It is an established fact that curly hair tends towards excessive dryness. In fact, the curlier your hair, the drier it is going to be. This happens because sebum or oils produced by your scalp cannot travel down the winding hair shaft. Dryness is not an issue for straight-haired people because gravity assists the oil in the scalp travel down the hair strand.
While dryness is a huge problem in itself because it makes the hair strand weaker and less able to cope with the trials and tribulations of being curly, it is also directly responsible for tangled hair. Further, tangled hair is not only susceptible to damage but also very painful to deal with.
This is especially true if you don’t follow the right detangling technique. Unless you know the right way to detangle your hair, you’ll only end up breaking a lot of your hair strands while enduring suffering a lot of pain. Along with employing the right detangling technique, you’ll also need the right supplements to make the transition from bird’s nest to Rapunzel’s tresses.
| Budget |
|---|
 |
| As I Am Coconut Cowash Cleansing Conditioner |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Product Type: Cleansing Conditioner |
| Volume: 16 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $0.78 |
| A cleansing conditioner that offers the rare combination of cleansing the scalp while moisturizing the hair strands and detangling the hair. |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Value |
|---|
 |
| The Honest Company’s Honest Conditioning Detangler Spray |
| 4.5/5.0 |
| Product Type: Detangling Leave-in Conditioner Spray |
| Volume: 3 x 4 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $1.49 |
| A truly genuine and environment-friendly company’s organic detangling spray that has been developed to detangle kids’ hair. |
| Check Amazon |
| Top Pick |
|---|
 |
| Oribe Run-Through Detangling Primer |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Product Type: Detangling Conditioning Mist |
| Volume: 5.9 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $6.27 |
| The premium option that is not only great at detangling hair, moisturizing it, and giving it slip but also pampering the user with an exceptional scent. |
| Check Amazon |
This is precisely where specialized detanglers come into the picture and the reason why this guide focuses heavily on the best detanglers for curly hair. However, that isn’t all you’ll find on this page. You’ll learn some key fundamentals on detangling your hair too. We’ve laid out everything nicely in the navigation panel below. Feel free to click on individual items to jump around the page.
- Why Should You Use a Detangler?
- When and How Often Should You Detangle Your Hair?
- How Should You Detangle Your Hair?
- What Are the Different Types of Detanglers?
- 9 Best Detanglers: At a Glance
- Top 3 Budget Detanglers: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Detanglers: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium Detanglers: Detailed Reviews
Why Should You Use a Detangler?
The obvious reason, as we explained above, is that tangled hair is more prone to breakage and damage. Another major reason is that detangling your hair without help can be a very painful process. However, these aren’t the only two reasons why you should be using detanglers. There are two others.
The first is time. Detanglers significantly quicken the detangling process. Depending on the curliness and coarseness of your hair, you can end up spending up to one hour detangling your hair if you don’t use a detangler. Therefore, if you lead a busy life, a detangler can help you look your best without requiring you to compromise your schedules.
The second benefit of detanglers is closely associated with how they resolve the problem of tangled hair. Detanglers coat the hair with certain ingredients that soften the hair while giving it a good ‘slip’ becausesoft hair strands that are not subject to friction move apart easily. Besides,the softness and the slippery texture are individually desirable traits when it comes to hair as well.
The coating provided by many detanglers also helps in one other way i.e. thermal protection. These types of detanglers double up as heat protectants, which means that they will not only help you get rid of tangles in your hair but also make it easier for you to create the style you love.
When and How Often Should You Detangle Your Hair?
How often you need to detangle your hair depends entirely on how difficult your hair is.
For instance, people with smooth, wavy hair can get away with detangling their hair once a week. In contrast, people with very curly, coily, or kinky hair often need to detangle their hair every other day. It all depends on how difficult it is getting for you to comb your hair or how messy and unkempt your hair is starting to look.
Typically, though, you should try to detangle your hair after every wash. In fact, the detangling process should be closely tied up with your washing routine. There’s another benefit of doing this. Many detanglers come in the form of either normal conditioners or leave-in conditioners. Moreover, most of them have conditioning properties anyway.
