Most of us have experienced the occasional action-packed day. You know the one: There are a hundred items on your to-do list (& not nearly enough time to do them all). But even with a packed schedule, you still want to look your best as you make your way through the list—& with a head of luscious curls, that’s easy to do.
Enter the wash & go, your new best friend for busy days. With wash & go hairstyles for natural hair, you simply wash your hair, take a few minutes to style it into a quick & effortless look that gives the appearance of putting in way more effort than you did, & bam. You’re ready to conquer the world looking like the royalty you are.
We’re here to inspire you, offering six easy wash & go hairstyles for natural hair to try next time you want your hair to look fabulous in a time crunch.
#1 Classic Wash & Go Curls
For ultimate body, bounce & beauty, the choice is clear: embrace your natural texture & let your hair do what it does best—flourish in all of its curly glory.
Whether you’re headed to the office for a quick meet-up or driving across town to check a few errands off of your to-do list, sporting unrefined curls is suitable for any task at hand. With naturally curly or coily hair, crafting those lustrous coils is only a few wash & go products away.
For a quick relaxed style, follow these simple steps:
- Step 1 – Wash & condition your hair with a nourishing product like PATTERN’s Hydration Shampoo & an equally juicy conditioner, such as our Lightweight Conditioner or Medium Conditioner.
- Step 2 – Apply a leave-in conditioner (we obviously recommend our Leave-In Conditioner) to wet hair to enhance hydration & impart soft definition to your curls. Be sure to distribute the conditioner evenly through the mid to ends of your strands for optimum coverage & nourishment.
- Step 3 – If you’re in a hurry, use The PATTERN Blow Dryer to diffuse your curls. The result? Soft curls packed full of volume & bounce. You can also air-dry your tresses for a more relaxed, beachy look.
#2 Defined Curls for Your Wash & Go
Slightly more refined than their voluminous, devil-may-care cousin, The Classic Curl, defined curls offer maximum definition for a more structured look. So if you’re interested in showcasing a polished head of curls, you can easily craft defined ringlets with the right products tailored to your curl type:
- Step 1 – Remove excess water from your hair. After washing your hair, use a microfiber to gently absorb some of the water from your strands.
- Step 2 – Choose a curl-defining product. The type of styling product you choose depends on your unique curl pattern & the level of hold you aspire to achieve. For maximum moisture & a touchable hold, we recommend our Styling Cream with nourishing ingredients like Shea Butter & Sweet Almond Oil. To really define your locks, our Curl Gel is the perfect product to help you achieve the bounciest curls in the land.
- Step 3 – Apply your curl cream or gel. Section your hair into manageable chunks with PATTERN’s Sectioning Clips. Then, apply your styling product one section at a time, coating strands evenly to absorb the product & its hydrating ingredients.
- Step 4 – Perfect your curling method. After you’ve applied a styling product to the first section of hair, there are several ways to define your curls. Some curl patterns come to life by simply scrunching the hair upward, while others might need a little extra encouragement. If your curls need a helping hand, try using finger curls. Wrap a small section of hair around your fingers in a spiral motion from the root to the tip to help the curls form. Then, gently release the curl & repeat as needed.
- Step 5 – Set your curls. If time allows, you can speed up the drying process & give your coils the gift of added volume with the help of The PATTERN Blow Dryer paired with The Diffuser Attachment. For extra nourishment, don’t forget to seal the ends with either PATTERN’s Argan Oil Blend or Jojoba Oil Blend!
#3 The Twist Out for Added Volume
The Twist Out is essentially a BOGO special, as you’re getting two gorgeous hairstyles for the time it takes to complete one. What starts as a protective style directly after wash day ends in a full-bodied, elongated style that results in soft, enviable waves.
Jumping at the chance to achieve a two-for-one wash & go style? Follow these simple instructions on clean, damp hair:
- Step 1 – Protect damp hair by first coating your curls with our Detangling Nectar before applying a Leave-In Conditioner.
- Step 2 – Divide your hair into small sections.
- Step 3 – Apply our Curl Gel or Strong Hold Gel to the first section of hair from the scalp to the ends.
