Understanding when to use a comb vs brush for your specific hair type and desired style can significantly increase your hair game. Most people are brushing their hair with the wrong tool, and though it may not be the end of the world, they’re truly missing out on their hair reaching its full potential!
The battle of comb vs brush isn’t really a fair fight since both tools have their own unique benefits and specific purposes that can benefit different hair types and textures. The key is to know what devices works best for your hair needs so you can unleash your inner hairstylist for flawless, fabulous hair every day!
Comb vs. Brush: What’s the Difference?
Combs and brushes have different characteristics that make them suitable for different hair types and styling needs. Combs, typically made of plastic or metal, feature closely spaced teeth or prongs. They are ideal for detangling wet or dry hair, evenly distributing product, and creating precise partings.
Brushes, on the other hand, are usually made with bristles, which can be natural or synthetic. They are perfect for smoothing and styling, adding volume, and creating sleek looks. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right tool for your desired hairstyle.
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Types of Combs
Wide-Tooth Comb
A wide-tooth comb is a must-have for those with thick or curly hair. It has wide spaces between its teeth designed specifically for detangling and managing thick, curly, or textured hair. The purpose of a wide-tooth comb is to gently glide through hair without causing excessive breakage or damage.
Fine-Tooth Comb
A fine-tooth comb is a hair comb with closely spaced teeth. It is designed to be used for precise styling, creating sleek hairstyles, and achieving a smooth, polished look. Great for combing down baby hairs as well as teasing/back-combing hair.
Rat Tail Comb
A rat tail comb, also known as a pintail comb, is a hairstyling tool with a long, thin handle and a narrow, pointed tooth at the end. It is primarily used for creating precise partings, sectioning the hair, and performing detailed hair styling techniques like braids.
Detangling Comb
Similar to a wide-tooth comb, a detangling comb is designed specifically for detangling knots in hair. This comb features staggered teeth that gently glides through wet or dry hair to loosen tangles while minimizing damage.
Types of Brushes
Paddle Brush
A paddle brush is a type of hairbrush characterized by a wide, flat base with evenly spaced bristles. It is typically rectangular or oval-shaped and is commonly used for detangling, smoothing, and straightening hair. Paddle brushes are great for fast styling due to their larger size and do a great job stimulating the scalp for increased blood circulation.
Round Brush
A round brush is a type of hairbrush characterized by a cylindrical shape with bristles all around. It is commonly used for styling and creating volume, curls, and waves in the hair. Perfect for achieving voluminous blowouts, this brush comes in various sizes. Larger barrels add body, while smaller barrels create curls or waves.
Boar Bristle Brush
A boar bristle brush is a type of hairbrush made with bristles derived from boar hair. Boar bristles have a structure similar to human hair, which allows them to gently glide through the hair without causing damage or breakage. The bristles help to distribute the natural oils produced by the scalp, known as sebum, along the hair shaft. This natural conditioning effect can help to moisturize and nourish the hair, making it softer, shinier, and more manageable.
Vent Brush
A vent brush is a type of hairbrush characterized by a design that includes vents or openings along the brush head. These vents allow air to pass through the brush, making it a popular choice to use when drying wet hair. They’re often used for creating blowouts or achieving specific hairstyles using a blow dryer. The combination of the vents and the bristles allows for better airflow and heat distribution, making it easier to shape and style the hair while blow drying.
When to Use a Comb vs Brush
One of the first steps in determining whether to use a comb vs brush is to see for which hair situation you need to target.
Use a Comb:
- Detangling: Combs are excellent for removing knots and tangles gently, especially when hair is wet.
- Precise Styling: Whether you’re creating intricate updos or parting your hair for a specific style, a comb offers better control and accuracy.
- Even Product Distribution: Combs help evenly distribute serums, oils, or styling products, ensuring thorough coverage.
Use a Brush:
- Smoothing and Styling: Brushes excel at smoothing the hair’s surface, reducing frizz, and creating polished styles.
- Blowouts and Volume: A round brush is perfect for achieving voluminous blowouts or adding body and bounce to limp locks.
- Creating Waves or Curls: Brushes with heat-resistant bristles, such as a boar bristle brush, work well for shaping and defining curls.
Best Combs
The Body Shop Detangling Comb, Bamboo
The Body Shop Detangling Comb, Bamboo is designed to effortlessly detangle hair, ensuring smooth and manageable locks. With its dimensions of 13cm x 5cm, this comb is compact and easy to handle, fitting comfortably in your hand. Works well with wet or dry hair with its wide teeth specifically crafted to gently glide through knots and tangles, preventing breakage and reducing hair damage.
Kent 8T Fine-Tooth Rat Tail Comb
Kent 8T Fine-Tooth Rat Tail Comb is from the Kent brand, a favorite by barbers and hair stylists, used for all fine-tooth hair combing needs. This rat tail comb is 8″ for the perfect styling and detangling experience. Its thin rat tail end is great for easy sectioning, backcombing and teasing. It’s handmade from cellulose acetate, a non-petroleum based plastic derived from plants that has been found to create less static in hair, and is saw-cut to ensure a smooth surface that will not pull or snag hair follicles.
Louise Maelys Hair Comb Wooden Wide Tooth Comb for Curly Hair
Louise Maelys Hair Comb Wooden Wide Tooth Comb is crafted from natural sandalwood, designed to provide gentle and effective detangling for women with long, curly hair. Its wide-tooth design ensures minimal breakage and damage, making it ideal for those with delicate or easily tangled hair.
Best Brushes
Drybar Lemon Bar Paddle Hairbrush
The Drybar Lemon Bar Paddle Hairbrush allows you to experience salon-quality results with this professional paddle brush. Its wide surface area effortlessly smooths and detangles even the thickest of hair, leaving it silky and shiny. It has flexible bristles that work through tangles without pulling or tugging. Great for long, voluminous blow out styles.
Moroccanoil Ceramic Round Brush
The Moroccanoil Ceramic Round Brush helps you achieve the perfect blowout. There’s no question in comb vs brush when you want big, voluminous hair, a round brush is the way to go. Whether you want lifted roots or bouncy, waves and curls, the vented, ceramic barrel distributes heat evenly onto the hair, reducing damage and quickening drying time, while the ions condition the hair shaft for a healthier, shinier look.
Belula Premium Boar Bristle Hair Brush for Thick Hair
Belula Premium Boar Bristle Hair Brush for Thick Hair offers effective detangling and hair restoration. Featuring a combination of boar bristles and nylon pins, this brush gently glides through knots and tangles, minimizing breakage and promoting healthier-looking hair. It stimulates the scalp, distributing natural oils from the roots to the ends, resulting in softer, smoother, and shinier hair.
Olivia Garden Scalp-Hugging & Vented Combo Paddle Finger Brush
If you still can’t decide what kind of brush you want or need, the Olivia Garden Scalp-Hugging & Vented Combo Paddle Finger Brush is the ultimate combination brush that will suit all your hair needs. With its unique combination of bristles and vented design, this brush allows for effective detangling and airflow, reducing drying time and minimizing damage caused by heat styling. Whether you’re blow-drying, detangling, or styling, this vent brush is a practical tool for achieving smooth, voluminous, and salon-worthy hair.
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