As to how often you should wash your hair, you’ll have to find the answer to that independently. Variables you should consider are how much time you spend outdoors, what kind of climate you live in, how active you are, how many hair products you use, and how oily or dry your hair is.
Even so, it is rare for anyone to go without washing their hair once a week. People with dreadlocks can be an exception, especially if they protect their dreads with some headgear.
How Should You Detangle Your Hair?
Typically, you will wash and condition your hair and then apply the detangler. However, if the detangler can be used as a conditioner too, you can choose to replace your current conditioner with the detangler and see how things pan out. These types of detanglers need wet or damp hair to work.
Many detanglers come in the form of leave-in conditioners, sprays, or creams, which means that they can be used on dry hair. These type of detanglers can be used even if you’ve not washed your hair. However, you need to be careful about overdoing this because if you don’t wash your hair but use a detangler regularly, the product will buildup, weigh down your hair, and make it greasy.
The actual process of detangling your hair depends on the consistency and type of the detanglers. There are three varieties worth considering.
Detanglers that come in the spray or mist form are supposed to spritzed onto sections of the hair because they have a very thin consistency. These types of detanglers don’t offer a lot of moisture but spread very quickly and evenly in tangled hair.
Detanglers with thicker viscosities, on the other hand, may need to be massaged into the hair. Many people rub them between their hands before massaging them into the hair. These types of detanglers are best for very dry, coarse, and porous, hair because they offer considerable hydration.
Sometimes, detanglers with heavy-duty moisturizing power can be difficult to apply too owing to their thickness. If the detangler you’ve purchased is of this type, you can also choose to dilute it with water or even other hair products.
Once you’ve applied your detangler in your hair, you’re supposed to gradually move through sections of your hair to untangle them. You can use a comb or your fingers for this purpose. If you’re using a comb, make sure it is a wide-toothed one but there’s nothing like your fingers if you want to minimize hair damage and pain.
The technique isn’t to go from roots to tips but instead to work backward. Essentially, you not only divide your hair into traditional sections but also vertically. In other words, you untangle the bottom-most part (25 percent) of your hair section before moving upwards to the next quarter. This prevents undue stress on your hair.
What Are the Different Types of Detanglers?
Any hair product that can help detangle your hair can be called a detangler. The products simply have to make sure that they make the hair soft and slippery so that they can glide apart from each other. Based on this, we can divide conditioners into three categories.
The first category is of detangling conditioners. These products specialize in moisturizing, hydrating, and conditioning hair while detangling them. Detangling conditioners can be further divided into three categories. These are traditional conditioners, cleansing conditioners, and leave-in conditioners.
Traditional conditioners are usually applied on wet or damp hair and need to be rinsed off. This means that they’re used in the shower straight after the shampoo.
Detangling cleansing conditioners are used for co-washing which is why they’re ideal for people with extremely curly hair. Co-washing is at the core of the Curly Girl Method. These types of conditioners are supposed to replace shampoos because they cleanse the scalp while moisturizing the hair.
Detangling leave-in conditioners don’t need to be rinsed out of the hair. They help detangle the hair and then can stay in it till the next time you wash your hair.
The second category of detanglers is sprays or mists. These detanglers are pumped straight from their bottles into the hair. They hit the hair evenly spread out which is why they don’t accumulate in any one place. As a result, they don’t need to be massaged into the hair.
The third category is that of detangling creams. Detangling creams are like detangling leave-in conditioners, with the exception that they’re thicker in consistency. As a result, they need to be applied by hand.
It is also worth mentioning that there are detanglers for kids in the market. These detanglers are not that different from normal detanglers and can be used by adults too. They’re just that much gentler and milder. Also, they’re designed to have smells that kids tend to like. This usually means that the scent of kids’ detanglers will be excessively sweet, fruity, and candy-like.
