Alright, let’s talk about curly hair and more specifically, whether the famous Wet Brush is actually worth it. I’ve got wavy-to-curly hair myself, and let me tell you, detangling when it’s wet can go sideways real fast if you’re not using the right tool.
Now, I’ve tried just about every brush out there paddle brushes, wide-tooth combs, detanglers that swear they glide like butter. Some are great, some yank your soul right out. But the Wet Brush? That one kept coming up. People rave about it. It’s everywhere. So I had to find out: Is it really good for curly hair or just another overhyped tool that works best on straight hair?
Here’s the twist: while I’ve got curls, Meesh (she’s on the HairBrushy team) has full-on coily hair, and she put the Wet Brush through the ringer too. So you’re not just getting one perspective here you’re getting two different curl types, two sets of results, and some brutally honest opinions.
In this guide, I’ll show you:
- What the Wet Brush actually does (and where it falls short)
- Which model works best for different curl types (based on real use)
- What I’d recommend for curly hair, thick hair, and full-blown coils
- And whether this thing actually earns a spot in your hair routine or your junk drawer
If you’re on the fence about buying a Wet Brush for your curls, you’re in the right place. I’ve done the brushing (and Meesh did the breakage testing) so you don’t have to.
Wet Brush Showdown Which One Works for Your Hair Type?
| Brush Model | Best For | Pros | Cons | Ed & Meesh’s Take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Detangler | Wavy to light curly hair (2A–3A) | Soft bristles, very gentle, great price | Can’t handle thick or tight curls well | “Good starter brush if your hair isn’t too dense. Meesh couldn’t get it through her coils, but I liked it for quick detangling.” |
| Go Green Curl Detangler | Thick curls & medium coils (3B–3C) | Longer bristles, flexible, eco-friendly | Still struggles with very dense 4A–4C hair | “Better grip and penetration than the Original. Meesh said this one almost worked, but still not pro-grade.” |
| Shine Enhancer | Dry detangling, non-wash days | Adds shine, good for product buildup areas | Not made for wet hair or true detangling | “Nice to refresh the hair, but don’t expect it to detangle anything past light waves.” |
| Shower Detangler | Product distribution in shower | Lightweight, good for conditioner spread | Slips around, short handle, doesn’t detangle thick curls | “I liked this for applying masks, but not for actual brushing.” |
Quick Tips:
- Thicker than 3C? You’ll want something sturdier like the Felicia Leatherwood or Tangle Teezer Thick & Curly.
- Worried about breakage? Stick with flexible bristles and always detangle with product.
- Just want a basic detangler? The Original is fine just don’t expect miracles on tight curls.
Hey, just so you know some of the links in this article are Amazon affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I might earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). It helps keep HairBrushy running and lets me keep testing and reviewing new brushes so thanks for your support!
Wet Brush Original Detangler
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best For | Wavy to light curly hair (2A–3A) |
| Pros | Gentle, affordable, soft IntelliFlex bristles |
| Cons | Can’t handle thick or coily hair; doesn’t detangle dense sections well |
| My Experience | Worked fine on my 3A curls with product, but it needs sectioning and patience. Not built for heavy detangling. |
| Meesh’s Take | Didn’t work for her 4B coils bristles were too short and soft to do anything useful. |
| Final Verdict | Recommended only for lighter curl types. Not built for thick or textured hair. |
Wet Brush Go Green Curl Detangler
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best For | Medium to thick curls (3A–3C) |
| Pros | Longer bristles, eco-friendly, more control than Original |
| Cons | Extremely fragile dropped mine once and it snapped. Bristle arms are delicate. |
| My Experience | Better results than the Original, but broke on a tile floor. Not built to last. |
| Meesh’s Take | Did a better job on her 4B coils, but the fragile construction made it a short-lived win. |
| Final Verdict | Decent performer, but not durable enough for daily use. Handle it like glass. |
