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While tangles and knots can require patience and a gentle hand, the best detangler spray can make the process a little less painful — figuratively and literally. Plus, it can help with your overall hair health: Detangle it too quickly or with brute force and you could experience breakage and damaged hair. But a dedicated spray, along with a detangling brush, can make the task less risky.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Amika The Wizard Detangling Hair Primer, $31
- Best for Straight Hair: Kenra Platinum Pearl Detangler, $21
- Best for Fine Hair: Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-In Conditioner, $46
- Best for Waves: Leonor Greyl Paris Lait Luminescence Detangling Milk Spray, $55
- Best for Color-Treated Hair: Unite 7Seconds Detangler, $38
- Best for Coarse Hair: Paul Mitchell The Detangler, $21
- Best for Sensitive Scalp: Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Detangling Spray, $25
Applied to damp hair, the best detangler spray will often have the same conditioning benefits as a leave-in conditioner to help prime and smooth the hair cuticle, "making the hair more manageable and minimizing friction while brushing," says New York City-based hairstylist Harley Beman. Plus, she says, detangler sprays are one of the few hair products that can easily be used by just about any hair type, so you can't go wrong when picking out a formula. That said, she suggests taking a "less is more" approach when applying your detangler to avoid issues like greasiness or product buildup.
No matter what your curl pattern may be or which spray you choose, untangling your knots with the proper brushing technique is crucial for avoiding frizz-inducing breakage and damage. The best way to go about it? Separate your hair into sections and start brushing from the ends of your hair, gently working your way up toward the root.
Scroll ahead for the best hair detangling sprays that Allure editors and hairstylists alike swear by.
Best Overall: Amika The Wizard Detangling Hair Primer
Why It's Worth It: Amika's The Wizard Detangling Primer is a great addition to anyone's hair routine, says Beman, thanks to its moisturizing combination of avocado and sea buckthorn oils. She notes that this spray acts as a protectant against heat damage at up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and can also be used as a styling spray. "If you apply a really heavy amount, you can use it for a malleable, wet look," she suggests.
Editor Tip: It can also reduce the time needed to blow-dry hair, making it a good option for those with really thick hair.
Key Ingredients: Squalane, sea buckthorn, avocado oil | Who It's For: Everyone
Best for Straight Hair: Kenra Platinum Pearl Detangler
Why It's Worth It: LaKahyia Moll, a hairstylist and educator coach at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Lafayette, loves the Kenra Platinum Pearl Detangler. "It's lightweight, adds moisture and slip to make detangling effortless, and provides thermal protection of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit," she says. Moll also notes that this detangler works well with all hair types.
Editor Tip: The formulation is buildable, so you can get even more shine and smoothness with a second or third application.
Key Ingredients: Pearl powder, glycerin | Who It's For: People with fine or thinning hair
Best for Fine Hair: Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-In Conditioner
Why It's Worth It: If you have fine hair, we suggest trying the Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-In Conditioner to create tangle-free looks without weighing hair down in the process. Moll says it's one of her go-to beauty products for its lightweight yet moisturizing formula that's free of silicones and mineral oils.
Editor Tip: The conditioner spray has the brand's warm signature scent of cocoa, ginger, and cardamom.
Key Ingredients: Pomegranate seed oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba esters | Who It's For: Fine or thinning hair
Best for Waves: Leonor Greyl Lait Luminescence Detangling Milk Spray
Why It's Worth It: When Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein wants to wear her naturally 2A waves, she avoids heat styling and instead whittles her hair-care routine down to Leonor Greyl Paris Lait Luminescence Detangling Milk Spray. "Just a few mists of this ultra-conditioning formula and usually frizzy hair feels and looks smoother than ever," she says. "Considering that my natural hair gets so tangled and knotty that I've broken hair brushes trying to brush through it, this is a pretty exciting feat for me." It contains a blend of moisture-replenishing oils derived from mongongo and karanja plants, along with shine-boosting soy proteins.
Editor Tip: The formula is bi-phase, meaning it pairs oil with a water-based solution — so shake well before applying it for the best results.
