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The 11 Best Detanglers For Smoothing Out Knots
No tugging, no pulling, and no damage in sight.
If you struggle with extra tangled hair, you might want to just give up on brushing all together. The key is preventing knots from happening in the first place before you even get in the shower. "Your hair is most fragile when it's wet, so brush out any tangles before it ever touches the water to help make the brushing easier afterwards," explains Siobhan Quinlan, hairstylist and creative director at Art + Autonomy Salon in NYC. If you want to double up on the preventative measures, you can also use a wide tooth comb to brush through your strands while you have conditioner in. Dry, damaged hair is more prone to knots, so never skip conditioner (and if you have fine strands, just avoid your roots).
When you get out of the shower, squeeze or pat your hair with your towel to ring out excess water—rubbing it will cause tangles. Then, spritz in a detangling spray and brush out your strands working your way up from the bottom up. Make sure to hold the section of hair with your free hand so you're not pulling hair from the scalp. Quinlan also recommends choosing a brush made specifically for tangles like the Wet Brush or the Tangle Teezer.
While you can be predisposed to tangles depending on your hair type—fine hair and textured hair tend to struggle the most—tangles could also mean it's time for a trim. "As the ends of your hair split, all of those little pieces intertwine with each other and can cause tangles," explains Quinlan. "A quick inch or so off of the bottom creates a clean finish that's less likely to get mangled."
Yet, even with all of these tips, one of the easiest and most tried and true ways to nix tangles fast and without damaging your hair is with a detangler. Not only will they help knots slip right out, but they also boost shine, condition, and nix frizz. Here are the best ones for keeping strands smooth and knot-free.
Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner
Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner
Tamanu seed oil and honey extract make this formula so hydrating, but it's the soft and sweet honeysuckle scent that makes you want to use it again and again.
Drunk Elephant Wild Marula™ Tangle Spray
Drunk Elephant Wild Marula™ Tangle Spray
Drunk Elephant just entered the haircare game and with none other than celebrity hairstylist Chris McMillan–so you know your tresses are in good hands. This delicious-smelling detangling spray coats hair in nourishing marula oil to keep it shiny, strong, and protected from heat.
Drybar Prep Rally Prime & Prep Detangler
Drybar Prep Rally Prime & Prep Detangler
Biotin helps keep hair stretchy (so it doesn't snap) while sea berry oil keeps it moisturized. Not only will this formula nix knots, it also protects strands from heat up to 450* and preps hair to hold your style longer.
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioning Spray
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioning Spray
Rosehip, argan, and coconut oils are what give this detangler its name. The creamy formula can tame even the most unruly of hair into a smooth finish without leaving it feeling weighed down.
It's A 10 Silk Express Miracle Silk Leave-In
It's A 10 Silk Express Miracle Silk Leave-In
The OG of detanglers, this formula is made with silk proteins (hence the name) that not only strengthen and protect the hair but also offer major slip for the most stubborn tangles. Just know that a little goes a long way
R+Co Pinstripe Intense Detangling Spray
R+Co Pinstripe Intense Detangling Spray
The formula is incredibly light, so it won’t weigh down fine strands or make them look greasy the way some heavier detanglers can. Another bonus: This one has a sophisticated citrus scent, and it leaves hair extra shiny.
Not Your Mother's Knotty To Nice Conditioning Detangler
Not Your Mother's Knotty To Nice Conditioning Detangler
This detangler stays true to its name and separates sticky strands on contact. It's also infused with keratin proteins to strengthen and repair damaged hair and protect from future knots.
Pantene Gold Series Leave-On Detangling Milk
Pantene Gold Series Leave-On Detangling Milk
For women with natural hair, tangles Pantene’s Detangling Milk comes is where it's at. It’s infused with argan oil to tame frizz and bring on shine. Rub it into your hair in sections and you’ll be able to run a wide tooth comb through your style with no problem.
Leonor Greyl Paris Lait Luminiscence Bi-Phase
Leonor Greyl Paris Lait Luminiscence Bi-Phase
The fine mist of detangling styling milk sinks into hair fast, giving instant moisture. Spritz it on before heat styling or being out in the sun—it contains natural UVA/B protection to guard strands from the sun’s harmful rays.
Sun Bum 3 in 1 Leave-In
Sun Bum 3 in 1 Leave-In
This was made by surfers, for surfers, so the coconut and sunflower seed oils can handle untangling hair even after a day in the ocean. Its tropical coconut and banana scent will make you feel like you were at the beach. Plus, it has UV filters and humidity resistance to protect strands further.
John Frieda Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-in Conditioner
John Frieda Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-in Conditioner
This ultimate twofer tackles tangles and frizz, and aces both jobs. Made for all hair types, it works using a potent blend of green tea extract, hydrating ingredients, and vitamins A, C, and E. Spritz it on from root to tip and it’ll help you work out any rat’s nest.
Celia Shatzman (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor who has penned stories on topics ranging from beauty to fashion, travel, celebrities, health, entertainment, finance and more. A graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, she is a beauty and style contributor at Forbes and her work has appeared in New York, Cosmopolitan, WWD, ELLE, Conde Nast Traveler, Afar, Travel + Leisure, Women’s Health, Marie Claire, Byrdie, Refinery29 and NYLON, among others.
Chelsea Burns is the Beauty Director for Women’s Health and has been writing in the beauty and wellness space for over six years with her work appearing in Real Simple, Health, Fitness, and Byrdie.com. She’s an expert at testing products and is always on the hunt for the best tinted moisturizer.
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