A Day By Jay

Hair. Beauty. Life.

Washing Transitioning Hair (Wash and Go)

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What to expect when transitioning to natural hair....how to care for long term transitioning hair...products & regimen...big chop...wash day...hairstyles. relaxedthairapy.com

Washing transitioning hair became a burden at some point and I stopped doing wash day posts. My wash days were lasting so long that I truly felt I had put in 8 hours of work. By the time wash day was over, I had no energy to write a post about it. Now that wash day is manageable again, I will do my best to bring wash day posts back, at least periodically if nothing more.

l decided to live on the edge this past wash day and I was willing to accept whatever punishment came my way. I had been wearing a bun for about 4 days straight. My hair was filled with gel and had not been combed in days nor did I bother to detangle it before washing my hair.

Please do as I say and not as I do on this one — you should properly detangle your hair before washing it. However, I did not feel like it plus I wanted to see if I could have a successful wash day without all the pre-work. I guess you could say this was somewhat of a washing transitioning hair experiment to see what my hair is capable of doing. Knowing the odds were stacked against me, I went for it anyway.

Related: How to Properly Detangle Your Hair

Washing Transitioning Hair Experiment (The Products)

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil followed by Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose. Both were applied to dry hair and stayed on for 15 minutes. I kept my hair covered with a plastic processing cap but I did not use heat. This pre-shampoo step was done to give my hair a moisture boost before starting wash day.

Hairveda Amala Cream Rinse Cleansing Conditioner. Moisture based cleansing conditioner that hydrates while gently removing buildup. This cleansing conditioner performs much like a sulfate free cleanser.

Paul Mitchell The Detangler. Moisture based detangling conditioner that offers outstanding slip. I was able to fully detangle my hair while in the shower even though I did not detangle beforehand.

Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose yet again as my deep conditioner for 10 minutes while in the shower.

Liquid, Cream, Butter layering method. Bekura Honey Latte Detangling Milk, Cantu Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream, My Honey Child Type 4 Cream.

I air dried in 6 two strand twists.

Washing Transitioning Hair Experiment (The Result)

My shampoo and conditioner routine has been on point for a while. My leave in conditioner routine, however, has been hit and miss. Finding the right product combination takes a lot of trial and error but the liquid, cream and butter combination provides my hair with definition and hydration.

Washing transitioning hair...wash and go...washing in braids and sections...transitioning hair regimen on wash day...products...how to wash...cowashing. relaxedthairapy.com

This is what my wash and go should somewhat resemble when fully natural.

My curls were soft, springy and defined in most places. I have a few more sections that need a little work. Clearly, the relaxed ends are stopping me from achieving greatness but I’m to blame for that. I want to hold on to them for a short while longer until I can cut my hair in a bob that looks worth something. Right now, the natural hair is so varying in length that I would have to cut my hair lower than I prefer to shape it. However, the relaxed ends will be removed with the quickness when I gain a little more length because I’m ready to wear my hair loose and free which I’m unable to do unless wearing a braid out.

Related: Braid Out on Transitioning Hair

How to Maintain a Wash and G0 (Curly Texture)

I did not comb my hair throughout the week because I did not want to disturb the curls. I finger detangled several times per week to remove shed hair. I moisturized and sealed twice daily and kept my hair stretched by banding my hair throughout the week.

Washing transitioning hair...wash and go...washing in braids and sections...transitioning hair regimen on wash day...products...how to wash...cowashing. relaxedthairapy.com
Related: Banding Method

My Style for the Week?

My style for the week was a textured hair bun because the ends of my hair are/were too stringy for much else. Plus, I didn’t feel like forcing then to cooperate so I rocked a textured hair bun by simply tucking the straight ends away.

Washing transitioning hair...wash and go...washing in braids and sections...transitioning hair regimen on wash day...products...how to wash...cowashing. relaxedthairapy.com

What’s Your Favorite Leave In Combination?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Great post! (And long post incoming)
    I’ve got so many favorite leave-ins now it’s ridiculous. Plus, I still have tons in my stash to try out (Bee Mine, TreLuxe Naturals, CurlLuxe, Sarenzo, Claudie’s Hair Revitalizer, Naturelle Grow, The Mane Choice, APB, Qhemet Biologics)! I stay looking for leave ins LOL. I don’t really M&S during the week so I need leave ins that get it done on wash day and set me up for the week.

    Creamy: Kurlee Belle Thirsty Kurls Leave In (so sorry it didn’t work out for you), Inahsi Naturals Aloe and Hibiscus Leave In Conditioner, TGIN Green Tea Leave In Conditioner, Purabody Naturals Murumuru Moisture Milk (I’m still holding on to this), SSI Cranberry Cream Hair Cocktail, SSI Coco Creme Leave In Conditioner, Silk Dreams Wheat Germ Butter Conditioner

    Spray: LRC Shake and Go, APB Blueberry Cheesecake Leave In Conditioner, Mielle Organics White Peony Leave In Conditioner

    Reply

    • TY Sweet Cakes!

      I have a lot of leave in conditioners that I have not tried yet so there may be some gems hiding in the stash. That Bekura though — mercy me. It’s pure hydration in a bottle.

      You have quite a number of LIs that I don’t have. I need to get like you. I usually spend my $$ on deep conditioners. But, my focus is shifting to LIs because I think that’s where the lasting hydration comes from (for my hair anyway).

      I never tried Silk Dreams but want to. APB is a solid line! Blueberry Cheesecake is so so yummy.

      Reply

  2. ooo Jay! I can see your natural hair coming through and I’m loving it! I’m over here patiently waiting for the fully natural hair revealed postl. 🙂

    Reply

  5. I love how you’re able to transition so well! Your hair looks amazing. I struggle with finding a good leave in conditioner also. I started using Obia Naturals products and have been happy with them.

    Reply

  7. I am experimenting with just leave ins for moisture as well cause these butter based moisturizers does nothing for my hair. It only sits on my strands and does not penetrate it at all.

    Reply

  9. Awesome detailed post! I’ve been natural my whole life but stopped straightening my hair a few years ago. My style after wash day is typically two strand twists or flat twists.

    Reply

  14. Having 2 textures is tough, but you’re handling it well! Life will be so much easier when you chop off the relaxed ends, but I understand wanting to have length before going all in. Best of luck on your hair journey!

    Reply

  15. I’m sooooooo lazy with mine. My wash day only involves pantene conditioner, avocado oil, and black castor oil. Cocoa butter or shea butter if I’m feeling fancy. I need to check out some new stuff!

    Reply

  16. My hair was a mess when I was transitioning. I did not have the patience. Your hair looks great and I can tell you take great care of it.

    Reply

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