Did you know there’s a right way and a wrong way to brush your hair? The art of brushing hair may not be on everyone’s beauty radar because it seems so logical and obvious. But there are some surprising benefits of brushing hair properly depending on the circumstances and tools at hand!
Your hair care toolbox should include both a brush and a comb, which have different uses. Combs (preferably wide-toothed) are better at gently detangling wet hair in and out of the shower, and for preventing static. Brushes are faster and offer a nice scalp massage, but should be used with caution. Whether to use a comb or a brush also depends on your type of hair and its needs.
It’s tempting to start at the roots and brush downward to the tips. But this method of hair brushing is a recipe for yanking strands out of the follicle and causing breakage. This is the best method for how to brush dry hair, and see below for tips on how to brush wet hair.
You can maximize the benefits of brushing hair by working in sections and starting a few inches from the bottom. Then, move upward to the roots using short, slow strokes to detangle and smooth. This technique is much more efficient and is one way to prevent hair damage.
The consensus among hair experts is to brush hair once or twice a day to keep it healthy and strong. It is possible to overdo it when it comes to brushing hair, so focus on gentle detangling and preventing damage.
Use a detangling brush on dry hair in the morning to keep your mane tamed and knot-free. Straight and wavy hair benefit most from paddle brushes, but always look for thin, flexible bristles that are gentler on your strands. Almost all hair types look their best after a good hair brushing that distributes natural oils from the scalp to the lengths.
Brushing wet hair is usually not recommended. It’s better to brush hair that’s fully dry because there’s less chance of causing breakage or damage, and your range of brush options is much larger.
Hair is most fragile when wet. Before gently brushing wet hair, sop up as much water as possible with a microfiber towel. Even better: air-dry for 10 minutes. Also check out these after-shower frizz tips.
If brushing damp hair, use a hair-detangling product. For thick, curly, or tangle-prone hair, apply a conditioner or detangling spray to help smooth hair strands before brushing. Try Miracle Frizz Tamer or Fructis Pure Clean Detangler + Air Dry. And if you blow-dry your hair, reach for a soft styling brush that doesn’t tug out hairs or scratch your scalp.
Avoid brushing curly hair when it’s dry. Feel free to use hair detangling products like the Fructis line to make the process less arduous. Our article on detangling curly hair is also helpful.
Now that you know how to brush your hair properly, take the Garnier Hair Quiz to find your best hair routine!
Also see our collection of how-tos and tutorials on choosing the right hair care routine and get great general hair care tips.
