When I open my drawer & clients see my large collection of hairbrushes I am often asked why I have so many different types of brushes. They seem to be a little surprised when I tell them each has a purpose and that I will use a different brush depending on the length or density of their hair as well as how they like to wear their hair. I always educate my clients on which brush I am using, how to use the brush when they do their hair at home & why I choose this brush to style their hair.

For example if you have longer hair & you like to wear it straight & smooth a good paddle brush will be your best friend! I have worked with several different brands of hairbrushes through out my career and there are many nice options available. Since my salon made the move to AVEDA earlier this year I have been very impressed with the AVEDA paddle brush. It is lightweight, the bristles feel good on your scalp, & it is great for detangling too. You can cut several minutes off of your morning routine by using this brush when you blow-dry your hair. The smoother you are able to get your hair while drying it, the less time you’ll have to spend with the flat-iron.

For those of you who like to wear your hair fuller, a round brush may be the key. A good round brush can build lots of volume & body whether you wear your hair straight or like to wear a few curls or waves in it. The longer your hair is the larger your brush should be. If you have ever had the unpleasant experience of getting a round brush tangled in your hair, it was most likely because the brush you were using was too small.

The price you pay for your hairbrush is not the main point in getting a good quality brush. Top of the line natural bristle brushes can be very expensive. While they are nice, it is not necessary to break the bank to get a good hairbrush. A less expensive synthetic bristle hairbrush can be just as nice if you know what to look for. First of all do not purchase a brush that has the little balls on the ends of the bristles, as they will eventually come off & you will be left with a sharp, rough end that will scratch your scalp & cause damage to your hair by catching, pulling & dragging on it to the point of splitting it in many cases. Instead look for a brush that has nice smooth bristles without the balls or knobs or anything that might catch in your hair. Some hairbrushes are constructed so that the bristles cross each other making little X’s. The idea behind this design is to help the brush get hold of your hair better. Avoid the cross over bristles as they can also be damaging to your hair.

So to sum it up look for nice straight bristles that do not cross each other, no balls or knobs on the ends of the bristles and be sure the bristles are smooth on the ends, not sharp or rough. If you are going to purchase a round brush be sure that you get one that is large enough for your hair length. For longer hair I like a 3” or larger. For mid-lengths a 2” may be large enough. Never use a round brush smaller that 2” unless you hair is very short. If your hair is very thick you may be happier with a brush that has fewer bristles, as it will glide though your hair easier. For thinner hair I prefer to us a brush that has softer bristles that are closer together.

Written by Jody Lende