Tool time: hairbrushes

Ever looked at the hairbrush section of your local beauty store and just thought, ‘what the hell?!’ Being greeted by a towering wall of brushes is often so confusing it’s enough to send even the most Marcia Brady-esque groomers into a dreadlocking decline.

I personally had no clue what half of them were, so I decided I’d…erm…brush up on my brush identifying skills. With more than a little help from Sebastian Professional Design Team Director, Joey Scandizzo.

1.) Cushion brush

Best on hair that is already smooth and fairly straight, it can be used to detangle and smooth the hair. Ideal for all hair lengths, and for everyday use and styling.
Try: Elite Cushion Brush with 100% Boar Bristles.

2.) Fine-toothed comb

Mostly used to create definition on short hair – definitely not for thick hair, unless your hair is wet and the comb has a detangler in it. This brush is also handy if you ever wanted to trim your own fringe (but I wouldn’t recommend that unless you know what you’re doing!).
Try: Mason Pearson Comb Styling.

3.) Vent brush

These are great for use with hairdryers as they have actual vents in them to let air pass through, meaning faster drying. They also help add volume and detangle the hair.
Try: VS Sassoon Opti-Heat Range Vent Brush.

4.) Round/radial brush

Perfect for adding volume, or for curling your hair at the ends (think: styling the bottom of your bob inwards, so it doesn’t stick out). Roll your ends around the brush, blast with your hairdryer, then remove the heat but keep your brush in your hair for an extra minute to allow your hair to set while it cools.
Try: Lady Jayne Brush – Thermal Radial.

5.) Paddle brush

Makes styling long, hard-to-manage hair much easier, especially if you’re after a smooth result, as it straightens, flattens and tames flyaways. Use it with your hairdryer pointed downwards to get a result similar – but slightly more natural – to that of straightening irons.
Try: ghd Paddle Brush.

6.) Hot tube brush

Also great when it comes to volumising, the metal in this brush heats up with your hairdryer and acts like a hot roller through your hair. Perfect for adding volume at the top of the head.
Try: Be-Bop by Brushworx Ceramic Hot Tube Brush.

Boar bristles vs. porcupine bristles

Boar brushes have really soft, naturally flexible bristles that help close the cuticle of your hair, promoting shine and hair health. They are usually mixed with nylon bristles to give a greater styling ability, and because they’re so soft, you can use them on all hair types.

‘Porcupine’ is actually just a term for the way the bristles are put together – they’re grouped in a way that looks like big, porcupine quills. These brushes are usually a combination of boar and nylon bristles and are great for controlling fine hair, or giving thick hair a really thorough brush.

64 Member Comments

Shop A Everyday 30 Sep 2017 2:40 PM

The roll brushes are great for blowdrying

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Chrystalage 24 Sep 2017 10:07 PM

I have a really old Mason & Pearson Boar Bristle Brush, beautiful brush, glides through my hair and scalp

Elunia 23 Sep 2017 9:57 PM

I forgot to say all I have are: 1. Paddle Brush 2. Detangler Brush 3. Comb

Elunia 23 Sep 2017 9:55 PM

The Hot Tube Brush must be the type of brush the ladies were talking about at work when they were talking about one of my colleagues fried hair and how she fries it.

jatz 23 Sep 2017 9:32 PM

I have and use 3, 4 and 5 and use depending what I am needing for my hair at the time.

jillian206 23 Sep 2017 5:21 PM

I like boar bristle brushes. They are great for smoothing out your hair for a very glamourous look after curling.

Petal 23 Sep 2017 4:22 PM

I have fine and long hair and it is very prone to knots. I have an ever-increasing collection of detangling brushes.

Sally10 23 Sep 2017 2:38 PM

I use a natural bristle brush when I need to brush tangles out of my hair, or before washing it, but I usually let it dry naturally ( no brushing), as it is curly and too much brushing flattens it out.

Hayley644 23 Sep 2017 10:11 AM

Using a Lady Jayne Tangle pro at the moment, I have the compact version and the one with the handle. Amazing at detangling wet hair wish I'd bought one sooner.

Ellelily 22 Sep 2017 6:58 PM

I use a vented brush

djk 22 Sep 2017 4:54 PM

I use a vent brush because my fine hair gets tangled really easily - it is far less painful to use than the other types which get caught in my hair. Also the vents make it really easy to clean.

onlyoni 22 Sep 2017 4:46 PM

I use either brush no.3 or brush no.4 for my short hair.

AndreaJW 22 Sep 2017 4:20 PM

I use brush number 3 on my short hair.

clearcrystalwater 22 Sep 2017 3:02 PM

The Elite one looks good! If I had to grab one straight away from a glance at that page I think that would be the one I'd instantly go for.

Yohanna 22 Sep 2017 1:54 PM

The only ones that work for me are giant square paddle brushes

Beautybabe140194 21 Sep 2017 10:19 PM

Great to know the differences between different brush types. Had not idea a vent brush reduces blow drying time, I need one.

dishonfj 21 Sep 2017 9:43 AM

Informative article, never really thought about my brush, and it turns out I am using the wrong brush for my hair type, so I am going to get a Paddle Brush and hopefully get some better results.

MelissaFay89 19 Sep 2017 11:51 PM

I use #3

Sam91 19 Sep 2017 5:13 PM

I need to buy a good, reliable paddle brush.

Rpear 19 Sep 2017 4:23 PM

I like using the paddle brush ! It was good to read up on this because what I thought each were best suited to wasn't quite right haha!!! I thought the tube brushes were for curls ! Doh! Might have to get one ! Thanks BH!

Lucrecia629 19 Sep 2017 1:21 PM

A paddle brush is my go-to. I've tried boar bristles and I just don't like them. I don't like how they feel and I need to run a comb through my hair first. It's just easier to run my paddle brush over my hair a few times and be done with it.

freaky 19 Sep 2017 11:29 AM

I need to invest in a decent brush. The boar bristled ones sound like it may be a good choice

sunjeanie 19 Sep 2017 9:24 AM

I have a paddle brush that I got as a gift with purchase when I bought my Cloud 9 hair straightener. Looks just like the GHD one in the picture above. Definitely works much better than my cheapie Lady Jayne one - I was surprised at the difference a good quality brush makes to the appearance of my hair.

Princess Perfume 19 Sep 2017 8:48 AM

As i have a long bob i need to use a round brush to curl the ends -just wish they were easier to clean!

misfortune8 19 Sep 2017 2:15 AM

For the life of me I can't manage a round/radial brush through my long hair without getting it horribly tangled.

I love the tangle brushes for basic detangling & brushing, with a bristle brush for smoothing ponytails or updos.

My Scünci Straightening Brush should get a mention too. It's like two brushes hinged together like a pair of tongs. It's a great brush & I'm surprised they haven't become more popular!

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