How to Wash Curly Hair, Clarify, & Co-Wash for Beginners

Today we’re going back to the basics, and discussing how to properly wash curly hair for beginners. I’m covering how to clarify curls to remove buildup, shampoo, and how to co-wash. I also share tips for reducing breakage, detangling, and preventing more tangles when washing curly hair.

Pre-Poo & Dry Detangling

This step is optional, but if you have damaged high porosity hair, very fine hair that’s prone to breakage, using an oil on your hair before shampooing can help. Recently I did a video here all about How to Pre-Poo and Dry Detangle, where I explain how our hair is much stronger when it’s dry versus wet, so dry detangling can reduce breakage. It’s important to let the oil soak in overnight, or at least 30 minutes before washing your hair.

Method 1: Clarify

Clarifying should be a part of everyone’s routine for a healthy scalp and weightless curls if you’re following the curly girl method and not using hard sulfates. Clarifying shampoos are stronger than your traditional shampoo, and work to remove product buildup and oil from your scalp.

When following the curly girl method, you may be using low-poos or co-washes, washing your hair less often, and using products heavy in butters and oils. Heavy buildup on the scalp causes a myriad of scalp conditions, can lead hair loss over time, weigh down your curls, and prevent conditioners and stylers from soaking in.

How often should you clarify? I clarify about every other week, so 2-3 times a month. If I’m using styling products heavy in polyquats, butters, or oils, I have to clarify weekly.

How to Clarify your Hair

1. Apply an oil at least 30 minutes (or overnight) before washing your hair, then detangle with your hands
2. Saturate your hair with warm water
3. Detangle your hair with conditioner if needed
4. Apply a clarifying shampoo directly to your roots
5. Gently massage your scalp, taking your time to cover all areas, including your hairline
6. Rinse your hair with water, allowing the shampoo to wash over.the ends
7. Follow up with a deep conditioner (preferred) or regular conditioner
8. Rinse and squeeze out excess water

Method 2: Sulfate-free Shampoos or “Low-Poos”

Low-poos are your traditional CGM shampoos that provide some lather and are used for basic cleansing. They are intended to remove products from your hair and scalp oils, but won’t strip your hair of its natural oils completely.

It’s safe to use a sulfate-free shampoo frequently, such as 2-3 times a week if you prefer to wash often.

How to Shampoo Curly Hair

1. Apply conditioner to detangle first (optional)
2. Apply shampoo to your roots, and gently massage it in, focusing on your scalp only
3. Add water to increase the foam
4. Rinse with water, and allow the foam to wash over the ends
5. Repeat with more shampoo if needed
6. Apply conditioner to the lower half and detangle again
7. Rinse out the conditioner and squeeze out excess water

Method 3: Co-Wash

Co-washing is short for “conditioner washing,” and refers to using a creamy consistency cleanser in place of shampoo. Co-washes typcally have little to no lather, although they do contain mild surfactants. Co-washing is common within the curly girl method, however in my opinion, it should not be your only method of cleansing within your routine.

Co-washing is great when you need to re-style your hair mid-week, in between washes, and it won’t strip your hair of it’s natural oils. It’s the most gentle cleanse of all the 3 methods. Co-washing is great for people who are required to wash their hair very frequently for work, or those that are in water and chlorine on a regular basis.

Co-washes usually do not create much of a lather, but they do contain mild surfactants to clean your scalp and hair. This is why it’s important to go for an actual co-wash instead of simply using your regular conditioner to wash your hair.

The great thing about co-washes, is because they are so moisturizing you may not need a separate conditioner and it can serve as a 2-in-1 product.

How to Co-Wash

1. Dry detangle first (optional)
2. Fully saturate hair with water
3. Apply the co-wash to your scalp
4. With water running over your hair, scrub your scalp. Water will help activate some suds.
5. Apply more to various areas of your scalp to ensure even coverage
6. Use a shampoo brush to help lift away scalp buildup (optional)
7. Detangle hair with the co-wash still in
8. Rinse thoroughly and squeeze out excess water

Be sure to watch the video above for full instructions.

Products Used:

• MICHE Polished Hair & Scalp Oil
• TréLuxe Untie the Knot™ Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner
• Bounce Curl Enzyme Gentle Clarifying Shampoo or from Amazon
• Bounce Curl Deep Conditioner
• Bounce Curl Pure Silk Shampoo or from Amazon
• Bounce Curl Hydra-Drench Cleansing Conditioner or from Amazon
• Scalp massaging shampoo brush
• HairRepear The Ultimate Hair Towel

Drugstore Alternative Products

• Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Shampoo
• Mane Choice Peach Black Tea Shampoo
• Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Curl Care Shampoo
• Noughty Wave Hello Curl Defining Shampoo
• THE MANE CHOICE Soft As Can Be Revitalize & Refresh 3-in-1 Co-Wash, Leave-In, Detangler
• Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk 3-in-1 Conditioner
• Noughty Wave Hello Curl Defining Conditioner