We stand by one rule in the curly hair community: Always brush your hair while it's damp. For one, hair is most pliable when wet, making it easier to detangle. And since your curls have yet to set into their final shape, there's less risk of undoing your pattern or generating frizz.
If curly hair is wet, then the hair comes together and reduces tangles, friction, and knots. So even though curly hair is weaker when wet, definitely brushing while wet is the way to go.
Only brush curly hair when it's wet, damp, or has a layer of slip between the strands and the bristles. Brushing dry hair is an instant recipe for frizz and will loosen your curls right out of shape.
There is nothing simpler: start with the ends and work your way up to the roots. This will avoid breaking your hair and creating knots. There's no need to brush every day: brushing every 5 or 6 days or after washing is usually enough for curly hair.
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.
Hair is at its weakest when fully wet, so giving it time to dry can help restore some of its strength before you run a brush or comb through it. If you have curly or coily hair, you might need to detangle while your hair is still wet, but be sure to follow the other tips for gentle care.
“Combing hair while wet is an easy way to damage the hair strand, which will cause frizz and breakage,” Medico says. She advises using a wide-tooth comb—“Or even your fingers!”—to keep from stretching or yanking the follicles. The wider the gap between the teeth, the better, says Medico.
“Wide-tooth combs are great for styling. I personally use plastic ones that have some bend and movement to them. But a paddle brush with ball-tipped nylon bristles is my go-to for detangling. It runs product through the hair most evenly and causes the least amount of breakage.”
Plopping Curly Hair
"Plopping" is a gentle drying technique for curly hair that reduces frizz and drying time. Using a T-shirt instead of a towel helps maintain moisture and enhances curl definition and volume. For more frizz-fighting tips, research online resources or consult a hair care professional.
Loose and classic curls can lather up two to four times a week. Coily curl types can co-wash weekly, and deep cleanse with shampoo once a month. Tight curls fall somewhere in between - shampoo or co-wash every few days to a week. A good rule of thumb: If your curls feel dry, try washing less frequently.
Anyone with curly hair will know that brushing your hair dry will equal instant chaos and frizz. According to the experts, as our curly hair is much drier and more porous compared to other hair types that take well to being combed through dry, we are not just more prone to frizz, but also breakage.
Brushing can cause frizz because it can disrupt the natural pattern of your hair and lift the cuticle, creating static and frizz. Consider using a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush on wet or damp hair, and always start from the ends, gently working your way up.
The key to a successful dry refresh lies in gentle styling. Avoid the urge to use a comb or brush, which might disrupt the curl pattern and introduce more frizz. Instead, use your fingers to delicately detangle any knots or sections that need attention.
Curly hair is fragile, so using a wide tooth comb is the gentlest, most effective way to detangle, style, distribute natural oils and stay true to your natural curl pattern without causing damage and breakage. Here's why we're so excited about our new Wide Tooth Comb and Detangling Wet Brush.
Solution: Avoid pulling or tugging at your curls while brushing. Opt for a gentle approach to prevent damage and maintain the integrity of your curls. Take your time and be patient, ensuring that each section is thoroughly detangled before moving on to the next.
The phenomenon of frizzy wet hair comes from the roots. Here are some of the other reasons: Humidity and Moisture Absorption: Curly and wavy hair is prone to absorbing excess moisture from humid environments. So, it causes the hair cuticle to swell and lead to frizz.
Depending on your hair type and the look you're going for, you might need to do a few extra steps to complete your wet hair look: Use an edge control product to lay your edges, spray your strands with hairspray for extra hold, smooth a hair oil through the ends of your strands, or wrap your hair in a satin scarf while ...
According to Curlkeeper, less than 20% of people have curly hair, making it a rare hair type. However, curly hair comes in all kinds of different styles starting with super coiled curls to slightly wavy. Curly hair requires work to maintain and take care of it, making it hard for some to stick to the routine.
Sustainability concerns: One of the major cons of the Curly Girl Method is its impact on sustainability. The method involves using a lot of products, most are contained in plastic packaging, contributing to environmental waste. All plastic that exists will continue to exist in our lifespan.
tgin Define + Style Detangling Brush
Featuring wide, gentle bristles, this budget pick from tgin defines curls and loosens knots with ease. Because the bristles are decently spaced out, the brush doesn't snag, pull, or tug at hair—even in the most tangle-prone of curls.
Because it's harder for the scalp's natural oils to coat strands from root to ends, curly hair is more prone to dryness and frizz than any other hair type. Excess heat-styling is also a common culprit. Using high heat can dry out your strands and damage the hair's cuticle, causing frizz to emerge.
Unless needed, avoid combing your hair before plopping. Using your fingers alone will help to keep your natural curl pattern intact.