Technique
Detangling curly and coily hair
Water and leave-in, not a dry brush.
Every step in the free app links to the technique it uses.
Why it matters
Curly and coily hair tangles more easily and breaks more easily when it's dry. Brushing it dry is the fastest way to make her dread hair time. Water and leave-in are what make it painless.
How to do it
- Mist her hair until it's damp, not dripping.
- Smooth a little leave-in through with your fingers. On wash day, do this with conditioner still in.
- Divide the hair into four sections and clip three away.
- Start at the ends. Fingers first, then the wide-tooth comb, working up a little at a time.
- Hold the hair just above any knot, so the pull lands on your hand, not her scalp.
- When a section runs freely, twist it loosely out of the way and move to the next.
How to check it's right
- Your fingers slide through each section, root to tip.
- She hasn't flinched since the first section.
Common mistakes
- Starting at the roots. It pushes every small knot down into one big one.
- Pulling harder at a knot. Add water and leave-in instead, then try again.
- Doing the whole head at once. Small sections are quicker overall.
Used in these styles
- Tangle-Free BrushingFree, in full on this site
- Classic PonytailFree, in full on this site
- High PonytailFree, in full on this site
- Two Even PigtailsFree, in full on this site
- Half-Up, Half-DownFree, in full on this site
- Three-Strand BraidIn Beyond the Ponytail
- Braided PigtailsIn Beyond the Ponytail
- Top KnotIn Beyond the Ponytail
- French BraidIn Beyond the Ponytail
- Dutch BraidIn Beyond the Ponytail
- Sports BunIn Beyond the Ponytail
- Bubble PonytailIn Beyond the Ponytail
- Twisted PigtailsIn Beyond the Ponytail
- Criss-Cross BandsIn Beyond the Ponytail
- Pull-Through BraidIn Beyond the Ponytail
Common questions
Why does detangling curly and coily hair matter?
Curly and coily hair tangles more easily and breaks more easily when it's dry. Brushing it dry is the fastest way to make her dread hair time. Water and leave-in are what make it painless.
How do I know I'm doing it right?
Your fingers slide through each section, root to tip. She hasn't flinched since the first section.
What is the most common mistake?
Starting at the roots. It pushes every small knot down into one big one.
Which styles use detangling curly and coily hair?
Tangle-Free Brushing, Classic Ponytail, High Ponytail, Two Even Pigtails and Half-Up, Half-Down and 10 more. Each step that uses it links back here.
Is this only for curly and coily hair?
It is written for curly and coily hair, where it matters most. Choosing Curly or Coily in the app shows this method inside each style's steps.
Do this in the app
The page tells you how. The app does four things a page cannot:
- Her hair, not hair in general. Choose Straight, Wavy, Thick, Curly or Coily under "her hair today" and the steps and pictures change to the method for her hair.
- A check before every step. Each step ends with what it should look and feel like, so you know it is right before you move on.
- Fix It, mid-style. When something is not right, "Something's not right" opens the fix for it without leaving the step.
- The diary. Add a photo and a note when you finish, and see what you have done and what to try next.
Free, with six everyday styles and all eight techniques. No account, no ads, no tracking.
