Which hair brush to choose

The ceramic base helps retain heat more efficiently to improve drying time and help smooth hair. These temperature-resistant nylon bristles are infused with ions to be soft and gentle on hair. They may reduce frizz and make for a faster blow-drying time. Baby round brushes get right in under bangs for pro-like styling. Plus, they can help battle unruly cowlicks, said Garrison. You can also go into small sections at the crown of your head with a blow dryer to work in more volume.

Although this brush is technically made for men, it's perfect for getting underneath small bangs to add volume and lift. This tiny, thin brush has holes that allow heat from a blowdryer to easily reach your hair. Do you ever put in a set of hot rollers or work a curling iron over your hair, only to have your brush pull out most of the style afterward?

This type of brush smooths, straightens and adds shine to hair. The boar bristles distribute natural oils from the scalp through the hair shaft, creating a polished look. Garrison specifically recommended this iconic brush which was made to add a finishing touch to your waves. This brush from GranNaturals is perfect for thick or long hair. If your hair is thin, this similar one from Dovahlia comes with a comb and is designed to groom thin, fine and normal hair.

This Allure Best of Beauty Award winner will cost you a pretty penny, but it's a Sephora-favorite and known to be great for detangling straight, wavy, curly or coiled hair. Use the pointed end of the heat-resistant plastic comb for sectioning hair before styling or drying. The comb side can be used for teasing or smoothing hair. After all, when it comes to hair, it's the fancy products and cool new styling tips that everyone's always talking about, not something as boring as brushing. But here's the thing: Brushing, more specifically, improper brushing, can be a huge cause of hair damage.

The good news? It's easily avoidable, as long as you master the right technique. It's pretty simple—all you have to do is start brushing at the ends and gradually work your way up. When you brush the way most people do—starting at the roots and moving downward—you end up simply pushing any tangles or snarls all the way to the ends, which are the most fragile part of your hair to begin with, and can wind up having one big ol' knot at the bottom.

The other very important part of the puzzle? Watch out for the tell-tale signs—broken bristles, for instance—to replace it. A hairbrush usually lasts six months. Clean your hairbrush regularly, once a week is ideal. It is important you remove the dirt, dust and product build-up from the bristles unless you want them back on your scalp and hair! Words of Wellness. The Benefits of Cuddling. Photo: Shutterstock. Consider this gentle, effective grooming tool the final ingredient in the recipe for a perfect hair day.

Clean your hairbrush monthly using a clarifying shampoo to remove oily residue and product build-up. Boar bristle brushes are great for those with delicate hair as well, but make sure you choose one with extra-soft bristles.

All-natural bristle hairbrushes are gentle, but if your hair is thinning or especially fragile, look for a softer cut of bristle. Medium-to-thick hair can benefit from a mixture of nylon and boar bristles. Mixed bristle brushes are really the best of both worlds. Curls do present their own unique challenges, but with the right tools, you can tackle them all. To keep coils in tip-top shape, look for a hairbrush with widely spaced wooden pins. To smooth short hair and bangs, choose a small round brush with boar bristles.

Boar bristles are great for creating tension; they catch every hair, making a boar bristle brush a dream for styling short strands. Whether the end goal is smooth and sleek or you want a boost of volume, this little wonder will get you there.