Guide to Hair Brushes

For all those that asked me, "Which hair brush should I use?" I hope this helps.

Round brush - for straightening long or short curly hair

If you're after bouncy curls, or the perfect flick, this is the brush for you. It can also be used to straighten very curly hair or shorter styles.

If your hair is fine and liable to breakage, then it is best to use a small round brush.

Buy one with a wooden frame rather than a metal one, as this can cause the hair to scorch and burn.

Paddle brush - for quick-drying and straightening longer hair

This wide, flat brush is the must-have tool if you want to achieve a sleek, straight style.

Paddle brushes have large flat bases, making them best suited to longer hair, as they allow you to dry it straight and will hold a lot of hair at once.

Vented brush - adds volume to all styles and lengths

Thanks to the vented brush's wide-set spikes, air can circulate really well, which cuts down drying time compared other kinds of brush.

Vent brushes have vented hollow centres to allow a heated stream of air to flow through the brush and the hair, ensuring high-speed drying and making light work of root lift or adding volume to almost any style.

Cushion brush - for long, delicate hair

Ideal for medium to long length hair, a cushion brush is a good all-round groomer that's particularly effective at preventing unwanted static. This kind of brush is available with both natural and synthetic bristles and gently stimulates the scalp as it detangles the hair.

Cushion brushes are good for smoothing, shaping and styling. Having a cushion rubber base helps reduce the static electricity generated during brushing, and therefore its a great brush to use on fine and delicate hair.

It is also the best brush to use if you have a sensitive scalp, as it won't pull at your hair, like some brushes do.

Oval brush - for coarse, thick hair and extensions

Oval brushes are perfect if you happen to have very coarse, thick hair, as they are good at penetrating the hair deep down at the root without tugging at it too much. This gentle but effective groomer is also a good choice for curly styles and hair extensions.

Oval brushes are ideal for basic work - to smooth and detangle hair of all lengths.