Lily Girls Magazine

By Nicole Buckingham

That is the question…especially if you’re like me and until a few months ago, you never even owned a hair brush! I’ve always had semi-curly, semi-thick hair and never wanted to touch it with a brush, in fear of making it even more of an 80’s blast to the past. Eventually I got wise and decided to check into all of the facts of hair brushing. First of all, we should know when to brush, when to comb, or when to just leave it alone!
When your hair is wet.
Not to brush. When you step out of the shower, it is best to run a comb through your hair, not a brush. Hair tends to be knotty after a wash and it is best to work through them with a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends and working your way up.

When you’re blow-drying straight.
To brush. Early in the morning, I rarely ever feel like blow drying; let alone strategically running a brush through at the same time. However, the beauty of our locks depends on it. If you’re blow-drying your hair to straighten, use an hourglass shaped round bristle brush. This will gather most of each strand at the center of the brush for tight, controlled styling.

When you’re blow drying curly.
To be determined. If you’re blow-drying your hair for a scrunchy curled look, it is best to use a blow dryer with a diffuser. This will allow you to get heat right to your curls without drying out and damaging. If that’s the case, a brush isn’t really necessary. If you’re going for larger, fuller curls, use a metal or ceramic barrel round brush to brush out from root to end.

When you’re finished styling and want a little touch-up.
To brush…if you’re using natural bristles. These types of bristles create less friction and won’t stress your hair too much. Your hair has a natural conditioner called sebum. Brush bristles can help distribute sebum throughout the hair and add shine.

When it’s the end of a long day and you want a little refresher.
To brush…with care. Every girl should have a reliable brush for those emergency disheveled moments. Choose an oval, paddle brush with boar and/or nylon bristles. Don’t be tempted to choose the cheapest one either! It’s okay to splurge a little for a brush that will last forever and help your hair, not damage it. Having a sturdy brush with quality bristles won’t break your hair or split your ends as easily. Brushing can be healthy for your hair; adding volume, adding luster, and stimulating your scalp. Just be careful, we don’t want to over brush or brush too rigorously and pull too much hair out!

Now, for some brush basics that everyone should know:
1. Shampoo your brush! Literally, shampoo it, whenever you think necessary. Daily, wipe your brush bristles on a towel to remove excess hair, dirt, etc.

2. The size of your brush depends on the size of your hair. The longer your hair, the longer brush you should have. If you have short hair, use a shorter brush.

3. Use a softer brush if you have thin hair or colored hair. Use an extra stiff bristle if you have coarse hair.

4. A brush with a rubber pad may be the cure-all for those pesky flyaways. The rubber pads on a brush have an anti-static quality.

5. A hairbrush can be a girl’s best friend. Choose your friends wisely. Never leave home without it.