How to Detangle Curly Hair 

Detangling is often seen as the bane of being a curly girl or guy, raise your hand if you’ve been frustrated by trying to remove that one knot or tangle that refuses to go away? We get it, and we feel your pain. Tangles can be really tiresome to deal with, there’s no question about it. They are annoying, and dealing with them often steals hours of time we’d rather spend elsewhere. However, there is a way to mitigate tangles and leave your curls feeling soft, tangle-free and nourished. 

Wondering how? By implementing a healthy haircare regimen and using select Curlsmith products. If you’re constantly pondering on how to untangle curly hair and always find yourself wondering ’why is my hair so tangled?’, grab a chair and get comfy, as we’re going to reveal some styling secrets to help you achieve your healthiest, tangle-free curls yet! 

Table of Contents

• Why Do Curls Tangle So Easily?
• How to Easily Detangle Curls at Home
• Introducing Moisture Memory Release
• How to Prevent Tangles
• Detangling FAQs

Why Do Curls Tangle So Easily?

There’s no denying that naturally curly hair is more prone to tangles in comparison to other hair types like straight and sleek or loose, wavy hair. When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Due to the curly, coiled formation of textured hair, the strands are bound to fuse and intertwine with each other. And what does that typically result in? Yes, you guessed it: tangles. As well as curly hair tangling naturally due to its unique structure, there are few additional factors that might exacerbate the issue that you should be aware of.

Lack of Trims

Chances are, if you’ve been putting off your regular trims (recommended every 6-12 weeks), you’ve likely accumulated uneven lengths and potential split ends. These hair issues are surefire ways for tangles to build-up. Make clean, even, ends your goal to prevent niggly tangles from casting a cloud over your day. 

Moisture Starved Curls

Dry hair means your curls are depleted of moisture, and this can cause them to shrink and become intertwined leading to tangles. When curls are starved of hydration it can also cause the cuticles to raise along the hair shaft - another known cause of tangles. 

Environmental Stressors

Wind, rain, even excessive heat are all contributing factors when it comes to tangles. Curly hair reacts to these particular environmental factors and causes hair to frizz, which leads to tangles.

Neglecting Your Night-time Regimen

Most knots and tangles accrue during the day as a result of the moisture in the environment, which causes curls/coils to shrink. So, if you neglect your night-time routine of combing, brushing, detangling, and then putting your hair in a protective style (wrapping or braiding), this will increase your chances of getting tangles.  

How to Easily Detangle Curls at Home

If you are wondering ‘how to prevent my hair from getting tangled’, let’s get into the nuts and bolts of how to detangle your curls when in the comfort of your own home. 

Step one: Apply A Leave-In Conditioner

Start by saturating your curls/coils with your favourite Curlsmith leave-in conditioner. This will not only provide hydration to your hair but will also provide your curls with enough slip to make detangling easier and less painful.

Step two: Section your Hair 

Next, using a detangling comb, part your hair in four and secure with section clips. This will help to make the whole process of detangling smoother.

Step three: Detangle Each Section With Care 

Working from the front, undo each section and take care to detangle it slowly. Use your fingers, a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush to tease out each knot and tangle. 

Step four: Top Up Hydration Levels

If your hair begins to feel dry during detangling, top up your hydration levels by spritzing curls with a light leave-in conditioner like Curlsmith’s NEW Moisture Memory Release. This ultra lightweight spray features time-release moisture innovation for all day-hydration. 

Step five: Style as Desired

Once you’ve completed detangling each section, you can now move onto styling your curls as desired. 

Introducing Moisture Memory Release

Consider Curlsmith’s NEW Moisture Memory Release as your new detangling bestie. This light but powerful leave-in spray is powered by TriCeraBlend complex™, which is made up of three ceramides, designed to detangle hair as well as infuse curls with long-lasting moisture. Boosted with innovative ceramide technology, this key ingredient mimics the natural lipid structure of curly hair and penetrates the cuticle, while resealing and restoring the exterior lipid layer. 

Additional ingredients include macadamia nut oil, renowned for its smoothing properties, and olive oil, a classic ingredient known for providing superior softening and conditioning benefits to dry and thirsty curls. After use of Moisture Memory Release your curls will transform into a smooth, shiny, exterior layer reducing your propensity for tangles. Apply to your curls when they are in a dry, matted and detangled state and watch tangles melt away with ease.

How to use Moisture Memory Release

Incorporate Curlsmith Moisture Memory Release into your hair regimen to hydrate curls, remove tangles, and keep hair looking smooth and nourished. This refreshing spray is so light that it won’t weigh your hair down or cause build-up. To use Moisture Memory Release, follow these easy steps:

Step 1: Shake your bottle of Moisture Memory Release well.

Step 2: Spray product throughout wet hair, and use the ‘rake method’ to ensure even distribution. 

Step 3: Follow with the ‘praying hands’ method to smooth and seal the moisture into your strands. This helps seal the cuticles and reduces frizz. 

Step 4: Finish by applying your preferred Curlsmith styler for definition and hold. 

How to Prevent Tangles

Although tangles are indeed a by-product of having curly/coily hair, there are ways to minimize them by applying simple styling techniques and using the correct products such as Curlsmith Moisture Memory Release. Follow these tips: 

Brush and comb hair on a regular basis: Get into the habit of combing or brushing your curls on a regular basis to avoid tangles. If you’re not keen on using styling tools on a regular basis, you can also use your fingers.

Install protective styles: Keeping your curls and coils tucked away in protective styles will help to minimize your chances of getting tangles. If you prefer to wear your hair free and loose during the day, then you can always opt to tuck hair away in chunky braids or cornrows at nighttime before you hit the sack.

Deep condition on a regular basis: Curly hair thrives on moisture and hydration. When your curls have healthy levels of nourishment they won’t succumb to tangles. Keep your curls free from tangles by deep conditioning with your Curlsmith deep conditioner of choice on a regular basis (every 7-10 days).

Trim your dead ends: Split and uneven ends are main culprits when it comes to knots and tangles, so trim your hair every 6-8 weeks to prevent them from occurring. 

Detangling FAQs

• Is it better to detangle hair when wet or dry? 

 Ideally it’s best to detangle hair when it’s wet. When hair is wet it becomes softer with a more springy and pliable structure, and is therefore less likely to snap or break. 

• What happens if my hair becomes matted? 

If your hair becomes matted, it’s important to handle your curls with extra care. Apply a leave-in product like Curlsmith Moisture Memory Release to soften and loosen the knots. Use your fingers to detangle initially, before going on to use additional tools like a wide tooth comb or a detangling brush to do the heavy lifting of removing matted strands completely. 

• Why is my hair so knotty? 

There are a number of factors that cause knots. For instance your hair might be severely lacking in hydration, causing curls to shrink and tangle. Another contributing factor when it comes to knots is not combing or detangling your hair often enough, resulting in shedding that becomes intertwined with your curls. Finally, wearing your hair out on a daily basis as well as neglecting your bedtime hair regime is a surefire way to attract knots.

• Can I use a brush to detangle? 

Yes, absolutely. A detangling brush is the perfect way to loosen knots and tangles, as it allows you to apply the right amount of tension to release them without causing further damage. 

Curlsmith: Curls Best Friend  

It’s important to emphasise that knots and tangles are inevitable when it comes to curly and coily hair textures. However, with the right tools, Curlsmith products and techniques you can minimize hair woes like tangles and enjoy smooth, soft and tangle-free curls. Curlsmith has a plethora of products made with care and curl-loving natural ingredients. Proudly cruelty-free and vegan, Curlsmith products are also free from sulphates, parabens, silicones, mineral oils, phthalates or DEA.