is to know your hair and know what it can take. Obviously, everyone can’t do the same things, or even the same way. 

To flat iron, I never use temperatures greater than 350 degrees. I do 2-3 passes per section. I’ve read others say that they set the temperature to 450 degrees and do one pass. I’m pretty sure my hair (and probably yours too) would burn at 450 degrees. I’d rather use a lower temperature setting and pass the flat iron over each section an additional time or two, until I achieve the straightness I desire. 

While I’m flat ironing, I make sure that I don’t see steam or anything coming from the flat iron as I’m passing it through my hair. That would be my indication that the temperature is too high. I cringe when I see videos of hairstylists flat ironing and there’s a ton of steam as they flat iron. 

Just because you think your hair is coarse or extra curly, it doesn’t mean you need more heat to straighten your hair. Your strands could actually be fine and require less heat. 


Tip: It’s better to start at a low temperature and adjust it up accordingly, than to start at a high temperature and unnecessarily burn your hair. 

In addition, always test out the temperature on a small section before continuing to do your entire head. 

Hope this helps! 

XOXO,

Rece