This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
This post is all about how to comb thick wavy hair and achieve healthy frizz free hair.
If you’re a member of the Thick Wavy Hair Club, you know all too well how difficult combing and brushing through your hair can be.
In fact, I know many people with thick, wavy hair that opt to keep it short so there’s less to comb. For them, combing through an abundance of thick wavy hair is just too much of a hassle.
I myself, however, have super-thick, wavy hair that I love keeping long and healthy.
And you can see, I have a lot to work with and maintain.
By the way – if you’re on the fence about whether you should cut your thick wavy hair short, be sure to check out this post on why long is actually the best length for your hair.
That’s why over the years I have tested out so many different combs and brushes as well as experimented with techniques to make combing my hair less of a task.
To save you the time and money, I have put together a list of best practices for combing your thick wavy hair. Included below are the best techniques, tools, as well as general tips to make your hair combing routine easy as pie!
So if you’re wondering how to comb thick wavy hair, read on!
The Best Techniques for Combing Thick Wavy Hair
The technique you use when brushing through thick wavy hair is more important than anything else. The following technique tips are especially good for maintaining the health of your hair so that your hair in turn looks its best.
My motto for healthy hair is to avoid damage at all costs and this really starts with your brushing technique.
1. Start at the Bottom When Combing Thick Wavy Hair
This goes for really any hair texture but is especially important when it comes to combing thick wavy hair. Thick wavy hair is typically more dry at the ends and thus prone to breakage.
That’s why it is imperative that you start at the very ends of your hair when combing and work your way up from there.
2. Be Gentle
This tip is often overlooked but when you’re brushing your hair you should not be pulling through any snags.
I like to ensure I’m not breaking through knots by finger combing through my hair first with some oils on my fingertips.
When I run across a tangle, I take the time to gently work it out with my fingers and do my best to avoid breaking the hair off.
3. Take Your Time
When you have thick wavy hair, it’s inevitably going to take you longer to comb through your hair than it will someone with thin straight hair.
This means you are going to have to be a little bit more patient. I like to look at combing my thick, wavy hair as some self care time. Plus, a thorough brush session is great for stimulating hair growth!
4. Add Oil Before Combing Hair
It is way easier to glide a comb, brush, or even your fingers through thick wavy hair if you add some lubricant.
What works best is a hair oil or serum. Just rub a few pumps between your fingers and in the palms of your hands and work it through the length of your hair.
I don’t recommend using a conditioning spray because anytime you wet your hair you weaken it. This makes it more prone to breakage while you’re brushing.
The Best Combs and Brushes for Combing Thick Wavy Hair
As a wavy girl, I can testify the following three brushes are amazing and each serve a different purpose I your haircare routine.
1. Wet Brush Custom Care Detangler Thick Hair Brush
I use this brush after my shower on wet hair to comb in my leave in conditioner.
2. Wet Brush Wide Toothed Comb
This comb is best for during your shower, after you have already finger combed the conditioner through your hair. I go in with this comb to ensure the conditioner is completely saturated throughout my hair.
3. Urtheone Boar Bristle Paddle Brush
This brush works best on dry hair. I will either use this before my shower to make sure my hair is tangle free before I wash or as my maintenance brushing between washes on dry hair. It’s great for distributing oil down your hair shaft with the boar bristles.
Products That Make Combing Thick Wavy Hair Easier
When it comes to combing thick wavy hair, prepping the hair to be combed first is crucial for success.
For instance, if you have ever tried combing through thick wavy hair fresh out of the shower after only using shampoo, you know the struggle is real. It’s most likely a tangly mess.
That’s why you need to use a combination of hydrating products to make it way easier for the comb or brush to just glide through the hair.
Here are a few of my essential products for making my thick wavy hair easier to comb through. You will see the common denominator here is conditioner and oil!
Regular Conditioner
A good regular conditioner is the first step to prepping your hair for success when combing. You will know the conditioner is a good one if you are able to easily comb it into your hair in the shower.
The texture needs to be thick and moisturizing. If you’re having trouble finger combing the conditioner through your hair in the shower, chances are it’s not the best product for you.
One affordable option that I love is the L’Oreal EverPure Moisture Sulfate Free Conditioner.
Deep Conditioner
Once every other wash I use a deep conditioner on my hair. They are thicker and more moisturizing than your typical conditioner and will leave your locks feeling extra hydrated.
A favorite of mine that always leaves my hair soft and moisturized is SheaMoisture’s Intensive Hydration Hair Masque.
Leave In Conditioner
Next in the lineup of products that will making combing your thick wavy hair easier is a hydrating leave in conditioner. Apply this as your first product directly out of the shower. You wouldn’t skip lotion on your skin after the shower so don’t skip out on the equivalent for your hair!
Here’s the one that I continue to repurchase by Not Your Mothers!
Hair Oil
As I mentioned earlier in this post, before I comb out my dry hair I use a hair oil to lubricate my hair shaft. This one by Ouai is lightweight and doesn’t leave your hair looking oily.
Other Things to Keep in Mind When Combing Thick Wavy Hair
Frequency Matters
Natural oils from your scalp do not travel down the hair shaft as easily on thick wavy or curly hair. When you brush your hair, especially with certain brushes, you are assisting your hair in spreading the oil down the hair shaft.
Not only does regular (daily) brushing prevent the oil from building up on your scalp and cause it to look greasy, but it helps keep your hair hydrated from root to tip.
Preventative Measures When Combing Thick Wavy Hair
Keeping hair from getting tangly in the first place is important and here’s some things you can do to help with that:
- Sleep in protective hairstyles like braids and use fabric hair ties
- Put hair up when you go outside to protect from wind knots
- Improve or maintain hair health
Remember, dead and split ends can cause hair to get tangled easier, so by keeping your hair healthy, you will also make combing a heck of a lot easier!
Need help growing out your thick wavy hair? Be sure to check out: Why Hair Won’t Grow Past Shoulders & How to Speed Up Growth.
Final thoughts on How to Comb Thick Wavy Hair
Managing thick wavy hair can be challenging, especially if you aren’t using the right products or techniques.
Even more so if you have super long hair because there’s even more of it to handle!
However, it is so worth it when you are able to show off your super thick wavy healthy hair!
Hopefully this helps you with managing your thick wavy hair, in particular- combing through it.
Are you a wavy girl like me and looking for more hair tips to help manage or grow your hair? Be sure to check out the following posts!
- 10 Winter Brunette Hair Ideas to Flaunt During Frosty Weather
- 12 Simple Nails for Winter That Are Elegantly Icy
- 10 Simple Coffee Bar Ideas To Add a Cozy Touch To Any Space
- Dark Feminine Energy: 9 Non-Witchy Ways to Tap Into Your Dark Feminine
- 15 Spooky & Fun Halloween Night Ideas -Halloween Night Traditions To Start This Year
Leave a Reply