Key Ingredients: Moringa proteins, mongongo oil, karanja oil | Who It's For: Those with waves or frizz
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Unite 7Seconds Detangler
Why It's Worth It: The Unite 7Seconds Detangler isn't the only formula out there that defends against heat damage, but what sets it apart is its ability to preserve hair color, strengthen damaged hair, and even defend against UV exposure, too. That makes it a no-brainer for those who color their hair since both UV and heat can contribute to faster fading. It also has a light, floral fragrance that lingers.
Editor Tip: It's safe to use on hair extensions.
Key Ingredients: Rice protein, panthenol | Who It's For: Those who color-treat their hair or wear extensions
Best for Coarse Hair: Paul Mitchell The Detangler
Why It's Worth It: If you have a very coarse hair texture, a spray-in detangler might not cut it. That's where Paul Mitchell The Detangler comes in. This rinse-out conditioner formulated with an especially nourishing blend of oils, like grapeseed oil and carrot extract, that helps detangle hair and restore shine. It makes hair noticeably easier to style after you've rinsed it out, and it has a warm floral scent that you'll want to wear all day.
Editor Tip: The liter-size bottles have refill pouches made with 30% post-consumer recycled plastic.
Key Ingredients: Carrot extract, grapeseed oil | Who It's For: Those with coarse or very dry hair
Best for Sensitive Scalp: Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Detangling Spray
Why It's Worth It: Need a fragrance-free option that won't irritate sensitive skin? Look no further than Briogeo's Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Detangling Spray, which utilizes its two hero ingredients to moisturize hair and soothe your delicate scalp at the same time.
Editor Tip: It's free of essential oils, making it a good option for those with sensitivities.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, oat milk, green tea extract | Who It's For: Those easily irritated or who want a lightweight option
Best for Curls: Mielle Organics White Peony Leave-In Conditioner
Why It's Worth It: Not only does the Mielle Organics White Peony Leave-In Conditioner smell amazing (especially if you love florals), but it's also an ultra-nourishing detangler. One Allure staffer considers this weightless spray one of her go-to products since it both hydrates her hair while taking down tangles. This conditioning concoction contains a blend of coconut oil, grapefruit extract, and green tea extract to ensure your hair has just enough moisture to brush tangles and knots away without creating split ends or frizzy hair in the process.
Editor Tip: Scrunch it in with your hands after applying to help define and shape curls.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, jojoba oil, argan oil | Who It's For: People with curly or coily hair
Best for Damaged Hair: Oribe Run-Through Detangling Hair Primer
Why It's Worth It: Sure, the Oribe Run-Through Detangling Hair Primer has sexy packaging, but there's much more to this elegant bottle of hair detangler than meets the eye. Silky-smooth hair is just a few spritzes of this conditioning formula away, thanks to the brand's proprietary detangling oil blend that features pomegranate, apricot, and coconut oils. For added nourishment, this detangling spray also contains wheat amino acids to fortify the bonds that make up your hair.
Editor Tip: For the best results, follow the application of this primer with a wide-tooth comb.
Key Ingredients: Apricot oil, coconut oil, watermelon fruit extract | Who It's For: Those who color or heat-style hair
Best for Frizz and Flyaways: IGK Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray
Why It's Worth It: Hussein has been using the IGK Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray in her hairstyling routine for two years, and she has no plans on removing it from her roster. This ultra-light spray is powered by a duo of moisture-retaining coconut oil and strengthening spirulina proteins to detangle without damage as well as protect hair from up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, enhance shine, and smooth frizz and flyaways. "I love that this pre-styling product can also be used on air-dried hair, so sometimes it's the only thing I use to manage frizz during my no-wash days," Hussein adds.
Editor Tip: The 4-in-1 benefits in the name include frizz control, heat protection, detangling, and shine enhancement.
Key Ingredients: Spirulina protein, coconut oil, rose oil | Who It's For: Anyone prone to frizzy hair
Best for Natural Hair: SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Detangler
Why It's Worth It: As its name suggests, the SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Detangler utilizes its star ingredient to soften and moisturize hair to glide through knots and tangles with ease. To provide even more shine-enhancing moisture, this formula also contains argan oil for a soft and glossy effect.