Wet Brush Shine Enhancer
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best For | Dry detangling, adding shine, non-wash days |
| Pros | Adds shine, distributes natural oils, gentle on scalp |
| Cons | Bristles rip out with coarse hair, plastic shell feels cheap |
| My Experience | Works well on dry hair for smoothing, but not a detangler. Definitely feels fragile. |
| Meesh’s Take | Her curls pulled the bristles right out not strong enough for thicker textures. |
| Final Verdict | Only good for gentle use on dry, fine to medium hair. Not a true detangler. |
Wet Brush Shower Detangler
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best For | Spreading conditioner and product in the shower |
| Pros | Flexible, easy to clean, hook for storage |
| Cons | Weak snake-like design snapped twice during regular use |
| My Experience | Great idea, terrible build. It broke under light pressure. |
| Meesh’s Take | Broke two of them. Not a fluke. This thing just isn’t built to handle real curls. |
| Final Verdict | Skip it. Not worth replacing over and over. Use a wide-tooth comb instead. |
Why Wet Brush Works for Curly Hair
Wondering if you can use an Original Wet Brush on curly hair? Good news you absolutely can! I’ve used it myself on my 3C curls, and it’s been a total game changer. In this guide, I’ll walk you through why the Wet Brush is amazing for curly hair, how it protects your curl pattern, which model fits your curls best, and pro tips to get the smoothest, frizz-free detangle ever.
Can You Use a Wet Brush on Curly Hair?
Yes, you can! The Wet Brush is designed with flexible bristles that gently detangle curly hair without causing breakage, frizz, or pain. It’s especially effective when used on wet, conditioned curls to maintain definition and reduce damage.
 |
| WET BRUSH For Curly Hair |
Why Curls Love the Original Wet Brush
- Ultra-Soft Intelliflex Bristles: These bristles bend and flex to work through knots without pulling or breaking your hair. That’s a big deal when you’re working with delicate curls!
- Gentle on Wet or Dry Hair: Whether you just hopped out of the shower or you’re refreshing your curls in the morning, the Wet Brush slides through your hair like a dream.
- Less Frizz, More Definition: Rough brushing can wreck your curl pattern. The Wet Brush is designed to keep your curls springy, juicy, and frizz-free.
- Minimizes Pain and Hair Loss: Thanks to the flexible bristles, you won’t feel like you’re fighting a losing battle every time you detangle. Less ouch, less shedding!
My Personal Experience
I started using the Wet Brush Pro Flex Dry because my 3C curls were always knot city after wash day. Total game-changer. It cut my detangling time in half and bonus my curls stayed juicy and bouncy instead of getting stretched out. Just don’t hulk out with it or it can snap.
Even better, I noticed way less breakage compared to my old paddle brush. I’m talking about way fewer strands left behind in the brush.
According to Stacey, Hair Research Analyst, “By using a small amount of leave in conditioner or detangling product you are relieving the tension on each hair strand as you brush or comb thus the likely hood of stretching and breaking your hair is greatly reduced. I recommend O&M Know Knott Conditioning Detangler as it uses Macadamia and Argan oils work to recondition the hair to protect it and leave it glossy and knot free.“.
Which Wet Brush is Best for Your Curls?
Best Wet Brushes for Curly Hair:
- Flex Dry: Best for thick, tight curls (3B to 4C).
- Original Detangler: Ideal for medium curls and waves (2A to 3A).
- Go Green Detangler: Eco-friendly option for all curl types.
- Shine Enhancer: Adds shine, best for looser curls and waves.
Let me break it down further:
- Flex Dry: Best for thick, tighter curls (like 3B to 4C). The flexible head moves with your hair, and it’s perfect for speeding up drying time if you use a diffuser.
- Original Detangler: Great all-rounder for looser curls and waves (think 2A to 3A). Works well wet or dry.
- Go Green Detangler: If you love an eco-friendly option, this one’s made from plant-based materials. Lightweight and gentle on curls.
- Shine Enhancer: Infused with boar bristles for those who want to add a little extra gloss while brushing — works better on looser curls or waves.
