Finger-combing may seem like the easiest, most gentle way to detangle your hair, but I’ve discovered after many tries that it’s not enough to get through my stubborn knots. For one, the finger-combing technique takes longer than the traditional method of using a wide-tooth comb. Second, human fingers are not thin or precise enough to weed through the jumbled pieces of tiny knots formed after a long week of top buns.

I don’t remember the struggle of detangling my hair when I was a child, but maybe that’s because my Loreal Kid’s Tangle Tamer spray made it super easy. The familiar lime-green bottle was a mainstay in my shower, as I’m sure with many other kids who loved its sweet, pear scent. But, to not feel like a nine-year-old kid again, I reach for a regular conditioner to get that much-needed slip before detangling. Remember, patience is an essential tool when combing through your delicate curls!

Tressfully Yours FlexiGlide Wet Brush

I’ve never had a brush treat my curls more lovingly than this one. The makers designed this highly-rated brush to reduce breakage to kinky, coily, and curly textured hair. This brush is like no other—its curved flexible arms and pin bristles move with the hair, not against it. Its removable brace in the back lets one extend the comb’s width in two different ways for thin or thick coils. Otherwise, the arms can spread free like a fan without the flexible brace as it runs through the hair. Its handle has a comfortable, rubber grip to boot! I use it every wash day in the shower.

Denman Brush

What kind of list would this be if I didn’t include the original, cult-favorite Denman Brush? The styler/brush/comb has been popping up in every curl guru’s Youtube videos, and not for nothing. The D3, 7-row brush gives curls excellent definition when styling and can even be used for detangling, although this might cause some breakage if done in a haste manner. In addition, the ability to remove every other row of pins to let your hair run more freely through the brush makes it versatile. The Denman brush is a classic that should be in every curly girl’s arsenal of tools.

Tangle Teezer

If you like having a firm grip on your comb, then this one is for you. The small, round-like brush has no handle and fits in the palm of your hand. The original pink version was my first encounter with combs designed specially for curly hair. Unfortunately, its flexible teeth are jam-packed together, so this may not be the best brush for those with ultra-thick hair.

Coconut Oil Infused Wide-Tooth

This detangler has been my saving grace. Its “coconut-oil infused” slippery coating makes it far easier to detangle than using a bamboo comb. Also, it’s comfortable to hold for an extended period due to its long, medium-sized handle. The wide-tooth picks give plenty of room for my strands to breathe too. I usually use this one after getting out of the shower to style my hair.