What type of Hair Brush to buy

Some women may think they’re going bald when really they are simply damaging their hair. Minimize stress to your hair and avoid tight hairstyles, chemical treatments, dyes, flat irons, fine-toothed combs, hot blow dryers and tight or metal hair clips or ties. Since hair is more fragile when wet, don’t brush or aggressively towel it right after washing it.

 

A paddle brush is a wide, flat brush, generally with a rectangular head, that’s appropriate for virtually any hair type. Its purpose is to detangle and remove loose or previously shed hairs. It’s also good for smoothing long straight hair.

• Vented brushes have vents cut in their bodies. The idea is that the warm air from the hairdryer will pass through the holes and get to the hair itself more quickly, thereby decreasing drying time.

• Round-barrel brushes are one of the most commonly used styling tool tools because they allow you to roll your hair around the brush and essentially set it in a curl. There are two basic types — those with ceramic barrels, and those with metal barrels.

“I like the synthetic-bristle metal brushes because they heat up as if you were heating a roller,” says Marri Aviza, co-owner of Rumors Spa and Salon. “Therefore, it makes the blowdry last longer if you have fine hair. But if you have medium or thicker hair, that’s when the ceramic brushes are absolutely beautiful.

“There are so many different theories,” she continues. “Some people like to use a paddle brush first, but I don’t — especially on fine hair. I like to use a lighter product — like a mousse or a root lifter — and then a round brush that has some type of metal or ceramic on it. I prefer metal, because it heats up and will give you that bouncy, full blowdry, as opposed to ceramic, which will give you a smooth look and doesn’t last as long.”

• Square brushes are sometimes used in the same manner as round brushes — to blow out hair and create a wave at the end. The difference is that with square brushes, each corner creates a slight resistance as you twirl the brush, which means it grips better.

• Teasing brushes have short and long bristles that catch the hair as you brush it up the shaft. They’re used to create volume and achieve that unmistakable teased look.

• “Looped brushes” are specially designed for people with hair extensions. Each bristle is actually a tiny loop, with each end of the bristle embedded in the pad of the brush. The design is intended to prevent catching or pulling that could rip the extension from your head.