El Rubio demonstrates how to brush your hair for men.

How To Brush Your Hair – For Men

In Educate by El Rubio31 Comments

A Core Hair Care Practice

Brushing is part of a quality hair maintenance routine, and proper technique is critical. Good thing there’s this convenient guide on how to brush your hair for men.

It’s a common misconception that the only purpose of brushing is to detangle your hair. While detangling is a function of brushing, the primary benefits are:

  1. Distributing the natural oils evenly throughout your hair.
  2. Massaging your scalp, exfoliating and stimulating blood flow.
  3. Keeping your hair tidy and well-groomed.

Here we cover the basics on proper brushing technique.

Key Takeaways

  • Importance of Brushing: Brushing distributes natural oils, massages the scalp, exfoliates, and stimulates blood flow.
  • Start with a Wide-Tooth Comb: Begin detangling with a wide-tooth comb before using a brush.
  • Brushing Technique: Use long, smooth strokes with light to moderate pressure, focusing on the scalp.
  • Avoid Wet Hair: Do not brush hair when it's wet to prevent breakage.
  • Daily Routine: Brush once a day for healthy, shiny hair.
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IMPORTANT: Hair Type

First off, I have straight hair. If your hair is straight, wavy or slightly curly, this technique will serve you well. Super curly hair or kinked hair is going to require different techniques (and different tools), and in some cases you might not even brush your hair at all.

In this situation I haven’t washed my hair for a couple of days and my hair is pretty tangled. In any case you don’t want to brush with wet hair—unless you have a wet brush.

Don’t Pick Up The Brush Yet

To get started, you’re not actually going to use a brush. You want to start with a wide-tooth comb. The purpose here IS to remove tangles and clear the path for brushing. If you’re not tangled, you can skip the combing.

When combing, start with the outermost tips and work your way toward the roots as you remove tangles. Gently, man, don’t rip your hair out. I comb from the inside, starting in the front and moving toward the back, where my hair gets the most tangled.

El Rubio demonstrates combing technique in ‘How to Brush Your Hair for Men’

Now Grab Your Brush

Once you’ve combed out the tangles, you’re ready to switch to missiles. There are all kinds of hair brushes for men, but to start with I recommend a solid paddle brush with plastic bristles, like The Continental.

Since you’ve already removed tangles, brushing is simple. The technique is long, smooth strokes with light to moderate pressure. If your brush gives way beneath the bristles you can use a little more pressure, less if the bristles come straight out of a harder material like wood or plastic.

Proper brushing isn’t focused on the tips, or even the hair so much as the scalp. In fact you don’t even have to brush all the way out through the tips—though I usually do.

What you want is to make sure you are massaging your scalp all the way around with nice, even pressure. Especially make sure you brush all the way around the back of your head, which can be an easy place to miss.

El Rubio masterfully demonstrates appropriate brushing technique in ‘How to Brush Your Hair for Men’

Now That’s A Nice Routine

As you get into your hair brushing routine, and after some time having long hair, you can actually feel the epidermal layers of your scalp being exfoliated, the oil breaking up and being distributed throughout your hair. If I haven’t had a chance to comb first, I’ve even found that tangles come out easier when the oil starts getting distributed.

When you’re done, your hair and scalp will look and feel great. It’ll be smooth and shiny with a healthy sheen and a little extra bounce. You’ll have also removed some of the hair that’s reached the end of its growth cycle and ready to come out.

When It’s Time

Brushing also gives you a good indicator if it’s time to shampoo & condition. If you’ve given it a nice thorough brush, run your fingers through it. If it feels greasy to the touch, it’s time for a wash.

But NOW it’s time to watch this timeless classic on how to brush your hair for men.

Quick Recap: How to Brush Your Hair for Men

Do's:
  • Brush at least once a day.
  • Massage your scalp with long, smooth strokes.
  • Enjoy it.
Don’ts:
  • Don’t brush wet.
  • Don’t overbrush.
  • Don’t brush angry.
Anything to add?
Tips, techniques or observations you want to share? Do so in the comments.
Got curly hair?
You’re different…just like everyone else. We’ve got your curly hair dialed.

Hair Brushes For Men With Hair

The Continental - strikes the perfect balance between a professional craftsman's tool and a priceless work of art.
The Mane Hog - The perfect blend of nylon and authentic board bristles polishes as it smooths, exfoliating while stimulating more than just blood flow.
Meet The Continental and The Mane Hog.
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FAQ

Why should I start with a wide-tooth comb before brushing?
To remove tangles and prepare the hair for brushing, reducing breakage.

What type of brush should I use?
A basic paddle brush with plastic bristles and rounded tips.

How often should I brush my hair?
Once a day is sufficient to maintain hair health and appearance.

Can I brush my hair when it's wet?
No, wet hair is more prone to breakage; use a wide-tooth comb if needed.