My grand daughter has long curly hair. The way I detangle it with very few snags is to use a weak solution of conditioner and water in the notty areas and ends. They come right out... the nots not the hair. Oh and I alway work from the bottom up.
but we all do... hehe

I mix about 10% conditioner to 90% water in a squirt bottle. I've started using it on my hair too... it also works to control my frizz.