How To Brush Your Hair Correctly

Ultimate Guide To Men’s Hairbrushes

​How easy is brushing hair?

Simple, right? You do it every morning…

Same technique, same tool…

But what if I told you…

You’ve been doing it wrong your whole life?

Sounds kind of silly? Hear me out…

There might be a BETTER brush you’re unaware of…

that could breed a hairstyle that gives you more confidence…

It’s possible – with the right info.
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Below is everything you need to know about men’s hairbrushes.  ​

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The Right Hairbrush for Your Hair Type.

​Straight Thin Hair
When it comes to straight hair in general, there’s a 3-inch rule: if your hair doesn’t bend within the first 3 inches of length from the scalp, it’s straight.
Here are some details that distinguish thin straight hair from its thick counterpart:

• Thin straight hair has a more fragile texture, which means it has to be brushed more carefully.
• It’s more lightweight and tends to fall flat over your head.
• There’s more difficulty in increasing its volume (which is why some men choose a side part hairstyle to shape it up).
• It can get weighed down by hair products, causing the strands to look stringy.
• It’s more prone to becoming oily.

​Straight Thick Hair
These are the key points about thick straight hair that separate it from its thin equivalent:

• Thick straight hair covers the scalp better.
• It contains all 3 hair layers – the cortex, cuticle & medulla – which means it takes more time to dry up.
• The texture isn’t as fragile as thin straight hair, so it can be styled in different ways more easily.
• It may be resistant to certain chemical treatments/relaxers or hair coloring.
• It can have more volume if layered correctly by a stylist
• It tolerates heat better

Wavy Hair
This category refers to the wave-like patterns created by slightly curving hair. The hair shafts do NOT coil up within the first 3 inches of length. Instead, they resemble loose and stretched out S-shapes.

You can grow out wavy hair to resemble a mini lion’s mane and enjoy plenty of texture. However – this will require more maintenance.

One advantage of this hair type is flexibility – it can be styled in several different ways. It’s also less likely to be tousled by the wind than straight hair is. But it also frizzes easily, so it’s important that you maintain the waves.
 
Coiled Hair (Curly With Large Curls)
Large curls require that the shafts create very distinct S-shapes (the more extreme ones being E-shapes) within the first 2 inches from the scalp. People with coiled hair are blessed with lots of coverage over the head.

There are guys who get to grow their hair out and become a “white boy ‘fro.” They don’t have to resort to the same fancy styles that straight-haired men use to add volume.

The actual hair strands here can either be coarse or fine (although it’s more often fine). Coarse strands are more prone to frizziness while with fine strands, it’s harder to create well-defined curls.
 
Kinky Hair (Curly With Tight Curls)
This is the most textured hair type. Its coiled intervals are so short that the shafts form sharp Z-shaped twists (hence “kinky”). These twists form within the first half-inch of length from the scalp.

Kinky hair is most commonly found in men of African descent. The hair can be grown into a classic Afro and gain lots of volume. You can also choose to shave it off and make it a fade cut.

The downside is these coils aren’t as well-defined as large curls, due to their naturally short state. They require much more maintenance since they can look fuzzy and unkempt after some time. Dryness and shrinkage may also be serious problems if you’re not careful.
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Understanding Men’s Hair Brushes

​Choosing the right hair brush can solve different problems your hair might face, or even prevent them from happening at all. That’s why you need to start by knowing the anatomy of a brush.  

As shown above, each hair brush type is totally dependent on the 3 major parts.  

Oval hairbrushes are usually the oval version of the Paddle brush, which does a fantastic job in massaging your scalp and redistributing hair oils.

Rectangle hairbrushes range from the Denman brush or Vented brush to the thinner, rectangular kind of Paddle brush. All of these can create more volume at the roots, flip up the hair or curl it under.

Square hairbrushes are basically the original Paddle brushes (as they resemble paddles). They’re useful in getting rid of frizz or tangles without putting much pressure on the hair.​

Round hairbrushes have either natural or synthetic bristles all over the head. When partnered with a blow dryer, they work great for shaping your hair into multiple styles. But they also come in various sizes – compatible for tight curls or even long waves – so choose the brush size carefully based on your hair length.

​Each Type Of Men’s Hair Brush

Below are the other men’s hairbrush types which are worth considering. Each one of them has its own set of advantages.
 