Top 9 Detanglers for Curly Hair Comparison Table
| Product Name | Product Type | Volume | Cost per ounce (*Approx.) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aunt Jackie’s Knot on My Watch Instant Leave-in Detangling Therapy | Detangling Leave-in Conditioner | 12 ounces | $0.58 per ounce | Check Price |
| As I Am Coconut Cowash Cleansing Conditioner | Cleansing Conditioner | 16 ounces | $0.78 per ounce | Check Price |
| Fairy Tales Tangle Tamer Static Free Detangling Spray | Kids Detangling Spray | 12 ounces | $0.83 per ounce | Check Price |
| SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Leave-in Treatment | Leave-in Conditioner Treatment | 8 ounces | $1.12 per ounce | Check Price |
| SoCozy Curl Spray Leave-In Conditioner | Kids Leave-in Conditioner | 8 ounces | $1.13 per ounce | Check Price |
| The Honest Company’s Honest Conditioning Detangler Spray | Detangling Leave-in Conditioner Spray | 3 x 4 ounces | $1.49 per ounce | Check Price |
| Daily Dose Miracle Moisture Leave-In Conditioner | Detangling Leave-in Conditioner Spray | 8.5 ounces | $2.12 per ounce | Check Price |
| Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave in Conditioner/Detangler | Detangling Leave-in Conditioner | 8 ounces | $2.64 per ounce | Check Price |
| Oribe Run-Through Detangling Primer | Detangling Conditioning Mist | 5.9 ounces | $6.27 per ounce | Check Price |
Top 3 Budget Detanglers: Detailed Reviews
1. Aunt Jackie’s Knot on My Watch Instant Leave-in Detangling Therapy
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
The name of this detangler from Aunt Jackie explains everything from what it does to how it does it. This detangler is a leave-in detangling spray that instantly unravels difficult to manage knots in the hair while intensely hydrating individual hair strands.
In fact, this detangler is so good at moisturizing hair that it can be used for co-washing. Co-washing is a technique that many curly-haired people using the Curly Girl Method employ to protect their curls. Effectively, you can use this detangler on dry and wet hair both, which makes it quite versatile.
The flip side is that its moisturizing power makes it unfit for people who have fine hair. The bottle even states clearly on the label that this detangler is “for natural curls, coils, and waves”. The detangler will remove knots and tangles even in fine hair, but it will leave the hair flat, listless, and weighed down. Except for fine-haired people, though, this detangler works well on all other hair types including normal texture hair.
The detangling action of this product is a result of its olive oil content while its moisturizing power comes from its shea butter content. Despite the use of these ingredients, though, this detangler is unable to offer a lot of ‘slip’. There’s only average slip which means that if your hair is even a little on the coarser side, you may not see the results that you want.
The smell of this detangler is very fruity and has distinct citrus notes too. Unfortunately, it is also incredibly strong and overbearing. Therefore, you should only buy this detangler if you like fruity smells.
This detangler has a slightly watery consistency. This works both ways. It ensures that the detangler spreads evenly in the hair but also means that it is very easy to overapply. This can especially be a problem because the bottle doesn’t come with a dispensing mechanism and you’re expected to pour the product in your hand and rub it into your hair.
The formula of this detangler is free of all harmful and harsh synthetic substances such as sulfates, silicones, and parabens which will appeal to your environmentally-conscious side.
For a natural detangler, it is priced very competitively too. Buying this detangler will barely make a dent in your monthly outlay.
Who’s it for: If you have very thick, wavy, or curly hair that is prone to excessive dryness, get Aunt Jackie’s pocket-friendly detangler.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Detangling leave-in conditioner |
| Product weight: 12 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Shea butter, soybean oil, olive fruit oil, chocolate seed butter, hydrogenated soybean oil, and vitamin E |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Leave-in conditioner that can be used for co-washing |
| Has a fruity citrus scent |
| Suitable for most hair types |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| It is an incredibly pocket-friendly product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| May not be ideal for fine hair |
| Only offers average slip |
| Has a watery consistency |
| Its smell may be a bit too strong |
| Doesn’t come with a dispensing mechanism |
2. As I Am Coconut Cowash Cleansing Conditioner (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
People with wavy or curly hair often end up using a lot of hair products to make sure that their hair is hydrated. These products, however, can accumulate in the scalp over time causing buildup that hinders the growth of hair follicles and hair. This is why it is important for people with very dry and curly hair to cleanse their scalp at regular intervals.
