Are you using the right type of brush for your hair?


Beauty
25/07/2018
Still using the same old hairbrush? Here’s how to find your perfect match for gorgeous locks that last.

Choosing the best brush for your hair type means less breakage, better condition and easier styling – but if it’s been a while since you invested in some new kit, here’s what you need to know.

Sensitive scalp

If most brushes cause you scalp issues, give a paddle brush with wide set bristles and large ball tips a whirl. They gently glide through hair strands, plus the ball tips provide a gentle soothing massaging effect. To keep your scalp happy, using the right shampoo is essential – Head & Shoulders Sensitive Shampoo keeps your hair clean, soft and silky, but is also clinically proven to tackle the causes of an itchy, dry or sensitive scalp.

Curly hair

If you’ve been dealing with curls since childhood, you’ll already know certain brushes are not your hair’s friend. What you actually need is a combination of the right tools, used in the correct order.

Always detangle your hair when in the shower, using a wide detangling comb. It will help you gently brush conditioner through your hair and it’ll be smooth sailing through those wet ringlets. Once out of the shower, pat your hair dry, apply a smoothing or defining serum, then let hair air-dry for the best results.

When you need to brush dry hair, choose a large plastic paddle brush with bristles that are long and flexible so they don’t rip, tug or disrupt your curl pattern – and a good tip is to spritz the brush with hairspray first to help set curls as you detangle.

Thick hair

A specially designed plastic detangling brush will comfortably send knots packing. This is because these brushes have soft plastic bristles that get rid of tangles without yanking, snagging or pulling. Best of all, you can use them on wet as well as dry hair. But when you want to do a perfect blow out, you’ll want to invest in a thermal round brush. When wrapped around your hair, they cleverly create tension, which eliminates frizz and makes hair smoother and shinier.

Fine hair

Good quality vent brushes are your secret weapon. They have widely spaced bristles that pass easily through hair as well as rubber tips that prevent delicate hair strands from being shredded. What’s more, plastic brushes don’t create static, helping to prevent a fluffy look.

We also love how the air vents and open base cleverly allow both air and moisture to breeze through, which makes for quicker – and less-damaging – blow-drying. However, it’s still worth going gently and not pulling your hair too much because a combo of heat and twisting can cause hair breakage.

Long hair

Natural boar bristle brushes help make your locks look super-shiny. The reason? The boar bristles stimulate the scalp, distributing oils through the hair while also removing snarls without breakage.

The trick for a frizz-free, smooth blow-dry, is to make long strokes from root to tip, holding your hair dryer right next to the brush. When your hair is wet however, favor a wide-toothed comb. This is because wet hair becomes stretched by 20-30% so a rough touch can cause it to snap like a rubber band.

If your hair is knotted, always start from the ends to work tangles out. This way you’ll minimise breakage and keep locks luscious for longer.

Short hair

A small round brush is your ideal tool as it grabs and holds every strand, helping you create lift and volume exactly where you want or need it. Small brushes are also great for blowing out bangs or creating face-framing layers. For extra oomph, and style staying-power, apply a volume-boosting styling product to the roots before you blow-dry.

Be sure to visit Head & Shoulders for more tips and advice on caring for every kind of hair type.

Have you found these tips useful? Do let us know by leaving a comment in the section below.