Detangling

One of the major turn-offs of natural hair is combing/detangling, especially if your hair falls in the *4 category like mine does. I find that the best way to detangle natural hair is while it is wet.

Detangling after taking down a style:

I usually spritz my hair with water (sometimes using my water/eo mixture). As I am taking down a style this way, I am taking down the style, sectioning and detangling at the same time. It also cuts down on styling time if you are preparing to wash your hair right after.

Always start at the ends of your hair and work your way up to the roots using a wide tooth comb or brush such as a Denam https://www.denmanbrush.com/store/results.asp?Field1=D14. Once one section is detangled, I usually braid that section or put it into a scrunchie then move on to the next. I usually end up with four sections. You may need to go over each section once again if you are preparing to re-style, but this may not be necessary if you are preparing to wash your hair.

Detangling after washing.

If you detangle your hair before you wash it, as you are taking down your style, it will be much easier to detangle after washing. Also if you are putting in a conditioner you can use your brush to detangle during the conditoning process. You will find that the conditioner will give it more 'slip' so you will be able to glide the brush right through your hair.

While your hair is wet (it can be blotted so it wont be dripping wet), follow the same process starting at the ends of your hair working your way up to the roots. If you have detangled before you began washing, you will find that this detangling session will be faster. If you are applying a leave-on conditioner after washing this will also provide 'slip' and make it easier to detangle. After detangling, and my hair is in the sections I also add moisturizer to each section and comb/brush through again.

* Check out these sites for more on hair types
http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/06/12/understanding-your-hair-type-and-texture/

* Andre Walker - Celebrity stylist has a hair chart in his book Andre Talks Hair http://www.amazon.com/Andre-Talks-Hair-Walker/dp/0684824566

* This site has Andre Walker's Chart
http://naturalblackhaircare.com/hairtypes.php

* Also check out the YouTube Natural Hair Videos at the bottom of my blog*


Peace and blessings...