BellaSugar

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).

Think Pink: Spornette Pink Paddle Brush

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:25:05 -0700

Today's breast cancer awareness find is an affordable way to contribute to the cause. This Spornette pink paddle ($10.20) is a professional-quality brush with ball-tipped nylon bristles on top of a flexible pad.

It might not be the most thrilling of the products I've profiled so far, but really, who doesn't need a brush? A flat donation of five thousand dollars will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Friday Giveaway! ghd Paddle Brush

BellaSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Want to stay up on the latest looks? You're in luck: We're pairing with our friends from Sephora to bring you tips, tricks, trends and a giveaway every day!

One of fall's best trends, the supernatural look, is also one of the easiest. ghd Paddle Brush has a smooth bristle surface that helps protect against static buildup. The broad, flat base lets you blow-dry large sections of hair quickly and easily. Not only is this a great tool for detangling wet hair, but if you're going to straighten your hair afterwards, it also helps to prepare the hair by removing static while you blow-dry beforehand.

To enter today's giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Friday, August 10, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Congratulations to Wyn, who won yesterday's giveaway for Dior Lip Maximizer!

How-To: Sienna's Sexy Bedhead Hair

BellaSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:42:49 -0700

Are you a fan of that "I just rolled out of bed and have perfect hair" look? Sienna Miller certainly is, as evidenced by the tousled-yet-polished hairstyle she sported while promoting G.I. Joe in Australia. Stylist Sheba Nemerovski of Chicago salon Sparrow shares her easy tips for re-creating the look at home:

"Start with damp, towel-dried hair. Work a volumizer, such as Kevin Murphy Anti Gravity, through your hair, concentrating on the roots.
Blow-dry until your hair is 90 percent dry, using only your hands to tousle the hair.
Once your hair is mostly dry, use a paddle brush to smooth out the ends (a round brush will give them too much curl). Don't worry about being too precise with the paddle brush - the idea is a natural, slightly unfinished look.
After drying your hair completely, apply a creme such as Kevin Murphy Easy Rider or Umi Creme, lightly through the ends for a bit of separation and a nice satin finish. Voilà! Sexy bedhead!"

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.

All About Hairbrush Bristles: Part Four

BellaSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:00:43 -0700

Buying the right hair brush, shape, and bristle size for your hair type can be daunting. And that's why I'm here to give you the specifics. Earlier, I told you how ionic blow-dryers work by offering up negatively-charged ions to the positively-charged water molecules in your hair.

Ionic bristles work in much the same way. Manufactured with a specially-treated synthetic material that gives off negative ions, this type of bristle attracts water, helping the hair to dry faster, all while resisting static. Ionic bristles also give a shinier, softer finish as a result of its ability to seal the hair cuticle and restore the water balance in the hair. So long, flyaways.

Here are some ionic hair brush suggestions: Spornette Icera Ceramic Ionic Hair Brush ($13); Bio Ionic iTools Nano-Ionic Conditioning Brush ($35); or Olivia Garden Ceramic and Ion AntiStatic Square Cushioned Paddle Brush ($11).

Which Hairbrush Is Right For You?

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 23:14:04 -0700

A good hairbrush should do far more than just brush hair, but buying the right one can be very confusing. There are two important factors to consider: finding the appropriate brush for your hair type and styling regimen and making sure you get a quality brush. Here are some helpful shopping tips and recommendations.

If you have curly or wavy hair and you blow it dry, choose a round, nylon-bristle brush. The wider the brush bristles are, the straighter your hair will turn out when it dries. I particularly like the Acca Kappa Professional Nylon Bristle Round Hairbrush. Buy it here for $15.

If you have straight hair and want to get volume through blow-drying, use a round, boar-bristle brush, which is softer and more flexible than nylon and will help prevent split ends. Buy the Spornette Round Boar Brush here for $18.99; available in three sizes.

