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Most curlies know what happens when you run a brush through curly hair—it isn’t pretty. That is why we feel inclined to avoid brushes at all costs. But there are right and wrong ways to use hair tools, so we will share our top tips for getting the knots out of your hair.
When Should You Detangle?
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Detangling hair is a crucial step in any hair care regimen, and just as there are many types of curls and coils, there are just as many ways to detangle.
The frequency at which you should detangle your curls varies from texture to texture, and even within texture, it varies depending on your specific hair type. A good rule of thumb is to detangle your hair on wash days, whether once a week or every other day.
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So when should you wash? This depends on many things, such as what sort of climate you live in, how active you are, or how oily your scalp gets. In general, you should wash your hair at least once a week. You may find that you prefer to wash more or less, but this is a good starting point. That being said, you should also detangle your curls at least once a week.
Wet or Dry hair
Again, your detangling method depends on your texture and hair type. According to natural hair stylist Janelle Sands, dry, coarse, or tightly curled and coiled hair “should use wet detangling only when laden with slippery conditioner. For severe tangling, finger detangles with coconut oil before wet detangling with conditioner.”
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Looser curls, thick, and heavier-density hair types can “lightly spritz with penetrating oil like argan before dry detangling with a paddle brush or Denman brush before and during a cleansing session. After cleansing, coat your strands with a smoothing conditioner before combing or brushing.”
How to Detangle
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Some general tips when it comes to detangling:
- Detangle your hair when it’s wet or damp.
- Use a dollop of conditioner to aid with the detangling process.
- Use the pressure of the shower to help push knots out and smooth out your curls.
- Use a wide tooth comb or your fingers to comb through knots.
- Begin combing at the bottom and work your way up.
- Detangle damp hair by spraying leave-in conditioner or detangling spray.
- If you detangle dry hair, use oil to lubricate your curls and prevent breakage.
Detangling Products and Tools
Most curlies will agree that fingers are the best tool for detangling. Fingers, however, take patience and time if you have tighter coils or a lot of hair, so you may find that a wide-tooth comb or a brush works better for you.
Leave-in conditioners and cream-based conditioners are your best friends when it comes to detangling. Detangling your hair without them can cause breakage and lead to damaged hair. Here are some of the best products and tools for detangling:
1. Kinky-Curly Knot Today
Type 3 curlies will love this leave-in conditioner. Smooth it over your hair, comb out the knots, and let your hair soak up the moisture.
2. Taliah Waajid Curls, Waves & Naturals The Great Detangler
The Great Detangler by Taliah Waajid will help you improve hair manageability in more ways than one. While immediately detangling on contact, this spray lightly coats hair by softening, protecting and strengthening the hair cuticle. It acts as both a leave-in conditioner and a detangler, so you don’t have to worry about rinsing out the conditioner once you’ve detangled it.
3. Denman D3 Brush
This brush kills two birds with one stone. It acts as a great styling brush if you use a blow dryer or diffuser and detangles curls, too. Because the teeth are closer together than a wide tooth comb, be sure to use a generous amount of conditioner in order to lubricate your curls and prevent breakage.
4. Shower Comb
Convenient, affordable, and perfect for curls. Hanging this comb on the shower head will remind you to detangle your curls on shower days.
This is just a small sampling of the tools and products available for curlies these days. For more product recommendations, check out the 13 Detanglers That Work Like Magic For Curly Hair.
Remember, if detangling hurts you, it’s probably hurting your curls. Be gentle, and your curls will thank you!
What tools or products do you use to detangle your curls?
