Which Brush Is Right For Each Hair Type?

Your Guide To Choosing The Correct Brush For Every Look

Brush choice can make or break a technique. Choosing the right brush is like deciding what color, styling product or hot tool will best achieve a look with ease and speed. That’s why we collabed with Olivia Garden to create the ultimate guide to choosing brushes for blowouts, balayage, waves and more. Plus, some pro tips to show you how it’s done! Keep scrollin’ and don’t forget to screenshot your faves.

1. Round Thermal Brush

Best For:

• Curls, waves, volume and hair flips on normal to thick hair
• Hair Length: The longer the hair, the bigger the brush diameter
• Hair Type: Normal to thick hair

Why?

Large holes allow for great airflow, and ceramic-coated barrels dry the hair faster. Bristles are super heat-resistant AND ionic, so hair gets shiny and bouncy.

2021 Trend Radar: Achieve bouncy ’90s supermodel bouncy blowouts with round brush sets! 

Or style curtain bangs & long layers like @xo.farhana.balayage with the 1.75” NanoThermic Ceramic + ion Round Brush.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Olivia Garden International (@oliviagardenint)

Another one: All brushes, no hot tools by @stylinbymaggie!

BONUS: The MultiBrush detachable handle makes it super easy to create fast blowout brush sets.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Balayage/ #handtouchbalayage (@mickeycolonjr)

2. Square Thermal Brush

Best For:

• Waves and flips (smaller diameters) or volume and smoothing (larger diameters) on normal to thick hair
• Hair Length: The longer the hair, the bigger the brush diameter
• Hair Type: Normal to thick hair

Why?

Square shapes allow you to create more versatile looks, and large holes help with airflow. Soft-tip ionic bristles make the hair shinier and are gentle on the hair and scalp.

Pro Tip: The square thermal brush creates volume while the flat side creates straight, sleekness vs. the round thermal brush that creates a C-shape in the hair.

Watch @stylistricardosantiago break down WHEN & WHY you should reach for a NanoThermic Ceramic + ion Square Shaper Brush.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Olivia Garden International (@oliviagardenint)

3. Ionic & Boar Paddle Brush

Best For:

• Daily brushing and care, touch-ups and styling
• Hair Length: Short to long
• Hair Type: Every hair type and hair extensions

Why?

Boar bristles distribute the hair’s natural oils for smooth and shiny hair, eliminating frizz and flyaways. The ionic and boar bristle combo is perfect for styling and brushing thick or curly hair.

Pro Tip For Detangling Teasylights:

After rinsing out teasylights, apply Olaplex No.2 from roots to ends concentrating on the tease. Process and brush out the tease with the Divine Brush.

Watch how @laurachristopherhairartist brushes out teasylights!

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Olivia Garden International (@oliviagardenint)

Pro Tip To Prevent Sticky Waves:

@mickeycolonjr applies hairspray directly onto the Ceramic + ion Supreme Combo Brush instead of the hair to prevent sticky curls or waves.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Balayage/ #handtouchbalayage (@mickeycolonjr)

4. Round Boar Brush

Best For:                          

• Volume (smaller diameters) and straightening on wavy, curly or very curly hair
• Hair Length: The longer the hair, the bigger the brush diameter
• Hair Type: Wavy, curly and very curly

Why?

Boar bristles distribute the hair’s natural oils, resulting in super shiny hair. The tightly packed bristles give excellent tension control when straightening. Also, remember when using this brush on curls and waves, it is NOT a detangler!

Watch @stylistricardosantiago break down when to use a round boar brush vs. round thermal brush.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Olivia Garden International (@oliviagardenint)

5. Detangling Paddle Brush

Best For:

• Detangles wet or dry hair
• Hair Length: All lengths
• Hair Type: Every hair type

Why?

Ball-point tips are gentle on the hair and scalp, and the snag-free design makes it easier for the brush to gently glide and detangle the hair from roots to ends.

Watch how @stylistricardosantiago detangles curls with the OG Brush Detangler while the conditioner is still on!

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Olivia Garden International (@oliviagardenint)

6. Vent Soft Tip Paddle Brush

Best For:

• Blow-drying, styling and daily brushing
• Hair Length: All lengths
• Hair Type: Every hair type

Why?

The large flat area straightens hair, and the vented brush head cuts down blow-drying time. The ionic bristles penetrate all the way to the scalp with gentle ball-point tips.

Pro Tip For Achieving IG-Worthy Waves:

Start with defined curls. Allow the curls to cool down and gently brush through with the Fingerbrush for undone, loose waves.

Watch how it’s done by @tashaelysianhair below.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Olivia Garden International (@oliviagardenint)

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7. Color & Care Brush

Best For:

• Fully saturating and evenly distributing hair color, lightener and treatments
• Hair Length: All lengths
• Hair Type: Every hair type

Why?

Dual length bristles easily penetrate shallow and deep layers at the same time for full saturation without gaps. The brush removes excess product and redistributes where it’s needed for a natural blend.

Pro Tip For Soft Baby Blondes:

While babylights process, tip out the ends by applying lightener on the iBlend Brush and working through section by section. This is how @mickeycolonjr achieves a soft baby blonde.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Olivia Garden International (@oliviagardenint)

Check out this dreamy blend from @colorbymarina using the iBlend Brush for color melting and toning.

8. Styler Brush

Best For:

• Styling, shaping, daily brushing and men’s styling
• Hair Length: Short to medium
• Hair Type: Fine to normal

Why?

Ball-point tips glide through the hair for faster styling, and the ceramic plate retains heat while you style. The heat-resistant, semi-circular pad helps shape the hair.

Who loves a good finish? We’re obsessed with this look by @jessicapowerspaints with the OG Brush Styler.

9. Teasing ­­Brush

Best For:

• Teasing, building volume, creating texture and back-brushing
• Hair Length: All lengths
• Hair Type: Every hair type

Why?

The narrow brush design is perfect for building for back-combing and building volume or texture. The tail helps for sectioning with precision, separating hair, tucking and lifting.

Pro Tip For A Sleek Finish:

Spray hairspray directly onto the Style Up Brush and smooth hair to the scalp and around the ear for an ultra-sleek hairline.

Watch how @matrimonymanes creates a model off-duty vibe with a sleek middle-part.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by RAQUEL SILVA (@matrimonymanes)

10. Should I Use A Brush Cleaner & How Often?

Short answer: YES! Whatever brush you choose, it’s ESSENTIAL to regularly clean—Mickey recommends using the Brush Cleaner between clients who lose a lot of hair and daily. This is a must for maintaining a clean, professional appearance and allows the brushes to do their jobs better!

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Balayage/ #handtouchbalayage (@mickeycolonjr)