When it comes to makeup, our looks are only as good as the brushes we use. Hence why you’ve convinced yourself to splurge on that $60 contour brush. Well, the same rule applies when it comes to hair. The only difference is, when was the last time you actually thought about your hairbrush? While we constantly give praise to our more beloved straighteners and curling wands, the powers of a good old hairbrush (aka the unsung heroes of hair styling and hair care) are typically overlooked. If this sounds relatable, you’re probably in need of the right hair brush.
Choosing the right hair brush and using it correctly can make all the difference in achieving your perfect hair look. There are so many different kinds of brushes on the market... but do you know which one to use for what? Are you using the brush that is right for you?
Finding the right hair brush may sound like an unnecessary task for some, but because this is one beauty tool you’re expected to use every single day, making the switch just might be one of the biggest favors you’ll ever do for your hair. Going beyond just simply brushing your hair, using the best brush for your hair type is guaranteed to cause less breakage, prevent bad hair days, and deliver the ultimate ‘do (no curling wand needed).
It may seem pretty simple, but finding the best brush for you can be a pretty daunting task—after all, there are so many to choose from! And of course, just like your arsenal of makeup brushes, you’re definitely going to need more than just one hairbrush. Whether you’re looking to highlight your natural waves, detangle those stubborn knots or achieve the ultimate blowout, scroll through our hairbrush guide to help you figure out what brush to fit your hair needs. We promise you’ll never underestimate the power of a hairbrush again.
Here's a quick guide on the most popular and widely used hairbrushes:
Detangling Hairbrush
Hair type: all
Best for: detangling hair wet and dry fine hair
Hair is at its more delicate state when it’s wet. So to prevent breakage, you’re going to want a brush that is specifically designed to release tangles. Detangling brushes are typically made with flexible bristles that can easily undo stubborn knots painlessly and easily without causing hair damage. Our Detangling Wet Hairbrush is designed for both natural hair and hair extensions.
Paddle Hair Brush
Hair type: all
Best for: blowdrying
Owned by many, the paddle brush is known for its ability to glide through your hair while blow drying or just brushing generally. Not only does its flat, wide, rectangular surface allow the brush to move with your control but it also provides exceptionally smooth results without breaking the natural pattern of wavy and curly hair. For pin-straight locks, use the paddle brush to prep the hair and follow with the flat iron.
Keep in mind, paddle brushes are made with different types of bristles. For thick hair, choose a brush with sturdier bristles like nylon and synthetic, which can run smoothly through textured hair.
Round Hairbrush
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Hair type: medium to thick
Best for: blowouts
With the proper round brush and a lot of practice (and lots of upper body strength), you can nail a salon-fresh blowout at home. Typically, round brushes are made with a metal or iconic barrel which heat up when used with a blow dryer (it works pretty much like a curling wand). The round brush helps tame frizz and delivers the desired amount of bounce to your hair. If you have fine to normal hair, we don't recommend using a round brush with a metal or ionic barrel, as it may cause severe heat damage to already weak ends. Instead, we suggest trying something more gentle like a mixed bristle or natural boar round brush.
Not only are there tons of bristle options when it comes to round brushes, but they also come in a variety of sizes. There are two things to consider when choosing the size of your round brush: the length of your hair and the size of the curl/wave you want to create. Round brushes are ideal for creating that volume and body in your hair. This is the brush you want to use when you are blow-drying your hair. Small size brushes create tighter curls, while brushes with larger barrels are known to straighten hair and create subtle waves. To give your blowout a little bit more ‘oomph’, we also suggest wearing the 220g Luxy Hair Extensions.
Teasing Hairbrush
Hair type: all
Best for: adding volume
Using a teasing brush is the easiest way to lift your roots to create the illusion of fullness. This brush is perfect for teasing your hair and creating texture to support your lovely updos, adding texture to ponytails, or create a firm base at the roots when clipping in hair extensions. Bonus points for having a point-ended handle, which can be used for sectioning the hair perfectly!
Keep in mind, you shouldn’t be teasing your hair too often as this process can be a bit harsh on your hair. Try to avoid this brush if your hair is very fine or fragile.
Wide Tooth Comb
Hair type: all especially curly and wavy
Best for: detangling wet hair
This is the best tool to use to brush wet hair, as wet hair is most prone to breakage. If you don’t already own a wide tooth comb (although we don’t know why you wouldn’t), here’s why you should: The wide tooth comb is great for safely combing out wet hair and distributing leave-in hair treatment. If you’re a night showerer, run the comb through your hair gently from bottom to top and tie your hair in a loose bun to ensure you won’t wake up with morning tangles.
Rat Tail Comb
Hair type: all
Best for: parting hair into sections
Sometimes the best brush isn’t a brush at all. The rat tail comb gets its name from its long and skinny end, which is used to part the hair in precise, clean sections. Next time you want to wear your hair in Double Dutch Braids, part your hair into two equal sections with this hair comb. Believe us, it makes everything so much easier. This comb can also be used for backcombing your hair.
You can find this comb in our best-selling Application Kit.
Boar Bristle Brush
Hair type: fine, curly hair
Best for: styling dry hair
For high-shine Hollywood waves, you’re going to want to try the boar bristle brush. Although they might not look the most delicate on the scalp, the boar bristles are designed to gently glide through the hair (like the paddle brush) without snagging or pulling on roots, making it the go-to brush for women who have fine hair. Because of its ability to evenly distribute natural oils from the scalp through the hair, we recommend using the boar bristle brush after heat styling. You can also brush your hair right before bed to condition dry ends.
Vented Brush
Hair Type: all
Best for: quick blow dry
Pressed for time? Don’t sweat it! The holes on the back of a vented brush allow the hot air to pass through during a rough blow dry to help speed up the drying process. There’s not much to it: with one hand in control of the blow dryer, use the other to brush your hair from root to tip. Voila! Your hair will be dry in no time.
Loop Brush
Hair type: all
Best for: hair extensions
If you wear hair extensions, the loop brush is a must-have. This brush features unique looped bristles that allow the brush to glide easily over wefts without getting caught, or pulling them out. Loop brushes are not only great for brushing hair while you have your clip-in hair extensions in, but they are also able to brush through more permanent types of hair extensions with no damage or pulling.
Remember, finding products that are right for your hair type can make a world of difference. Try these different kinds of hair brushes out and see how you can transform your hair!
Written by: Alyssa Tria
