Proper curl care requires a collection of hair tools. To define, detangle, and style healthy curls you need to make sure that you’re using tools that won’t damage your hair. That means, you need to use the right combs for curly hair. “Owning the right combs is crucial for maintaining the health and beauty of curly hair,” curl expert and hair creative director of Wig Reports, Lauren Udoh, told 21Ninety.
Best Combs for Curly Hair
According to the former hairstylist, there are four types of combs that everyone with curly hair needs: a wide-tooth comb, rat tail comb, pick comb, and shower comb. Each of these styles has their own purpose.
A rat tail comb sections your hair with its super fine tip. That makes it a great option for styling perfect pom poms or pre-braid prep. A wide-tooth comb is great for detangling your hair with minimal breakage. When you need more volume, reach for a pick comb. And, leave your shower comb in your bathroom so that you always have a tool to evenly distribute conditioners throughout your curls.
Tips for Safely Combing Your Curls
“Combing curly hair without damage requires a gentle, patient approach,” Udoh advised. Once you’ve gathered your patience, wet your hair. “In my experience as a hair expert, it’s generally better to comb curly hair when it’s wet,” Udoh said. Your curls don’t have to be soaking wet, but adding leave-in conditioner, detangling spray, or extra conditioner keeps your hair “more elastic and manageable,” according to the expert’s advice.
Udoh recommended grabbing a wide-tooth or shower comb to detangle your curls. Then, starting from your ends, work your way up to the roots. “[This] reduces tension and prevents breakage,” Udoh explained. Speaking of preventing breakage, don’t tug or pull on stubborn knots. If you tear your curls you could end up with split ends. And, split ends tend to tangle. So, be patient when combing your curls with the right tools.
Rizos Curls Pink Hanging Shower Comb
Rizos Curls makes a Pink Hanging Shower Comb that is as cute as it is functional. This comb is made of a durable acetate that won’t snap off the second you hit a tangle. And, it has a pink speckled pattern that practically glistens in the shower. This shower comb has a hook-shaped handle that fits on the shower curtain rod or your shower caddy. The design also makes it easier to hold in the shower. So, you don’t have to worry about your comb flying out of your hand while you’re applying a deep conditioner. Plus, it has smooth rounded teeth so that the comb can glide through your hair.
KAZMALEJE KurlsPlus Pick Hair Comb
KAZMALEJE’s KurlsPlus Pick Hair Comb is easy to use at home or on the go. It’s an ergonomically-shaped blue hair pick that has a notch in the handle. That way, your hand can be wet or dry and find a secure grip on the pick. As for the teeth, they are spaced farther apart than the average hair pick so that the comb doesn’t get caught in your curls.
Kim Kimble Part & Twist Styling Comb Set
Kim Kimble’s Part & Twist Styling Comb Set comes with rat tail comb and a twist comb. On a wash-n-go day, you can use the cone-shaped twist comb to create defined coils. But, for daily use, reach for your rat comb. That metal tip parts hair, helps takedown knotless braids, and scratches your scalp when you have a wig installed.
Pattern Beauty By Tracee Ellis Ross Wide Tooth Comb
This Wide Tooth Comb from Pattern Beauty By Tracee Ellis Ross is made to comb curls of any size. This wide tooth comb features smooth teeth that won’t snap off with a little pressure. Plus, the handle is made to fit a hand. The base of the handle is curved to fit comfortably in the hand. And, just below the row of teeth, there’s a notch for your index finger and thumb to hold on securely. Plus, there’s a hole drilled into the handle for easy storage.
Tangle Teezer The Wide Tooth Dual Sided Comb
When you need to thoroughly detangle your hair on wash day, and don’t feel like stitching combs, The Wide Tooth Dual Sided Comb by Tangle Teezer is there for you. It was specifically designed to detangle 3C to 4C hair types. It has a wide tooth comb design on one side and a two-tiered comb on the other for a more thorough detangle.
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