Editor Tip: If your hair is really prone to tangles, apply it before showering and follow with shampoo and conditioner.
Key Ingredients: Sea kelp, argan oil, shea butter | Who It's For: Those with Type 4 coils and kinks
Best for Dry Hair: NatureLab. Tokyo Texture Leave-in Conditioner & Detangler
Why It's Worth It: NatureLab. Tokyo's Texture Leave-in Conditioner & Detangler is truly a triple threat, considering the fact that it prevents breakage, seals in moisture, and boosts shine all at once. This detangler coats each and every hair with moisture-replenishing jojoba and camellia oils, antioxidant-rich blue algae extract, and rose extract to soothe irritated scalps.
Editor Tip: Since it doubles as a leave-in conditioner, it's especially helpful for curls and coils.
Key Ingredients: Camellia oil, rose extract, blue algae extract | Who It's For: People with dry or dull hair
Best for Dull Hair: LolaVie Glossing Detangler
Why It's Worth It: Got tangled hair that's looking a bit dull as well? Let the Glossing Detangler from Jennifer Aniston's beloved hair-care brand, LolaVie, take care of both concerns at once for you. This conditioning detangler is infused with moisture-retaining ceramides for a sleeker, softer look and feel to your hair. It also acts as a heat protectant and can be used on either wet or dry hair — no wonder Nicola Dall'Asen, Allure's senior news editor, loves it so much.
Editor Tip: It comes in a large 12 oz. bottle for people who use it daily.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, chia seeds, squalane | Who It's For: Those seeking shine
Best Scent: Rahua Hydration Detangler + UV Barrier
Why It's Worth It: No matter how tangled your hair may be, Rahua's Hydration Detangler + UV Barrier is here to help. This blend of fatty acid-rich morete (also known as buriti) and sacha inchi oils intensively moisturizes so hair can be brushed through with ease. This spritzer gets bonus points for its delightfully tropical scent, which contains notes of passionfruit and mango.
Editor Tip: Take your routine on the road with a TSA-approved travel-size version.
Key Ingredients: Buriti oil, rahua oil, sacha inchi | Who It's For: Those with dry, damaged, or color-treated hair
Best Curl Refresher: Rizos Curls Refresh and Detangle Spray
Why It's Worth It: Associate social media editor Bianca Richards says the Rizos Curls Refresh and Detangle Spray is especially great for people with curly hair like herself, thanks to its deeply conditioning formula. This cocktail of coconut oil, shea butter, and olive oil will easily make the toughest knots and tangles slip apart. It's also worth mentioning that while it works for wet hair, this spray is so lightweight that it can act as a curl refresher during no-wash days without weighing curls down.
Editor Tip: After you spray it in as a refresher, follow it with a diffuser to help dry and reshape curls.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter | Who It's For: Curly hair types
Best Silicone-Free: Raw Sugar Kids Leave-In Detangler
Why It's Worth It: Chances are, you didn't expect us to throw a kid's product on this list, but Allure senior director of business Eilish Morley says Raw Sugar Kids Leave-In Detangler is one of the best hair detanglers she's ever tried. It contains a few ingredients we know and love from our other favorite (albeit, pricier) products, including castor oil for moisturizing and loosening knots, aloe vera for its conditioning properties, and coconut oil to nourish and retain extra moisture. Not to mention, this formula is silicone-free, so it won't weigh down fine hair.
Editor Tip: The concern with silicones? They can build up on hair, potentially drying it out and leading to breakage over time.
Key Ingredients: Castor oil, coconut oil, aloe vera | Who It's For: People with fine or damaged hair
Upgrade your hair routine with these Allure editor-approved picks:
- The 17 Best Leave-In Conditioners for Smooth, Tangle-Free Strands
- The Best Hair Gels for Hold, Definition, and Control
- 21 Best Frizzy Hair Products for Smoother, Softer Strands
- 19 Hair-Dryer Brushes That'll Make You Break Up With Your Blow-Dryer
Now, watch Lindsay Lohan gush over her Mean Girls looks:
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