Brushing your hair is easy, right? We’re taught from when we’re young that 100 strokes a day is right, but the truth is that’s not right for everyone. How to correctly brush your hair simply isn’t a one size fits all technique.
The experts at Tangle Angel know that just like everything else about us, our hair is unique. Therefore it’s important to look after your hair your own way, and we are here to offer you some top tips on how to do it.
First of all, equipping yourself with a high-quality detangler brush such as one of our range is a great place to start. So if you’re wondering why brushing is important, how often you should do it and when you should do it, we are here to help. After all, a great day starts with great hair, and you deserve it.
Why is brushing your hair important?
From when you’re young, you’re taught that brushing your hair is an important part of looking after ourselves. The same as cleaning your teeth or having a bath or shower. But - other than keeping your hair tangle-free - what else is it doing? There are a number of other benefits to brushing your hair which we think are equally important.
Removes build-up: Every time you brush your hair, you are helping to remove the buildup of things like excess product and other impurities.
Aids styling: We couldn’t miss out on the fact that brushing helps you style your ‘do. Whether you’re going for a slicked-back look or smoothing into a bun, brushing helps guide your hair in the right direction.
Distributed oils: Your hair’s natural oils are produced at the scalp, and it can take a pretty long time for these oils to be distributed without the help of a brush. This is why your roots can get oily quicker than your ends. Regular brushing helps distribute these oils keeping your hair happy, healthy and shiny.
How do detangling brushes work?
There’s a whole variety of tools out there to help you with your hair, so it’s hard to know which one is right for you. From wide-tooth combs to just your fingers, the experts at Tangle Angel recommend a good quality detangling brush to really get to the ‘root’ of your knots.
A brush with bristles that can flex and bend through your strands allows you to gently detangle your hair without any pulling or breaking. This is how they differ from other brushes, which have bristles that don’t move with your hair.
Step by step guide on how to detangle your hair
- Work through your hair with your hands first
Before you get to work with your detangler brush, work through your hair with your fingertips. This will help loosen any larger knots and make it easier for your brush to glide through your hair. This sets the stage for the next stage.
- Start at the ends
If you start brushing your hair from the roots, you risk major breakage, more tangles and pulling at your scalp. Therefore we suggest starting at the tips of your hair and gently working your way up to the roots. It’s kinder on your strands and your scalp!
- Split your hair into sections
As with any big task, it’s easier when you split it up into smaller ones. Part your hair into four or more sections depending on how thick or long it is. Then take each section, divide it in half and gently work your way up from tip to root on each section.
How to get tangled hair out of a hair brush
Sometimes the worst can happen and your hair gets tangled in a brush while you’re using it. This is very unlikely to happen with a specific detangling brush, but in the worst case scenario, here’s what you should do:
Don’t panic: The worst thing you can do is panic and try and wrench the brush out, which will only cause you pain! Keep calm, take a deep breath and tackle the challenge with patience.
Ask for help: If you can, ask for assistance from a friend or family member. This is especially helpful if the tangle is at the back of your head: they will be able to see what you can’t and help guide the brush out.
Dampen your hair: If you have a spray bottle to hand, try dampening your hair slightly. Damp hair is easier to work with than dry hair.
Try oil: Many professional stylists recommend using a small amount of hair oil to help untangle your hair brush. It will make your hair slippery though, so you will need to remember to wash it out afterwards.
Divide into sections: Work through the hair up to where it is tangled on the brush itself. Work on one section at a time and ease the hair out little by little.
If all else fails: If you have tried all of these tips and the brush still won’t budge, it may be time to head to the salon. There an expert can help you remove the brush with the least amount of damage to your hair.
How to tackle matted hair
Severely matted hair occurs when loose hairs repeatedly twist around attached strands, and become incredibly difficult to remove. They can look very clumpy and can prove tough to remove with just brushing or combing alone. Don’t fret though, as it is possible to deal with your matted hair with some time and patience in the comfort of your own home.
Saturate those strands: As we mentioned before, it’s even harder to detangle hair when it’s dry. Use a detangling or moisturising conditioner, paying particular attention to matted areas to ensure each strand is covered.
Start to loosen: Grab a wide-toothed comb or detangler brush and begin gently loosening strands of hair. Start at the ends and work your way up to the roots. If you find the process painful, hold your hair near the root to avoid tugging at your scalp. Remember, take your time.