If the cleansing product they use can also help them detangle their hair at the same time, then it can be a huge advantage. This Coconut Cowash Cleansing Conditioner from As I Am is one of the very few products that can offer that unlikely combination.
Being a cleansing conditioner, this product is perfect for co-washing. It will remove all kinds of product residue and buildup from your scalp without being too aggressive or harsh on your already very dry hair.
It is supposed to add moisture too but that only works for people who don’t have excessively dry hair. If your hair is extra dry then the moisture this product will provide may not be enough to compensate for its cleansing actions. As a result, it may leave your hair a little dry.
While primarily designed and marketed as a cleansing conditioner, this product can also be used as a leave-in conditioner. It is easy to spread in the hair and offers a slip that is sufficient for almost all hair types except for the coarsest varieties.
It uses a mix of natural ingredients to offer all these qualities but the foremost of these is coconut. So, it isn’t surprising that it has the tropical smell of coconuts. Most people seem to like it and we expect you will too unless you specifically don’t like coconuts and their smell.
There are no artificial chemicals or compounds in this product. It is free from sulfates, parabens, and silicones alike.
The biggest problem you’ll face with this cleansing conditioner is the packaging. It comes in a jar that can be difficult to manage in the shower. The jar is squat which makes it easy to reach the conditioner inside but it also makes it easy for water to get in. Further, the jar can slip from wet fingers in the shower.
It might be a good idea to transfer the conditioner into another container if you’re going to buy it. Spending a little extra on a separate empty container shouldn’t be that much of a problem since this cleansing conditioner is very competitively priced.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a dedicated product for co-washing that will also detangle your hair, get this one from As I Am.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Cleansing conditioner |
| Product weight: 16 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Coconut oil, castor seed oil, coconut fruit powder, tangerine fruit extract, saw palmetto fruit extract, and balsam Canada resin |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Cleansing conditioner ideal for co-washing |
| Cleanses scalp well |
| Can be used as a leave-in conditioner too |
| Offers decent slip |
| Has a tropical coconut scent |
| Suitable for most hair types |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| It is an incredibly pocket-friendly product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| It can be a bit too drying |
| It comes in a difficult to use jar |
| Everyone may not like its smell |
3. Fairy Tales Tangle Tamer Static Free Detangling Spray
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
Kids with curly hair are particularly difficult to manage. Every morning they wake up with a bird’s nest on their heads and refuse to have it straightened out. To be fair to them, it can be painful to fix tangles without using the proper detangler.
This is why there are so many detanglers in the market for kids. The Tangle Tamer Static Free Detangling Spray is one of them. Even though it is designed for and marketed to kids, it can still be used by adults with wispy, fine, or smooth hair.
Since kids’ hair tends to be on the softer and lighter side, kids’ detanglers are also not heavy. Therefore, if you have light hair then this lightweight and gentle detangler will work for you. If you don’t, though, this detangler will not make that much of a difference to your hair.
Similarly, don’t expect this kids’ detangler to give you a lot of slip. It only adds mediocre slip to the hair. It will, however, make your hair soft and silky owing to various ingredients such as keratin, vitamin B, jojoba oil, and aloe vera.
It won’t damage your hair in any way because it doesn’t contain any artificial or harsh ingredients such as parabens and sulfates. It is even gluten-free making it a good choice for people with celiac disease. It does contain silicones, though, which can pose problems if overused.
Like all kids’ products, the smell of this detangler is designed to appeal to kids. As a result, it has a candy-like scent. Its scent is fruity with hints of coconut and vanilla both. The only problem is that the scent comes off as very unnatural. It can’t be ignored either because it is very strong.
