Curly hair and breakage: detangling mistakes to avoid

Curly hair needs particular care when detangling. Its spiral shape makes knots more likely and makes it harder for sebum to travel naturally to the ends. The lengths therefore tend to be drier and may be more prone to breakage.

To keep your curls looking beautiful and defined, technique makes all the difference: detangle at the right time, never pull, and above all use a brush suited to your hair.

Mistake No. 1: detangling curly hair when it is dry

Detangling curly hair when it is dry can separate the curls, increase frizz and make knots harder to undo. The more you persist with the brush, the more tension you place on the hair fibre.

It is best to detangle curly hair while it is damp, with enough slip to help the brush glide through. Spray Cair Detangling Hair Mist over the lengths to make brushing easier and help loosen knots.

Mistake No. 2: starting at the roots

Brushing straight from roots to ends pushes knots down, where they gather along the lengths. The result? You have to pull harder to undo them, which may weaken the hair fibre.

Start at the ends, then work gradually up through the lengths to the roots. If a knot will not come loose, ease it apart gently rather than pulling.

Mistake No. 3: choosing a hairbrush that does not suit your curls

Not all curls need the same care. Consider your hair’s thickness and density, as well as how sensitive your scalp is, when choosing a brush for curly hair.

At La Bonne Brosse, La Bonne Brosse N.04 is a detangling brush with flexible nylon pins, particularly suited to fine curly hair or a sensitive scalp. It detangles while gently massaging the scalp.

For thick, curly, coily or textured hair, La Bonne Brosse N.07 offers more thorough detangling. Its longer, firmer nylon pins reach deeper into the hair to detangle it throughout.

Both brushes can be used on wet hair — a real advantage when your curls need detangling.

Mistake No. 4: pulling at knots

Repeatedly brushing a stubborn knot is not the answer. Too much pulling can eventually cause the hair fibre to snap.

Separate the section of hair and work through the knot gradually, starting at the ends. You can also hold the section above the knot to reduce tension at the roots.

Detangling curly hair should be a gradual, gentle process, never a struggle with your hair.

Mistake No. 5: neglecting to hydrate your curls

Because of its shape, curly hair makes it harder for sebum to reach the lengths and ends. These can therefore lack hydration and flexibility, making frizz, knots and weakened hair fibres more likely.

After detangling, you can apply Cair Beautifying Moisturising Cream to the lengths and ends, on dry or damp hair. Enriched with botanical active waters and hyaluronic acid, it hydrates and coats the hair fibre without weighing it down. It also helps control frizz and redefine curls naturally.

This step is especially beneficial for curly hair: after the first use, 100% of volunteers notice better-defined curls, while 95% find their hair softer, more hydrated and silkier, without feeling weighed down.*

Mistake No. 6: brushing your curls too often

Once your hair is detangled and your curls are defined, there is no need to keep brushing throughout the day. Brushing dry hair again is more likely to separate the curls and create extra volume and frizz.

The aim is not to brush more often, but to brush at the right time, with the right technique and a Bonne Brosse suited to your hair type.

The right ritual for detangling curly hair

Protecting your curls from breakage comes down to a few simple steps: add slip before detangling, start at the ends, work gradually towards the roots and never pull at a knot.

Choose your brush to suit your hair: N.04 for fine curly hair or a sensitive scalp, and N.07 for thick, curly, coily or textured hair. Once you have finished detangling, a few pumps of Cair Beautifying Moisturising Cream help rehydrate the lengths and redefine your curls.

A simple ritual to detangle without tugging at the hair fibre, letting your curls regain their natural softness and definition.