It might not seem important to consciously think about the type of hair brush you are using, but having the right kind of brushes and combs in your arsenal can make a huge difference to your hair. The particular texture and thickness of your hair might end up performing way better with a certain kind of brush than another.
Additionally, achieving different results in your hairstyle becomes possible and much easier with the right set of brushes and combs.
It is, of course, essential to learn about the different types of hair brushes and combs before you select a few for yourself. This guide will take you through a few of these types, including some information about when and why to use them. Let’s begin!
Types of Hair Brushes and Combs
Here is a list of some types of hair brushes and combs that you can consider buying for yourself.
Paddle Hair Brush
Paddle brushes are quite common and actually work for all kinds of hair, especially straight hair. They have a broad and level surface with multiple natural or synthetic bristles. These help remove the knots and tangles from your hair while also managing a large area at a time.
The shape and size of such brushes can allow you to have more command over them so that you can guide them easily through your hair.
If you have thick and textured or curly hair, this brush will help you comb your hair without interfering with the appearance. In this case, however, using a paddle brush with synthetic bristles is a better idea.
Detangling Brush
Detangling brushes, as the name suggests, help with detangling your hair. These brushes are also well suited for a wide variety of hair types and textures, with the large spaces between the teeth or bristles making it possible to untangle the knot from your hair as effectively as possible.
The soft bristles of this brush tend to make the combing process extremely convenient and pain-free.
A great aspect of this kind of brush is that you can use it to remove knots and tangles from both dry and wet hair without the risk of damage or breakage.
Round Hair Brush
Round hair brushes have a round surface instead of the usual flat or curved surface. You might have seen these brushes at the hairdresser’s or stylist’s studio while also having experienced them while getting your hair blown dry.
The soft bristles on these round brushes can flow through your hair easily while also working in tandem with the blow dryer. Generally, a section of the hair curves around the surface of this brush, allowing you to work on that section with ease.
Round brushes of a smaller size work better for compact curls while bigger ones suit straighter or wavier hair better.
Boar Bristle Brush
Boar bristle brushes are excellent options for achieving the style you wish to incorporate. In particular, if you have fine or thin hair or even highly compact curls, boar bristle brushes will help you comb through your hair’s length in a smooth manner.
Even for hair that is a bit weak, boar bristle brushes can help you achieve softness without causing too much pain while combing. The strength of the boar bristles make it possible to spread and circulate the natural oils present in your hair and scalp so that you can obtain a shinier look throughout the surface.
Vented Hair Brush
A vented hair brush is perfect if you want to blow your hair dry rapidly. The vents present on the brush along with the flexible bristles make it possible for the heat from the blow dryer to make its way to your hair in a much more efficient manner.
This makes the process of drying quite quick, making this type of brush suitable for wet hair. There are no limitations in terms of the texture and thickness of the hair since the bristles can pass through all kinds of hair easily.
Moreover, the presence of the vents and their rapid transfer of heat help reduce the risk of overheating and damage.
Teasing Hair Brush
A teasing hair brush is quite ideal for thin hair that does not experience much natural volume. The head of the brush is full of small bristles and is much narrower in size as compared to standard bruises.
You can slide the bristles through your hair as if you are teasing the hair. This makes it possible to elevate your hair a bit so that you can make it look more textured and stable at the same time.
Another distinctive element of this brush is also its thin and tapering handle that can help you divide different parts of your hair into sections.
Loop Brush
A loop brush has looped bristles on its surface. These loops can glide through all kinds and thickness levels of your hair while also suiting both straight and curly hair. One of the best uses for this brush is if you have hair extensions clipped on or attached.
By making their way through the extensions, you will be able to avoid pulling them out, something which is much likelier if you use a regular brush or comb.
You can also use this brush for more tightly secured extensions.
Wide-Toothed Comb
A comb with wide teeth is great for thicker or slightly coarser hair. It can also work pretty well with curly hair. The reason for this is that the space between each tooth makes it easier to capture the strands better without necessarily pulling at them too much.
Wide-toothed combs are also suitable for wet hair of all types. Standard combs typically have more compact teeth that can end up resulting in plenty of fall or damage, which is why wider spaces can allow you to work your way through the hair in a swift and smooth motion.
This is also useful if you want to apply some kind of hair product after washing your hair.
