Design Essentials Teaches New Tricks for Wash-N-Go Summer Styling!

 

With record-setting temperatures in the forecast for this summer, women with Natural hair are seeking styling options that keep them cool and get them out the door fast. During an online WebEx presentation, Design Essentials® Master Educators Deshonica Kerrie and Francesca Adams shared in-depth techniques for unique Wash-N-Go hair styles that cut down on styling time and heat usage while still showcasing natural texture. Natural hair blogger Tiffany Davis from NaturalHairInTheMedia.com and PR exec Ashley Tanks with Brainchild Associates served as models demonstrating Design Essentials® new take on the traditional free-form curly fro associated with Wash-N-Go hair.

Here are tips from the styling session that will help anyone achieve the right conditions for cool, funky Wash-N-Go styling.

Wash-N-Go Shampooing Basics

• Always detangle from ends to root before shampooing to release the kinks and make the shampoo process easier.
• Detangle with either Design Essentials® HCO Leave-In Conditioner or Hydrate Leave-In Hydrating Conditioner before shampooing.
• If you experience knotting at the ends of the hair when trying to detangle, use a cream-based conditioner and use your fingers to loosen the knots before shampooing.
• Remove hair build-up without stripping the hair by shampooing with Design Essentials® Organic Cleanse Deep Conditioning Shampoo, followed by the sulfate-free Design Essentials® Natural Curl Cleanser shampoo.

Wash-N-Go Conditioning Basics

One of the challenges with Wash-N-Go hair is quickly styling before seeing frizz or shrinkage. Here are some tips to ensure adequate moisture and ample time to style.

• Use a hydrating leave-in conditioner, such as Design Essentials® Natural Moisturizing Conditioner, for achieving more volume along with a daily moisturizing agent, such as Design Essentials® Natural Daily Moisturizing Lotion, for achieving more definition as a base before using a curl enhancing product such as Design Essentials® Natural Curl Enhancing Mousse. You can let the hair air dry or diffuse with a blow dryer for more volume, and to set the style in place.
• If your hair dries quickly, apply small amounts of a moisturizing agent such as Design Essentials® Natural Daily Moisturizing Lotion to reactivate the product and make it easier to manipulate.

Wash-N-Go Custom Moisturizing Cocktails

Customizing your conditioners helps address the hair issues you see when it's time to style. Add your conditioning cocktail, let it sit on the hair for a few minutes, then detangle and rinse, beginning with warm water and ending with a cool shot to seal in the moisture.

• To infuse moisture and help define curls, Design Essentials® Natural Moisturizing Conditioner, Express Instant Moisturizing Conditioner, and a little Stimulations Super Moisturizing Conditioner are great product options to consider using.
• To add protein back into the hair post-coloring for strength, Design Essentials® Hydrate Leave-In Conditioner, DEEP Fortifying Conditioner and Natural Moisturizing Conditioner are perfect solutions.

Wash-N-Go Makeshift Steamer at Home

If your hair still craves moisture in between visits under your stylist's professional steamer, here's how to create your own home steaming session.

• Place a plastic cap over clean and conditioned hair.
• Microwave a towel soaked in hot water for 1 minute and place it around the plastic cap.
• Place another plastic cap on top and sit under the dryer for 10 minutes.
• Or, apply your conditioner while in the shower, and allow the steam to penetrate your hair for 10 minutes.

Tiffany's shoulder-length curly fro turns into a cool and edgy look with multiple pompadours. After cleansing and conditioning, each section of hair is parted horizontally and detangled. Each section is gathered and rolled, securing the end with pins and tucking. The look is finished with Design Essentials® Diamond Oil Sheen for extra shine and polish. This look can last with a satin bonnet at night and readjusting any pins that become loosened.

Ashley's medium length natural hair was swept into a polished and pretty chignon that's a snap to do. If you are short on time, you can recreate this look by simply twisting the hair back. Begin with a deep off-center part, and work your way back from the front of the hair. Smooth edges while maintaining the natural texture by applying a little of Design Essentials® Curl Enhancing Mousse to the edges and smoothing with fingers. This look will last a few days by securing with a scarf.

Click HERE to view full Wash-N-Go Makeover Gallery with Tiffany Davis and Ashley Tanks.