Pocket Comb

• I love how simple yet effective the pocket comb is. The teeth are closely packed together, allowing it to evenly distribute moisture or product all over the hair.
• Smaller versions can grab at the roots better, which makes it easier to smooth the hair out or style some bangs. This comb also helps if you use any medication for your scalp.
• Best for: Thick Short Straight Hair

Rectangle Brush

• This is a less common form of the paddle brush with a longer and narrower head.
• Best for all hair types

Vented Brush

• This is an all-purpose type of hairbrush. It styles your hair without flattening its shape or hindering the texture. It’s a great choice for adding more volume.
• The bristles are flexible, widely spaced and they pass through the hair smoothly. Holes are included along the backside to allow more airflow. These so-called vents speed up the drying process while heat from the blow dryer targets the hair from different angles.
• Best for: Thin/Thick Straight Hair (any length), Wavy Hair (any length), Coiled Hair (any length)

Military Palm Brush

• If you want ultimate control whenever you brush your hair, this is the type for you. It’s usually made of nylon bristles that efficiently detangle and smooth the hair.
• There’s a durable strap on the back that helps keep your hand stable as you move it around.  It only takes a couple of strokes – going in the direction of the hair growth – to fix up your hair fully.
• Best for: Thin Short Straight Hair, Short Wavy Hair, Coiled Hair (any length), Kinky Hair

Wide-Tooth Comb

• This comb has a row of teeth which are more widely spaced than the average comb or pocket comb.
• The material is normally wood or plastic, but wooden combs are better in distributing oil/product evenly without causing static.
• It runs through the hair smoothly, making it easier to detangle strands.
• It doesn’t require much pulling on wet hair, so there is less risk of damage.
• Best for thin/thick short straight hair, kinky hair and coiled hair (any length).

Oval Brush

• This is an oval version of the paddle brush, with bristles that are more tightly packed.
• Best for wavy hair (any length) and coiled hair (any length).

Paddle Brush

• This brush effectively flattens out frizz, adds more shine and massages the scalp.
• The bristles emerge from a soft rubber cushion that makes them collapse as they touch the scalp – preventing hair from getting split or stretched out.
• The tips are designed to minimize scalp damage or hair snagging.
• It’s recommended that you use it before flat ironing.
• Best for thin/thick long straight hair.

Round Brush

• This cylinder-shaped hairbrush comes in different sizes (smaller ones form tighter curls) and bristle types.
• A round metal barrel (which contains the bristles) gives it a more defined movement.
• The handle comes in a variety of grips that provide traction.
• It’s useful for styles in which the strands have to bend more.
• It’s perfect for men who want to fix up their curls or wavy patterns. 

Denman Brush

• This men’s hairbrush is also known as the classic styling brush.
• The head is designed to bend the hair slightly while you’re brushing it.
• There are traditionally 5, 7 or 9 rows of bristles in order to undo all tangles.
• It does a great job in redistributing oil – adding more shine to your hair.
• Best for short-haired guys who want their hair to appear slightly thicker.

Hair Pick

• This is a flat, squarish comb that’s equipped with long teeth and a handle along the midpoint.
• It’s useful for styling/grooming longer hair.
• Best for kinky hair.

Foldable Comb

• This comb is exactly what the name describes – foldable. The teeth are spaced together tightly.
• The handle also functions as a casing, which comes in handy if you want to take the comb with you to groom your hair throughout the day.
• Best for thin straight hair.

​Hair Brush Sponge

• This is a specialized men’s hairbrush made of high-quality, spongy material.
• It’s meant to run through the hair in small circular motions with a light touch.
• Tiny holes are designed to ensure ideal spacing between each of the twists of your hair.
• It must be used on hair that’s a little damp (using either water or gel).
• Best for kinky hair.

Hair Brush Bristle Types​

Here’s a breakdown of the different types of hairbrush bristles and the benefits of each one.  

Nylon

• This type works best on hair with less texture.
• The stiffness allows your hair to be molded into the exact style you want.
• Round plastic tips help stimulate blood flow to the scalp in order to combat dandruff.
• It’s useful for gentle brushing along the edges (but not ideal for tangle-free hair). 

Wooden

• This type helps naturally condition the hair by evenly transporting the oils all over it.
• The bristles are durable but run through the hair gently (without producing static).
• Since they’re wider, there’s less chance of breaking off strands of hair while brushing.
• The bristles also function like “massaging fingers” and help increase circulation on the scalp.

Comb Teeth

• The teeth of a comb are designed to make pulling, styling and parting the hair much easier.
• They effectively divide the hair into sections, and a real hairbrush can be used to finish the job.
• They’re great for removing stubborn knots or tangles.

Boars Hair

• Natural boar bristles help replenish the oils on all areas of the scalp.
• Compared to other types, it pulls through coarse hair seamlessly – reducing frizz and improving texture overall.
• It works great for many different hairstyles, hair types, and textures.

Mixed Bristle

• This bristle type is for hybrid hairbrushes (also known as porcupine brushes).
• It combines boar and nylon bristles to get rid of all tangled, coarse strands of hair.

Click here to watch the video – How to brush your hair…correctly?

This article first appeared on RMRS - Real Men Real Style