6 Different Hair Brushes and What They're For
How many brushes should I own?
I asked Clarissa, founder of The Hair Routine, why she carries so many brushes in her purse. Her answer was:
“You should see how many I have at home.”
Why it's important to have different types of brushes? I own a single comb and never thought I'd need more than that. Clarissa was kind enough to explain the different types of brushes and their functionalities.
6 Types of Hair Brushes and Their Functionalities
1. The natural wooden or bamboo brush
It can be made of any type of wood. The firm, wooden bristles make this type of brush perfect for a relaxing acupressure-style scalp massage. Doing this regularly increases blood circulation in your scalp which stimulates faster hair growth. It's also great to use throughout the day because the wooden bristles do not produce any static. The paddle-style brushes (square-shaped) are great for long thick hair, and they're more resistant and durable than others.
2. The boar-bristle brush
Attention! This is NOT a vegan-friendly brush. Nevertheless, I will mention it because, apparently, it's a “must-have item” for this list. The boar-bristle brush goes a long way back in history. It was originally invented because hunters didn’t want to waste the extra fur from the animals they ate, so they used it for brushes. Of course nowadays, this isn't sustainable. Why are they so famous and good? The fact that the bristles are so thin and close together helps distribute the natural oils from your scalp to the ends WON-DER-FULLY. Plus, it gives a tickling sort of massage that's amazing for relaxation before your shower or before going to sleep.
3. The wide toothed comb
Wide combs (or your fingers if you prefer) are the best for untangling hair when it's wet. Hair is three times more fragile when it's wet. Dry it out with a soft towel first and then use a wide comb to avoid any breakage. If you can get your hands on a wooden one, even better!
4. The hand-held brush/massager
Or what everyone calls them these days: “tangle teezer”. The Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Brush is actually a brand, but I have seen more brands come up with the same type of brush. They are easy to grab which allows better control and maneuver. Plus they come in all types of colourful designs.
5. The rat-tailed comb
Ideal to section your hair, nothing strikes a line better than the rat-tailed comb. I feared this comb when I was younger because my mom used to run it through the strands and not precisely to section it. Use it for cute hairstyles or to guide you if you cut your own hair.
6. The afro pick
The perfect frizzy-puffy afro hair can only be obtained with this short tooth metal comb. This is brush was and will always be a cultural statement accessory.
Okay, so maybe you don’t have all these types of brushes or maybe you have 11 different types like someone I know (Clarissa?). Remember that brushing too much can be too much for your strands to handle! Experts affirm that detangling your hair or massaging your scalp by only using your fingers (be careful with long nails) can be as good as using a comb. No matter what you decide to use, be gentle, and start from the ends working your way up to the scalp to untangle without trouble. For a complete and elevated technique, get your personalized Hair Routine here.
