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It can be confusing to figure out all the different types of hair brushes and their uses. Having different hair brushes is great to take care and of your hair whether it’s wet or dry, fine or thick, curly, or straight, or if you’re staying to style it in a particular type of way.

 

What you don’t need to do is buy every brush out there. While there are a lot of different brushes out there in every shape, size and material, it’s important to understand what you’re looking to get out of your hair so you can buy the right brushes. 

 

 

What are different-shaped hair brushes for?

The right brush is worth searching for! Hair brushes can help with frizz, reduce breakage, and produce a smoother or more voluminous blow dry. Hair brushes can make a big difference in your hair’s health and style, so read on to learn the difference among the different hair brushes, and what hair brushes are right for your needs.

 

Hair Detangler Brush

Great for: Detangling

Hair Types: All

Hair detangler brushes work for every hair type. Because of it’s long, wide-tooth bristles, it brushes through the hair with ease without pulling on any of your delicate strands. Hair is at its most delicate when wet so you’ll want to grab a detangling brush for combing out hair after the shower.

 

Cushion Brush

Great for: Making hair shinier, stimulating hair growth, loosening dandruff

Hair Types: All

A cushion brush has a rubber base and plastic bristles. Because they have a soft rubber base, these are good for rubbing against your scalp whether you are trying to stimulate hair growth or loosen dandruff. 

 

Round Hair Brush

Great for: A bombshell blowout

Hair Types: All

Round brushes are best for styling a blowout. Creating tension with a round brush while focusing the blow dryer on the hair in the round brush can create smooth, loose curls. Round brushes are available in different sizes. A large round brush is best for those with thick, long hair while a smaller round brush is better for those with thin or short hair.

 

Boar Bristle Brush

Great for: Defeating frizz, creating shine 

Hair Types: Fine and medium hair

Boar bristle brushes are made with actual boar hair. When rubbing a boar bristle brush against your scalp, it can distribute oil from your scalp throughout your hair which is great if you are trying to get rid of frizz. This also make your hair shinier. Boar bristle brushes are great for use on dry hair when blow dryer or when brushing out curls.

 

Curved Hair Brush

Great for: Getting every hair

Hair Types: All

Curved hair brushes are designed to conform to the shape of your head. This can make them great at catching every strand and picking up more hair than other brushes.

 

Vented Hair Brush

Great for: Drying hair quickly

Hair Types: All

Vented brushes have vents out the back that allow air to get in. They are great brushes if you want a quick blow dry to dry your hair fast as you can hold the hair steady with the brush as you aim the blow dryer. 

 

Mixed-Bristle Brush

Great for: Detangling dry hair, smoother hair

Hair Types: Fine and medium hair

A mixed-bristle brush is a combination of boar bristles and nylon bristles, with the nylon bristles extending beyond the boar bristles. This brush is great at both detangling and creating shinier hair.

 

Paddle Hair Brush

Great for: A quicker blow dry

Hair Types: Fine or medium hair

Paddle brushes are great for many different uses. Their large surface area means you can dry your hair faster with a blow dryer. Paddle brushes can come with different types of bristles, but a mixed-bristle paddle brush will be great for detangling and distributing your hair’s oils throughout.

 

Teasing Brush

Great for: Backcombing hair, tame flyaways, style edges

Hair Types: All

A teasing brush or teasing comb allows you to tease the hair for volume, but you can also use it tamp down frizz, style edges, or section hair while styling. 

 

Rat Tail Comb

Great for: Sectioning hair

Hair Types: All

Rat tail combs are perfect for sectioning hair when styling. The pointy handle is great for getting a precise part in the hair. 

 

Wide-tooth comb

Great for: Detangling, avoiding Damage

Hair Types: Thick, curly, and textured hair

Wide-tooth combs are used for curly, thick, and textured hair types. Because the teeth of the comb are far apart compared to other brushes, a lot of hair can pass through between so there’s no risk of breakage or creating frizz. They are also great for gently combing through wet hair after a shower and avoiding damaging wet hair.

 

What are the least damaging hair brushes?

Detangling hair brushes are great are great for all hair types in working through wet hair without snagging your strands.

 

Boar bristle brushes are gentle for brushing out fine hair. (Note: These aren’t idea for those with thick or curly hair.)

 

Wide-toothed combs are excellent, ultra-gentle brushes for those with thick, curly and textured hair.

 

What is the best brush for frizzy hair?

 Mixed-bristle brushes are great for frizzy hair. They detangle and easily distribute your scalp’s oils throughout your hair which results in shinier, smoother hair. 

 

Different Types of Hair Brushes and Their Uses Conclusion

When buying a hair brush, consider your hair type and what your goals are for your hair. When considering boar bristles, mixed-bristle brushes, or nylon bristles, keep your hair type in mind so you can detangle without creating more frizz. 

 

These were 11 different types of hair brushes and their uses!