Three more recommendations, so read more

If you have straight or wavy hair that you brush daily, use a flat paddle brush after you've washed your hair when it is nice and dry. Not only do paddle brushes help circulation in your scalp by giving it a little massage, but they also help evenly distribute the oils in your hair from the roots downward, making the hair look shinier. The Cadillac of boar bristles is the one I recommended last week, the Mason Pearson Handy All Boar Bristle Hair Brush, available here for $146 in five colors.

If you have super curly and thick hair, use a wide-tooth comb or pick so that your hair won't frizz but it will still look tidy. Use the comb in the shower to detangle curls before drying sets in. I suggest Sephora's Wide Tooth Comb, which you can buy here for $4.

Lastly, if you are looking for a good sculpting tool, metal brushes are the best. When these brushes heat up, they act like hot rollers, creating curl and movement. Be sure and use the "cool" feature on your hairdryer to set your hair with the brush. I like the TIGI Thermal Brush which you can buy here for $17.

Here are some additional hairbrush tips:

Only buy brushes with ball-type tips that are molded into place. The kind of tips that are glued on can pull at your hair and break the ends.
Look at a good brush like an investment. If it's high quality and well taken care of, a good hairbrush will last for years.
Clean your hairbrushes regularly. Oils and greasy hair residue take away from their performance. Rub another brush into the bristles to lift and loosen trapped hair. Gently soak your brushes in warm water with a little shampoo.

How-To: Jessica Alba's Side-Swept Curls

BellaSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:00:44 -0700

At last night's American Museum of Natural History dance in New York, Jessica Alba wore a curled updo that works so well for her. What I like most about this look is that it's not too stiff, serious, or prom-like. Plus, the side-swept style is so fresh and modern.

Get the how-to when you read more.

Lightly squeeze water out of the hair with a towel to remove excess moisturizer. Spritz hair with a curl-enhancing gel or cream, like Garnier Curl Shaping Spray Gel ($3), which also has built-in heat protectors.
Once the hair is about 80 percent dry, use a paddle brush or styling brush to tame frizzy hair and flyaways until completely dry.
Next, use a curling iron with a one-inch base or higher, and curl your entire head of hair. Tip #1: Clip up the top layers and curl the bottom layers of your hair first, working up towards the top. Tip #2: To create variety and differently sized curls, use another curling iron with a larger or smaller base, alternating sizes as you move along the head.
Then, pull back your hair into a lower side-swept ponytail. Now, here's the fun stuff. Take individual pieces of curled hair and pin near the base of the ponytail. Take some large strands and some small strands to create a visually interesting updo. You can also twist individual strands or weave them through previously pinned pieces to "mess up" the look.
Spray with a hairspray that provides hold without the crunch, like Sally Hershberger Supreme Head Brilliant Hairspray ($12.50), and you're good to go.

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Learn About the Basics of Hairbrushes

BellaSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:00:57 -0800

When faced with the wide array of hairbrushes at the store, it can all be a wee bit overwhelming. Well, fret no more. Take a look at some of the basic brushes below and find out all about the who, what, where, and why of these detangling devices. Happy brushing!

Paddle Brush: For smooth styles

Round Brush: For body and wave

Styling Brush: For sleekness and lift

How-To: Taraji P. Henson's Hair at the 2009 Oscars

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:45:16 -0800

Taraji's style at the Oscars reminds me that the cut itself is the basis for any great look. Her asymmetrical, layered bob provides the foundation and her hairstylist, Dante Blandshaw, walks us through the steps for yesterday's 'do. Personally, I prefer this straighter version (to her bumped under Independent Spirit Awards choice) so check out the products and steps below.

To soften textured hair like Taraji's, prepare hair with Damage Control to protect from breakage and thermal damage.
Blow-dry hair straight with a paddle brush and add a dime-sized amount of Universal Styling Creme for added shine.
Flat-iron first, then use 1.5-inch and two-inch barrel irons to give volume at the roots and bend at the ends - don't overly curl! - to accentuate layers in a cut like this.
Slightly curl the front to create a soft, side-swept bang for added height and fullness.
Finish by combing with a wide-tooth comb and lock in the style with a lightweight hairspray (such as Aveda Air Control).

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