When do you actually use a hair brush? Chances are you just grab what you see lying around and don't think much about it. However, each hairbrush has a different function, and in some cases, you might be better off using one brush over another. Are you lost in the woods? We're going to explain it to you in detail in this guide.
The types of hairbrushes
There are so many different hairbrushes on the market that we can understand that choosing the right brush is difficult. Which brush you need mainly depends on the type of hair you have. Additionally, your choice also depends on the result you want to achieve with it.
Paddle Brush
A paddle brush is also called a flat brush. You recognize it by its large square or rectangular shape, and it looks a bit like a paddle. Hence its name.
This brush has a rubber cushion from which bristles protrude. Usually, these are nylon pins with a plastic ball on the tip, but there are also variants with natural boar bristles without a ball.
A unique feature of this brush is its resilient cushion. This allows the pins to move flexibly during brushing and they will glide more gently through your hair. This brush is therefore very gentle on your hair and massages your scalp. Hair Oils are better distributed over the hair as a result.
Paddle brushes are good basic brushes and by far the most popular. They are ideal for daily smoothing or detangling your hair. You can also use this brushes well for straightening in combination with a hairdryer.
This brush is especially suitable for men with slightly longer hair. If your hair is short, you might be better off using a rectangular Paddle Brush or Oval Brush.
- Hair Type: Straight and wavy hair
- Length: Medium to long hair
- Ideal for: Detangling and smoothing
Oval Brush
This brush is an oval version of the paddle brush, also called a Classic or Pneumatic brush. The only difference is that it is somewhat smaller and the bristles are often closer together. This makes the brush also suitable for men with a short hairstyle.
Do you want to use this brush in combination with a hairdryer? Then keep in mind that you won't get your hairstyle as smooth as with a paddle brush. This is because oval brushes have a round shape.
- Hair Type: Straight, wavy, and curly hair
- Length: All hair lengths
- Ideal for: Detangling and smoothing
Vent Brush
You can use the Vent Brush recognize by its openings. These ventilation holes are called "vents" and provide better airflow. Vented brushes are therefore ideal for blow-drying your hair.
These brushes almost always have nylon pins with a small ball on top. They are often placed far apart, providing plenty of room for air movement. Your hair will dry much faster during blow-drying because of this.
Do you want to create volume or style your hair? Or are you just in a hurry? Then a vent brush is an ideal brush for you.
- Hair Type: Straight, wavy, and curly hair
- Length: All hair lengths
- Ideal for: Styling and creating volume
Military Palm Brush
A military palm brush is simply a brush without a handle. It is almost always oval in shape and filled with boar bristles or nylon. This brush dates back to the 18th century and was considered the ideal brush to take on a trip.
If you have short hair and want ultimate control, this is the brush for you. Many men think their hair is too short to brush, but the opposite is true. A brush like this helps improve the health of your scalp, remove dandruff, and distribute the hair oils for healthier hair.
- Hair Type: Straight, wavy, curly, and frizzy hair
- Length: Short hair
- Ideal for: Detangling and smoothing
Denman Brush
This is the most versatile brush in the lineup; the Denman Brush. You can style, detangle, and create volume with your hair using it. This brush is also known as a styling brush. It is recognizable by the nylon pins arranged in rows of 5, 7, or 9. This feature makes it easier to detangle your hair.
The head of the brush has a semi-cylindrical curve, allowing you to create a lot of volume. For men with short thin hair, this brush is ideal. You can style your hair to make your hairstyle look much fuller.
- Hair Type: Straight and wavy hair
- Length: Short to medium-length hair
- Ideal for: Styling, volume, and smoothing
Quiff Roller
A round brush, also known as a round brush or Quiff Roller, can be recognized by its cylindrical head. Due to this shape, the brush is mainly used to create waves, curls, or volume in hair.
For men with long hair, we advise against choosing a brush with a small diameter. This almost always leads to tangles and knots in your hair. Do you have a short hairstyle? Then choose a brush with a small diameter, this gives a firmer curl.
- Hair Type: Straight, wavy, and curly hair
- Length: Short to medium-length hair
- Ideal for: Styling, waves, curls, and creating volume
The types of brush bristles
Besides the enormous choice of different types of hairbrushes, there are also different types of bristles you can choose from. Generally, there are three. Synthetic, boar, and mixed bristles. Which type you need depends on the type of hair you have and what you want to use a brush for.
Synthetic hair
The best choice to tame thick, long, and unruly hair. Only nylon pins can penetrate this type of hair well. These stiff pins offer a lot of grip and are therefore extremely suitable for detangling hair. You also prevent your hair from becoming static with synthetic hair.
- Hair Type: Thick hair
- Ideal for: Detangling
Boar bristle
Boar bristle is 100% natural and very suitable for brushing fine and short hair. Because these bristles are soft and flexible, your hair will be less likely to get damaged or break. Boar bristle ensures that your hair cuticles are closed during brushing, thus maintaining the moisture balance of the hair. The natural oils of the hair are also distributed to the ends with boar bristle. This results in a shiny, soft finish.
- Hair Type: Fine, fragile, and thin hair
- Ideal for: Shine and improving the health of the scalp and hair
Mixed hair
A combination of boar and synthetic hair is seen by many as the best of both worlds. The boar bristle makes your hair smooth, soft, and shiny while synthetic hair optimally detangles your hair. These hybrid brushes are therefore suitable for all hair types.
- Hair Type: All types of hair
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Ideal for: Detangling and shine
How to clean a brush?
Remove the hair from your brush every time you use it. You can pull these hairs out with your hands, but there comes a time when your brush is full of hairs that are difficult to remove. Very annoying. By using a tool like the Bossman The 'Claw' Beard Brush Cleaner, you can easily remove these hairs. You can use this Brush cleaner for brushes with boar bristles and nylon pins.
The best brushes
Finally, we have selected three brushes for you. These brushes each have unique properties. Which one suits your hair best?
Denman D3 Original Styler 7 Row
If you are looking for an all-in-one brush, then this is your brush. Whether you want to detangle, smooth, or add volume to your hair, this versatile brush can do it all. The Denman D3M also has very soft nylon pins that do not damage your scalp.
Mariella Martinato Buffalo Horn Brush
Do you want to indulge yourself with pure luxury? This brush from Mariella Martinato is handmade in Italy. Each brush is a unique piece of craftsmanship. Made from walnut woody and decorated with real buffalo horn. The bristles are made from dark boar hair. Ideal for men with thicker hair. This is a natural product, so no two brushes are the same.