This detangler spray isn’t very costly. Its price is competitive enough to be affordable for the vast majority of potential customers. Further, if you’re not interested in a detangler spray and want this product in another format, there are two other variants available. You can get this detangler as a shampoo and traditional conditioner too.
Who’s it for: If you have light, fine, or smooth hair but still get tangles, you may want to try this Fairy Tales Detangler even though it is designed for kids.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Kids detangling spray |
| Product weight: 12 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, hydrolyzed keratin, provitamin B5, jojoba seed extract, and aloe vera leaf juice |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Detangling spray that can be used as a leave-in conditioner |
| It is very lightweight |
| Has a mixed fruity scent with hints of coconut and vanilla |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain gluten |
| Available in shampoo, conditioner, and spray variants as well |
| It is an incredibly pocket-friendly product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains silicones |
| It may be a bit too light for thicker hair |
| Only offers average slip |
| Its scent has synthetic notes |
| Its scent may be a bit too strong |
Top 3 Value Detanglers: Detailed Reviews
4. SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Leave-in Treatment
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
Everyone doesn’t start their day with unruly hair. For some, tangled hair is only a minor convenience instead of being the worst part of their week. For such people, this 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Leave-in Treatment from Shea Moisture might be perfect.
This detangler is very lightweight but it still offers considerable moisture. What this means in practice is that this detangler will hydrate your hair while removing minor tangles. However, if you have severe tangles, this product may not have sufficient power to handle them.
This doesn’t mean that this detangler is perfect for people with fine hair. The reason for this is that it offers a lot of moisture and that moisture can weigh down light, fine hair considerably.
The lightweight nature of this product is a result of the kind of ingredients it is based on. The three main ingredients in this detangler are 100 percent virgin coconut oil, coconut milk, and acacia Senegal.
The fact that it contains coconut milk and coconut oil in similar amounts is why it isn’t so heavy. For the same reason, this product doesn’t offer any slip. However, coconut milk is as adept as coconut oil when it comes to softening hair and countering frizz which is why this detangler excels in those areas.
This detangler is free from all unnatural and harmful ingredients. It doesn’t contain sulfates, silicones, parabens, or even other substances derived from petroleum. Also, this is a cruelty-free product like all Shea Moisture products. Further, the coconuts this company uses are sustainably sourced.
As is natural, the smell of this detangler comes from coconuts. It is light, coastal, tropical, and appreciated by all users other than those who specifically don’t like coconuts.
If you buy this detangler, make sure you have a spare empty bottle or jar available. There are far too many reports of the dispensing mechanism on this product’s bottle failing.
Who’s it for: If you have dry hair, don’t experience severe tangles every morning, and don’t obsess about slip, this light detangler from Shea Moisture will work well for you.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Leave-in conditioner treatment |
| Product weight: 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil, coconut acid, coconut fruit extract, algae extract, horsetail extract, argan oil, rosehip oil, vitamin E, nettle leaf extract, senegalia Senegal gum extract, hydrolyzed keratin, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and essential oil blend |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Leave-in detangling treatment |
| Has a tropical coconut scent |
| Suitable for most hair types |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| Cruelty-free product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Cannot handle severe tangles |
| May not be ideal for fine hair |
| Doesn’t have much slip |
| Comes with a poor-quality dispensing pump |
5. SoCozy Curl Spray Leave-In Conditioner
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
This is the second kids’ detangler we’ve featured in our guide. However, this one is the complete opposite of the first one. The first one was very lightweight and meant for fine hair while this one is heavy-duty and meant for difficult hair. It was developed by a salon owner specifically for kids but it can comfortably be used by adults too.
This detangler comes in the form of a leave-in conditioning spray and can handle the toughest of tangles. It is also effective in other ways, unlike most of its counterparts, because it adds bounce and definition to curls in addition to moisture.
All its benefits are a result of its formula which features ingredients like vitamin B5, jojoba oil, and olive oil. It is completely natural and doesn’t contain harmful substances such as sulfates, parabens, and silicones. The formula is also free of gluten, making it great for celiac disease sufferers.
