A bad workman blames his tools but, in my experience, having the right hairbrush and knowing how to use it helps create a more professional finish. Brushing can harm the hair. Marilyn Sherlock, chairman of the Institute of Trichologists, advises against brushing daily. She also says before using a brush you should ensure that hair is tangle-free. Ask your hairdresser to recommend the right one for you.
The round brush
Perfect for styling curly or wavy hair as it does help get hair smooth and sleek. The bigger the brush the straighter your hair will be. Invest in a natural bristle brush that has a good grip. Before buying a brush, you need to ensure that it won’t scratch your hair. Marilyn suggests testing it by rubbing your hands over the bristles several times. Hairdressers tend to recommend boar bristles as they help to boost shine.
Ceramic round stylers, although they dry the hair quicker (the brush retains the heat from your hairdryer) than a bristle brush they are also, potentially, more damaging to your hair and can leave your tresses looking dull. Keep moving it to minimise damage.
Frédéric Fekkai Large Round Brush, £46.
This natural boar bristle brush is great for adding volume, straightening hair and creating curl.
Vent brush
Has widely-spaced flexible pins that allow air to flow through the vents. Ideal for drying short to medium hair that doesn’t have much curl. Plastic pins are reputed to be the kindest to hair.
Philip Kingsley Vented Grooming Hairbrush, £16.35.
This cushioned brush is has been designed to be gentle on the scalp. The holes allow heat through which speeds up the drying process. This comes in a larger size, Philip Kingsley Vented Paddle Brush (£22.50) which is designed for styling long hair.
Grooming Brush
Think of a good boar bristle brush on a rubber cushion and Mason Pearson’s range immediately springs to mind.
Mason Pearson ‘Small Extra’ hairbrush (model: B2) in dark ruby, £86.75.
Hairdressers love Mason Pearson brushes as they are said to be kind to the hair and last for ages. Ideal for grooming for most types of hair, this model has extra stiff natural pure boar bristles.
Don’t forget to wash brushes regularly.
Don’t forget to wash brushes regularly.
By Daralyn Danns
