Yes, there's a hair brush made just for your hair type!
Hair brushes are the unsung heroes of hair care universe. When we read about hair care, it’s always about shampoo, hair oil, conditioner, and hot tools. We thought it’s time to change that.
Using the right brush can be the best thing you could ever do for your hair. I’m not exaggerating! I bought my first good-quality hair brush late last year, and I’m never going back to combs and cheap brushes ever again.
If you’re looking to up your hair care game, there are two main considerations for getting a hair brush that suits your hair type and style: the brush shape and the type of bristles used.
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The Paddle Brush
As the name suggests, the brush looks like a paddle. It is big and rectangular, with bristles that sit on a cushion. The cushion helps protect the hair by collapsing when there are too many tangles. But with regular pressure used normally during brushing, the cushion helps position the bristles to grab hair strands.
The brush is recommended for long and straight hair. The relatively wide and flat surface smoothens and flattens the mane. If you prefer the sleek straight look, try this brush first before grabbing a straightening iron.
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The Vent Brush
If you’re a 90’s kid, I’m sure you’re familiar with this brush. Like the paddle brush, this brush is also flat and rectangular but it’s significantly smaller and the bristles are farther apart. As the name suggest, the brush design includes vents that allow air to pass through. It's the ideal brush to use when blowdrying and detangling hair, and is suitable for all hair types.
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The Round Brush
If you’re aiming for volume or want to change the shape of your hair, the round brush is your best bet. The brush comes in different sizes to fit various hair lengths. You can also choose the size based on the hair shape you’re going for. Longer hair can benefit the most from round brushes with a bigger barrel that can grab more hair. Move down sizes depending on how short your hair is or if you prefer smaller waves.
Many round brushes are made of metal or ceramic. These two materials are best for styling because they can retain heat, making it easier to shape hair.
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The Semi-Round Brush
If you have jaw-length hair and prefer wearing it sleek and straight, the semi-round brush is for you. It flattens the hair but allows for a little bit of volume.
Many semi-round brushes have harder bristles, so this brush would also be great for people with coarse and curly hair where softer bristles are almost useless. Tip: If you want to brush your hair and keep your curls at the same time, brush or detangle hair before showering. I’m not sure if this works on all types of curls, but it’s worth trying.
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Boar Bristle Brush
Yes, the bristles on this brush is literally from a boar! The density of the bristles helps grab hair strands, making it great for fine hair that usually escapes the grip of regular brush bristles.
This brush is also great for frizzy hair because it smoothens the hair’s cuticle layer. People with dry hair can also benefit from this brush because it helps distribute oil and give a healthy sheen to your mane.
The downside to this brush is the cost. Some boar bristle brushes, like the Mason Pearson Hair Brush, are priced as much as P11,000! A cheaper option is the Denman Ceramic Radial Brush available at Zalora for P795.
Synthetic Bristle Brush
These look the same as boar bristle brushes but are made from nylon, plastic, or rubber. The synthetic materials are better suited for dense or coarse hair as the bristles offer more resistance.
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Porcupine Bristle Brush
You can breathe a sigh of relief with this one because the bristles didn’t come from porcupines. The name came from how the brush looks, which is a combination of both nylon and boar bristles. The nylon does the combing as the boar bristles smooth the hair out. This is recommended for those with thick and coarse hair who want to get the benefits of using boar bristle brushes but need the resistance of nylon bristles.
We’re pleasantly surprised by the variety of brands available in the country. You can find a wide array of affordable and high-end options at most department stores or check online for authentic products with more competitive prices. Some fave brands include Denman, Conair, Groovy, Acca Kappa and Paganini. While you don't necessarily have to purchase a brand-name brush, make sure to choose one based on what's recommended for your hair type as well as the quality of the brush's make. A badly-made brush can scratch your scalp, damage hair cuticles, or withstand only a month's worth of brushing!
What type of brush do you use to tame your tresses? Got a quality yet affordable brand to recommend? Do share in the comments!
Sources: Shear Kellen, Dummies
