The Best Hair Brush for Every Hair Type | Martha Stewart

2022-06-25 04:49:32 By : Ms. Olivia Duan

Along with the correct shampoo, conditioner, and styling products, the right hair brush goes a long way towards keeping strands strong and healthy. Ultimately, you can't use just any brush—and these tools aren't one-size-fits-all. It's best to select an option with your hair type in mind, says Annagjid Kee Taylor, a celebrity hairstylist and the owner of Deeper Than Hair. "Certain bristles, such as synthetics, are better for thicker hair types—they cause less static. Natural bristles, on the other hand, will help distribute oils throughout the hair, which is great for thinner hair types," she says.

You'll also want to consider what you need your hair brush to achieve. Are you looking for something that detangles and is safe to use on hair that is still damp? Or are you searching for a styling tool? These are all questions you'll want to answer before making that purchase. "Determining whether you are looking for a detangler, an after-shower brush, or a styling tool will help you decide which option is best for you," affirms Whitney Eaddy, a celebrity stylist and the founder of Juices & Botanics, a hair growth company.

Once you identify and buy the right option for your needs, Taylor says to brush your hair at least twice per day to distribute your scalp's natural oils throughout strands; doing so will keep hair healthy and detangled. Excess brushing, she cautions, can irritate your scalp and cause breakage. For those with textured hair, Eaddy says it is important to brush hair after you shower and before you go to bed to ensure you are protecting hair from knots and tangles. (It will also make brushing come morning so much easier).

With all that in mind, we asked Taylor and Eaddy to share their top brush picks—and suggested several editor-approved favorites, too. Scroll down to find the best brush for your hair type and texture, and scoop it up quickly. Better hair days are on the other side of your purchase.

Related: How to Brush Your Hair the Right Way, According to Stylists

The Y by Yusef Cushion Paddle Brush has a wide surface to cover even the longest and thickest strands, while also gently detangling and smoothing hair. Plus at $20, it's one of the more affordable options on our list.

For fine hair, Taylor recommends a paddle or flat brush with boar bristles, since these types cause the least amount of stress to strands and better distribute hair's natural oils. We like Briogeo's Vegan Boar Bristle Hair Brush; its bristles have ball points at the ends to aid in that oil distribution process.

Eaddy recommends using a wide-tooth comb for wavy hair—the tool won't separate curls and can work through tough knots sans snags. As for her pick? She prefers the Luxy Hair Wide Tooth Cloud Comb, which was designed to detangle hair while keeping waves intact.

Both Taylor and Eaddy recommend purchasing a paddle brush if you have thick hair. "The sparse bristles help to penetrate the denser strands to remove tangles and create shine," says Taylor. We like the GHD Paddle Brush, which was created with thick hair in mind; it can smooth out strands gently without generating any static.

For curly hair, Taylor suggests a brush with tall bristles that spread wide; they should be able to define curl patterns gently. We like the Rizos Curls Pink Detangling Flexi Brush, which easily glides through curls and doesn't tug.

If you have type four curls, Eaddy recommends a brush from Denman. The Denman D31 Freeflow Styler 7 Row has flexible bristles set in wide rows; the brush gently glides through hair without pulling on strands.

Eaddy says to opt for a small, round brush if you have a short pixie cut. "This brush allows you to create maximum volume by gripping each strand from root to end," she says. Her pick is the Babylisspro Rotating Hot Air Brush 2 Inch, which boasts three temperature settings and a rotating barrel to give lift to super-short hair.

The Conair Ceramic Wood All-Purpose Boar Hair Brush is an affordable boar bristle option. Suitable for all hair types, this tool imparts maximum shine—and works well for at-home blow outs.

To comb wet hair, turn to the Wet Brush EPIC Professional Quick Dry. The open vented back allows for faster drying with less breakage, split ends, and pain when detangling. The bristles are flexible (and heat resistant if you decide to pair it with a blow dryer) and gently glides through strands when they are damp.

The Mason Pearson Popular Mixture Hair Brush is an expert favorite, and has been for years. It has boar bristles and nylon tufts to detangle coarse to fine hair and smooth strands with minimal breakage. Plus, it looks beautiful when left out on a vanity.

The Pattern Edge Tool is ultimately three tools in one. You can comb, brush, and style your edges however you'd like—or simply smooth them out. It's made with strong vegan bristles, which will get the job done.