To anyone who has ever said, "a brush is just a brush," we’re here to tell you that the notion is false — especially if your hair is curly. Curls are not one-size-fits-all, and neither are the products and tools you use to care for them. In fact, you often need more than one brush in your arsenal. If you’re slicking your hair into a center-parted bun, there’s a brush for that. If you’re styling your baby hairs with gel, there’s a brush for that, too. Then there’s the most important brush in a curly routine: the detangling brush.
Without the right tool, detangling can be time-consuming and painful. Not to mention, your precious curls could end up lining the bottom of your shower with too much tugging. Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite brushes to use for detangling and styling curls. You won’t have to worry about these brushes snapping under pressure. Bonus: You’ll get great definition in addition to knot-free coils.
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Thick & Curly Salsa Red Detangling Hair Brush
The Tangle Teezer brush doesn’t have nearly five stars at Ulta for nothing — it’s a curly-girl staple. This iteration of the palm-sized brush has firm, flexible teeth that detangle thick curls without causing frizz. In fact, you’ll have more definition when you use it to smooth in twisting creams and styling gels.
Tangle Teezer Thick & Curly Salsa Red Detangling Hair Brush, $9.6, available at Ulta Beauty
Denman Heavyweight 9 Row Styling Brush
Denman brushes are — hands down — some of the best when it comes to styling curly hair. You can use this one to detangle wet hair and evenly distribute styling product. It’s also a great tool to use if you’re doing a blowout. The bristles are firm, but have a little give so that you can get close to the scalp with the blowdryer.
Denman D5 – Heavyweight 9 row styling brush, $31.95, available at Denman
Mixed Chicks Paddle Hair Brush
If your hair is wavy or loosely curled, this wooden paddle brush is perfect for your daily routine. The nylon bristles on it have rounded tips so that your hair won’t get snagged and snap off while you brush.
Mixed Chicks Mixed Chicks Paddle Hair Brush, $8.99, available at Target
Cantu Detangle Ultra Glide Brush
Those days of tugging and snagging on your curls? They’re over. Next time you deep condition your hair, rake the mask through with a brush like this one. It has a rubber base that adds grip while you detangle hair. At just $8, this Cantu brush is a great alternative to pricey brushes on the market.
Cantu Cantu Detangle Ultra Glide Brush , $7.99, available at Target
Baby Tress Edge Styler
Technically, baby hairs don’t get tangled, but most brushes are too large to focus on your delicate edges. This brush is the perfect size to smooth out the hair around your hairline, and it’s a two-for-one. There’s a boar-bristle side to swoop, and a comb side to separate. The tip is also strategically pointed, so you can perfect any designs you want to create.
Baby Tress Edge Styler™, $15, available at Baby Tress
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Source: Refinery29 – aimee simeon