Brush With Greatness

 By B. Lee Cash

A brush is a brush, right? Not necessarily. The truth is, all brushes serve a specific type of hair and styling purpose. In fact, for every head of hair, and even every type of style you want out of your hair, there is a specific brush designed just for you. From the bristle texture, to the shape, and even the size of the brush, it's all important to getting maximum manageability and beauty out of your 'do. Before you head out for a night out, check out this list of brushes and find the right tool for your hair length, texture and style. All of these brushes can be found at beauty supply stores and drugstores nationwide.

The Brush: Classic Paddle
Shape and Bristles: Square or round with nylon or natural bristles
Perfect for: Brushes out tangles in long or medium length hair. Adds final touches to longer styles.
Style Sessions Tip: Flip your head over and brush hair in opposite direction of its natural growth to increase volume.

The Brush: Big metal-barrel with vents
Shape and Bristles: Round with nylon bristles
Perfect for: For medium or longer hair, the metal heats up as you use the blow-dryer so it works like a single hot-roller.
Style Sessions Tip: Apply a heat-protectant product before blow-drying. To pump up volume or curls, start with the brush at the scalp and slowly pull the hair angling the brush to manipulate a flip (curls going up) or a curl under.

The Brush: Flat vent
Shape and Bristles: Rectangular with plastic bristles
Perfect for: This brush is an excellent tool for unruly hair that is prone to tangles. It comes in lots of smaller sizes so you can throw a mini version in your purse or backpack for quick fixes between classes or before you punch a time clock.
Style Sessions Tip: Hair can get tangled around a flat vent brush, and the plastic bristles can soften, bend, and even melt when exposed to heat -- avoid styling with this one.

The Brush: Rubber cushion
Shape and Bristles: Round or oval with nylon or natural bristles
Perfect for: This is an all-around great brush that works for all lengths, textures, and styles. You can use it to blow-dry, add volume (flip your hair over and brush in the opposite direction of its natural growth), and soften teased hair into smooth waves.
Style Sessions Tip: If you push on the bristles, you'll notice this brush has a cushion-like appeal. Use it instead of a harder brush for days -- like after a big exam -- when you just need to be a little more gentle on your beautiful head!

The Brush: Small round
Shape and Bristles: Round with natural bristles
Perfect for: For fine hair or shorter hair, a smaller round brush with natural bristles is easier on hair that requires a little more TLC.
Style Sessions Tip: This brush is often used as a blow-drying tool so first apply a heat-protectant product either directly to the hair or onto the brush. Start at the scalp and work the brush down the shaft for maximum volume and curl.