When selecting a hair brush, consider your hair type, texture, and styling needs. For detangling thick, curly hair, use flexible bristle brushes like the Wet Brush. Fine hair benefits from brushes with closely spaced bristles like natural boar bristle. Paddle brushes smooth and distribute oils in long, straight hair. And oval ceramic brushes add tension for smooth blowouts.
Whatever your hair goals, pick brushes designed specifically for your hair’s characteristics. Consulting your stylist can ensure you get the perfect match.
Hairbrushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with each style designed to achieve different effects on your hair.
Contrary to popular belief, the differences in brush shapes are not merely decorative. Picking the right brush for your hair type and desired look is key to getting your hair to behave just the way you want it.
In a recent YouTube video, hair stylist Chris Duke debunks common hair brushing myths and explains how to select the optimal brush. According to Duke, many people wrongly assume that there are only two kinds of brushes – flat and round. But the truth is, there are many more varieties, each with a specific purpose.
Rat Tail Combs: Precise Parting
Rat tail combs are ideal tools for creating clean, sharp parts in your hair. The skinny, pointed “rat tail” end allows you to divide hair into sections with precision. The wider tooth comb side can then be used to smooth the hair in place. Duke emphasizes that nothing creates sharper parts than a rat tail comb.
Regular Combs: All-Purpose Styling
Standard combs with evenly spaced teeth are versatile styling tools. At hair salons, stylists often use them specifically for straightening hair before running it through a flat iron. The teeth help align all the hair neatly so it stays sleek and smooth. Regular combs are great multi-use products.
Wide Tooth Combs: Not for Detangling!
Many people mistakenly rely on wide tooth combs for detangling knots and tangles. However, Duke strongly advises against this. The spaced out teeth are not able to smoothly glide through knots, so forcing the comb can lead to ripped hair and breakage. Save your locks and use wide tooth combs for styling only.
Detangling Brushes: Must-Have for All Hair Types
No hair care routine is complete without a proper detangling brush. These brushes have flexible, movable bristles that are designed to painlessly glide through tangles rather than tear through them.
Duke considers them haircare essentials and says he includes one in every holiday gift backpack he prepares for underprivileged children.
For beginners, Duke recommends the Tangle Teezer. Its short, thin bristles flex easily through knots without risk of damage.
However, the bristles may not thoroughly detangle thicker or curlier hair. In that case, he advises using the aptly named Wet Brush. Its longer, thicker bristles comb through tangles efficiently. The key is working from the bottom up, detangling knots before they can form tangled clusters.
Mason Pearson: The Gold Standard, but Too Expensive
According to Duke, the Mason Pearson is undoubtedly the best detangling brush available. Its premium natural bristles glide effortlessly through hair without snags or pulling.
However, its staggering $240 price tag is unreasonable for the minor convenience. A $10 Wet Brush will detangle almost as effectively. Duke suggests saving your money and using it for salon treatments instead.
Paddle Brushes and Round Brushes: Same Shape, Different Purposes
Paddle brushes (square shape) and round brushes can often be used interchangeably. But Duke cautions that paddle brushes are ineffective for blow drying.
Round brushes are designed to create tension that stretches hair straight under the heat. Paddle brushes cannot achieve the smooth, sleek finish that round brushes can. Always reach for a round brush when blow drying.
Watch Out for Damage from Hot Tools
Ceramic round brushes are Duke’s top pick for blowouts, but he warns about being cautious to avoid burning your hair. Don’t use them on dry hair, as they heat up rapidly.
On damp hair, stop drying each section as soon as it’s fully dry. Avoid letting the bristles get too hot. This prevents needless damage from excessive heat exposure.
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The Takeaway: Brushing Technique Matters
Duke emphasizes proper brushing technique over buying the most expensive products. Don’t just haphazardly brush hair – section methodically, detangle from tip to root, and tailor your brush strokes to your hair type and desired look.
With the right brush and techniques, you can achieve salon-worthy hair at home.
Did you find this hair brush guide helpful? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
Share your experiences trying out the right brushes recommended here. We’d love to hear your tips and tricks for choosing brushes to achieve your best hair days.
