Choosing the Right Hairbrush for Shine, Volume, and Healthier-Looking Hair
The right brush can make a huge difference in how your hair looks and feels. “Figure out what results you’re looking for, then enlist a brush,” says LA hairstylist and Virtue Labs creative director Adir Abergel, who is also one of Gwyneth’s favorite stylists.
Different kinds of bristles and even different brush shapes alter a brush’s effect on your hair. For instance, a broad shape is better for smoothing and defrizzing, while bristles with ball ends are best for detangling (and give the best scalp massage). Whether you’re looking to boost shine, smooth frizz, detangle wild curls, or give fine hair some body and a playful bit of bend, start with the brush you’re using.
1
TO STRAIGHTEN AND ADD SHINE: PADDLE BRUSH
Bristles:
Densely clustered nylon or boar bristles (or a combination of both).
What it does:
“A broad shape is great for smoothing your hair flat, removing volume where you don’t want it and giving the ends a strong, straight finish,” says Abergel. “Paddle brushes are designed with bristles emerging from a soft cushion, so they conform to your scalp as you glide the brush through your hair, making them perfect for blow-drying your hair shiny and straight.” The wide, flat base paired with the gentle bristles makes it brilliant for styling large sections of hair and longer lengths—it helps defrizz and smooth the cuticle as it combs through snarls and knots.
2
TO BOOST VOLUME AND BOUNCE: ROUND BRUSH
Bristles:
Curved boar or synthetic bristles.
What it does:
“If you lack volume, a round brush creates body, giving the illusion of more hair,” Abergel says. “The shape builds lift at the scalp and creates a curved finish on the ends. A boar-bristle brush is my favorite because it creates the right tension and flattens the cuticle to give you the maximum amount of shine.”
3
TO DETANGLE AND STIMULATE THE SCALP: DETANGLING BRUSH
Bristles:
Wooden or nylon pins.
What it does:
“A detangling brush is important for everyone because it helps prevent damage,” he says. “It’s also great for stimulating the scalp.” Here, a beechwood handle makes for an easier grip, and the spaced-out wooden pins and soft rubber cushion protect the scalp from getting scratched (the wooden pins also feel amazing).
4
TO SMOOTH: FINISHING BRUSH
Bristles:
Boar bristles and nylon tufts.
What it does:
“The combination of boar and nylon in this brush helps with grip and shine, distributing oils throughout the hair to create polish,” Abergel says. “If you want that kind of old-Hollywood red-carpet hairstyle, curl your hair first, then brush out the curls for a smooth, glossy look. This one is the perfect finishing brush.”
5
TO GET THE GENTLEST BRUSH-THROUGH: PALM BRUSH
Bristles:
Bendy plastic bristles.
What it does:
Made by British hairdresser Tim Binnington for his wife when she was growing her hair back after an illness, this flexible, bendy brush molds to the shape of your hand, so it creates less tension as you brush it through. It’s waterproof, so it’s great for brushing treatments through hair in the shower with its gentle, snag-minimizing bristles.
EXTRA CREDIT: SCALP-MASSAGE COMBO
What it does:
Use this gorgeous hand-cut jade comb for a gua sha massage for your scalp. Based on the ancient Chinese therapy of gua sha—which involves smoothing a sculpted massage tool over the face or body—a massage with this comb feels absolutely incredible (especially after using the Cold Processed Scalp Detox tonic). Invigorating for the scalp and relaxing for the spirit, it’s our favorite daily ritual.
How to Clean a Brush
There are few rules as to how often you should clean a hairbrush. “It all depends on how quickly it gets dirty, which depends on how often you brush, the type of products you use, and the texture of your hair,” says Flore des Robert, cofounder of the French brush company La Bonne Brosse.
Regardless of the type of brush bristles, begin cleaning your hairbrush by removing loose hair, dust, or fuzz between the bristles and spikes. A comb or miniature rake designed for this purpose works great (we love this one from Crown Affair).
“Every time you use your brush, remove the hair stuck between the pins of the brush,” says des Robert. “It helps avoid spreading the accumulated dirt through your hair and extends the life of your brush.”
Clean your brush more thoroughly about once a month. For brushes made with natural fibers (like boar bristles or wooden pins), run a damp cloth between each bristle to gently clean the brush and remove any dust in it. Then let your brush air-dry naturally, with the bristles facing down. Don’t soak your brushes in water, which can degrade the bristles.
For synthetic brushes (like the Manta) and combs: Gently scrub with lukewarm soapy water, rinse, and air-dry.
