Understanding Different Hairbrushes and What They Are Used For

Knowing what products and treatments to use on your hair is one thing, but what difference does using the right brush make? Turns out, quite a lot actually. Although you probably use a hairbrush at least once a day, it’s not usually a big focus. However, using the right kind of brush can make a big impact on your hair’s style and appearance. We take a closer look at the choice of brushes at your fingertips.

The tangle teezer brush

If you’ve got the kind of hair that likes to do its own thing, a tangle teezer will help you keep it in line. There’s an array of detangle brushes out there. Ones that can be used on wet hair, dry hair and they’re often used for curls and waves that can become easily twisted and entangled. Some detangle brushes will come with two sets of teeth – one for the detangling bit and shorter ones for smoothing and finishing. Using a detangler helps reduce the amount of breakage you can cause with a regular brush, thanks to its design. A design which usually incorporates a firm grip handle (helpful if you’re detangling in the shower) and flexible, wide bristles for a soft application so as not to create a force (and therefore breakage) of your hair.

The paddle brush

Staying on the subject of tangling, some people opt for the paddle brush as a detangling tool. But as well as this, a paddle brush is also ideal for blow drying and flattening your hair while also giving it some shine. The surface area of a paddle brush is large, so it can cover a large expanse of hair. If you have long, straight hair, they’re usually the ‘go to’ and ideal for daily use. Although it’s advisable to be careful when brushing wet hair, paddle brushes with nylon teeth can gently glide through hair that is damp or wet.

The vented brush

If speed is of the essence when it comes to washing and blowing your hair then a vented brush is your new best friend, especially if your hair is wet through. The vent holes in the body of the brush allow for hot air to travel through, evenly spreading heat and speeding up the drying of all your layers of hair. In addition, if you have a lot of fine hair or if your hair is short, you can help create more volume with a vented brush as the holes lift hair, creating greater volume. The benefits don’t end here though. Vented brushes are also great for reducing static thanks to the heat blowing through the vent holes. You can use vent brushes with hair products too, for example, if you want to apply serum evenly throughout your hair.

The round ceramic barrel brush

You may have spotted the ceramic barrel brush at your hair salon, it’s a favourite for blow drying hair quickly and creating volume. The larger the barrel, the bigger and bouncier the curls. As a material, ceramic heats up quickly allowing the even distribution of heat, almost mimicking the role of straighteners. Because of these properties, there’s a number of different brushes made from ceramic. Over time, a ceramic brush exposes your hair to less heat because it heats up fast, resulting in less damage to your hair. Static electricity is also reduced due to the interaction between the positive ions in your hair and the negative ions produced by the ceramic brush, which helps to minimise frizz and dryness.

The cushion brush

Finally, let’s not forget the classic cushion brush. Invented in the 1800s, it is still in demand today. Its unique design consists of rounded bristles attached to an air-filled rubber base. The rubber base acts as a flexible cushion, or shock absorber, as you brush through your hair from your scalp. Cushion brushes are therefore ideal if you want to avoid breakage of long- medium or wavy hair while gently styling, and remember, the wider the base, the straighter your hair will be after brushing with a cushion brush.

Taking time to consider the best brush for your hair type, what you want to achieve with the long-term condition of your hair and the style you want right now will pay dividends, so keep on brushing up on your know-how.