Since it is such an effective moisturizer, it isn’t all that suitable for fine hair. If used on fine hair, it will weigh it down and make it greasy very quickly. This detangler’s strength also means that it can make the hair hard if used in larger quantities.
This detangler doesn’t stand out in any way when it comes to adding slip to hair. On coarse hair, it will be negligible while on smooth hair it may be significant. On balance, though, the slip it gives is average.
The smell of this detangler, unfortunately, is artificial in nature. The smell is best described as fruity but with very strong chemical notes. It is also a bit too strong and will overwhelm those people who are not big fans of fruity scents. In fact, if you’re sensitive to scents in general, you’ll do well to avoid this one.
Who’s it for: If you’re plagued with incredibly difficult tangles and want a very strong detangler, try this kids’ product from the salon brand SoCozy.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Kids leave-in conditioner |
| Product weight: 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Hydrogenated olive oil, hydrolyzed jojoba esters, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, provitamin B5, and beeswax |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Detangling leave-in conditioner designed specifically for kids |
| Can handle all but the severest of tangles |
| Defines curls too |
| Has a fruity scent |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain gluten |
| The Cons |
|---|
| It may be a bit too heavy for fine hair |
| Can end up making hair hard |
| Only offers medium slip |
| Its scent has synthetic notes |
| Its scent may be a bit too strong |
6. The Honest Company’s Honest Conditioning Detangler Spray (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
Lead by the famous actress, Jessica Alba, The Honest Company’s objectives is to offer products that are environment-friendly, healthy, effective, and genuine. Their products reflect these principles with formulae based largely on organic ingredients and free of harmful, synthetic, harsh, and artificial substances.
Their Honest Conditioning Detangler Spray is no different. The majority of its ingredients are organic except for one or two. The ones that are not organic, however, aren’t artificial. They’re still natural.The difference is that they’re not certified to be organic.
In fact, artificial ingredients are completely absent from this detangler’s formula. This means you won’t find any sulfates, parabens, silicones, or dyes in this product. Further, this product is cruelty-free rated and vegan to boot.
The formula incorporates ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, jojoba protein, and quinoa extract which give the product considerable detangling power. However, like most products from The Honest Company, this one is also intended for children.
This is why the detangler is best suited for fine to normal hair and not thick, heavy, coarse, or kinky hair. While it can handle tangles in lighter hair types, it will fail when it comes to severe tangles and coarse or curly hair.
Being made for kids, this detangler is also quite gentle and mild. It softens the hair and can be safely used on a kid’s hair daily. On the right hair type, it also offers a very decent slip, which allows fingers, combs, and brushes to glide through smoothly.
Also, this detangler is very thin and watery in consistency. This means two things. First, it spreads through hair easily, and second, it finishes off very quickly.
In terms of smell, like all detanglers for kids, this one also has a very sweet scent. It smells like candy and has notes of vanilla and orange. The smell is also very strong but children seem to like it across the board.
You can get this product in two differently sized packs i.e. a pack of one bottle and a pack of three bottles. Each bottle carries about four ounces of the detangler. Each bottle is usually enough for two to three months.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a genuinely natural and gentle detangler for your kids or yourself, get this one from The Honest Company.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Detangling leave-in conditioner spray |
| Product weight: 3 x 4 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Orange peel extract, flat-leaved vanilla fruit extract, tangerine peel extract, organic pot marigold flower extract, organic matricaria flower extract, quinoa seed extract, organic coconut oil, crambeabyssinica seed oil, babassu kernel oil, organic argan kernel oil, organic shea butter, murumuru seed butter, hydrolyzed jojoba protein, and vitamin E |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Detangling conditioning spray meant specifically for kids |
| It is very lightweight |
| It contains many organic ingredients |
| Suitable for most hair types |
| Offers good slip |
| It has a sweet orange, vanilla scent |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| Cruelty-free and vegan product |
| Available in two sizes |
| It is an incredibly |
| The Cons |
|---|
| It may be a bit too light for thicker hair and severe tangles |
| Its scent may be a bit too strong |
| It has a watery consistency |
Top 3 Premium Detanglers: Detailed Reviews
7. Daily Dose Miracle Moisture Leave-In Conditioner
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
When developing this detangler, Daily Dose must have decided to focus only on the primary function of the product to such an extent that they forgot to look at all the other variables that users also pay attention to. The result is the Miracle Moisture Leave-in Conditioner which is unmatched when it comes to detangling and moisturizing hair but lacking in other areas.