Rinse out: Once you have got rid of the mats, rinse your hair with cool rather than warm water. This will not only help wash out any remaining product that’s on your hair, but will also help keep your strands separated and smooth, making mats less likely in the future.
Now you have got rid of your mats, you’ll want your hair to stay that way. Help keep mats at bay by brushing your hair regularly, using detangling products and steer clear of chemical treatments such as bleaching.
How to brush your hair whilst wet
Your hair is at its most vulnerable when it is wet. This is because it becomes vulnerable to breakage as the water weakens the bonds within each strand of hair. It is possible to brush wet hair though, it just takes a little extra care.
Towel dry: Hair is incredibly vulnerable when it’s soaking wet, so pat it with a clean towel before you go any further. As your hair begins to dry, the bonds are re-establishing themselves.
Pop in some leave-in protection: Apply a lightweight, non-greasy oil before you start brushing. This is especially important for those of us with coarse or curly hair types.
Use the correct brush: Don’t use any old brush sitting on your bedside table, choose a specific detangling brush such as one in our range. The bristles move with the hair rather than against it, minimising any pulling and allowing the bristles to gently detangle any knots in your hair. As always, start at the tips and work your way up to the roots.
How to brush your hair with a hair dryer
We all love the feeling of a salon blow-dry, but how do you achieve that look in the comfort of your own home? We have the answers for you.
Pre-treatment: Want to really give your hair a five-star experience? Try a hair mask, pop a small amount on and run through your strands. Leave it on for five to ten minutes before rinsing off with cool water. Your hair will thank you.
Apply heat protector: Pop a dollop of heat protection on all over your locks: this is so important when you’re going to be using your hairdryer.
Partially dry your hair: Using your hands, rough dry your hair all over on a medium setting until it is about 75% dry.
Section or part hair: Split your hair into a number of sections, at least four or more depending on how thick your locks are. If you like, try using a tail comb to do this for next-level precision.
Dry the front sections first: Dry the front sections of your hair first - this is because these are the sections that will naturally dry the quickest so it’s important to style them before they end up doing their own thing. Once they’ve dried, pin them with clips to ensure they stay in place.
Repeat: Move on to the other sections, making sure you take your time. Always angle downwards with your hair dryer, as this will help keep the cuticle smooth and shiny.
Finish with hairspray: Take out any remaining clips and give your hair a spritz with a high-quality, flexible hold hairspray to keep your hard work in place.
Tips on brushing for different hair types
We’re all different, and that includes our hair. There’s no one-size fits all solution that can be used on every hair type. Find out more about how to brush your hair type.
Curly hair: Always use conditioner, it will help smooth out your curly locks when it comes to brushing it.
Straight hair: Don’t overload it with product! It can feel counterintuitive but putting too many lotions and potions on your straight hair will weigh it down when you’re brushing and styling it.
Fine hair: Always use protection: your strands are delicate and need to be treated with extra care. Before brushing and styling your hair, ensure you use a good quality heat protection spray or oil.
Wavy hair: Sleep in satin, whether that’s pillowcases or a nightcap. This will reduce friction and frizz from any tossing and turning you do in the night, and will make brushing your wonderful waves a hundred times easier.
Thick hair: Don’t brush more than necessary - over-brushing can damage your cuticles and make your hair look dull.
Looking after your hair is easy once you know how. Whether you’re thinking about changing up your routine or your products, always pay close attention to the current state of your hair so you can be sure you’re doing the best job possible. You don’t want to be making any changes that could adversely affect your ‘do!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of brush should I use for my hair type?
Everyone’s hair is different and that’s why we have created a variety of brushes here at Tangle Angel, each suitable for a variety of hair types.
How often should I wash my hair brush?
We are all good about washing our makeup brushes, but our hair brushes can be forgotten. However, unwashed brushes can contain a multitude of dead skin cells and other buildup that you don’t want to be transferring onto lovely clean hair. Read our blog to find out more about cleaning your hair brush.
Will I lose less hair if I don’t brush it?
Skipping hair brushing won’t decrease the average amount of hair you lose. It is important to use the correct technique and tool when brushing your hair, in order to stimulate a healthy scalp and promote hair growth.
When is the best time to brush my hair?
Knowing how often to brush your hair can be difficult - you don’t want to leave it too long for knots to form but at the same time, you don’t want to over brush your hair cause potential breakage. It will also depend on your hair type e.g if your hair is naturally straight then you might not need to brush it as much as someone who has naturally thick hair. Our experts at Tangle Angel HQ typically brush their hair between 2-3 times a day.