Do This to Speed Up Your Wash Day
Speed Up Your Wash Day with These
Time-Saving Tips for Curly Hair
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If you're tired of long wash days, detangling struggles, or waiting hours for deep conditioning treatments, you're in the right place.
Today, I'm sharing a streamlined approach to wash day that can cut your time down to just 90 minutes or less.
This guide includes everything from detangling to deep conditioning – all while highlighting the tools and products you'll need for a successful wash day routine. Let's dive into the details!
Why You Don’t Need to Pre-Poo Anymore
One common myth in the curly hair community is the necessity of pre-pooing (using a conditioner, water, or oil mix before shampooing). While some find this step essential, it often adds extra time without significant benefit. Here’s why I recommend skipping it:
Risk of Breakage: When hair is dry, it’s less elastic and more prone to breaking. Pre-pooing before hair is fully hydrated can lead to breakage, especially if you're heavy-handed while detangling.
Inefficient Moisture Application: The optimal time to detangle is when hair is fully wet in the shower. Pre-pooing with semi-wet or dry hair doesn’t allow moisture to penetrate properly, making the detangling process more challenging.
Instead, hop straight into the shower and start washing right away. You’ll find it easier to work through tangles, and you'll reduce unnecessary breakage.
Step 1: Shampooing and Finger Detangling –
Two Birds, One Stone
To maximize your time, combine shampooing and detangling. Here’s how to do it:
Divide Hair into Sections: Once your hair is thoroughly wet, divide it into manageable sections. If you have fine hair, two sections might be enough. For thicker hair, consider four sections.
Apply Shampoo to the Scalp: Focus the shampoo on your scalp, where buildup tends to accumulate. Massage it gently into your scalp to lift dirt, oils, and debris.
Bring Suds Down to the Length: Once your scalp is clean, work the shampoo suds down the length of your hair using your fingers. Finger detangling at this stage is essential because it allows you to feel and gently work through tangles without causing damage.
Repeat the Process: A double shampoo is key! The first wash removes surface buildup, while the second provides a deeper clean. You'll notice more lather on the second wash, which ensures your hair is thoroughly cleansed.
Step 2: Deep Condition and Steam –
A Built-In Treatment
After shampooing, it’s time to deep condition. By following this routine, you’ll save time and achieve a salon-worthy steam treatment from the comfort of your shower:
Apply Deep Conditioner to the Length: Avoid your scalp and focus the product on your mid-lengths and ends, where moisture loss is more common.
Clip Up and Continue Showering: Twist or clip your hair up to keep it away from your body. Now, proceed with the rest of your shower routine—wash, shave, and relax. The steam from the hot shower will open your hair cuticles, allowing the deep conditioner to penetrate more effectively.
Rinse and Go: Once you’re done with your shower, rinse out the deep conditioner. This method eliminates the need for separate conditioning treatments and overnight deep conditioning, saving you time and still giving you soft, hydrated curls.
Step 3: Styling
Once you step out of the shower, it’s time to style:
Apply Leave-In Conditioner or Styler: Using a leave-in conditioner helps lock in the moisture from your deep conditioning treatment, providing added slip and frizz control for your curls.
Finger Detangle (Optional): If you feel any remaining knots, give them a final pass with your fingers to avoid using a brush or comb that could cause breakage.
Tools & Products That Will Transform Your Routine
Wide-Tooth Comb or Fingers: For gentle detangling, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb if you prefer a tool.
Clips for Sectioning: Keep clips in the shower to make sectioning easier.
Moisture-Rich Shampoo and Deep Conditioner: Invest in quality, hydrating products designed for curly hair. These will make detangling simpler and leave your curls softer.
Leave-In Conditioner: To keep your curls hydrated and manageable after rinsing, opt for a lightweight leave-in that won’t weigh your curls down.
Final Thoughts
With this routine, you’ll save time and reduce breakage, helping you retain length and keep your curls looking healthy. Try these steps, and you’ll see that wash day doesn’t have to be an all-day event! Let me know how these tips work for you, and if you have any other questions, drop them in the comments.
Happy wash day!