How to Detangle Curly Hair: Our Best Tips and Products for Tangle-Free Curls

By Shireen Moloney
July 11, 2024
5 min read

Why Does Curly Hair Tangle So Easily?

Detangling curly hair can feel like a daunting task, but it all comes down to understanding your hair type. Curls and waves naturally twist, interlock, and wrap around each other, which easily creates knots. Furthermore, the spiral structure of curly hair makes it harder for natural scalp oils to travel down the hair shaft. This leads to dry ends, which cause more friction, frizz, and stubborn tangles.

The Golden Rules of Detangling Curls

Always Detangle Wet or Damp: Never dry-brush curly hair. Dry detangling causes severe breakage and instantly creates a halo of frizz. Always ensure your hair is saturated with water and a slippery product like conditioner.
Work in Sections: Don't try to tackle your whole head at once. Divide your hair into manageable sections to ensure you are thoroughly and gently detangling every strand.
Start from the Bottom: Always start detangling at the very ends of your hair and slowly work your way up to the roots. This gently pushes tangles out rather than ripping a comb through them.
Use the Right Tools: A wide-tooth comb or a dedicated detangling brush (like a Denman Brush) is essential. For even less breakage, gently finger-detangle to separate the worst knots before reaching for your comb.

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The Best Routine for Tangle-Free Curls

Using hydrating, curl-specific products is the secret to getting enough "slip" to melt tangles away. Here is how to build a friction-free Only Curls routine:

1. Cleanse Gently Start with a sulfate-free option like our All Curl Cleanser. It removes product build-up and cleanses the scalp without stripping away your natural oils, keeping hair hydrated from the start.

2. Condition and Detangle Moisture is your best friend. Apply our All Curl Conditioner to your mid-lengths and ends. While the conditioner is still in your hair, use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently detangle. The shea butter and jojoba oil will give you the slip you need to make brushing effortless. For stubborn knots, treat your hair to the Deep Hydration Hair Mask for 20 minutes before detangling.

3. Style with Moisture and Hold Once out of the shower, apply our Hydrating Curl Creme evenly to damp hair. This acts as a leave-in conditioner to smooth the cuticle and keep curls knot-free all day. Follow up by scrunching in the Enhancing Curl Gel to lock in your definition without creating sticky, tangled clumps.

4. Protect While You Sleep Nighttime friction is a major cause of tangles. Swap your cotton pillowcase for a silk or satin one, or pop your hair into an Only Curls Sleep Turban. Locking in moisture with a few drops of Nourishing Hair Oil before bed will also keep your hair smooth and tangle-free overnight.

How to Stop Matting at the Nape of the Neck

Finding a matted bird's nest at the nape of your neck is incredibly common! This area gets extra friction from rubbing against collars, scarves, and coats. To fix this:

Add Extra Moisture: Apply a little more Hydrating Curl Creme and Nourishing Hair Oil specifically to this bottom section.
Spot-Detangle: Gently finger-detangle this specific underneath layer between wash days if you feel knots forming.
Protect at Night: Loosely plait or twist this bottom section before putting on your sleep turban to prevent overnight matting.

Detangling curly and wavy hair doesn't have to be a battle. With the right Only Curls products and techniques, you can keep your hair tangle-free, hydrated, and frizz-free. Remember to be gentle with your curls to maintain hair health and avoid breakage.

Our Starter Bundle is the perfect place to start to improve your hair health, and minimise breakage and tangles. It has everything you need for beautifully defined and tangle-free curls!