Nowadays, hairbrushes come in all kinds of types, sizes, and for different hair types. So there is a separate hairbrush suitable for every moment or desired purpose. But... how do you know which brush is suitable for your hair type? And which hairbrush do you use when? In this blog, we will tell you EVERYTHING about it!
What can you do with a hairbrush?
There can be many reasons to buy a hairbrush. The most common reason is to detangle your hair. Detangling your hair occasionally by brushing not only prevents knots, but is also very good for the scalp. It stimulates blood circulation. Your hair becomes nice and smooth and looks (hopefully... because that can sometimes go wrong ;)) less frizzy after use. Additionally, there are brushes you can use to create curls, waves, or volume. Which types of brushes there are, you can read in the next question!
What types of hairbrushes are there?
Nowadays, there are tons of types of hairbrushes for all kinds of different purposes. But what types of hairbrushes are there exactly? Here is a list of the most common hairbrushes:
Detangler brush
The detangler brush is specially developed to detangle hair, as the name actually suggests. With a detangler brush, you can easily and painlessly detangle hair without damaging it. The brush glides easily through the hair, resulting in untangled and silky soft hair.
Paddle brush
The paddle brush can be recognized by its large and wide design. This brush has a large surface area, making it suitable for a full head of hair. The hairbrush feels very comfortable because it has a flexible cushion inside.
Blow-dry brush
A blow-dry brush is the ideal brush to create an amazing look! Blow-dry brushes come in many diameters (different thicknesses), so you can always create the desired look. This brush is called a blow-dry brush because you often use it in combination with a blow dryer. You dry the hair with the blow dryer while creating beautiful curls or waves with the brush. Tip: the shorter your hair, the smaller the brush diameter you can use.
Styling brush
The styling brush ensures that not only the hair is detangled, but also that you can perfectly style your locks. After using a styling brush, your locks are silky soft and smooth.
Extension brush
The extension brush is specially made for people with extensions. It glides easily through the extensions without damaging the bonds of the extensions.
Vent brush
The vent brush is an ideal hairbrush to create volume for short to medium length hair. It is often used in combination with a blow dryer to quickly dry and style the hair.
What kinds of pins or bristles are there on the brush?
Now that we have gone through the types of hairbrushes, it is also important to know what kinds of pins or bristles are on these brushes. Based on these pins or bristles, you can choose which hairbrush is suitable for your hair type. There are 3 different types of pins and bristles that we will explain: nylon bristles, boar bristles, and metal pins.
Nylon bristles
Many brushes are made with nylon bristles. The bristles are soft and flexible, so they cause minimal damage to the hair and are gentle on the scalp. Because the brush has a good grip, they allow you to detangle your hair painlessly.
Boar bristles
There are also brushes with boar bristles. These are thin and soft bristles, which are 100% natural. This prevents hair damage and reduces hair breakage. Brushes with boar bristles give shiny, smooth, and soft hair!
Metal pins
Nowadays, most brushes have pins or bristles made of nylon or boar bristles. Brushes with metal pins still exist but are not as common as before. Metal pins can be very damaging to your hair and scalp. They get hot during blow-drying, which can help with curling the hair, but they can also get too hot quickly. The pins can get very hot, which not only damages your hair but can also be very painful for your scalp.
How can I best choose a hairbrush?
The best way to choose a brush for yourself is by answering a few questions. Of course, you can just buy a brush randomly, but isn’t it nicer to have a hairbrush that suits your hair? That’s why we’ve listed some tips below so you can pick the best hairbrush for yourself:
Tip 1 - What do you want to do with the hairbrush?
Of course, you have many different goals for using a brush. Do you just want to detangle and smooth your hair, or do you want to create more volume? These are important points to consider. That’s why it can be useful to have multiple brushes at home. For example: a detangler brush to detangle your hair, and a blow-dry brush if you style your hair often!
Tip 2 - Choose based on your hair type
Every hair type needs different care, so everyone also chooses a different kind of hairbrush. You can look at the bristles and pins to determine what type of brush you need.
Short/ medium length hair - For short/medium-length hair, it’s nice to use a small brush. Like a styling brush or a vent brush. These brushes have a small surface area and therefore damage your hair less quickly.
Long hair - Paddle brushes are mainly suitable for long hair because of their large surface area. You can easily catch all your strands with them, and they detangle painlessly.
Curly hair - This hair type is often coarse and tangles quickly. A brush like a styling brush or tangle teezer is definitely a must-have. It removes all tangles from the hair without damaging it, and it also ensures this happens painlessly. Do you often have frizzy hair, and is it impossible to get a brush through it? Then you can also go for a wide-tooth comb. This gently detangles your curls.
Tip 3 - Which properties do you find important?
It’s also important to look at the properties of different brushes. There are a few factors you can consider:
The handle of the brush
Water-resistant brush
Heat-resistant brush
Anti-static brush
What material is the brush made of
Which hairbrush is best to use with static hair?
Do you often have static hair? Then it’s best to use a brush with boar bristles. This makes your hair wonderfully smooth and shiny!
Which hairbrush is best to use with curls?
Curly hair needs special care, and the right brush really makes a difference! Always choose a brush without balls on the tips of the pins, as these can disrupt your curls and damage your hair. A brush with plastic pins helps gently detangle your hair without ruining the curl pattern.
The must-have for curls:Bounce Curl Styling Defining Brush This brush is specially designed for curly and wavy hair. The flexible pins help remove tangles without causing frizz. Plus, you can customize the brush by removing rows of pins, so it works perfectly for your hair!
Brushing hair a no-go? Then try a wide-tooth comb! It gently detangles your curls without frizz or loss of definition.
Which hairbrush is best to use with extensions?
Your extensions also need good care to keep them looking beautiful. It is therefore important to use a good extension brush with soft nylon bristles. The soft bristles not only keep the extensions in good condition but also keep your own hair healthy. By using an extension brush, you do not damage the bonds of the extensions, so you can enjoy them for a long time!
Which hairbrush is best to use for short hair?
To properly care for your short hair, it is useful to use a small brush. A brush with boar bristles is ideal for this. Thanks to the naturally flexible bristles, you can easily detangle your hair because you have a lot of grip on the hair, and this also minimizes damage.
When do I have a good hairbrush?
Above we have already discussed which brush is suitable for your locks, but to make it clear again which aspects are important, we have listed them once more:
What hair type do you have?
What kind of pins or bristles are suitable for your hair?
What kind of grip do you want?
What is the purpose of the brush?
What kind of material should it be made of?
Heat or water resistant?
Answer these questions and you will definitely have the right brush for your hair!
How often should I clean my brush?
We use brushes every day or even multiple times a day. Because they are so important, you should take good care of your hairbrush. Just imagine all the residue that actually remains in the brushes, especially if you use a lot of styling products. This is of course not very hygienic, so you should once in a while clean your hairbrush! If you want to keep your brush clean, we recommend cleaning it once a week. You can clean your brush in many different ways:
Remove the hair from your brush after brushing. You can do this with your hands or use a point comb to get every single hair out
Place your brush in water with, for example, shampoo or a brush cleaner