How to Detangle Hair: Tangles, Knots and the Best Detangling Spray

Updated November 2026. Prices are our live online prices.

Tangles are one of those things nobody books an appointment for, but we hear about them all the time. Long hair after a windy day on the lake. A nape full of knots from a scarf and a beanie all winter. Kids who scream at the hairbrush. And curly hair that turns into one solid knot if it's brushed dry.

Why does my hair tangle so much?

• Dryness. When the cuticle is lifted, strands catch on each other like velcro. Dry and porous hair tangles most. See hair porosity for why.
• Length and fineness. Long, fine hair has more strands to wrap around each other.
• Curl pattern. Curls and coils wind around their neighbours as they dry.
• Friction. Sleeping, scarves, collars, wind, sea and pool water. The back of the head and the nape get the most.
• Split ends. A split end catches on everything around it. How to fix split ends covers those.
• Build-up. Heavy product and hard water leave hair rough and sticky.

How to detangle hair without breaking it

1. Do it wet, with slip. Conditioner in the shower, or detangling spray on towel-dried hair. Dry detangling is only for straight hair with very light tangles.
2. Section it. Two sections for fine hair, four or more for thick or curly hair. Clip the rest up.
3. Fingers first. Pull the larger knots apart gently with your fingers before any tool goes in.
4. Start at the ends. Comb the bottom few centimetres, then move up a bit at a time. Never start at the root and drag down into a knot.
5. Hold the hair above the knot so the pull goes against your hand, not your scalp.
6. Add more product when it drags. If the comb sticks, that's not enough slip.

Detangling spray vs leave-in conditioner

A detangling spray is basically a light leave-in conditioner in a spray bottle. Anything that coats the hair and gives it slip will help a comb through. Fine and straight hair suits a light mist that won't weigh it down. Thick, curly or very dry hair usually wants a cream leave-in, or a detangling conditioner rinsed through in the shower. If you've got a lot of hair, the conditioner step does most of the work and the spray is for touch-ups.

Two ways to fix it: Sebastian or Kérastase

Potion 9 Lite is what we reach for as a detangling spray in the salon. It's the light, spray-on version of Potion 9 and doesn't weigh fine hair down. Gloss Absolu Spray is the Kérastase pick for dry hair. It's a shine spray first, but it smooths the surface and tames flyaways, which is what you want when combing through dry lengths. Its price is higher, and you're paying for the shine.

For curls, Kérastase makes Curl Manifesto Fondant as a lightweight detangling conditioner, and it's very good at it. Twisted conditioner is the cheaper route. The cheapest of all is Wella NutriCurls Detangling Conditioner ($41.36). For damaged, knotty ends, Première Fondant Fluidité is light and made to restore softness and fluidity to damaged hair, and Penetraitt is the lower-priced repair option. Our best conditioner guide and leave-in guide go wider.

How to detangle curly hair

Only when it's wet and full of conditioner. Never brush curls dry. Finger-detangle first, then use a wide-tooth detangling comb for curly hair, in sections, ends first. Do it once, in the shower, and don't go back in with a brush afterwards. That's what turns curls into frizz. The rest of the routine is in how to care for curly hair, and thick curly hair gets extra help in thick and coarse hair.

Matted hair: how to get it out

Matting is when a tangle has tightened into a dense knot, usually at the nape after illness, a long flight, a lot of swimming or a few days without brushing. It looks hopeless and usually isn't.

1. Soak the mat in conditioner. Lots of it. Leave it on for ten minutes.
2. Work from the outside of the mat inwards, teasing single strands free with your fingers or the end of a tail comb.
3. Once it loosens, use a wide-tooth comb from the ends up.
4. Take breaks. Pulling hard tears hair and hurts.

If it's large or tight, come in rather than cutting it out yourself. We can often save more length than you'd expect.

Detangling comb or brush?

Both work if you use them properly. A wide-tooth comb is the gentlest, especially on curls and wet hair. A wet-detangling brush with flexible bristles (Tangle Teezer and Wet Brush are the ones most people know) is faster on straight and wavy hair. What we'd avoid on wet hair is a paddle brush with ball tips or a firm bristle brush. They snag and stretch the hair when it's weakest.

How to stop hair tangling

• Plait or loosely tie long hair for sleeping, swimming and windy days.
• Sleep on silk or satin.
• Rinse and condition after the pool or the sea.
• A drop of oil on dry ends, and regular trims.
• Clarify if your hair feels coated. See our clarifying shampoo guide.

Everything above is in the leave-in edit. Or book in at UKIYO and we'll show you on your own hair.

Questions we get asked

What is the best detangling spray in NZ?

For fine to normal hair we use Sebastian Potion 9 Lite, a light leave-in spray. For dry hair, Kérastase Gloss Absolu Spray smooths and adds shine. Curly hair does better with a detangling conditioner.

How do you detangle really knotty hair?

Wet it, soak it in conditioner, section it, loosen the knots with your fingers, then comb from the ends upward with a wide-tooth comb. Add more conditioner whenever the comb drags.

How do you get matted hair out?

Saturate the mat in conditioner, leave it ten minutes, then tease strands free from the outside in before combing from the ends. If it's large or tight, see a stylist before cutting it out.

Should you detangle hair wet or dry?

Wet with conditioner for most hair, and always for curly hair. Very light tangles in straight hair can be brushed out dry with a spray for slip.

Why does the back of my hair get so tangled?

The nape rubs on pillows, collars, scarves and seat backs all day. A plait for sleeping, a silk pillowcase and a leave-in on the ends help.

Is a detangling brush better than a comb?

A wide-tooth comb is gentlest, especially on curls. A flexible wet-detangling brush is quicker on straight and wavy hair. Both beat a firm brush on wet hair.

How do I stop my hair tangling overnight?

Loosely plait or tie it, sleep on silk or satin, and put a little leave-in or a drop of oil on the ends before bed.

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