Ever since I finished reading Curly Girl by Lorraine Massey last month, I’ve been dealing with my wavy hair differently. No more constant shampooing, no more wringing or brushing wet hair and no more wet cuts at the salon.
While searching for an alternative to the hair detangler I’m constantly buying for my daughter and myself, I discovered a do-it-yourself recipe that works just fine. While detangling sprays and creams aren’t expensive, the cost does add up at a couple of bucks a bottle. This homemade recipe is super cheap!
Here it is:
Basic Detangler Recipe
1/2 to 1 tsp. of conditioner of your choice
Warm water
Small spray bottle (which you can get for about one dollar)
Pour conditioner into bottle. Fill with water. Give it a good shake until both ingredients are mixed.
Look at the benefits:
- Save money by using conditioner that you already have on hand, or use samples/freebies that you’ve received.
- The ratio of water to conditioner can be adjusted to find what works best for you.
- The recipe can be used on any type of hair, regardless of ethnicity.
I’ve also read that a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with water can act as a detangler in a pinch.
Do you have any tricks for dealing with tangled or dry hair?
That’s neat, I never would have thought to make my own. I might have to try that. My hair tangles more easily than headphones in a pocket.
For my daughter, I found a great hair cream from Diva Stuff that keeps the knots out. Very natural too.
Thanks for the recommendation, Heather! ~Anne
I actually use just straight conditioner on my hair and leave it. My hair is prone to frizzing and the texture is very similar to African American hair. (It’s to the point that I prefer a black stylist because my hair will be more like hers, so she’ll be better able to touch it.) Brushes are a no-go. My hair does not get touched (except to pull it back) once it’s dry.
That’s a great idea for really dry hair, Suzi! And I never thought of going to a black stylist – what a concept! It’s hard enough for me to find one that is willing to do a dry cut. ~Anne
I also put a little coconut oil on the ends of my hair. I find if I avoid shampoos that strip my hair, I don’t have as many tangle issues in general.
My favorite sulfate-free brand right now is Giovanni. I use the conditioner daily and the shampoo maybe once a week. ~Anne
My hair is actually worse to brush out when wet, right outside of the shower. I have to wait til it’s “damp” but not dry. I hate it. Dry hair is even worse!
The Curly Girl book recommends no brushing at all, or at the least – do it while dry but never after showering. ~Anne
Thank you for posting this! I was going broke buying detangler!
I hear you, Shannon! My daughter goes through a lot of it because she tosses and turns a lot at night and wakes up with “rats” in her hair. ~Anne
Ummmm, that’s super easy and cheaper! Thanks!
Thank you for such a wonderful article, and from my side I want to say that i am using