I have had a few people mention the Anthony Dickey method to me and I have been familiar with his products for a while but not deeply aware of his method. He has a salon focused on all hair types in New York City and he has a hair care line of products which you can find here: https://hairrules.com/. However, the Anthony Dickey method is focused on curly hair with a detailed focus on type 4 hair.
While I agree with his method, I am not keen on washing my hair more than once a week. However, I do believe there is simplicity in his method and it could work. I wholeheartedly believe that you should apply your products to soaking wet hair, and you should also allow your true definition to shine through. I am a tool user for my wash and go’s, but I do believe that I can achieve the same results with my hands.
Like the Curly Girl Method (CGM), the Dickey Method focuses on using your fingers to detangle. However, he falls right in line with my ministry that your hair should not be a ton of work and a wash and go is achievable for all hair types, including type 4. Where he differs from the CGM is he is focusing on the level of moisture in your hair, it is not about spending countless hours doing your hair but finding a quick method that helps to make your curls pop no matter your texture. You should not be spending countless hours or a whole day on your hair, we all have a life to live. He also does not discourage the use of heat tools, like a bonnet or a blow dryer (we all cannot sit around in the house for 6 hours waiting on our hair to dry). Here is his method broken down:
- Detangle your hair while cleansing, using your fingers and ensuring that your hair is fully detangled. Make sure to do this in the shower and that your hair is soaking wet. In all of Anthony’s videos that I watched, he says “Water is your friend.”
- Apply your conditioner LIBERALLY and continue to detangle with your fingers, allow the conditioner to sit in your hair as needed. Anthony Dickey says “The conditioner should help to reveal your curl pattern.” You should be using a lot of conditioner for a lot of hair and ensure that your hair is drenched and soaking wet because “Water is your friend.”
- After rinsing out your conditioner, apply your product in the shower (Your hair should be soaking wet)! The Dickey Method recommends using a leave-in and a styler (such as a gel or custard or a mouse). The product should be applied LIBERALLY and Anthony Dickey says “ This step locks in your curl pattern.” He calls this “a glorified wet set”. Ensure your hair is saturated as your hair will sop up the product.
- Once your product is applied, place a towel over your face (and only your face) and vigorously shake shake and shake your hair so your hair can fall in place. If it is not in the position that you want to be when you stop shaking your head, slightly maneuver it so that your hair falls into place (without breaking the set curl).
- Finally, follow your ministry and either sit under a bonnet dryer, or diffuse or air dry. If you want to stretch your hair once it is dry, you can use concentrated nozzle and stretch your hair (by holding your hair on the end and applying the concentrated nozzle to your roots.
He believes this method should be done every 2 – 3 days (or more frequently) where you shampoo and condition on day 1 and on day 3, you co-wash.
Here is a video that shows his full process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT6lOMn-c_U
He also gives recommendations for how to do this at night so that you are not taking too much time in the morning: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CG72NyAlbER/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
I appreciate all of the various methods that exists for our wavy and curly hair. I believe there are many different ways to achieve the best wash and go and you should alternate styling to find the one that is best for you. However, as Anthony Dickey says, this should be convenient for you. The goal is to curate a process for you and find the best techniques to ensure that you can live your best wavy or curly life with fabulous hair.
Have you tried the Dickey Method? What are your thoughts?