How To Brush Curly Hair

If you’re someone with curly locks, brushing your hair every morning can feel like a chore you’d rather not get out of bed for. You balk at the idea of putting any kind of comb or brush through your hair, your patience can run thin and most days you take the easy way out and resort to throwing your curls into a bun or ponytail and away you go.

But now, in the age of specifically-designed hair combs, products and on-hand beauty experts (ahem – us) brushing curly hair doesn’t have to feel unmanageable.

We’ve enlisted the help of leading hairstylist and AVEDA Guest Artist Darren Summors to talk us though the best way to brush curly hair.

Simply follow these expert tips to hopefully make your hair brushing routine a little easier!

What is the best way to brush curly hair?

For the girls with the curls, it’s actually best to comb your hair wet, perhaps even while you’re still in the shower. Darren emphasises this, “a great way to tame the mane is to brush hair when it’s still wet after shampooing, using a moisturising conditioner and a wide tooth comb to detangle.”

bh loves: Aveda Be Curly Conditioner, Rock & Ruddle Wide Tooth Comb

What are the best products to use for brushing hair?

“The best products to use are a shampoo with a co-wash, like the Aveda Be Curly Co-Wash” says Darren. He then advises to follow up with a conditioner as this will nourish and detangle your curls as well as adding shine! He also suggests using creamy, oil-based products for detangling while simultaneously adding “much needed moisturise to naturally dry coils.”

bh loves: The Moroccanoil Treatment, Lush Curly Wurly shampoo, ghd's Detangling Comb

What is the best technique to use when brushing curly hair?

Instinctively, we usually brush our hair from roots to end, however for curly hair, it’s the opposite. Although it might feel counterintuitive, with curly hair it’s best to start at the end and work your up. Darren tells us why, “apply conditioner from the nape of the neck, taking small sections, and combing up from the ends towards the roots. This ensures that you do not create more tangles when brushing down.” This method is also important as it doesn’t cause breakage.

bh loves: John Frieda Frizz-Ease® Dream Curls® Shampoo, TONI&GUY Wet/Dry Detangle Comb

What kind of brushes or hair tools do you recommend for brushing curly hair?

A wide tooth comb with “rounded teeth” or a brush with spaced out bristles versus one with densely packed bristles “which can cause more knots and tangles” is the way to go according to Darren. He elaborates that, “a brush with spaced out bristles can aid in the detangling process.”

bh loves: The Lady Jayne Shower Comb

Best way to enhance or style your curls after brushing?

Darren notes that it’s imperative to give your hair a lot love post-brushing, and the best way to do this is with a moisturising hair mask that you should apply on towel-dried hair and leave overnight. “Start by layering the hair, applying product, and twisting curls into place. Allow hair to air dry in the AM,” says Darren. “Pull curls apart or tousle hair with fingers from the roots to create more bounce throughout strands.”

bh loves: Alfaparf Milano Precious Nature for Curly & Wavy Hair Mask, Aveda Be Curly Intensive Detangling Masque

Are there any curly-haired beauties out there who have any great tips on brushing curly locks?

53 Member Comments

Lucy16 29 Jun 2019 1:25 AM

I use a cotton tshirt but I’m also exploring bamboo and silk as options to dry my hair.

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Coop 7 Jun 2019 5:52 PM

After straightening my hair for years I am now doing the CGM and finding it great one tip use a cotton t-shirt to dry and get excess moisture out instead of a towel as it can cause frizz from the fibres.

Lucy16 29 Jun 2019 1:23 AM

The tshirt trick is fabulous.

A friend showed me it ten years ago and I haven’t looked back.

I only recently learned that there’s a term for it: plopping!

Lucy16 6 Jun 2019 10:35 AM

Invest in a very wide toothed bone comb.

Your hair will love it.

Lucy16 6 Jun 2019 10:34 AM

I’m the Queen of Unwanted Dreads at the moment.

Lucy16 6 Jun 2019 10:33 AM

Brazil knows where it’s at for curly haired brushes and combs.

onlyoni 1 Jun 2019 5:31 PM

I don't have curly hair but this will be a good article for my son to read. It seems he was blessed with all the curls.

Shop A Everyday 31 May 2019 10:04 PM

I would love some curls and volume

Lucy16 6 Jun 2019 10:32 AM

Take some of mine!

perthchick 31 May 2019 3:56 PM

I have a daughter with curly hair. I can see they she hates me brushing it.

Littleboxofglam 31 May 2019 11:20 AM

I don't have curly hair but found this article super helpful so I will pass it onto my curly haired friends to read!

Lisa359 30 May 2019 6:32 PM

I never brush my hair, wide tooth comb from the bottom up for me. It's so much easier.

MoonlightSak16 30 May 2019 5:49 PM

Thankyou for the tips. Just what I needed.

GeeJ 28 May 2019 12:18 AM

Brushing my wavy hair is such a pain. Most days I keep my hair in a plait so I don't have to brush it too much.

readingwishes 28 May 2019 12:03 AM

I only brush my hair when I'm washing it, but brushing from the bottom up is a new tip for me - and one I'll be trying out. Also going to invest in a new comb!

Lawliet 26 May 2019 1:05 PM

Brushing curly hair? no way, it's boofy enough as it is!

misfortune8 25 May 2019 9:26 PM

My hair only has a gentle wave, but I use this combing method because my hair is past waist-length. It's poorly described above: it sounds like brushing the hair upwards! You don't! You start near the tips, brushing downwards. Start each down-stroke a little higher than the stroke before, until you can brush from roots to tip in one stroke.

Meedee 25 May 2019 7:15 AM

My hairdresser daughter told me off the other day for using a comb on my wet hair and told me I should be using my tangle teezer so as im a good mum I am doing as im told and now using that :)

IndieAna 24 May 2019 9:00 PM

I have wavy hair and it gets so knotty! Even when I straighten it my hair still manages to get knots in it

maydayismyday 24 May 2019 7:45 PM

I've recently started to embrace my curls after years of straightening (or, to be more honest, I just can't be bothered fighting it anymore!)

Gilded 24 May 2019 4:00 PM

I have straight hair but we have a curly headed brunette in the house. I'll pass on this tip to her.

Chrystalage 24 May 2019 3:56 PM

No curls in this house, not even the dogs.

Bellefleur 24 May 2019 1:55 PM

Detangling brushes have been a life changing discovery for me - they make a huge difference when brushing my thick and wavy/curly hair. Sectioning off and brushing from the bottom up is also a good tip, especially in the morning when it's all extra tangled up after sleep.

Sootyhere 24 May 2019 11:58 AM

I will pass this on to a friend with very curly hair. A wide tooth comb seems to be the way to go.

Stacey827 24 May 2019 11:33 AM

Brushing curly hair ends up turning my in to a poodle. Looks much better unbrushed

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The best way to brush curly hair

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