BellaSugar

Hairbrushes: Styling

BellaSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:00:11 -0700

The styling brush is a basic, everyday kind of hairbrush that can be used for general combing or during blow-drying. While the round brush is best at gripping the hair for sleek styles, the low tension of a styling brush works wonders on smoothing out ends - particularly for bobbed or medium length styles.

Also known as the "styler" or the "Denman," this classic rectangular shaped brush can also be used to lift hair at the roots for added volume. Try the Denman Classic Styling Brush ($7.49) or Aveda Wooden Styling Brush ($13).

Confused about brush choices overall? Be sure to check out the rest of my hairbrush series, with more to come.

Hairbrushes: Round

BellaSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:00:11 -0700

Many a times, I have stood in front of the hairbrush aisle facing, to me, what seems like a zillion choices - flat, round, skinny, soft-bristled, and/or balls on the ends? It's enough to make the head spin right 'round. And cue the 80s music.

Are you confused on which brush to choose? Well, fret no more. All this week I'm featuring ins and outs of hairbrushes so that you can pick what you think is best for your lovely locks.

The round brush, which is known for delivering great curls and flips, also volumizes and straightens hair by providing an appropriate amount of grip while blow-drying. A larger diameter base will give loads of volume, and works well for longer styles, while a smaller diameter base will provide tighter waves, and works great on shorter styles.

Ceramic or metal brushes are a specialized type of round brush, working with the heat of your blow-dryer, allowing you to create styles and manipulate your hair much like that of a curling iron.

Try Spornette Pronto Round Brush ($12.99) or Umberto Round Brush ($12.99) for voluminous results.

Hairbrushes: The Paddle

BellaSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:15:22 -0700

The hairbrush - you probably use one every day, but with the wide variety of brushes available, do you ever wonder which is what, and which one you should pick, anyway? Well, you're in luck because all this week, I'll be featuring different types of brushes and how to use them. As a general guideline, pick a brush based on the length of your hair and the style you want to achieve.

Let's start off with the paddle brush, which is great for longer hairstyles. To use, gently lift hair at the roots and sweep down the hair shaft. Since this brush is so flat, it's best for creating smooth, sleek, and shiny styles without lots of volume. It also works wonders as a finisher for curly, frizzy, or wavy hair that's been styled by other means.

Because the paddle brush is so wide, it's also great for penetrating thick hair and providing a gentle, stimulating scalp massage. Try the Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush ($18).

All About Hairbrush Bristles

BellaSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:00:31 -0700

At Target a while back, I was so flustered about which hairbrush bristle to choose that I decided to make a whole series out of it. So, in case you missed it the first time around, I present to you all you ever wanted to know about these components of hairbrushes. Hello clean, shiny, and tangle-free locks.

The Naturals	Miscellaneous Facts	The Ionics
Keeping Them Clean	The Synthetics	The Background

All About Hairbrush Bristles: Part Five

BellaSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:00:23 -0700

Over the past week or so, I've given you the details on everything you've probably ever wanted to know about hairbrush bristles, from the ionic to the synthetic to the natural to why they're spaced the way they're spaced. For the final installment of this series, I've gathered up the miscellaneous facts I've learned about this handy tool. Check them out when you read more.

Mix it up: If you like the benefits of a boar bristle brush, but it's too soft for your medium, thick, or curly hair texture, consider a boar/nylon blend. It's the best of both worlds. Try the classic Mason Pearson Boar Bristle and Nylon Hairbrush ($80) or the more affordable Swissco Pro Large Oval Mixed Nylon and Boar ($9).
Time to vent: Ever wonder why bristles are placed upon a "vented" base? Because of the gaps in the design of this type of brush, air from your dryer more easily circulates, reducing your drying time significantly. Check out a large selection of vented brushes here.
Extra padding: And what about those cushiony bases? The bristles on cushion brushes are attached to a rubbery or synthetic pad that gives a little slack when used. These types of brushes are therefore excellent for sensitive hair and scalps, although they work wonderfully on wavy, fine, and medium-length hair, too. Often oval- or paddle-shaped, cushioned brushes can also be used to create volume, depending on how large or small the base of the brush. Here is a selection of cushioned brushes for your viewing (and scalp's) pleasure.
Down to the wire: Wire brushes? Avoid them, unless you wear a synthetic wig. By design, they're too harsh for your delicate locks.