It’s a term that’s thrown around a lot in the CG community: squish to condish. But what does squish to condish mean? Is it really beneficial to your curls? How often should you be doing it?
With all the buzz around it, it may sound like just another too-good-to-be-true passing fad. In this case, however, there is good reason for the buzz – done right, the squish to condish technique is, dare we say, revolutionary. Keep reading to find out what it is, how it works, and why you should absolutely be doing it.
Squish to condish, oftentimes abbreviated as S2C, is short for squish to condition. It is a technique designed to impart and lock in moisture using conditioner and water. It requires no fancy tools, and you don’t need to go out and buy any special products – simply use the conditioner that you normally use.
In the simplest terms, squish to condish is a method to get the most out of your conditioner and to make sure that it conditions properly by penetrating deep the hair shaft and into the cuticle.
Squish to condish is beneficial to all curly types, and doubly so for curlies who find that their hair has a hard time holding on to moisture.
It’s important to note that, while you will very likely see immediate benefits after your first squish to condish session, squish to condish should be treated as an integral part of your routine. This is not to say that you must necessarily squish to condish every time you wash your hair, however. The key is to listen to your hair and find the right frequency for your curls.
Start with hair that has been washed (either with a CG-friendly sulfate-free cleanser or a co-wash), detangled, and rinsed clean.
With your hair wet, bend forward at the waist, drape your hair to the front, and apply a generous amount of conditioner to your hair. For medium-length hair you will need approximately a palm full. Finger comb the conditioner through your hair to evenly distribute the conditioner, and avoid getting the conditioner on your roots and scalp.
Scrunch (squish) the conditioner into your hair in sections. If you get a (kind of gross) squelching sound, you’re doing it right! If possible, allow the conditioner to sit and absorb for several minutes.
When you’re ready to wash the conditioner out, cup water in your hands, gather a clump of curls, and squish the water in. This motion forces the cuticle open and helps the conditioner penetrate deep into the hair shaft. Use cold or cool water if you are able to.
Continue working in sections, squishing clumps of curls with water, until your hair has become completely saturated with moisture. You’ll know when your hair has had its fill; it will tell you. Your hair will look more hydrated and will drip water at a slower rate. This is the only part that takes a bit of practice, but after several squish to condishes you will get a better feel for it.
When you’re done, you can plop your hair while it’s still dripping wet, or you can apply styling products while it’s still soaking wet.
And that’s it! As you continue to implement this method into your routine you will notice that your curls become more defined, less frizzy, and much healthier. Your hair will have a natural shine and resilient bounce, all with the same conditioner that you’re already using. Happy squishing!
