I Just Need a Hair Brush, Man
What the frick is a thermal brush? What’s the difference between a wet brush and a round brush? Is a boar brush made of real boars? These and so many more questions must have gone through your head when shopping for a brush.
When your hair is short, any brush is a good brush. But as soon as your mane reaches your shoulders, any brush won’t do the trick.
To make things easier for you than it was for us, we’ve compiled this thorough, rapid-fire guide to hair brushes for men. So brush up, man!
| Paddle Brush | Detangling/Wet Brush | Fine-Tooth Comb | Round Brush | Boar Bristle Brush |
 |  |  |  |  |
| Best hair brush for thick hair | Best brush for men's curly hair | Best comb for slick back hair | Best men's hair brush for styling | Best comb for thin hair |
Types of Hair Brushes Explained
When it comes to hairbrushes, it’s easy for men to wonder—why on earth would anyone need more than one? We get it; having multiple haircare tools might seem excessive. But hear us out—your long mane deserves at least two types of brushes: one for detangling and everyday grooming and another for precision styling. Trust us, the right tools can make all the difference in keeping your hair healthy and looking its best.
Below, we will explore the most popular types of brushes and combs, explain what hair type they are designed for, and their main purpose. But before, let’s briefly discuss the difference between brush and comb.
As you will see for yourself, a brush comes in many shapes and sizes, from round ones to vented, and more. Each type is ergonomic either for styling, detangling, brushing, or even spreading oils across your hair and scalp.
A comb, on the other hand, is a much simpler haircare tool, primarily used for detangling knots, spreading oils, and styling your hair. Typically, combs feature a sleek, elongated design without a distinct handle, making them compact and easy to use.
Now to the main part: let’s explore different types of hair brushes and combs:
Boar Bristle Brush
Boar bristle brushes feature actual boar bristles. They are intended to spread your natural oils and polish your hair. An additional benefit of the boar brush is that it will remove dead hair without causing breakage.
Our boar bristle brush for men comes with nylon and boar bristles for maximum styling effect that will help you achieve a slick hairstyle in mere minutes.
Moreover, the long bristles of different materials gently reach the scalp, exfoliating it, massaging it, and stimulating blood flow.
- Hair type: Straight to wavy hair
- Ideal for: Detangling, smoothing, and spreading oils
Paddle Brush
Referring to the brush’s shape and handle type, a paddle brush typically features a wide body with bristles set in a padded air cushion. The air cushion compresses during use to allow the bristles to conform to the shape of your head.
The wide paddle shape of a brush allows for maximum coverage, helping your brush through your mane faster. At The Longhairs, our full-size paddle brush comes with nylon bristles that gently slide across the scalp, even through thick hair.
After massaging and exfoliating your scalp, you can continue using this brush to spread the natural oils across your scalp. A paddle brush like this also helps reduce frizz, making it effortless to style your hair.
- Hair type: Thick hair
- Ideal for: Smoothing and reducing frizz
Round Brush
Round hair brushes are designed for blow drying. They feature a cylindrical body with bristles all around. Smaller cylinders enhance curls, while wider ones straighten.
Thanks to the round shape, you can easily add volume to your hair, curl it, or simply create waves–and all of these hairstyles with a single brush!
| ➿We don’t recommend using a round brush with a small diameter because of the risk of creating knots on your hair instead of curls. |
- Hair type: Straight to wavy hair
- Ideal for: Volume and styling
Vent Brush
As you may have guessed, vented brushes come with slots cut out for optimal air flow from a blow dryer. These vents let air through while allowing excess moisture to escape.
The “vents,” as they are often called, usually come with nylon pins with a ball on top and an adequate distance between them. Hence, you can blow-dry your hair much faster.
- Hair type: Straight to wavy hair
- Ideal for: Volume and blow-drying
Detangling Brush
Call it the utility knife of hair brushes. Its curved form has a concave face to help contour your noggin. This brush aims to spread natural oils, massage the scalp, and aid during blow drying.
The detangling brush is suitable for brushing wet hair, but it also works great with dry hair, especially the one that tends to tangle a lot.
| 🪮While you should never brush your hair wet, there is an exception when using a wet brush. Read this article to find out how to use this type of brush correctly! |
- Hair type: Straight to curly hair
- Ideal for: Detangling knots
Teasing Brushes
This stiletto-looking little guy is perfect for stimulating your hair to add volume. These types of brushes are typically used for styling purposes. They have a slim design and tightly packed bristles.
