So Long, Troublesome Tresses! Your Best Guide To Choosing The Right Hairbrushes And Combs
Whether you're the wash and wear type of gal when it comes to hair styling, or the lady who indulges in the process of prepping and primping, being armed with the right hair brushes and combs can make all the difference! Learn how different brush and comb shapes, bristles, and materials can turn that head of hair into your scene-stealing crowning glory.
Wide tooth comb
Before you even style your hair, you're going to have to de-tangle when you step out of the shower. Remember that hair is most sensitive and prone to breakage when it's damp; be gentle! Go for a wide tooth comb that gets rids of knots without stressing out or roughly pulling on strands. A wooden wide tooth comb is recommended over plastic as it is softer and comes with less rough edges that can snag hair.
Pro tip: Begin combing wet hair from the ends then work back up to the roots. This is especially important for ladies with longer hair that can be more challenging to manage.
Vented brush
Once wet hair has been de-tangled, reach out for a vented brush. It wasn't designed for styling, but it's perfect for those in a hurry to dry their hair before stepping out. Its vents allow air to dry strands from all angles while widely spaced bristles allow hair to breathe when exposed to blow drying heat.
Pro tip: Before styling hair and subjecting it to heat, it's suggested that you dry it in cool air up to 80%. This means that it looks dry, but still feels a little cold or damp. Soaking wet hair is less receptive to styling tools and products, not to mention breaks more easily, too.
Paddle brush
This wide rectangular brush is shaped this way for a reason. It wasn't meant to be carried around in your bag, but rather, it's a girl's best friend when it comes to blow drying and eliminating frizz. A paddle brush picks up wide sections of hair to speed up the drying process, while also adding to smoothness and shine. It's also the best tool to use when you feel like going super sleek for the day. For ladies that want to bring out the best in their silky smooth locks, this brush for you!
Pro tip: Begin blow drying from the roots down. Gently lift hair at the root, position the paddle brush underneath the section of hair, then brush downwards with your blow dryer's nozzle following the brush.
Round brush
This is probably the brush women are most familiar with, and unsurprisingly, comes in the most variations! Round brushes are primarily used to add volume, emphasize layers, or add a bit of curl or wave (as well as manage naturally wavy and curly hair). Remember too that the smaller the barrel, the tighter the curl. Round brushes are most commonly made with plastic bodies and synthetic bristles, or wooden bodies and boar bristles. Both do the job just fine, but an extra benefit boar bristles provide is evenly distributing your hair's natural oils from root to tip. The result? Beautifully shiny and manageable hair.
Pro tip: Round brushes with metal or ceramic bodies and plastic bristles act like curling irons. Their metal barrels conduct heat, similarly setting your hair the way an iron would, but yields subtler results.
Teasing comb
Yup! This strange looking tool has a perfectly good use. It's definitely not an every day hair styling tool, but it'll come in handy for when you want to achieve a classy updo or add much-needed volume to esepically fine hair. Used mostly at the crown where hair is usually thinnest, a teasing comb's bristles back combs hair to add a little bit of poof.
Pro tip: Teasing hair is tricky business. Careful not to overdo it and create split ends by making sure you tease only from the middle of your hair shaft up to the root — don't go all the way from tip to root! Remember to back comb carefully and slowly, too. Never rush the process.
Rat tail comb, a.k.a. parting comb
It's peculiar looking, but it truly is useful beyond compare if used properly. The rat tail comb is essentially used for parting or sectioning hair into neat sections to ensure styling and coloring are done evenly. The comb's fine teeth are meant to comb away any strays.
Pro tip: A rat tail comb is also great for finishing up a style. If you're done getting ready but spot a few fly aways or cowlicks, spray your rat tail comb with a bit of hair spray and gently comb over those sections, and voila! You're picture perfect.
Mixed bristle brush
True to its name, a mixed bristle brush offers the best of both worlds. It weaves synthetic and boar bristles together — so you get the tangle-fighting powers of nylon bristles and the hair-caring benefits of boar bristles — while also coming in lots of sizes. Whether you want to keep one at your vanity or have one handy in your bag, this is the ideal brush to have with you while you're on the go.
Pro tip: Mixed bristle brushes come in extra small sizes and some beauty brands even offer some with foldable handles. Invest in one and it'll quickly become a beauty essential you'll bring with you wherever you go.
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