A rundown of 17 of the best detangling creams and sprays for naturally tight kinks and coils. Because the struggle is real.
Patience and the right type of products go a long way when it comes to detangling tightly coiled hair. Type 4C hair is often dry and porous so hydration is a major key. “The main thing is you want your hair to have moisture and slip to it,” says celebrity hairstylist and Maui Moisture Curl Pro Alexander Armand, whose clients include Naomi Campbell, Skai Jackson and Aja Naomi King.
“If it’s dry and you just brush through, it’s going to catch. And, that’s going to be problematic," he shares. "You need to coat your hair with a nourishing leave-in conditioner or moisturizing butter beforehand to make the process much easier.”
The solve requires a bit of work. Armand recommends separating your hair into four quadrants. Then, loosely braid or two-strand twist each section to stretch out your coils before you begin detangling your hair. (He swears it'll make the comb out process much easier if your hair isn't contracted.)
When working through a quadrant, saturate it with an oil, butter or leave-in. Then take a small section of hair and using a wide-tooth comb or brush, start the detangling process by working your way up from the ends up to the root. When you’re done with a section, twist and pin it up so it’s out of the way before you begin the next section. “It’s definitely a process, but it’s worth it if you want to minimize breakage and save yourself the hassle of having the brush stuck in your hair,” adds Armand.
Below is a rundown of 17—yup, we're giving you options—of the best detangling creams and sprays for naturally tight kinks and coils. Keep scrolling.