Skip to main content

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.

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

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 3

    Divide the hair loosely

    • Set up within easy reach of a surface for clips. Use clean hands; a fixed mirror can help, but a neat part is not needed.
    • With your fingertips, separate left and right portions from the front toward the nape, the back of your neck.
    • Follow places where the hair separates easily. If strands catch, stop rather than pulling the two sides apart.
  2. 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 2 OF 3

    Keep spare sections out of the way

    • If each side is still too much to handle, divide it again near the ear into front and back portions. Four is an example, not a rule.
    • 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, let spare lengths rest behind your shoulders while you bring one portion forward. If they fall back in, separate less at a time.

    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.

  3. A woman supports a released section beside her shoulder while holding the open removed clip clear of her hair.
    STEP 3 OF 3

    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 stretching. Work by touch on shorter areas, lowering your arms between sections.
    • Follow the washing or styling method for that portion, then move to the next. Release each area fully for washing and rinsing.
    • 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…

You can release and reach one manageable portion while the rest stays out of the way, with no pulling at the roots. Remove every clip when sectioning is no longer needed.