The Ultimate SPY Guide to Hair Brushes & Combs

* Healthy hair requires quality brushes that won’t cause damage
* Find the one that is best for your hair type and styling habits
* The right brush and comb keeps hair healthy and will prevent breakage

Navigating the hair tool aisle online or in person can be a somewhat daunting task. There are so many available options, so it’s easy to become slightly overwhelmed. As these are tools we use almost every day, you want to get the best bang for your buck and the right brush and/or comb for your specific hair type. Below we’ve outlined a guide to the different types of combs and brushes available and how they are best utilized.

1. Wide-Toothed Combs

The wide tooth comb should be the first hair tool you choose once you get out of the shower. Although it can be used on wet or dry hair, it is ideal for combing out wet hair and detangling without causing breakage or damage. The key to the wide tooth comb is the spaced out teeth that safely brush out tangles even when it’s in most fragile state. One comb we love is the

.  Made from durable plastic, this comb is designed for all hair types, reduces breakage and is a great way to distribute any product throughout your hair.

2. Metal Brush

The metal hair brush is an ideal way to create curls and volume in your hair and achieve a faster blowout. The metal on the brush is designed to retain heat resulting in a quicker, smoother blow-dry. The

will not only give you a faster blowout but will add body and fullness as well. The smaller barrel is the ideal size for creating waves or straightening course, wavy hair as well. The ball-tipped bristles will prevent snagging and pulling and a soft ridged grip gives you a comfortable hold.

3. Rattail Combs

The Pin Tail or Rattail Comb, as they are more commonly known, is a flat comb with very fine teeth. Ideal for parting hair, styling and creating updos, the comb has a narrow handle which helps give it precision while styling. A great option is the

. Made with an extra long, stainless steel pintail, this comb is lightweight, comfortable to hold, can withstand high heat and is slide proof.

4. Teasing Brush

The teasing brush is great styling tool to have around for adding volume to your hair at the root by backcombing or teasing your hair. The

is a great, all around brush that will not only give your hair volume but will help reduce frizz and prevent oil build-up due to its boar bristle make up.

5. Round Brushes

A round boar bristle brush is a must-have in any hair tool arsenal. The brush can be used to create the perfect blowout, waves, curls or straighten the hair depending on your technique. Boar Bristles are the top of the line when it comes to round brushes as they are known for reducing frizz, preventing oil build up and stimulating the scalp. The

is a great example of this must-have brush. In addition to the qualities above, the brush is specially designed to fit the shape of the head, longer nylon strands provide deeper lift and penetration of the hair and it has a durable polished wood handle that is comfortable in your hand during styling.

6. Detangling Brush

The Detangling Brush is a great way to get rid of knots in wet or dry hair. The brush works by separating the hair strands sideways instead of downwards thus allowing it to target even the toughest tangles without pain, breakage and damage. The

has painless soft plastic bristles that massage the scalp thus increasing circulation which may help promote accelerated hair growth.

7. Vented Brushes

Vented brushes are important because their hollow centers allow a heated stream of air to flow through the brush and hair, ensuring high-speed drying. The

not only allows fast blow-dry time but can be used to add volume to hair and the special Hyflex vent provides grip and control.

8. Paddle Brushes

Paddle Brushes make hair sleek, shiny and detangle your strands with ease. Ideal for medium to longer hair lengths, these brushes are larger than most, flat, wide and usually made of plastic or ceramic. Another detangling brush option, they can be used to brush out tangles in wet or dry hair or can be used as a finishing touch after a blow dry for curled or straight hairstyles. One great option is the

which has an elastic air cushion and ball-bristles that work to massage your scalp and a nonslip rubber handle that remains comfortable for long use.

9. Ceramic Brush

One of the most used brushes around is the Ceramic Round Brush. Ceramic is simply a plating over the metal and when the metal heats up, it acts like a curling iron to the hair and the ceramic coating protects it from burning. The brush is best suited for a smooth blow-dry, creating soft waves and cutting down drying time. The

has boar bristles to help enhance shine while protecting your hair and the large round shape will create volume while helping reduce frizz. The Suprent also features a lightweight, ergonomic design with a textured one-piece handle to eliminate hair catching and pulling.

10. Boar Bristle Brush

The Boar Bristle Brush is made from 100% natural wild boar hair and is the best type of brush for distributing your natural hair oils throughout your hair to achieve that smooth and shiny look. The

includes a lightweight, pure boar bristle brush and wooden wide tooth comb that will work for detangling the hair. This is a great daily hair brush for both men and women to obtain shiny, healthy hair yet is gentle enough that it will not pull your hair or scratch your scalp.