I'm going to be honest with you. For the first few years of my kids' lives, hairbrushing was basically a contact sport in our house. Someone was always crying. Sometimes it was them. Sometimes it was me.
My daughter has thick, wavy hair that tangles overnight like it has its own agenda. My son's hair is finer but somehow just as knotty. Every morning felt like a negotiation I was losing. I tried detangling sprays from the supermarket but they were either greasy, ineffective, or smelled like synthetic strawberries that nobody asked for.
So I started doing things differently — and eventually, that led to me creating Magic Mist. But before we get there, here's what actually works for detangling kids hair without losing your mind.
Start from the bottom, not the top
This is the single biggest mistake I see parents make. Starting at the roots and working down pulls tangles tighter and hurts. Always start at the ends and work your way up in small sections. It takes a bit longer but it's so much gentler — and your kids will thank you for it.
Use a detangler spray before you even pick up the brush
A good kids hair detangler spray does most of the work for you. Spray it through the hair while it's still damp (after bath time is perfect) or on dry hair in the morning. Let it sit for 30 seconds before you start. The difference is significant.
Not all detanglers are equal though. The supermarket ones tend to be heavy with silicones, which coat the hair but create build-up over time. I wanted something naturally derived that parents could feel good about using every single day — which is exactly what Magic Mist is.
Get the right brush
A wide-tooth comb for wet hair, a soft-bristle detangling brush for dry hair. Avoid fine-tooth combs on knots — you're just asking for trouble. We're working on a Hello Flossi brush too, so watch this space.
Make it a routine, not a crisis
Kids respond to routine. When hairbrushing happens at the same time every day with the same products, the drama tends to fade. My daughter now brushes her own hair most mornings because Magic Mist makes it easy enough for her to manage herself. That independence matters more than I expected.
Distract and connect
Podcasts for kids, a favourite show, talking about their day — anything that takes their mind off the brushing makes the whole process easier. Some of my favourite conversations with my kids have happened while I'm doing their hair. Don't underestimate the power of a good distraction.
Hairbrushing doesn't have to be a battle. With the right products and a bit of technique, it can actually become one of those small everyday moments that you and your kids look forward to. That's what I built Hello Flossi around — and I hope it helps your mornings too.