The biggest reason why this detangler is so effective is that it is based on silicones. It has plenty of silicones that coat every individual hair strand and give them the kind of slip that is not very common in silicone-free products.
The silicones also trap the moisture inside the hair shaft and prevent it from escaping. This helps the hair remain moisturized over a prolonged period. Further, the silicone coating on the hair strand protects it from future damage. This includes everything from ultraviolet rays and heat to pollution and humidity.
Since silicones tend to be heavy, this detangler is best for thick, curly, and kinky hair. On fine hair, it would create an oily film on every hair strand that will weigh the overall look down.
Apart from a slew of silicones, this detangler doesn’t contain harmful substances such as sulfates or parabens. Further, it contains some natural ingredients too such as aloe vera leaf juice and different types of vitamins such as A, C, and E. It is also gluten-free, making it a good choice for people with celiac disease. This detangler is also rated to be cruelty-free.
The scent of this detangler is also nothing special. It is very artificial and reminiscent of bug spray according to many users. Fortunately, it doesn’t linger after the product and hair have dried up.
One of the biggest flaws of this detangler is that it is very expensive. The only saving grace is that the company backs its products with a 100 percent money-back guarantee which allows users to claim a full refund if they’re not happy with their purchase.
Who’s it for: If you don’t care about the scent or ingredients of your detangler so long as it works like a charm, get this one from Daily Dose.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Detangling leave-in conditioner spray |
| Product weight: 8.5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, aloe vera leaf juice, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Moisturizes and detangles very well |
| Suitable for most hair types |
| It offers decent slip |
| Its smell dissipates as it dries |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Cruelty-free product |
| Backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains silicones |
| It may be a bit too heavy for fine hair |
| Its scent is too artificial |
| Expensively priced |
8. Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave in Conditioner/Detangler
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
Kinky Curly is a brand that is well-known for developing products solely for people with wavy, curly, or kinky hair. As a result, all their products are great moisturizers in addition to whatever their primary purpose is. The Knot Today Leave-in Conditioner/Detangler is no different.
It is intended for the wavy, curly, and thick-haired crowd and offers intense hydration. It is suitable for most hair types too. However, depending on your hair type, you’ll have to use this detangler differently.
If you have very thick, curly, or kinky hair then the company recommends using this detangler as a leave-in conditioner. On the other hand, if you have wavy hair, then the company says that you should use it as a normal conditioner in the shower.
This creamy detangler does very well when it comes to detangling mainly because of the kind of slip it offers. In fact, a lot of users say that it offers the most slip of all the detanglers available in the market right now.
The best part is that this detangler offers all these qualities without relying on silicones. Its formula is free of silicones along with all the other harmful substances such as sulfates and parabens. Instead, the ingredients used are all organic, natural, and herbal. It doesn’t even have gluten which is why people with celiac disease like it so much.
This detangler’s smell is a little divisive. It has a sweet, fruity smell with the scent being similar to pineapples and passion fruits. The scent is also very subtle and light so even if you don’t like fruity scents, you’ll not have much trouble tolerating it. Even so, there are people who don’t like the scent all that much.
This detangler is quite expensive, which happens to be its main flaw. On the plus side, though, you need very little of it to detangle your hair. This means that a bottle can last months saving you money in the long term.