Rat Tail Comb
A rat tail comb is more beneficial for its tail instead of its actual teeth. Its handle is narrow and tends to taper towards the end, making it suitable for separating your hair into sections. This can then help you style your hair much easier, such as when you want to make thin braids or any other kind of intricate design.
The teeth themselves are small and can help brush the hair or elevate it to give it more volume.
Pick Comb
A pick comb is ideal if you have an afro hairstyle. The thick and dense curls are usually quite tough to manage with regular combs, which is why this comb is suitable for helping you maintain the look and texture.
It is also small in size and can easily sit snugly inside your pocket or bag, making it useful whenever you need a quick clean up. The teeth of this comb are wide apart, making it easier for them to make their way through the thick hair.
Pintail Comb
A pintail comb is another excellent comb for sectioning your hair into different parts. This way, whenever you wish to style your hair into a braid or something similar, the narrow tail of the comb will allow you to carry this out in a clean and tidy manner.
In particular, if you have recently straightened your hair, a pintail comb should come in handy.
You can also deal with all the tiny stray hair better through this kind of comb. Additionally, the teeth of the comb are thin and uniformly spaced, allowing you to brush your hair quickly. These teeth are more suitable for thinner or finer hair.
Cushion Brush
A cushion brush is great for managing the static that may have built up in your hair. This brush can help you smoothen your hair up again while also cleaning your scalp if required.
The brush has a soft rubber surface that acts as the cushioning. This surface further holds nylon or wire pins or bristles that can add a glossy look to your strands. They are also great at promoting circulation in the scalp, which can be useful for strengthening your hair.
This brush also provides a neat head massage if you want some relaxation!
Thermal Brush
The shape of a thermal brush is similar to that of a round brush. The surface, however, is made from ceramic or titanium that can hold and transfer heat properly. This way, whenever you use a blow dryer, you will be able to dry your wet hair pretty quickly.
This will also make it possible to hold sections of your hair in place so that you can work on them for longer, if required. This is also great for making some smooth waves or loose curls in your hair.
The subsequent style of your hair is also bound to last longer.
Barber Comb
Barber combs are quite popularly found in local barber shops. They are more commonly used for men due to the combination of wide and close teeth that make it possible to work with different sections by holding them in place.
It can also be useful to keep this kind of comb by your side so that you can quickly comb your hair through. It is also suitable for styling since you can separate your hair into sections quite easily, allowing you to focus more on creating cleaner segments.
You can also ask your own barber about these combs and how to make the best possible use of them.
Importance of Using the Right Brush or Comb
Using the right brush and comb is actually quite advantageous to the health and appearance of your hair. Here are some of the many ways in which this can benefit you.
- You can maintain and highlight the natural hair texture that you have while also enhancing its look.
- It is easier to remove potential knots and tangles from your hair if you use a brush or comb that smoothly manages your hair.
- Hair cleanliness becomes much simpler to achieve if you have a brush with strong and sturdy bristles.
- You will be able to keep your hair intact and in the desired shape without becoming too messy and frizzy.
- Quite often, the wrong kind of comb or brush might end up leading to more hairfall than usual. Switching to a more appropriate brush is likely to make a positive difference in this case.
- You can achieve the required appearance and style by using one or more of the proper brushes.
Selecting the Right Brush and Comb for Yourself
Having a hard time figuring out which comb would work best for you? Keep the following factors in mind to make your decision easier.
- What is the thickness and density level of your hair? Is it quite thin or do you have a thicker density with a more natural volume? Based on these, you should pick combs and brushes that will result in improved circulation and minimal hair fall.
- Your hair texture makes a huge difference here. For instance, for softer and straighter hair, round, synthetic and vented brushes are suitable. On the other hand, rougher hair performs better with brushes with natural bristles. Curls and waves tend to do well with rounder brushes.
- If you wish to achieve a certain kind of look or texture, make sure you opt for cushion, vented and thermal brushes or even a combination of a few combs to help you out.
Parting Thoughts
Hopefully, you are now aware that it can take a bit of consideration and research to select the best possible hair brush and comb for yourself. This will truly help support the texture and type of hair that you have so that you can maintain its health and beauty for long enough.
Asking your personal stylists and hairdressers about suggestions will also make things clearer for you. Try experimenting with a few types too for a better idea of what seems to improve your hair quality.