- Step 4 – Take a small to medium section of hair, splitting the section of hair into two equal parts. Then, begin twisting the sections around each other, starting at the roots & continuing to the ends. Continue throughout each section of hair until you’re rocking a head full of gorgeous twists.
- Step 5 – Go about your day. While you’re slaying the day & charming everyone you brush elbows with, your hair will air dry, forming defined curls along the way.
- Step 6 – Later that day, or even the following day, carefully unravel each twist for sculpted locks. For looser waves, use your fingers to separate them & give them a more relaxed shape.
#4 Pineapple Updo for Second-Day Hair
Gone are the days of waking up between wash days to curls that’ve lost their definition & volume. If you want to preserve those covetable curls overnight, look no further. Enter the Pineapple method, your new best friend for second & third-day hair.
At its core, the Pineapple is almost exactly what it sounds like. You pull your hair up high on top of your head & secure it in a loose ponytail, leaving your curls to stick out on top like the leaves on the thirst-quenching fruit.
So, after a day of taking the world by storm (and showing off those flawless curls in the process), follow these simple instructions to learn how to pineapple hair before calling it a night:
- Step 1 – Gather all of your curls in one hand & gently pull them toward the top of your head.
- Step 2 – Put your curls into a loose ponytail on the very top of your head using one of our Satin Scrunchies that glide effortlessly over your strands.
- Step 3 – Relax & head to bed. Tomorrow your coils will be ready to slay all over again.
#5 The Multifaceted Easy Low Bun
For a smart, sleek look, the low bun is a timeless hairstyle that you can rock on any occasion. Start with wet, freshly washed hair & follow the steps below:
- Step 1 – Apply PATTERN’s Moisture Milk throughout damp hair to give it a micro spa treatment before the fun begins.
- Step 2 – Distribute the curl gel of choice through your strands, & then gather your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. For shorter hair, use an elastic to keep the hair secured there.
- Step 3 – Twist the remaining hair at your nape & wrap the ponytail into a bun. Secure with an elastic or scrunchie.
- Step 4 – Use hair pins to keep loose curls in place.
- Step 5 – Tame any flyaways with a dash of curl gel for a polished hairstyle worthy of whatever the day holds.
#6 The Quick Messy Bun
There’s something special about witnessing a perfectly placed messy bun in the wild. Because, believe it or not, the messy bun is an art form. It exudes effortless edginess. & the best part? It only takes a minute to craft.
The challenge lies in mastering the messy bun. But with a little practice, you’ll become the wearer that everyone aspires to be.
If you just washed your hair, you’ll want to use a microfiber towel to remove the excess water from your hair & apply a leave-in conditioner & styling cream for added texture (the secret ingredient for a seamless messy bun). Lastly, use a diffuser to dry your hair until it’s almost completely dry.
Then, you’ll work on mastering these simple steps:
- Step 1 – Gather your hair into a loose ponytail on the top of your head. Don't worry about making it too neat—half of the beauty in the messiness is embracing the natural texture & volume of your hair.
- Step 2 – Pull your hair through a hair tie, bringing it only halfway through on the last loop to create a bun shape. Keep it relaxed on top of your head, giving you room to tighten or adjust the bun as needed.
- Step 3 – Use hair pins to secure any pieces you’d like, or let some strands fall freely around your face for the ultimate tousled updo.
Stock Up on Wash & Go Essentials With PATTERN
No matter what the day brings or how much (or little) time you have to style your hair, there are plenty of wash & go hairstyles for curly hair that beautifully showcase your natural texture. With a little inspiration & haircare products tailored to your unique curl pattern, you’ll have all you need to execute a handful of flawless styles.
At PATTERN, we're your cheerleading section every time you show off your curls & coils. With safe ingredients & a love for all curly hair types, we're dedicated to caring about your crown as much as you do.
Whether you’re in the market for a new shampoo & conditioner, styling product & styling tool, or any hair care product in between, explore our collection & discover your new favorite curl care products today!
Sources:
Women’s Health. How to Get a Perfect Messy Bun Based On Your Hair Length. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/a30799574/how-to-do-messy-bun