Teasing brushes are great for sectioning hair and styling it with precision and detail. So, if you are looking for a brush to groom your hair the way you want, there is nothing better than teasing brushes.
- Hair type: Any type of hair
- Ideal for: Styling and smoothing short hairstyles
Fine-Tooth Comb
A slim comb with tiny teeth is great for styling your hair with precision. However, a comb like this is not really suitable for brushing thick or curly hair, as the comb may break. With this comb, you can easily part your hair, create slick back hair, tame flyaways, and so on.
The fine-tooth comb is best used with straight hair, but guys with wavy hair shouldn’t experience a problem.
- Hair type: Straight to wavy hair
- Ideal for: Styling a slick back hair
Wide-Tooth Comb
A wide-tooth comb is perfect for gently detangling hair without causing breakage. It’s great for all types of hair but works best with thick or curly hair. The teeth are placed widely and glide through the hair, brushing your mane without pulling the strands.
If you have problematic hair that tends to tangle, this is a must-have comb for stress-free grooming.
- Hair type: Thick hair
- Ideal for: Detangling and spreading oils
Choosing the Right Brush for Your Hair Type
Not sure which brush or comb is the most suitable for your hair? Have a look at the table below to find what works best with your mane:
| Hair Type | Recommended Brushes | Benefits |
| Straight hair | - Boar Bristle Brush - Paddle Brush | Smooths hair and spreads oils evenly. Detangles with ease. |
| Curly/wavy hair | - Detangling Brush - Boar Bristle Brush | Maintains curl pattern without frizz. Gently detangles knots. |
| Thick/coarse hair | - Paddle Brush - Vent Brush | Handles thicker hair effortlessly. Reduces frizz and adds volume. |
| Fine/thin hair | - Fine-Tooth comb Boar Bristle Brush | Gentle on delicate strands. Distributes oils to boost shine. |
Hair Brush Maintenance Tips
Your hair should be cleaned regularly and kept in good condition. Here are the key cleaning tips for you:
- Take a comb (yes, a comb can be used for cleaning, too!) and remove hair strands with it.
- You can clean the brush thoroughly by soaking it in a mixture of warm water and gentle shampoo. Rinse and dry afterward.
- Brushes with bristles can be scrubbed with toothpaste with soapy water, then rinsed and dried completely before using again.
Brushes are meant to last a certain amount of time, and when you see the following signs–you should order a new one pretty soon:
- You should replace your brush if the bristles are bent, broken, or missing.
- Replace your brush if it doesn’t brush your mane as well as before.
- Order a new brush if your current one has worn-out pads or product buildup.
Do you think it is okay to store your brushes in a damp place? Unfortunately, it can greatly deteriorate its condition. Here is how you should store your brushes and combs:
- Keep your brushes in a dry, well-ventilated area so that they won’t develop mildew or mold.
- It’s best to store brushes with bristle-side up and, ideally, in a dedicated container.
- Don't use high heat for long when styling hair, and avoid storing your brushes near heat sources.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Brushes
Grooming your mane seems simple enough, right? Just run a brush through your hair, style it, and you’re good to go. But are you sure you’re doing it correctly? Many men unknowingly make common mistakes when brushing their hair. Here are the key errors to watch out for—see if you’re guilty of any of them:
- Rough Brushing: Brushing too hard can weaken hair strands, leading to breakage and split ends. Hence, take your time and brush your mane gently.
- Using the Wrong Brush: Choosing a brush unsuitable for your hair type—like a fine-tooth comb for thick curls—can cause unnecessary pulling, tangling, or even damage.
- Not Cleaning Your Brush Often: Dirty brushes accumulate oil, product residue, and bacteria, which can transfer to your hair and scalp. Remember to clean your hair regularly!
FAQs
Conclusion
Now that you know the basics of hair brushes, you don’t need to be a grooming guru to choose a brush suitable for your hair type. Choosing a brush that smooths and detangles your mane not only enhances your appearance but also promotes scalp health, leaving you feeling confident and comfortable.
If you are looking for a universal brush for smoothing your mane, detangling knots, and spreading natural oils on your scalp, shop for our Continental or Mane Hog brushes.
