Knots are an inevitable part of curly hair, and there is absolutely no avoiding them, no matter how fine-tuned your routine is. Finding the right detangling brush can make or break your wash days. Luckily, we’ve seen innovation in detangling tools that are leaps and bounds from the styling tools of yesteryear that would leave us in tears.
We talked to ten natural hair stylists from all over the country to get their opinions on the best detangling brushes for curly hair.
1. Sharita Payton
Image: @sharitapayton
Sharita is the owner of The Loft Hair Studio, the only curl-exclusive salon in Medford, Massachusetts. As a curl specialist, Sharita remains committed to helping individuals of all backgrounds and curl types embrace and love their natural hair. She has taken classes with prominent curl brands like DevaCurl, Rezo, and Forever Curls in her pursuit to provide a safe space for customers of all curl patterns and textures.
Sharita’s pick: Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
“Our Salon “ALL TIME” favorite detangling tool…drum roll please…“Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush” Brush With The Best”! For the last four years, it’s been undefeated at The Loft Hair Studio. While we do lots of “finger detangling” at the shampoo bowl for low to medium density, we need a little extra help for clients with higher density. In addition to detangling, it gives some great curl definition with very little hair shed in the brush. We highly recommend it to our clients.”
2. Debra Gomes
Image: @dosbydeb_
Debra Gomes is a Rhode Island-based hairstylist whose passion lies in helping people embrace and love their natural curls. She has dedicated her career to becoming a resource for fellow curlies and is committed to providing them an excellent experience. Whether it is keeping up to date with new trends or styling techniques, she is committed to improving the educational gap in the curly world and helping people learn how to love and care for their hair properly.
Debra’s pick: The Wet Brush
“When detangling curly hair, I always recommend finger detangling first, followed by the Wet Brush. I love this brush because not only does it help reduce detangling time and has soft tips and flexible bristles that eliminate stress on the hair strand. It will prevent damage such as ripping or pulling of the hair strand that can eventually lead to split ends, breakage, and even hair loss, often caused by detangling wet hair. The Wet Brush also has a beautiful slip, making the hair easier and faster to detangle. I even love this tool for styling curls!”
3. Haley Smith
Image: @loveleyshair
Haley Smith found a passion for hair care on the journey of learning to love her own natural curls. Originally from NJ, now in Richmond, VA, she has specialized in bridal, advanced color, and wig customization. She has mastered cutting natural hair, ultimately creating LoveLey’s Hair, her salon specializing in curly/natural hair solutions. Virginia licenses Haley as a master instructor in cosmetology. She has been published in magazines, including Essence, MunaLuchi Bride, TheVoyageLa, and VPM, and has also trained under celebrity stylists like Tabatha Coffey, Yene Damtew, and Metowi.
Haley’s pick: The CurlTamer Brush
“I am a huge fan of the CurlTamer Brush for styling all textures in the salon. This detangling brush is amazing at getting through all curl patterns, from loose to extremely tight curls. I prefer this brush because the bristles are pliable, small, and flexible. These special bristles make it super easy to glide through and around tangles and stubborn knots in the hair without ripping and causing unnecessary damage. This CurlTamer Brush is hands down my most trusted tool in the salon for successfully shampooing, conditioning, detangling, and defining curls.”
4. Serina Lopez
Image: @yourhairstylistserina
Serina Lopez owns the Curl Lounge in Sacramento, California, and is passionate about styling curls and advocating for natural hair as a “Curl Activist.” As a Latina stylist, she is proud of her heritage and seeks to educate women and children on the importance of self-love with their curls. She is Rezo certified and prides herself on bringing curls to life after they may have experienced damage.
Serina’s pick: Rizos Curls Pink Detangling Flexi Brush
“My detangling brush of choice would have to be the Rizos Curls pink detangling flexi brush. It’s kinda like a wide-tooth comb/wet brush hybrid. It doesn’t rip out hair or cause any breakage. It’s also the perfect comb for kids because it is gentle and can help detangle out all those fairy knots.”
