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Are you the type of person who has one brush in your hair drawer or many? While you might think that having more than one is superfluous, hairstylists will tell you that each brush has its benefits. So, if you’ve ever felt like you can’t achieve some styles and thought it was merely your hair type’s fault, it might be high time to explore the many different brushes beloved by the hair world. To save you from scouring the web for the best brushes, we chatted with a few celebrity hairstylists to determine the must-have brushes today. Ahead, find the pro’s guide to different types of hair brushes.
1. Detangling/Wet Hair Brush
Benefits
- Effectively unfurls knots
- Works on wet and dry hairs
- Can be used to apply hair masks
Celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan, a ghd brand ambassador, is a fan of detangling brushes thanks to their versatility. “They are amazing for in the shower to work through conditioner, post-wash to gently detangle damp hair, or on dry hair before styling,” she says. When working with a wet detangling brush, she says to start from your ends and work your way up. “This is the most gentle way to brush the hair without causing tension that can lead to breakage,” she explains.
While wet brushes are considered to be among the gentlest and most effective hair brushes for tangles and wet hair, they should still be used with caution because, as celebrity hairstylist and inventor of The Beachwaver Co., Sarah Potempa, points out, wet hair is the most fragile. “Using additional detangling haircare products in addition is always a great idea,” she says, suggesting a conditioning detangler.
2. Boar Bristle Brush
Benefits
- Gentle brushing
- Smooths hair
- Reduces flyaways
- Distributes the scalp’s natural oils
- Adds shine
- Boosts scalp circulation
Boar bristle brushes are a hair brush classic, withstanding the test of time. While Mason Pearson is arguably the most famous boar bristle brush brand, many now exist (including vegan options) thanks to the unmatched performance that boar bristle offers.
“Boar bristle is the only fiber capable of bringing benefits to hair,” says Julia Tissot-Gaillard, CEO of Altesse Studio and Fournival Altesse. “Its external structure is made up of cuticles that act as scales, which are able to grasp the natural oils present on the scalp and distribute them through the hair.” In addition to distributing the scalp’s natural oils, Potempa says that board bristle brushes are “great for styling the hair, reducing flyaways, and adding shine to the strands.” To really lock flyaways in place, she likes to spritz the brush with hairspray before brushing.
Remember the old claim that you should brush your hair 100 times per day? It came to be with boar bristle brushes. “Always brush your hair from roots to ends following the famous 100-Stroke Method,” Tissot-Gaillard says, noting to work from your forehead to your ends, each side of your head to your ends, and from the nape of your neck to the end–25 strokes each.“It only takes two minutes and by doing this, your whole scalp will be massaged, blood circulation will be stimulated, and natural oils will be spread throughout the hair to the ends.”
3. Mini Boar Bristle Brush
Benefits
- Tames edges
- Smooths frizz
- Travel friendly
- Convenient for short hair
Mini boar bristle brushes deserve a category of their own because they’re a must for convenient on-the-go styling, as well as for perfecting edges—“the finer hair around the hairline,” Marjan explains. They can also be used to tease and lift the hair. But that’s not all! Mini boar bristle brushes also work well for smoothing flyaways and adding finishing touches to completed styles, Potempa adds.
4. Round Brush
Round Brush
- Adds volume to the hair
- Creates bouncy styles
- Smooths strands
- Imparts shine
Round brushes are a must for gorgeous, bouncy blowouts. “They’re ideal for creating volume, curl, and waves while blow-drying hair,” says celebrity hairstylist and Tangle Teezer brand ambassador, Ryan Pearl. “Section off hair and wrap sections around the brush while blow-drying, using tension to create volume or curls.” Once dry, gently unravel your hair from the brush, as pulling it out can cause it to become tangled in your tresses.
5. Teasing Brush
Benefits
- Builds volume at the roots
Teasing brushes aren’t the most versatile but the volumizing results they offer make them worthwhile in our book. “These are great for building volume in the hair at the roots for long lasting results or for building padding in the hair prior to creating an updo,” Marjan says. For best results, she says to hold up a section of hair and backcomb the underside of it so that when it lays flat, the textured strands create lift. “Repeat on as many sections as you need to to get your desired result, then gently use the brush over the section to conceal the padding,” she instructs.
6. Cushion Brush
Benefits
- Smoothes the hair
- Works well to gather hair
- Gentle styling
Cushion brushes are some of the most common brushes on the market. They feature a padded bed of bristles, which cushions the brushing process, making it gentler in the process. “Cushion brushes are amazing for blow drying, smoothing the hair, gathering the hair up, or gently brushing out,” Marjan adds.
The one drawback of cushion brushes is that they’re not the easiest to clean, which can lead to a build-up of bacteria in the cushion. Because of this, Potempa recommends only using these brushes on dry hair.
7. Curved Brush
Benefits
- Contours to the shape of your head
- Great for creating sleek looks
- Gentle brushing
Curved brushes are vented and tend to be the most flexible, making them one of the gentlest brushes, as well. “The curved shape allows it to contour to the shape of your head, which makes it amazing to use for super sleek looks or on natural hair textures,” Marjan says. “It also offers a little less tension so that it is gentle on fine hair. I love this for sleek slick backs especially, or on finer hair types that often can be harder to control.”
8. Vented Brush
Benefits
- Speeds up blow-drying
- Can enhance volume depending on brush shape
Vented brushes come in many shapes and forms, from round to rectangular silhouettes. “These are great brushes for efficient hair drying,” Potempa says. “The vented back allows air to pass through the hair and the brush for quicker blow drying.”
While all vented brushes speed up drying time Marjan points out that round vented brushes can also add volume to the hair.
9. Wide-Tooth Comb
Benefits
- Creates more relaxed curls
- Detangles hair
- Works well to distribute hair products
A wide tooth comb is beneficial for many hair types, and can prove especially useful for finishing off curled styles. “This is what I will use to comb through the hair post curling for a piecier, more relaxed end result,” Marjan reveals. “Wide tooth combs can also be used in the shower to work conditioner or hair treatments through the hair and to give the scalp gentle stimulation.”
Just keep in mind that wide tooth combs can feel harsh if used incorrectly. For best results, Pearl says to “start combing from the ends of the hair and work your way up to the roots, using gentle strokes to avoid pulling or tugging."
10. Rat-Tail Comb
Benefits
- Sections hair
- Lifts hair
- Smooths bumps
- Creates clean parts
The ultra-slim handle of rat tail combs works well for so many different uses. According to Marjan, it can be used to section the hair, create clean parts, smooth bumps, and even conceal extensions. Meanwhile, the actual bristle side of the comb is less versatile.
“They’re not as versatile for general brushing or styling compared to other brushes,” Pearl says. Still, the versatile tail makes it worthwhile.