Squish to condish? What’s that? Yes, you have read the heading right. Squish to condish is the perfect conditioning technique for ladies with curly, dry, and dull hair.
Do you want to have bouncy curls? What about hydrating your hair properly? Would you like to keep it healthy? If the answer is yes, then continue reading to find out all about the latest conditioning technique.
What kind of conditioning technique is squish to condish?
Firstly, squish to condish is a conditioning technique and term coined by Melissa Stites, a hairstylist from Michigan. She shared her conditioning secret on her blog. Women not only from the US but also all over the world have been grateful to her ever since.
As a hairstylist, Melissa knows how demanding bringing dry and dull hair back to life can be. That is why she was trying to find a way to moisturize hair as much as possible. When hair is perfectly moisturized, it is nourished, shiny, and more importantly, healthy. One day, she came up with squish to condish (S2C).
This conditioning technique relies on the use of a conditioner and water to give hair all moisture and hydration it needs. There’s no better way to hydrate hair than with water. No wonder then it’s one of two main components of this conditioning technique. The conditioner, as the other component, merely serves as a medium to get the right amount of water in the hair. Therefore, they work together to give your hair a hydration boost.
Since dry, dull, and damaged hair are usually problems women with curly hair face, squish to condish is the perfect technique for them. This hair type can’t absorb enough water for proper hydration. That’s why they need something to seal water in curls. The conditioning technique forces hair to enter the very hair cuticle, so it gains enough hydration from the inside.
How does squish to condish work?
When hair is flexible, it means it’s hydrated. In its wet condition, you can easily style it the way you want. On the other hand, when hair feels like straw or looks dry, it lacks hydration, i.e. water. It looks dull and is prone to further damage.
When curly or straight hair is moisturized, it’s frizz-free. Thanks to moisture, hair isn’t subjected to any friction.
However, what you should understand is that squish to condish as a technique isn’t meant to smooth down your hair cuticles. Cuticles are crucial in this process because of their edges. Between them, water along with valuable ingredients in the conditioner seep through and hydrate and nourish hair from within. The conditioning technique doesn’t change their position or condition whatsoever.
Now that you have understood what squish to condish does to your hair, let’s see how it works step by step. We have broken this conditioning technique down for you.
Squish to condish – Step by step
Squish to condish consists of six easy-to-take steps. So, let’s get down to business.
Step one — Wash your hair
Hair wash is the first step in this conditioning technique. So, take your regular shampoo and wash your hair. Make sure to rinse it out thoroughly and get rid of any greasiness or product build-up. If you think your shampoo might additionally dry out your hair, then pre-wash your hair, just to be sure. This process will protect your hair from any damage shampoo ingredients might cause to your dry and sensitive hair and scalp. It’s important to point out that even women using co-wash treatment can squish to condish. In this case, they should apply squish to condish right after completing the first step of co-wash.
Step two — Condition
When you have soaked your hair in the water, you should apply a generous amount of conditioner on your hair. During this step, you should make sure to cover every strand with the conditioner of your choice.
Step three – Detangle
The third step requires you to use a detangler, comb, or your fingers to detangle any hair knobs you might have. You should start detangling from hair ends and work your way to the roots. While your hair is wet, it’s especially fragile, so be careful and gentle while detangling. Also, try not to pull the comb harshly all the way because it might damage your hair strands.
Step four — Turn your head upside down
Some might find the fourth step a bit unusual. Meanwhile, it’s quite normal in this process because you need to have great access to your hair ends and roots. Therefore, you have to flip your head upside down or point it to the floor. This position allows you to reach your hair ends easier. If you think it might make you feel more comfortable, you can hold your hair in this position over the tub.
Step five — Squish to condish
We’ve finally come to the very essence of squish to condish technique. The term literally means to squish water into the hair. You collect amounts of water in your hands and squish the hair in an upward movement — from ends to roots. Through this squishing movement, water and conditioner work together. Here are two tips: Don’t squish all your hair at once. Instead, divide it into sections and devote some time squishing one section at a time. Also, don’t forget the back of your head. Make sure to squish as much as you can to allow water and conditioner to enter the cuticles and hydrate the hair. And if you feel your hair is becoming dry, apply some more conditioner and squish again.
Step six — Repeat squish to condish
The sixth and final step is optional. This step requires you to repeat the squishing step at least three times. You can even leave a small amount of conditioner in your hair. This way the conditioner seals in the water and makes your hair extra smooth and silky.
Best products for squish to condish
While conditioners are an important part of any hair care routine, choosing the perfect one can be daunting at times. We have made a list of some of the best conditioners for this conditioning technique.
When choosing the right conditioner for squish to condish, you have to bear a few things in mind. You need a conditioner that is great at attracting moisture. Such conditioners don’t block water and moisture. More importantly, they don’t add another layer of product build-up, so your curly hair won’t look heavy nor greasy.
Take a look at our list.
SheaMoisture Hydration Conditioner
When describing this particular conditioner, we first have to start from its smell. If you’re a fan of the honey scent, then you’re going to love it! Apart from manuka honey, the conditioner contains jojoba and coconut oil as well as fair trade shea butter. The restorative formula repairs and detangles damaged and brittle hair; nourishes and hydrates it. Additionally, it doesn’t contain any sulfates, mineral oils, petroleum, parabens, phthalates. In case you’re an animal lover, then you’ll love this product since it’s cruelty-free.
Redken All Soft Conditioner
Unlike the previous conditioner, this one is protein-based with palm oil. It’s designed to repair, moisturize and restore dry, brittle, or damaged hair. Similarly, the conditioner serves as a sun protectant for your scalp and hair. Since external influences, such as the sun, wind, and cold can damage or break the hair, this is definitely a great advantage. On the downside, the package is too small while its price is too high.
Innersense Organic Beauty Hydrating Cream Conditioner
If your hair isn’t only dry but also coarse, then Innersense Organic Beauty Hydrating Cream Conditioner must be in your shopping cart. Aloe vera, lavender, orange, coconut, soybean oil with shea butter, and rice protein as ingredients have one purpose only. That is to bring hydration to your dry hair strands. Similarly, they strengthen your hair follicle and reduce frizz. However, despite all the organic ingredients, the product contains fragrance which you may or may not like.
On the whole, for bouncy curls, hydrated and healthy hair, you don’t need much. Only some time, water, and conditioner. You’ve read it right. That’s all you need to squish to condish and have amazingly curly and moisturized hair.