noun
using fingers as a comb; combing hair with fingers
Refers to the action of running one's fingers through the hair to arrange or untangle it, as if using a comb.
朝、急いでいるときは手ぐしで髪を整える。
In the morning when I'm in a hurry, I fix my hair with my fingers.
彼女は鏡の前で手ぐしを通した。
She ran her fingers through her hair in front of the mirror.
櫛 is a physical comb; 手ぐし is the act of using fingers instead of a comb.
Compound of 手 (hand) and 櫛 (comb), literally 'hand comb'.