Start with clean, fully detangled, slightly damp or lightly moisturized hair
Use a wide-tooth comb or afro pick with long, sturdy teeth
Begin at the ends and work upward toward the roots
Pick in small sections instead of trying to do the whole head at once
Lift the hair from the roots and move the pick outward, not straight through the middle
Pick evenly on all sides: front, back, left, and right
Use the same number of passes on each section
Check your shape in a mirror from the front and sides while picking
Rotate your head or use two mirrors to see the back
Separate any flat or tight spots and pick those areas a little more
Avoid over-picking one side before touching the others
Fluff with your fingers between picking passes
Stop when the shape looks balanced, even if some shrinkage remains
Use a light hold product if needed to help maintain shape
Sleep with a satin bonnet or scarf to preserve the even shape
Re-pick lightly the next day instead of starting over aggressively