Best detangling brush for 3C curls
Best Detangling Brush for 3C Curls
If you have tight 3C curls like mine, the best detangling brush I recommend is the Wet Brush Pro Flex Dry. It glides through thick, springy curls without ripping or stretching your natural pattern. Unlike some brushes that tug too hard, the Wet Brush’s flexible bristles are gentle enough to detangle 3C textures with minimal breakage and maximum curl definition.
Pro Tips for Using the Wet Brush on Curly Hair
According to Meesh, Hair Product Analyst, “Always start detangling bottom the bottom up.”
- Use it on wet, conditioned hair if you want the smoothest experience.
- Pair it with a leave-in conditioner or detangling spray to make it even easier.
- Be gentle let the brush do the work. You don’t need to force it!
How to use Wet Brush on curly hair
How to Use Wet Brush on Curly Hair
To get the best results with the Wet Brush on curly hair, always start with wet or damp hair coated in a good leave-in conditioner. Begin brushing from the tips, working your way up slowly to the roots. Use gentle, downward strokes don’t force the brush through tangles. Let the flexibility of the Wet Brush do the hard work for you, and you’ll keep your curls intact and frizz-free.
Wet Brush vs. Denman for curly hair
Wet Brush vs. Denman for Curly Hair
While the Wet Brush and Denman Brush are both cult favorites among curlies, they serve slightly different purposes. The Wet Brush is ideal for gentle detangling, especially on wet hair, without pulling out your curl pattern. It’s perfect for reducing breakage and making detangling painless. The Denman Brush, on the other hand, is better for styling it defines curls beautifully but can feel a little harsher when detangling. If your main goal is easy detangling with less breakage, the Wet Brush wins hands down!
Wet Brush vs. Denman vs. Tangle Teezer: Which Is Best for Curly Hair?
| Brush | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Brush | Super gentle, best for detangling wet hair, reduces breakage, affordable. | Not ideal for curl definition styling (it’s just for detangling). |
| Denman Brush | Defines curls beautifully, great for styling after detangling, different row counts available. | Can feel harsh; more pulling if not used carefully; better for styling than detangling. |
| Tangle Teezer | Good detangler, ergonomic design, works on wet or dry hair. | Smaller grip; can be tricky with very thick, tight curls (4A–4C). |
Which One Should You Choose?
If detangling with minimal pain and breakage is your main goal, the Wet Brush is the best option for curly hair. If you want to define your curls beautifully after detangling, the Denman might be your pick. For a lightweight, easy-to-hold option, the Tangle Teezer works well, especially for looser curls.
Real Experiences Using the Wet Brush on Curly Hair
“I have thick 3C curls and the Wet Brush Flex Dry saved my arms and my hair! No more painful detangling sessions it literally cuts my detangling time in half.” – Sarah, 3C Curly Girl
“As someone with 4A coils, I was skeptical, but the Wet Brush actually glides through my hair without popping my curls out of shape. It’s gentle enough even when I’m deep conditioning.” – Jasmine, 4A Natural Hair
“I love using the Wet Brush after a wash-and-go. It detangles my 2B waves without causing breakage or frizz. Total must-have in my routine.” – Emma, 2B Wavy Hair
Final Verdict
Worth It? Absolutely. Whether you’ve got loose waves or tight coils, the Original Wet Brush is a lifesaver. It’s not just marketing hype it’s engineered to actually protect and preserve your beautiful curls.
Give it a try. Your curls will thank you and honestly, so will your arms after a tangle-free detangling session.
About Ed Shears
Ed Shears is a professional hairstylist author and creator of HairBrushy.com, beauty educator, and product expert with over 20 years of experience. Known for blending real-world salon tips with easy-to-understand science, Ed’s mission is simple: help you have better hair days without the hype.
About Stacey Bee
Stacey Bee is a beauty writer, curly hair enthusiast, and co-creator at HairBrushy.com. With a passion for haircare and years of firsthand experience managing naturally curly hair, Stacey brings practical tips, honest product reviews, and real-world advice to the HairBrushy community. Her goal? To make caring for your curls feel effortless, empowering, and fun no fluff, just the good stuff.
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