Hair-brushing can be a harrowing process for those with the most manic of manes.
But the thing the frizzy-haired fear most may also be their styling solution: the brush.
Stylists say that a quality, detangling brush is the first line of defense, according to three hair experts who recently told The Post their top recommendations and tips.
“A good brush will save the health of your hair. Most people have hair damage whether its chemical or environmental,” said Jill Buck, a stylist at Nine Zero One Salon in West Hollywood, California, and a bad brush will only exacerbate the damage, leading to hair that can “break more easily.”
Compared to other brushes, the job may take more time with a detangle-friendly brush – designed with more flexibility so it won’t tug too hard on knotted strands — but “it’s well worth it to keep your locks in good shape,” said Matthew Collins, celebrity hairstylist and global styling ambassador for Dyson Hair.
“What I look for in a good detangling brush is how long the bristles are. The longer, the better to help glide all the way through the hair,” Buck told The Post. “Also how far apart the bristles are: closer together is better for smoothing and styling, where wider apart bristles help blast through those tangles.”
Here’s a tip: According to Collins, always start to detangle your hair from the ends and work your way up to the mid-shaft, and then onto the roots at the ends. This will help to prevent knots and excessive breakage.
1. The Original Wet Brush (set of 2), $13
Collins recommends the cult-favorite Wet Brush as an “all-around” option for those with medium-thick hair types that don’t get overly tangled.
“I normally use this brush in the shower while my conditioner is in my hair, and it will glide through nicely. [Due to] the wider space between bristles it keeps my hair brushed out, but does not upset my curl pattern,” Collins said.
Collins also flagged that those with very fine hair should opt for a different brush since the “cushion base can retract and catch your hair and cause pulling.”
“It’s perfect for just about anyone, [including] kids!” Ashley Ruiz, stylist at Nine Zero One Salon, said about the Wet Brush. “I prefer this brush after just washing my hair. I like it best either in the shower [when I’m] brushing a mask or conditioner through or after with a leave-in conditioner.”
2. Tangle Teezer The Original Detangling Hairbrush, $10
For a more gentle feel, Buck recommends giving the Tangle Teezer a try. “The two-tiered teeth help remove tangles quickly and reduce breakage that brushing can cause. It comes in many different color and size options too!” she said.
According to Collins, if you have very knotty hair, this is the brush for you.
“This is really a staple when it comes to detangling, [it’s] amazing for all hair types,” he said. “They even [sell] different versions for different types and densities of hair. The bristles are short and very flexible so it will be gentle on your hair.”
Collins also added that because the bristles are so close together, this makes it ideal for brushing and smoothing curly hair after styling.
3. YS Park Hair Brush, $65
Collins brings his YS Park Hair Brush “everywhere I go,” he said.
“It has a dense amount of short boar bristle bristles at the base which help for smoothing while styling,” he explained, “but has longer, less dense plastic bristles that stick out further which help to detangle as well.”
And while this brush is the most expensive on our list, Collins thinks it’s worth the price tag. “They last forever! Mine has lasted me almost six years with no bristles falling out,” he claimed.
4. Sheila Stotts Removal Brush, $49
Buck’s favorite is an “everyday” brush from Sheila Stotts.
“It’s magic at removing tangles,” she said. “The long metal bristles glide through the hair and [even] give your scalp some exfoliating.”
Ruiz calls it her “go-to” for detangling clients with extensions.
“It’s the best on the ends of wet extensions,” Ruiz told the New York Post. “On dry hair extensions its great [too] because it can move any product through, and the metal bristles make it so easy to glide away from where the extension is bonded.”
Note: Metal bristols are not to be used with heat.