Who’s it for: If you love slip in your hair and can spend a little money, this detangling conditioner from Kinky Curly is what you should be buying.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Detangling leave-in conditioner |
| Product weight: 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Organic mango fruit extract, organic slippery elm, organic marshmallow root, and organic lemongrass |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Detangling leave-in conditioner that can be used as a normal conditioner |
| Moisturizes and detangles very well |
| Suitable for wavy, curly, and thick hair |
| It offers excellent slip |
| Little goes a long way |
| It has a light and sweet fruity scent |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain gluten |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| The Cons |
|---|
| It may be a bit too heavy for fine hair |
| Everyone may not like its smell |
| Expensively priced |
9. Oribe Run-Through Detangling Primer (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
Oribe, in many ways, defines the luxury market in the hair care product segment. Their products almost always go one step beyond what they need to and end up deep in the opulent or luxurious spectrum of things. The Run-Through Detangling Primer from the company is like all their other products in this regard.
It is neither a traditional conditioner nor a leave-in conditioner. Instead, the company calls it a primer. Marketing aside, you can see this product as a detangling mist. The mist is designed to prepare the hair to be brushed or combed.
It does this by sealing the cuticle layer of every hair strand, resulting in the comb gliding through the hair effortlessly. In fact, the slip provided by this product is perfect according to the majority of people who have used it. They say that it balances the difference between greasy and slippery perfectly.
As this detangler conditions and detangles the hair, it also makes it soft, shiny, and more manageable without weighing it down. However, that is only if you use it in the right quantities. If you use too much of this detangler on the same spot, you can expect your hair to get greasy and weighed down.
You will be tempted to use too much of it too because the scent of this product is incredible. Like all products, this one is also blessed with the signature Oribe scent. The scent is famous and many people buy Oribe products for their fragrant value alone.
Another great benefit of this detangler is that it will give your hair ultraviolet and thermal production. This will be useful if you step out in the sun a lot or like to use hot tools like curling irons and flat irons.
The detangling power, moisturization, slip, and protection provided by this detangler comes from its silicone content. While silicones are very effective in products like these, they’re all that not beneficial for hair in the long term. For instance, some evidence suggests that they dry the hair over time, which can result in long term damage.
However, silicones are not the only ingredient that this detangler depends upon to deliver its most notable benefits. Other ingredients that contribute significantly are the Detangling Oil Blend consisting of pomegranate, apricot, and coconut, the Oribe Signature Complex consisting of edelweiss, litchi, and watermelon extracts, and an anti-static complex. Notable individual ingredients in this detangler’s formula are amla extract, tropical hibiscus extract, and amino acid.
Fortunately, this detangler doesn’t contain other more overtly harmful substances such as sulfates and parabens. The developers have also kept gluten-containing ingredients away from this product. It is also a vegan and cruelty-free rated product.
This detangler is available in two different sized bottles. The smaller one contains 1.7 ounces of the product while the larger one’s capacity is 5.9 ounces. The smaller bottle is great for people who travel a lot while the bigger one is slightly more affordable.
However, it doesn’t matter whether you choose the big one or the small one, you’ll have to pay a lot of money to get it because this is one of the most expensive detanglers in the market right now.
Who’s it for: If you think you deserve to be pampered while you detangle your hair, get this premium, luxury detangler from Oribe.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Detangling conditioning mist |
| Product weight: 5.9 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, pomegranate seed oil, amber resin extract, roselle flower extract, watermelon fruit extract, edelweiss flower extract, Indian gooseberry fruit extract, sunflower seed extract, wheat amino acids, and silicones |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Moisturizes and detangles very well |
| Provides great thermal protection too |
| Suitable for most hair types |
| It offers excellent slip |
| It has the famed Oribe signature scent |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain gluten |
| It’s a cruelty-free and vegan product |
| Available in two differently sized bottles |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains silicones |
| It may be a bit too heavy for fine hair |
| Super expensive product |
Contents
- Why Should You Use a Detangler?
- When and How Often Should You Detangle Your Hair?
- How Should You Detangle Your Hair?
- What Are the Different Types of Detanglers?
- Top 9 Detanglers for Curly Hair Comparison Table
- Top 3 Budget Detanglers: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Detanglers: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium Detanglers: Detailed Reviews
