Comb Vs Brush – Your Guide to Effectively Use Each Tool

We can’t deny that good hair can lead to a great day. There’s nothing quite like the burst of confidence after a fresh salon cut and style. While both brushes and combs aid us in achieving swoon-worthy tresses, they have different uses in maintaining and grooming our locks. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know on the comb vs brush battle and how to perfect your combing/brushing habits.

Comb Vs Brush – Your Complete Guide to The Haircare Tools

Choosing the right brush or comb to style your hair can really make or break your look! It might seem extravagant to have multiple combs and brushes filling your dresser. But you’ll be doing your tresses a huge favor by using the right tool for your hair type. Think about it – you don’t use the same brush for every step of your makeup routine! It’s time to show your hair the same love.

Brushes 101

Paddle Hairbrush

A paddle brush is a flexible, wide, flat hairbrush with an air-filled cushion allowing it to move around the contours of your head. A paddle brush is great for those with long, thick hair. Or if you get a lot of tangles and want to brush them out gently. The hairbrush is static-free and will help you achieve sleek, smooth locks without the dreaded frizz. On top of that, the paddle brush has extended bristles that massage and stimulate the scalp (yes, please) to promote hair growth. 

Round Hairbrush

While the round hairbrush isn’t a one-trick pony, it is famous for creating the much-loved blow wave. The reason round hairbrushes are used to achieve the infamous blow wave is that they’re made with ceramic or metal barrels that heat up. When used with a blow dryer, they’re like a hair curler with the added benefit of taming frizz and adding envious bounce and shine.

Vented Hairbrush 

The vented brush is ideal for those who need to blow dry their hair ASAP, without it looking poofy and out of control. The vented brush has space between the bristles allowing the hot air from the blow dryer to pass through, speeding up the drying process. All you need to do is pass the brush through your hair in one hand, followed by the blow dryer in the other. Using a vented brush with a blow-dryer will not only dry your hair quicker but will also smooth and straighten your locks.

Comb 101

Wide Tooth Comb

A wide-tooth comb is a comb with wide teeth that were made to resemble finger combing! It’s perfect for those with thick, curly hair as it is gentle and detangles without breakage. Because it’s so gentle, it can be used in the shower on wet hair. Use it to distribute your leave-in conditioner through the length of your hair. Or to work in a scalp treatment while giving yourself a relaxing massage! When combing wet hair, it’s important that you do so very softly, as wet hair is more susceptible to breakage.

Rat Tail Comb

A rat-tail comb has a narrow, pointed handle on one end – hence the name – and a comb on the other end. The handle is used for sectioning and styling the hair. Want a funky zigzag middle part or a precise line down the center for pigtails? The rat tail comb has got you covered. And that’s not all it does. The rat tail comb is used for teasing the hair because of the small spaces between the teeth. You can use the comb to add volume to ponytails or at the root of your scalp by gently brushing the hair upwards. 

How to Improve your Brushing/Combing Habits

Knowing when to use a comb or a brush when styling your hair can have a huge impact on the health of your locks. Let’s break it down.

When to Use a Comb

When it comes to detangling knots and brushing out tangles, a wide-tooth comb is your best bet. The multiple bristles on a brush can cause your hair to get tangled around them, leading to breakage. A comb is more gentle and will cause less damage due to its single row of teeth that combs the hair in one direction. The same goes for when our hair is wet. A brush can wreak havoc on delicate wet hair, so you’ll want to use a wide-tooth comb after the shower. 

When to Use a Brush

Don’t dismiss your trusty hairbrush just yet! After all, the round brush allows us to achieve bouncy blow waves, and the vented brush dries our hair pronto! Brushing your hair distributes the natural oils from your scalp to the rest of your hair, resulting in shiny, smooth locks. Plus, using a paddle brush that massages the scalp promotes blood flow and stimulates hair growth. After you’ve detangled with your wide-tooth comb, make sure to go in with your brush to give your hair some extra TLC.

What Tools to Use For Styling Your Hair

When it comes to styling, use a rat tail comb for teasing and sectioning the hair. A paddle brush to achieve straight, smooth locks. And a round brush for volume and waves. Your hair will be forever thankful.

Don’t forget to join our newsletter below!