I know that if you’re like me, you’re probably like, “Girl, what in the world is Shingling? And WHY am I doing it on my already dry and stretched hair?” Shingling is a great tool for women who may not normally get good curl definition with their Wash ‘n’ Go’s. Only a few products are required, and they are listed below:
Gel.
Spray bottle filled with water and favorite moisturizer.
Oil of your choice.
There are a few ways to stretch your hair before attempting this style. Blow drying is always an option, however those who don’t want to add heat to their hair can always put it in a few large braids, or place it into a bun. Using an Afro Pick on dry hair is also appropriate.
Simply separate a small section of hair with your fingers, and lightly mist it with your moisturizer mix. The goal is to make sure that hair is damp, but not dripping wet. Once the section of hair has been wet and the moisture is equally distributed, use a small amount of gel, and comb it through the section. You can either use a comb or your fingers, however using fingers will prevent any harsh tugging to the hair. Afterwards, separate small pieces from the section until the entire row is complete. The small strands of hair will begin to shrink on their own. Repeat this throughout your entire head; the process should take around an hour.
Allow your hair to air dry for a few hours. As seen in the video, depending on how much gel you use and how large the section, your hair may come out feeling a little hard. This is especially true if you use a gel with a strong hold like Eco Styler*. To soften your hair, rub a small amount of your favorite oil between your hands (like Castor or Coconut Oil*). Gently run it through the hair. The harsh gel feeling will go away.
Shingling is a great idea, but the process is a little lengthy because the faux Wash ‘n’ Go look will last for days. It’s another alternative to plan a Wash ‘n’ Go, and has more curl definition. It’s something that every curly girl should try, regardless of hair length and type!
Have you ever tried Shingling? What did you think?
Monét Johnson Payne says
I love shingling and get so many compliments! Problem is that I don’t take an hour to go through each section. I actually speed it up and do a quicker version. I should really invest the time to do it right and see how well it turns out.
Engrid Roy says
Gosh, this is just too much. But follow me on IG @StraightNaturals!
Angela Seven Scott says
This doesn’t last for days. I find that I have to refresh mine every day. 🙁
Laura Jehue Mabon says
An hour? Um nah
tmw says
Try it before you knock it, works well for me. Also do twist outs on dry stretch hair, I get hang time this way.. I’m a 4C+