Jonathan Van Ness Says Everyone Needs A Comb In The Shower - Here's Why

Imagine this scenario. You're in the shower and proceed to rub conditioner all over your hair. You reach for your comb when you realize you left it in your room. You have two options: Run out of the shower and grab it, or try to finger-comb your hair. What would you do? According to American hairstylist and Emmy-nominated television personality Jonathan Van Ness, you might want to consider the first option, as inconvenient as it might be.

A comb in the shower is the life-hack you need to keep your curly or straight tresses looking fresh. And not just any comb will work — a wide-tooth comb (or a wet brush) is essential. In a video shared to TikTok, Van Ness explained that it's important to apply conditioner using a wide-tooth comb rather than your fingers because it distributes the conditioner more evenly through your hair for increased hydration. Using a fine-tooth comb, on the other hand, makes it more difficult to comb through your hair, and may result in unnecessary breakage. Conditioner is a must to keep your hair from feeling dry and brittle. So it's important to use the comb to distribute it as thoroughly as possible. A comb in the shower will also ensure that you're detangling your hair with ease while it's being hydrated.

In his TikTok video, Jonathan Van Ness reveals that a wide-toothed comb in the shower will spread your conditioner onto more strands, but you could also use this tip with shampoo. You don't need to shampoo your hair every day, but when you do, you want to make sure you're getting the benefits. Be sure to use the comb to distribute the shampoo evenly from the scalp to the ends of the strands. Shampoo cleanses the hair of dirt and product-build up, and there's nothing like a good comb scrubbing against your scalp to make you feel more refreshed.

Using a comb to distribute shampoo evenly is especially important if you're applying a shampoo specifically designed for color-treated hair. Without a comb, you are likely to hand rub and wash out the shampoo too quickly. But with a comb, you spend more time spreading the shampoo through the hair, allowing the shampoo to sit and revitalize your color. 

Most of us know the problems that can occur when we don't brush our hair for extended periods of time. Trying to get rid of weeks' worth of tangled hair is sometimes only resolved with scissors (we've been there). While not specifically mentioned by Jonathan Van Ness in his TikTok video, using a wide-toothed comb in the shower is also a convenient way of ensuring you get rid of tangled hair more easily.

Of course, you don't just want to take a comb and haphazardly comb through your hair, particularly if you have thick or curly hair.  One way to do it is to part your hair into sections — as many sections as you need to ensure you get out all the tangles. For instance, start with four sections, parted down the middle, with two sections on each side. Take one section, and soak it with water. Next rub on the conditioner, and comb it through. Do this repeatedly with all four sections, and then wash out the conditioner (not completely). You'll find that it's easier to detangle any knots when the conditioner is working through your hair. 

For those with thick or curly hair, you know how challenging it is to comb out your hair when dry. Sure, it can be done, but it usually leaves your hair frizzy and not quite the look you're going for. When you comb your hair while it's being hydrated with water and conditioners, it has not yet begun to set, so you don't have to worry about messing up your styled tresses. The conditioner will replenish the strands, increasing the chances that the curl pattern (from straight to curly) will form in the way you want it to. This is another advantage of in-shower combing, rather than waiting until your hair is dry.

While brushing wet hair is usually considered a no-no because it can lead to breakage, this advice is usually given with straight hair in mind (via VS Sassoon). It's quite the opposite for curly hair. Those with curly hair should brush their hair when it's wet, according to Carols' Daughter; otherwise you are in for a frizzy mass with no curl definition (unless that's the look you're going for).

Once you have combed out your hair, take a soft bristle brush to smooth over the hair while it's being watered. Next rub in whatever setting products you use and leave your hair alone to air dry — do not towel dry it. This helps to set the hair, and makes it less likely to look smoother when it dries.