Finger Coiling for Stubborn Wash-and-Gos

Wash-and-gos have been around since naturaldom and have probably been attempted by all curlies at least once. For some, wash-n-gos are super easy
and simply involves raking product through their hair. For others,
wash-and-gos involve a bit more work and will require the curly to not
only rake, but do the accordion method and smooth as well.

But for a small few, wash-and-gos are even more complicated because
of uneven curl patterns, frizz and those patches that refuse to curl. If
this sounds like your hair at all, then finger coiling may be the
answer for you.

Finger coiling helps smooth out your curls, reducing frizz, defining
curls in your frizzy areas, and evening out your curl pattern by forming
uniform curls.

How to Master Finger Coiling

1. To begin, start off with freshly cleansed, dripping wet hair
   that is separated into small sections. Apply your product to one
   section ensuring that you apply a nice gel or thick styling cream on top
   of your moisturizer or leave-in. The gel or cream will allow you to
   mold your curls for this style and give more hold than a moisturizer or
   leave-in alone.
2. After applying your product rake it through your hair
   with your fingers to distribute it evenly and encourage your curls to
   clump. This step is optional, but to really get smooth curls and major
   clumping I often run a Denman brush
   through that section. Once done, hold the section in one hand and use
   the fingers of your other hand to separate a small piece. Then with your
   free hand use your index finger to wrap the small piece of hair around
   it whilst moving your finger down the hair shaft- this is called finger
   coiling. The technique may take some getting used to but once you have
   it down it will be easy to get through the rest of your hair.
3. Continue to separate more small pieces from your section
   to finger coil until all the hair in that section has been defined.
   Once done with that section move on to the next repeating the steps
   above.
4. Remember to re-wet a section using a spray bottle filled with water before applying product to it if it is dry.

To vary your styles, you can finger coil smaller or bigger sections
to change the diameter of your curls. Also, to decrease your hair’s
volume, try finger coiling larger sections and to achieve big hair, use
smaller sections.

Read More: Teri LaFlesh – All About Doodling

This may seem like a lot to do for one hairstyle, but for women out
there with hair that does not fare well with the traditional wash-and-go
method but who still want to rock a wash-and-go this summer, this
method may be a godsend. Also, keep in mind that, as you become better
at it, the time it takes will lessen. If this still seems like a lot for
an everyday style, then save it for special occasions instead.