Curly/kinky hair is beautiful and fascinating. I remember the first time I saw ladies wearing skillfully styled natural hair. I was totally blown away by its beauty, texture, and details.
However, having healthy, vibrant, and beautiful hair does not happen by luck or chance. The next time you see anyone with that breathtaking, long, and healthy kinky hair, take a minute to ask them the secret of their mane. If you hear them say things like “I don’t really do anything” or the very popular one “It´s just by God´s Grace” (this particular one is very funny), it means they are probably saving themselves the trouble of beginning a hair care lecture or they simply do not want to tell you. The truth is that everybody with great hair has been able to learn and carry out good hair care practices.
Natural hair comes with its own challenges, from breakage, frizz, dryness, and tangles to struggling to maintain shape and definition. And just like anything worthwhile, caring for natural hair is a lot of work (don’t be scared, sis; it´s not as difficult as it sounds). But then it surely requires you to do certain things. You have to put in the work to get the result you desire.
One thing we must consider when caring for natural hair is the need to use the right hair tools. In this article, we will consider the importance of using the right tools (specifically brushes) for curly/kinky hair and also recommend some of the best brushes specifically made for type 4 hair.
The importance of using the right tools
Have you ever tried to carry out a task but lacked the right tools and settled for using the wrong tool? Even if the task was easy, using the wrong equipment will make you struggle, waste more time, and likely not do an effective job.
When you use the wrong hair tool, it can lead to hair damage, among other things. It irks me whenever I see people using the wrong type of brush and comb for their type 4 hair. There are certain types of brushes and combs that you have no business using, especially if you have type 4 hair.
The Role of Brushes in Curly Hair Care
While some people focus only on combs, using brushes on natural hair can be a valuable tool in maintaining healthy, beautiful curls. Some people think brushes are made only for wigs, but that is untrue. There are numerous brushes out there, specifically designed for natural hair-even type 4 hair.
Below are some of the usefulness of hair brushes:
Pain-free Detangling
Some people have already settled their minds to believing that detangling is a process that has to be endured. But guess what? One thing about brushes (which makes me love using them) is that they can make your detangling process very easy and painless. They are specially made to glide freely through your hair, detangling without causing any tension.
Removal of knots and tangles
Brushes are excellent for removing knots and tangles, which are very common with curly/coily hair. Just like combs, when using a brush for detangling, make sure to start from the ends of your hair and work your way up to the roots.
Distribution of moisture
When brushing hair, oils are present throughout the length of the hair. This helps to make moisturizing easier and promotes hydration. In addition, when you apply your hair butters, creams, and oils to your hair, following it with a brush will make it easier for your products to penetrate your hair strands.
Smoothening
During your hair styling process, brushes can help smoothen your hair, making it appear more beautiful. As a hairstylist, my brush comes in very handy whenever I am working on my client´s hair.
Best Brushes for Curly Hair
Denman brush
This brush has the ability to define curls and reduce hair frizz. Just as the name implies, the 7 rows of nylon bristles glides effortlessly through curls, helping to smoothing and detangle the hair without causing damage. Denman brush comes in different designs that you can choose from.
Tangle teezer brush
This brush became really popular in recent times. A tangle teezer brush has flexible bristles that help to gently detangle knots and minimize breakage. I love this brush particularly because of how painless it makes detangling become. It makes detangling a piece of cake.
In addition to that, tangle teezer brush can be used to detangle even wet hair. We all know that wet hair is susceptible to breakage, but if you´re the stubborn type (winking), you can go ahead to comb your wet hair using a tangle teezer brush.
Also, it can be used to give your hair definition and smoothening. Apply some conditioner to your hair, and follow it through with this brush. It can make your curls more pronounced and beautiful.
And one more feature, it comes in a very portable size, making it possible for on-the-go touch-ups. You should consider adding this brush to your hair tools collection.
Ouidad double detangler comb
The Ouidad double detangler comb is a wide-toothed comb specifically designed for curly hair. It has two rows of staggered teeth that gently glide through curls to detangle without causing breakage.
EZ detangler brush
The EZ detangling brush has a beautiful design. Its flexible head has separate bristles that glide gracefully when in use, making it perfect for detangling curly, coily, and kinky-textured hair. Many naturalists are becoming familiar with this brush. There has been a subtle battle between it and the tangle teezer brush over which one is better. You can try it out to see how it works for your hair.
Wet brush detangler
The wet brush detangler brush has soft, flexible bristles and is perfect for gently detangling wet or dry hair without causing damage. Its handle and lightweight design make it very comfortable to use for extended periods.
You don’t have to get all the brushes, go through them, check their characteristics, and make your choice(s). Investing in a high-quality brush specifically designed for curly hair ensures that your hair looks its best every day.
