How to Brush Curly Hair

How to Brush Curly Hair

Are you a curly girl? If so, you will know all about the minefield that is brushing curly hair. Wet or dry? What kind of brush? And how on earth do you avoid the dreaded frizz?

There is so much conflicting information around it’s hard to know what the right thing is to do to keep your curls looking amazing. Whether you have got loose, tight or coily curls, you want to make the most out of your lovely hair. 

At Tangle Angel we believe everyone deserves great hair days every day. Our team of experts headed up by award-winning hairdresser Richard Ward are here to help. First things first, you need to equip yourself with a great quality brush. Take a look at our range of brushes specifically for curly hair.

Read on to get all your questions answered on looking after your beautiful curls, so that you can look and feel fantastic every day.

Why is brushing your hair important? 

From a young age, we’re all taught that brushing our hair is an important part of looking after ourselves. Just like cleaning your teeth or scrubbing behind your ears! But what exactly makes it so important? There are a number of reasons why brushing your hair is vital:

Distributes natural oils: Your scalp produces natural oils, and without help it can take a while for these oils to make their way down the length of your hair. This is especially true for those of us with long locks. 

Helps with styling: Want a slick high ponytail or a smooth sleek bob? Brushing helps guide your hair in the right direction.

Removes buildup: Whenever you brush your hair, you’re helping to remove impurities such as dead skin and excess product, helping keep your hair healthy.

How do detangling brushes work? 

Look online or in the shops and you will find all sorts of products and gadgets that will claim to make your hair look fantastic, but they’re not all they say they are.

However, a high-quality detangler brush such as those from Tangle Angel can really help you tame those curls and make the most out of your mane. Detangler brushes are specifically designed with flexible bristles that move with your strands rather than against them, gently easing out knots with comfort and ease. This is especially important for those of us with curly hair as they can help untangle your locks without losing the integrity of your curls. 

Step by step guide on how to brush curly hair

Armed with our step by step guide, you are well on your way to beautiful curls that will turn heads. 

  1. Add moisture: The golden rule of brushing curly hair: only do it when it’s damp. Brushing dry curly hair equals frizz, as well as loosening your curls causing them to lose their shape. Apply a leave-in conditioner or moisturising cream as your first step, after you have washed your hair in the shower or bath.
  1. Detangle: Add a spritz of detangling spray all over, this will enable you to tease out any knots without losing definition in your curls.
  1. Start at the bottom: As always, start at the tips of your hair, brush through gently until you reach the roots. This will help reduce any tugging or snagging at your scalp.
  1. Evenly brush through: Avoid brushing the same pieces of hair more than once - as this will cause frizz! We find that going section by section makes it easier.
  1. Don’t forget your baby hairs: You can use a smaller brush to gently comb through your baby hairs, which can then be slicked down with a hydrating edge gel to keep them in place.

Top tips for avoiding frizz when brushing and styling curly hair

Frizz is the enemy of the curly girl, so what can you do to reduce it? The experts at Tangle Angel have put together some of their favourite tips and tricks.

Don’t shampoo every day: Although it may seem counterintuitive, shampooing your hair less actually helps your hair retain moisture. This helps when you’re brushing your curls.

Seal with oil: Find a good quality hair oil to use once you have brushed through your hair. It will form a barrier between your hair and the environment and help lower the chance of frizz. 

Don’t touch: Only touch your hair when you’re brushing or styling it. Otherwise, leave it be! Playing with your hair regularly can contribute to frizziness.

Tips on brushing different hair types

We’re all different, right down to our hair types. There’s no one size fits all solution that will suit everyone’s hair. Find out more about brushing different types of hair. 

Fine hair: You have delicate strands and they need to be treated with extra-special care. Be sure to use a good quality heat protection spray or oil before brushing and styling hair that is naturally fine.

Wavy hair: Those of us with wavy hair will know the pain of waking up in the morning with a bird's nest on top of our heads! Sleep with satin pillowcases or a satin nightcap to help reduce friction and frizz, it will make brushing a lot easier. 

Thick hair: Don’t brush your hair any more than necessary, as your hair will become dull and could damage your cuticles. 

Straight hair: Try not to overload straight hair with product when it comes to brushing and styling. It can feel counterintuitive but use only small amounts of product before brushing, otherwise, your hair could look limp and lifeless.

Taking good care of those curls is easy once you know-how. We hope by now you’ve got the knowledge to do the best for your hair. As always, we recommend paying close attention to the current condition of your hair before making any drastic changes, so you can be sure you’re always doing the best for your barnet. You deserve fantastic hair!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I brush my curly hair when it’s dry?

This is a big no-no, brushing your curly hair when it’s dry is a recipe for loose curls and frizz. Our experts recommend only brushing your curly hair when it’s wet or damp, to make the most out of your lovely locks. The ideal time is when you have come out of the shower or bath. 

What kind of brush should I use for my curly hair? 

It’s important to have the right tools for the job. Luckily for you, we have created a unique range of brushes that can work for all sorts of curly hair. Take a look here. 

Do I need to wash my hair brush?

Like other tools in your beauty kit, keeping your hair brush clean is super important. Otherwise, you’re just transferring buildup from your brush onto your lovely clean hair. Brushes should be washed regularly, read our blog to find out how to keep your brush clean.

Share on social