5. Genese Cervantes
Image: @mycurlconnection
Genese Cervantes owns My Curl Connection, a curly hair salon in Central Texas. She deeply loves curly hair and believes her purpose is to help people embrace the curls God gave them! Her goal is to partner with those ready to master their curls through a simple and practical routine. Genese believes that “curly hair doesn’t have to be hard, and I want to show you that.”
Genese’s pick: Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
“I recommend the Felicia Leatherwood Detangling Brush to my curly guests! It’s so gentle on the hair when it is used properly. Even though it’s called a detangling brush, I use it to style my curly guests, too! It helps evenly distribute the product, an important part of our curly set process. I love it, and you will too!”
6. Dawn Archer
Image: @vancityhairgirl
Dawn has spent over a decade as a hairstylist and 20 years in fashion. Her intuitive approach to hair with curls and texture is unique as it’s based not on her education but on her personal experiences. Her approach is shaped by getting her haircut at both commercial and natural hair salons and being disappointed but not knowing what to ask for. She currently works at Axis Hair Salon in Vancouver where she is working with clients to create trendy summer styles.
Dawn’s pick: Wet Brush Pro Detangler
“I recommend the Wet Brush Pro Detangler because it is great on textured and curly hair. It manages to untangle curls without breaking the hair, which is ideal for any curl texture. I also love that it can be used on wet or dry curls, a lifesaver between wash days. Clients like how it stimulates the scalp, especially since curlies don’t brush their hair very often, so getting that extra scalp care is perfect!”
7. Ashley Kukay
Image: @ashleycurlskc
Ashley Kukay is a curly hair specialist located in Kansas City. She has been in the hair industry for five years and has been focused specifically on curly hair the past three years. She enjoys working with all curl types and encouraging women and men to embrace their natural hair. Ashley remains passionate about helping her clients achieve healthy and beautiful hair.
Ashley’s pick: Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
“Brush with the Best by Felicia Leatherwood is by far the best detangling brush I have ever used. I use it on every one of my textured clients and get amazing results. I chose this brush over the rest because it has amazing detangling benefits and gives me a great definition of styling natural hair.”
8. Nadia Nicole
Image: @thenadianicole
LA’s Curly Hair Specialist, Nadia Nicole, has always been excited about cultivating a community that empowers women to embrace their naturally curly hair. With certifications for various types of curly hair, including Rezo Cut and Lights, as well as the popular Deva cut and style, she has truly mastered the art of taking care of all textures. She was inspired to create her own brand, “Curly Babes” and it has allowed her to teach women how to truly love their natural beauty. She continues to make a name for herself, transforming lives one curl at a time.
Nadia’s picks: The Tangle Teezer and Denman Brush
“I highly recommend the Tangle Teaser and Denman Brush for all my curly babes. Tangle Teaser has flexible bristles, which allow the detangling of wet hair without causing any breakage. Once you begin styling, I’d switch over to the Denman brush, which has stiffer bristles. This brush allows you to define and style your curls for that maximum bounce with some added definition.”
9. Ashley Nisheé
Image: @ashleynisheehair
Ashley Nisheé is based in Tampa, FL, and is a texture specialist focusing on all natural curl types. She believes in embracing your natural hair and walking around with your head crowned in curls. She takes her time to give each curl the love it needs to hydrate and flourish!
Ashley’s pick: The EZ Detangler Brush
“I highly recommend buying the EZ Detangler Brush! I LOVE to use it not only on my clients but also myself. It does not break or yank your hair while you’re detangling. Other detangling brushes I’ve used in the past have ripped and pulled the tangles instead of working them through. This brush gently glides over the knots until they are completely gone and is so gentle for my clients with sensitive scalps!”
10. Adriana Acosta
Image: @aadri.hair
Growing up, Adriana was exposed to all hair textures and instantly fell in love. She understood that women struggled with their hair and how to manage it. She made sure to invest in her education to perfect her craft, and now she teaches and helps women understand how to style their hair. Most importantly, her clients get to a point where they LOVE their hair.
Adriana’s pick: Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
“One of my favorite hair tools is the Felicia Leatherwood brush. Its versatility helps with detangling and styling all at the same time. It’s so easy to clean and one of the tools I always recommend my clients to invest in.”
