Ceramic and ionic and boar bristle, oh my! There are lots of different types of hair brushes out there, and choosing one can be surprisingly complicated. You might know that a boar bristle or ceramic brush is better for your hair than a plastic drugstore brush, but…why is that, exactly? And which one, exactly, is the best brush for your hair type? We asked David Shablesky, Senior Education Development Manager at Moroccanoil, to help us break it down.
Best Brush for Fine Hair
Natural boar bristle is one of the best hair brushes for fine hair (or sparse hair). “One of the greatest boar bristle brush benefits is that they don't damage the hair while brushing,” David says. “The brush will not tear your hair, it will not split and fracture ends. The natural bristles gently massage your scalp, increase the blood flow—hence encouraging hair growth.”
Pro tip: to get more volume while blow-drying fine hair, David recommends overdirecting your hair (“overdirecting” is stylist speak for blow-drying hair in the opposite of the direction it usually falls).
Bests Brush for Medium Hair
Lucky you, you can use most types of brushes! When it comes to round brushes, though, consider the length of your hair—smaller barrels are better for shorter hair, while larger barrels are better for long hair.
Best Brush for Thick or Coarse Hair
Ceramic brushes are ideal for smoothing coarser hair textures. A high-quality ceramic brush is also perfect for blowouts: “Ceramic heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly,” David says. “Thus, ceramic brushes help speed up the hair drying process. By shortening the amount of time your hair is exposed to heat, ceramic hair brushes help avoid hair damage.”
Best Brush for Curly Hair
A sturdy detangling comb is an everyday must-have for curly hair. If you’re ready to rock your natural texture, the trick is to use it while you’re still in the shower (ideally after applying condition or a cleansing conditioner). Gently squeeze—don’t rub—with a towel, then avoid combs or brushes for as long as possible. If you’re looking for a sleek blowout, however, a ceramic paddle brush is your best bet.
One Last Note
It’s important to choose the best brush for your hair type —but it’s also worth considering your hair needs. For instance, boar bristle brushes are great for dry hair, because they help distribute your natural hair oils. They also play nice with damaged hair for the same reason they’re great for fine hair—they won’t snag delicate strands the way a sturdier-bristled brush might.