Natural hair is versatile. We can achieve styles that range from straight to curly, wavy, braided, twisted and puffed and with such uniqueness to make any woman feel special. Despite all the occasional trash we hear in the news about our natural tresses, we know how amazing it truly is. Our kinks and curls are beautiful and sexy all the while being chic and fashionable.
With that being said not every style is for everybody. Even if you disagree with that statement, you should at least know that not every style will be the choice for everyone to wear. We are still unique despite our hair’s commonalities, which is so loved and coveted by others, but does it mean we all have to wear the same styles?
OK, I’m a Wash and Go queen, and although some find that a difficult style, I find it perfect for me. Even though there are many who swear it is not the style for them, I beg to differ.
Before we get into the reasons on why a natural may want to rock a Wash and Go over a Twist-Out, let’s debunk some of these myths flying around about them, shall we?
You cannot wear Wash and Go year round – this stems from the folks living in four seasons and have actual cold weather during the winter months. For many Black women, we have been raised to believe that going outside (in the cold) with a wet head will get you a good dose of pneumonia or death! I am here to tell you that could not be further from the truth.
“You’ll probably feel chilly if you skip the blow-dry on a cold day, but not much else will happen. Again, colds are caused by a virus. Unless you are so cold that you get hypothermia, which could make you susceptible to infection, wet hair or clothes won’t increase your vulnerability. ” Health.com
I live in Denver, CO, and I rock the Wash and Go all year round, and only wear a hat when it gets below 20 degrees. I also have never had a cold as a result of this and never plan on getting one because of a wet head.
Wow awesome article! You learn something new everyday and this goes to show you not every style is great for everybody. I love the Wash N Go…at a distance. I just cannot seem to do it, but it’s cool. I have mastered the twist out. But yep, I feel this article. Thanks!
I have never been able to achieve a twist out on my mostly 4c some 4b hair. I have had several failed attempts and to me the twistout works better on my hair. I would love to do a wash and go one day I will try again but for now no way i can’t.
No can do for me. I have really thick 4a hair and it takes too long for my hair to dry even if I use a diffuser. The water has settled on my scalp for too long and it started to mildew my scalp and I started getting painful scabs and stuff. I had to go to the doctor and they prescribed special shampoo that is stronger than what you can get over the counter like TGel shampoo or Head and shoulders; so yeah wash and gos are a no no for me. Besides it’s not a wash and go if I still have to dry it, but what I can do is wash my hair and then flat twist it and go.
YES! the perfect answer for us “thin heads” that are twist and braid out challenged! i love my wash-n-go and get 7days or more of big puffy hair. can’t ask for more than that! (y)
Interesting article. I do think the title was a bit misleading though. I didn’t feel like the benefits named outweighed the benefits of twist outs. And I still think stretched styles are the best for reducing tangles, but that’s just me and my sisters’ hair. All of us get crazy tangles when we try to define/rock our natural textures. It’s just not for us.
Thank you so much for this article my twist-outs frizz-out within hours. I love wash n’ go’s because they display my 4a/4b coils in the best possible light. I have no problem with the extreme shrinkage because I love my coils. I use Elucence moisture balance conditioner every morning to detangle while I’m in the shower, leave a little in my hair, use grapeseed oil and Kinky Curly Knot Today
and start my day.
I am newly natural. I did the big chop and have a twa… It was a shocker only for but a moment because I love it and my husband does as well. But what I love, love, LOVE about being natural is being able to wash and go. Everything you mentioned is what I do. Hop in the shower to wet my hair, add oil, leave-in, then a butter and BOOM! I’m done.
Yes you can get sick from a “wet” head in cold weather…smh..I caught pneumonia.
I have fine 4C hair and have tried wash n gos. The reason many say they don’t work on 4C hair is because of incorrect expectations. They’re supposed to enhance the curls you naturally have. Since 4C have the tiniest diameter of coils, hence maximum shrinkage, what happens is the curls will clump but they’re still very small which gives the illusion of non-existent curls and then deemed a ‘fail’. If one desires bigger curls, the easiest way is twisting.
For me, wash n gos are not worth it because at 12 inches, it will shrink up to 2 inches that’s impossible to style and also manage at night. The only result you get is a fro. I look terrible in a fro. It’s too high maintenance and will require more detangling. Hence, I just do twists which forces the hair to bigger twistout curls which are easy to style and at night I’m one of those who MUST retwist. I only need less than 10 every night. I can afford 10 minutes. And at the end of the week, washing AND detangling takes me only 30 minutes. Twistouts win hands down.
I start out with a wash and go and dry twist to preserve at night. Pineappling and just a bonnet do not work for me.
Nope I still rather twist out . I haven’t wash and go in over a year . I love bigger more defined hair and less shrinkage . I’m a 3c/4a as well .
Omg! You described me to a T. Twist outs never look right for me. Yes, my hair tangles easily, but only if I try and stretch my wash n gos for too many days. I have a great curl definition, no matter if it’s day 1 or day 3 or 4. I sleep with my bonnet, barely spritz the next day, fluff, and keep it moving. It’s great. I live in cold weather too, and will walk out with a wet head wjt h the quickness. Our pale counterparts go out in the cold with heads, why can’t we? Lol.