By technique · Sub-chapter 02
Wet or dry, tool or fingers, ends first always. Two decisions that govern every other choice.
142 how-to's · Updated 30 April 2026 · Avg. 4 min per piece · Edited by Nelly · Beauty & Style Director
Editor's note
Most hair breakage during detangling happens in the first ten seconds — before people have even chosen the right tool, on hair that isn't adequately prepared. The two questions that determine everything else are: are you working on wet or dry hair, and what are you pulling it with?
Wet vs Dry
The wet-vs-dry decision is determined by your hair type, not your preference or your schedule. Curly and coily hair detangles best in the shower under a rinse-out conditioner with real slip — the elasticity of wet hair works for you here. Fine, straight, or colour-treated hair is different: wet fine hair stretches up to 30% before snapping. Dry detangling on fine hair, using a paddle brush or wide-tooth comb with a detangling spray, removes knots without the elasticity risk.
Brush Choice
The brush is not interchangeable. A Denman on a tight 4C curl (wet, with slip) defines and detangles in a single pass. A Denman on fine dry hair creates static and splits. A paddle brush on long straight hair covers the most surface in the least time. Before you pick up a tool, answer two questions: what texture am I working with, and is it wet or dry? Wide-tooth comb remains the most forgiving entry point across the most hair types — start there if in doubt.
Other techniques
Everything we've published on detangling
- Wide-tooth comb vs Denman — which to use when
- Finger detangling — is it actually better?
- Why you're always losing more hair than you should
- Detangling spray vs conditioner — when each wins
- Dry detangling for fine hair — the method
- Slip: what it is and how to get enough of it