Choosing the Right Hairbrush for Textured Hair

I want to be honest with you all. Even though I am licensed now, I never really knew what the different types of hairbrushes were for. I feel I didn’t know for one reason. I was mostly braiding hair when I started. All I needed was a rat tail comb and some Blue Magic. Now that I am a natural stylist, I aim to explore which hairbrushes are ideal. I want to find the best hairbrush options for our textured hair. But most importantly I wanted to make sure that I am using the right tools.

For my readers who are cosmetologists, did you guys ever really go over each tool thoroughly? Please comment below your answer or you can send me your story via email at [email protected].

Today, I am going to share what I have learned.

Different Hairbrushes

1. Detangling Brush

A detangling brush is used for detangling the hair. It’s pretty much self explanatory. You can use a detangling brush regardless to if your hair is wet or dry. Its helps to loosen the knots and tangles as well as reduce pulling and breakage. The bristles on a detangling brush is flexible which allows it to move with the hair.

2. Paddle Brush

These are also used for detangling. It was designed to cater more towards the long and thick hair girls. But depending on your curl pattern, it can cause tension. This brush has a wide surface to cover larger sections of hair. It can be made with nylon or boar bristles.

3. Denman Brush

This brush is also used for detangling. But this brush is thinner in size compared to a paddle brush. It is good to use this brush if you are defining your curls. I recommend using this brush for shorter hair.

4. Thermal Brush

This brush can be a paddle brush or a round brush. It was designed with materials used to conduct heat. This brush is great for blow-drying your hair.

5. Vented Brush

Also used for blow drying the hair. With the brush being vented it allows the air to. flow through for faster drying time.

Each hair brush has a specific job that they are used for. They all can be used for styling because some brushes will help you get the volume you want. While others will detangle and smooth the hair out.

Decoding Brush Bristles

Each brush has different types of bristles that they have. These bristles consist of boar bristles or nylon bristles. Although they both have some of the same pros. They are also 2 very different types.

1. Boar Bristles

• Help with oil distribution. These bristles are effective at distributing the hairs natural oils. It will help to naturally add shine to the hair. This is extremely beneficial for people who have brittle and/or dry hair.
• Because boar bristles help distribute the natural oils, it can help reduce frizz.
• They are also gentle on the scalp. This gentleness stimulates the scalp, promoting blood flow. Promoting that blood flow will eventually help with hair growth.

Boar Bristle hairbrush- Amazon- 9.99https://a.co/d/aDr6rBN

2. Nylon Bristles

• They are more durable than boar bristles. This allows these particular hairbrush to penetrate thicker hair types.
• Best for detangling. Nylon bristles are better suited for detangling because of their stiffness. Again they are great for thicker and curly hair types!
• Great for heat styling. If you are using heat these bristles can withstand high temperatures.
• Where boar helps with frizz, nylon does the opposite. Nylon bristles can sometimes lead to frizz or flyways.

Nylon Bristle hairbrush- Amazon-7.99https://a.co/d/2WmGdzE

3. Mixed Bristles (Nylon and Boar)

• Benefits of the combination. If your brush has a mixture of both bristles, you should be capable of seeing the benefits of having both.
• Performance. There should be a balance in the benefits. The nylon bristles should detangle, while the boar smooths and shines the hair.
• Because you have a mixture of bristles this brush is more versatile when styling.

Mixed (Boar and Nylon)- Amazon- 9.98https://a.co/d/hpkcPxK

References:

• yoaiahaircare.com |Boar bristle hairbrushes- The Ultimate Guide| Nanna Bundgaard (May 21,2023)| Retrieved: June 30, 2025
• hair.com by L’Oreal| Types of hair brushes: Which brush is right for you?| Zoey Washington and Powered by L’Oreal Professional Products Division| Retrieved: June 30, 2025
• creativeprohairtools.com| Insider’s Guide to hairbrushes| Retrieved: June 30, 2025