I Have Naturally Curly Hair—These Are The Wash-and-Go Products I Swear By

Perfecting the art of the wash-and-go is essential when it comes to fine-tuning your natural hair routine, and the first step is curating an arsenal of superstar products best suited for you and your texture. When I finally sprouted hair at the tender age of 2.5, it seemed like it came all at once. I’m convinced my scalp was making up for those first few years of peach fuzz, blessing me (though it sometimes feels like a curse) with a head full of extra-thick, gloriously unruly 3C curls. Throughout my childhood and teen years, I spent endless hours detangling, primping, and attempting to "tame” them, so I’ve gotten to know their quirks, perks, and downfalls like the back of my… head. When I landed in the digital media world, I was afforded the opportunity to test a ton of products, learning to better tackle the woes that come along with curly living.

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(Image credit: @erinhaveadream)

It took some time to get on good terms with my curls. My poor, brittle strands were flattened and manipulated with heat tools throughout a highly questionable MySpace-induced "scene” phase, ninth grade meltdowns, and four separate prom nights. I resisted nature for a long time until finally attempting to appreciate my natural texture and nourishing my tresses to their full potential. The more love and time I poured into my curls just as they were, the more my acceptance grew.

Say this five times fast: "The power of poppin’ curls is palpable.” Rocking your ringlets unapologetically can definitely turn some heads, and it empowers you with a sense of confidence that’s contagious. But you know what they say: With great power comes great responsibility, including the dreaded yet necessary process that is wash day. Once you inch your mane beneath the faucet, the trials and tribulations that follow can be strenuous, but the rejuvenation that takes place inside and out makes it worthwhile.

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(Image credit: @erinhaveadream)

Despite its speedy-sounding name, a quality wash-and-go has several steps, so give yourself ample time for optimal results. If I can, I aim to carve out a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday, put on a podcast, and relax and stay a while. Making it a commitment to take your sweet time helps it feel more like a self-care ritual, which everyone should prioritize on the regular.

With places to go and patriarchy to dismantle, wasting precious hours on sub-par products isn’t the move for 2019 and beyond. You want to reap the fruits of your labor for as long as possible, and there’s nothing worse than committing to a full wash only to find a frizzy, tangled mess the very next day. When armed with potions that get the job done, you can go up to a week (sometimes more) without a wash, which makes the somewhat lengthy ritual pay off. In the spirit of reclaiming your time, check out six tried-and-true miracle products I always turn to for a top-notch wash-and-go.

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(Image credit: @erinhaveadream)

Tangles, Be Gone!

No ’Poo? No Problem

The O.G. Essential

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Go the Extra Mile

Amp Up the Definition

Lock In the Moisture

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(Image credit: @erinhaveadream)

Some Parting Thoughts

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(Image credit: @erinhaveadream)

At the end of the day, defining your perfect product lineup is an ongoing journey of trial and error, and this list can be tweaked with alternate formulas based on your own pattern and specific needs and concerns. The road toward embracing your natural texture is often winding, but it’s all about having fun and discovering your own special hacks along the way. 

Up next: How Box Braids Helped Ease My Mid-20s Slump 

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.

Freelance Contributor