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Section your hair for washing and styling

When loose hair gets in the way, working in smaller portions can make washing or styling easier to manage. Use only as many sections as you need.

Step by step

  1. A woman uses both hands to separate her own damp curls along a rough part toward the back of her head.
    STEP 1 OF 4

    Separate left and right portions

    • Put any clips on a surface within reach. Start with hair wet, damp or dry as needed for the washing or styling method you will use next.
    • With your fingertips, separate left and right portions from your forehead toward the nape, the back of your neck. A neat part is unnecessary.
    • Follow places where the hair separates easily. If strands catch, stop and detangle them gently before continuing; do not pull the sides apart.
  2. A woman uses fingertips to divide a large side section into front and back portions near the ear.
    STEP 2 OF 4

    Divide large portions again if needed

    • If a side is too large to hold or work through, divide it near the ear into front and back portions, as shown.
    • Use fewer sections if they are enough. Divide again only when smaller portions make the next task easier.
  3. A woman supports a loose section of her own curls with one hand and holds an open clip ready for placement with the other.
    STEP 3 OF 4

    Hold spare portions aside

    • For longer hair, loosely fold one spare portion. Support it with one hand while the other opens a smooth sectioning clip around it.
    • Close the clip on the folded hair, clear of skin, with no pull at the roots. Leave the area you will work on loose.
    • Without clips, bring the portion you are working on forward and let the rest hang behind your shoulder. If it keeps mixing back in, try a smaller portion.

    The photo shows the open clip before placement. Hold the section, then bring the open jaws around it; do not drag the clip through hair.

  4. A woman supports a released section beside her shoulder while holding the open removed clip clear of her hair.
    STEP 4 OF 4

    Release one portion at a time

    • Support a clipped portion with one hand. Squeeze the clip fully open with the other and lift it clear; set it down before continuing.
    • Bring longer back sections toward a shoulder without pulling. Work by touch on reachable short areas, lowering your arms between sections.
    • Wash or style the loose portion, then release the next. When washing, open each portion fully so water can reach the roots and rinse away product.
    • When finished, open and remove all remaining clips. Clear caught hairs from them and clean and dry them as their care directions allow.

About 1–3 min hands-on for dividing a few loose sections, clipping if needed, releasing them and clearing the clips. Washing, detangling, styling and drying each section are separate.

Practical editorial estimate, not measured. The guide describes a few practical sections, not detailed parting for a full set of small braids.

You’re done when…

Each area you need to wash or style can be released without pulling at the roots. When finished, check that every clip is out of your hair.