Lydia Newman was a Black female inventor and hairdresser born in 1885. Along with her lifelong fight for women’s rights, she patented the first hairbrush with synthetic bristles and became only the third Black woman to receive a patent. Her hairbrush was specifically designed to help tackle stubborn knots. Newman knew that brushes made with horse hair designed by white men, or combs invented thousands of years ago, were not going to tame the curls in her community, so she created something that would. Every single hairbrush on this list owes something to this visionary woman and her innovation. Newman understood that all hair types need different care, and so do we! Read on to find out which is the right hairbrush for you.
How to Brush Curly Hair Properly
There’s a rumor going around that brushing your hair will damage it. We’re here to tell you that this isn’t true. In fact, brushing your hair can be a great way to evenly distribute healthy hair oils from root to tip. But that doesn't mean you should rush out and grab your hair brush immediately and start dragging it through your curls. Before we talk about the right brush for curly hair, let's talk about the right way to brush curly hair.
- Keep it wet. Wet hair is your friend when it comes to brushing curls, unlike straight hair, which is better brushed when dry to avoid breakage. If you brush your curly hair when dry, you’ll end up with frizzy hair, and no one wants that.
- Start from the bottom. Contrary to popular belief, be sure to start from the tips of your hair to detangle, and work your way to the roots. This helps protect against damage.
- Spread the love. Don’t focus too much on one section, as over brushing can lead to hair damage.
- Don’t brush more than you wash your hair. Again, too much brushing can be bad for curly hair.
- Use products that work with curly hair, not against it. Lu’s Freedom Collection will set your curls free with its powerful blend of Moringa Seed Oil and Impossible Keratin™, which improves moisture retention, reduces frizz caused by humidity, and strengthens every hair strand for visibly healthy, bouncy, and beautiful locks.
Best Brush for Curly Hair
Denman Hair Brush for Curly Hair is a household name among people with curly hair. Designed in the 1930s, this popular brush has stood the test of time and remains one of the best brushes to define curls, thanks to its evenly spaced plastic pins that work to separate strands and deliver plenty of bounce.
Best Brush for Tangle-prone Hair
Detangling brushes earn their name by gently loosening knots without causing too much havoc on your locks. Save time and tackle your tangles in the shower with this Wet Brush Shower Detangler. Even better, use it to distribute Lu’s Freedom Conditioner all the way to the tips. Due to its design and shape, you can brush with less force but still remove the same amount of tangles.
Best Brush for Wavy Hair
It’s always a risk that you’re going to wave goodbye to your glorious waves if you brush with the wrong hairbrush at the wrong time. However, this boar bristle hairbrush is designed to work with wavy hair and leave it looking as luscious as ever. Natural bristles offer a gentle brush that’s great for distributing your hair's natural oils across each strand and bring out your wavy texture.
Best Brush for Straight Hair
Paddle brushes are a big hit among people with straight hair. This design can work through large portions of hair relatively quickly and distribute oil evenly as it glides through. This bamboo brush is a fine example of a high-quality paddle brush for straight hair.
Best Brush for Thick Hair
For thick hair, opt for a brush with a larger surface area for ease of styling. If you have thick coarse hair, we recommend a vented brush with wide-spaced nylon bristles, like this one on Amazon. This brush also works well with your hair dryer, as the vented bristles allow heat to be better dispersed during blow drying. And the curved shape is designed to hug your scalp, so that every stroke will feel like a relaxing head massage that works oils through your strands and leaves it looking incredible without any hair breakage.
Best Brush for Thin Hair
One way to combat thinning hair is to boost its growth with keratin. Impossible Keratin™ from Lu goes one step further than other keratin products by actually increasing hair's tensile strength, which is a measure of how much stress it can handle without breaking. Lu's proprietary vegan keratin formulation aids damage recovery while building hair strength fast, adding shine, and helping protect against further hair damage. Impossible Keratin is the secret superpower that fuel's Lu's Rescue, Freedom, and Control Collections. After you decide which is the right product for your hair type and mood, add the Tangle Teezer to your basket, too. This gentle brush has soft bristles that are designed to work with fine hair.
Best Brush for Short Hair
Are you working that trendy bob or pixie cut? For short hair, a vented brush with a smaller surface area and wide bristles, like this one, are among our favorites. For optimal styling that works with your blow dryer and reduces drying time, go for round brushes like this one from Conair.
Best Brush for Long Hair
When it comes to brushing long hair, size matters! Go for brushes with larger paddles, extended bristles, and longer arms that make for a more comfortable brushing experience that avoids pulling or snagging hair. The top-rated Moroccanoil Ceramic Paddle Brush is a fine choice for your long strands.
A good hair day often depends on a good hair brush. Different brushes can have different benefits depending on your hair texture, length, and type, while the wrong brush can lead to hair breakage and damage. Choose wisely, and don't forget to match it with the right hair product to leave you looking salon-ready!
