Here’s how to detangle curly hair, using the best detangling techniques to maintain strong, healthy hair and frizz-free, defined curls. Because detangling curly hair is a delicate process that can often be time consuming and frustrating. But if done correctly, using the right products, tools and techniques, detangling can become quick, easy and effortless. Once you know how to detangle curly hair, you’ll be able to glide through your washday, in less time and probably using less product too! Here’s how…
How to Detangle Curly Hair
This is part one of a two part series on how to detangle curly hair. But these tips + techniques will work for any hair type. Click here for the best detangling product recommendations to suit your hair type, budget and availability in your country. But before I share my tips and techniques on how to detangle curly hair, let me start by telling you what not to do. Because this is one of the biggest mistakes I see people make. Do not dry detangle wavy, curly or coily hair!
Dry detangling causes damage, significant breakage and split ends, which results in even more knots and tangles. And is completely unnecessary, once you know how to detangle curly hair properly! If you have type 4 coily hair, then I recommend pre-pooing, which you can read more about it in this article I co-wrote with Leal Alexander. Pre-pooing is a detangling technique from the Natural Hair Movement. However, I don’t recommend it for wavy or curly hair, or if you’ve fine hair. Especially if it’s easily weighed down or over-moisturized.
1. Wash your hair 2-3 times/week
Before we get into the steps of how to detangle curly hair, let’s get clear on the goal. If you have curly hair, then your goal is most likely healthy, hydrated, frizz-free, defined curls. You want your hair to look hydrated, frizz-free and defined longer throughout the week. Than dry, frizzy and knotty and/or stretched out curls, which often happens when you don’t wash your hair often enough. So unless your goal is to wash your hair less, or as little as possible then washing your hair 2-3 times/week will work best. And here’s why: washing your hair can feel like climbing a mountain. And the longer you leave it between washes, the further back down the mountain you go.
Which means, when washday comes back around, you’ve got really dry, frizzy, stretched out curls that are full of knots and tangles. You’re gonna need a tonne of product, even more patience and lots of time to carefully detangle your curls. But by washing your hair more often throughout the week, it’s less of a mountain and more of a gentle wave. Your hair isn’t as dry, or as frizzy. And detangling becomes quicker and easier, using less product, in less time. You’re far better off washing your hair three times/week. Protecting it at night, watch this video to find out how. And not refreshing your hair on the days in between washdays. Than you are washing once/week and refreshing almost every day until your next washday.
2. Start with clean, wet hair
To effectively detangle curly hair, you need to start with clean, wet hair. Never dry detangle curly hair, ever! Not even with your fingers. Dry detangling causes so much ripping and tearing to the hair. If your hair is difficult to detangle, it’s often because it’s dry and in need of a trim – which I’ll get to later in the article. So start with wet hair and use a hydrating, sulfate-free shampoo to make the detangling process a whole lot easier.
Apply any of the recommended shampoos in this article to soaking wet hair. They’re all concentrated, so if you don’t get enough lather or feel like you need more product, try adding more water first. But if you’ve got really dry or damaged hair, you may prefer a co-wash. Regardless of what shampoo, cleanser or co-wash you use, shampoo your hair from the roots, all the way down the lengths of your hair. Focusing on the mid lengths and ends, just as much as the scalp, then rinse out fully. Read this article for more application techniques. You only need to shampoo twice if you’re using products that contain silicones, butters or waxes – which I don’t recommend.
3. Apply your conditioner or hair mask
For this next step, read this article on the best detangling products for curly hair. Because the products you use matter, and there are some conditioners and hair masks that are better at detangling than others. So whether you want something rich and creamy, fragrance-free or lightweight with lots of slip, then read this article to choose the best product for your hair and budget. Right, back to this article and how to detangle curly hair. Generously apply your conditioner (or hair mask) to soaking wet hair. Most people are using far too much product. So if you think you need more product or more slip to detangle, try adding more water first. Here’s how much I use:
Application tip: apply your conditioner or hair mask from the ends of the hair upwards. If your hair is really knotty and tangled, just let the conditioner sit for a few minutes before starting to detangle.
4. Detangle with a paddle brush
If you want to know how to detangle curly hair quickly and effectively, with minimum damage or hair loss, use a brush. But you should only ever brush your hair when it’s wet with conditioner, or when it’s wet with styling products. Why? Because hair is at it’s weakest and most fragile when it’s wet. So you need the slip from a conditioner, hair mask or styling product to help the brush glide effortlessly through the hair to detangle with minimal damage. If you brush your hair when it’s dry, or when it’s wet but without product, you’ll rip, tear and damage the hair. Causing breakage and split ends, even if you just use your fingers to detangle.
The only brush I recommend to detangle any hair type, is this Denman Large Cushioned Paddle Brush – use code CURLMAVEN for 21% off at LOOKFANTASTIC, also available at Boots. It’s much more gentle than other brushes, wide tooth combs, and even your fingers. And will make detangling quick, easy and effortless. Work in small, manageable sections to avoid ripping and tearing the hair. Use the brush to distribute the product evenly throughout your hair, detangle with minimum damage, and finally, to define your curls. Always start detangling from the ends and gradually work your way up to the roots until you can glide the brush through your hair in one pass. This prevents pulling and reduces breakage. Take your time and be patient.
5. Final Steps to Detangle Curly Hair
Leave your conditioner in for up to 5 mins. But don’t “squish to condish” if your hair is prone to knots and tangles or is difficult to detangle on washday. Don’t rinse your conditioner out fully if your hair feels dry, especially at the ends. Or you can apply a leave-in conditioner for added moisture and manageability. Use serums and creamy gels or custards in your styling routine.
Protective styles, such as crown braids and plaits are a great way to minimize knots and tangles in between washdays and make the detangling process easier on washday. And of course, protect your hair at night using a silk scrunchie or PuffCuff. For extra protection, use a silk wrap, bonnet or turban and if nothing else, sleep on a silk pillowcase. Use code CURLMAVEN for up to 21% off. For more tips + advice on protecting your hair at night and why it’s so beneficial, read this article.
Top Tip: regularly trim your hair to get rid of split ends and dryness at the ends, which causes knots + tangles. Whenever detangling becomes a long, frustrating process on my daughter’s hair, that’s when I know she needs a hair cut. Then detangling goes back to being quick, easy and effortless, following these tips and techniques.
I really hope you found the tips, advice + techniques I’ve shared in this article helpful. And you feel confident you know how to detangle curly hair on washday. Without causing damage and breaking by ripping and tearing the hair. By using the right techniques and if you read this article, you’ll know the best products to detangle curly hair too.
If you have any questions, leave a comment below. And check out my YouTube channel which features washday and styling routines, tips, advice + tutorials. Including videos on the best hair cut for curly hair and my DIY hair cut for curly hair. Make sure you subscribe to the Curl Maven Collective Newsletter to discover your hair porosity, receive exclusive content and stay updated on new products + services. Follow me on Pinterest and Instagram @curlmaven and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more tips, advice + tutorials.
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