In the future, try an oil-based styling product:
Expensive:
Kerastase Elixir Ultime:
http://www.amazon.com/K%C3%89R.....B004530AB2
Not so expensive:
Organix brand Macadamia Dry Styling Oil (found at most drugstores/grocery stores):
http://www.organixhair.com/product/dry-styling-oil
Apply the styling oil *before* you get into the shower. The idea is that you'll apply the styling oil to your dry and possibly dirty hair, then step into the shower and wash it all out. This method works well to remove tangles, and it also works beautifully if you find that these fancy styling serums/oils leave your hair too greasy-looking to use as a styling product. Use it as a "pre-shampoo" product and you're golden.
Sorry to hear that you ended up cutting it out, but then again - like you said, with curly hair, it probably won't be very noticeable at all.
I would recommend keeping one of these so-called styling oils on hand, and using them in a manner that is the opposite of what the recommendations on the instructions suggest - ie. I'd douse my hair with a single pump of the styling oil *before* getting showered, believe me - it works beautifully. The Organix brand dry styling oils work very well - no need to go crazy on the Kerastase stuff, I only have it because it worked so nicely at the hair salon when I got my hair cut.
I used to think these things were just too "greasy" for me as a styling product, but once I started using them pre-shampoo, I *loved* the result. These items are a great "pre-conditioning" treatment before shampooing, and I can vouch for their de-tangling powers. File away for future reference
