What is a Straightening Brush and How does it Work?
It looks just like an ordinary hair brush, but instead of bristles, there are heated prongs. Plus, the pad of the brush heats up just as your regular straightening iron does.
This hot tool works like both a flat iron and a brush in one. It is designed to detangle your locks while simultaneously straightening them – saving time and effort.
Trust me, they are an absolute game-changer when it comes to styling your hair.
Be sure to use it on completely dry hair, as it differs from hot air brushes in that regard.
Do Straightening Brushes Really Work?
The answer is that it depends on what you’re hoping to achieve.
If you’re not interested in the 90s trend of super straight hair, a straightening brush is a great alternative to using a flat iron.
It works well for removing curls and frizz without the totally straight look. Your hair retains its body and movement for a more natural finish.
However, if you’re hoping to achieve the totally straight look that you would get from using a flat iron, then you may be disappointed.
Flat iron vs Straightening Brush
If you’re looking to straighten your hair, you may be wondering whether to use a flat iron or a straightening brush.
Both tools can achieve similar results, but there are some key differences to keep in mind.
1. Hair Health
Straightening brushes use heated bristles to straighten the strands, and since you are just running them through the hair, they are a gentler option than flat irons.
Flat irons have plates that press down on the hair, putting direct heat on both sides of your strands, which can be more damaging to your hair.
Another thing to consider is that flat irons can sometimes cause tugs, snags, and hair breakage.
Straightening brushes, on the other hand, detangle your hair as they are used. This makes them a better option for those with curly hair that tangles easily.
2. Hair Type Considerations:
Flat irons heat up to higher temperatures than a straightening brush. This makes it a good choice for hard-to-straighten, more textured, or thicker hair that requires higher temperatures to be straightened.
But, if you’re not after a super straight look and just want to smooth your thick, coarse hair and remove any frizz, then a straightening brush will work well for you.
Straightening brushes are perfect for those with thin to normal hair, who are seeking smooth and voluminous locks without worrying about heat damage.
3. Heat Damage:
If you’re looking for a way to straighten your hair without damaging it, you may want to consider using a straightening brush instead of a flat iron.
Flat irons are often used at extremely high temperatures, which can have the potential to create heat damage (1). As a result, they’re not meant to be used every day.
Straightening brushes, on the other hand, can be used more regularly for touch-ups in between your straightening sessions.
Remember to use a heat protectant spray on your hair before using any hot tool!
4. Styling Flexibility
A flat iron gives you plenty of styling options and can create different looks. It also provides a long-lasting styling result.
If you want to curl your hair, you can use a flat iron for that as well. All you need to do is wrap sections of your hair around the plates and hold for a few seconds before release.
However, it doesn’t offer the ability to add volume to your strands like a straightening brush does.
A straightening brush is less versatile, as it’s mainly used for detangling and straightening hair. However, you can use it to create loose waves by brushing through small sections of hair and twisting as you go.
5. Time Efficiency:
A straightening brush can be a two-in-one product, meaning it can both brush and straighten your hair at the same time. This can be a huge time saver if you’re short on time.
Additionally, straightening brushes can often cover larger sections of hair at once, making the styling process easier and faster than using a traditional flat iron.
In some cases, you may be able to cut your styling time in half by using a straightening brush instead of a flat iron.
However, you still need to blow- or air-dry your hair before using a straightening brush. If your hair is damp, the brush will not work as effectively
6. Ease of use:
Flat irons can be tricky to use, especially if you’re new to straightening your hair. It takes some practice to get the hang of using a flat iron, and you need to be careful not to burn your scalp or hands.
Straightening brushes are much easier to use and are a great option for those who are new to hair straightening. All you need to do is brush through your hair and the brush will do the rest.
7. Price:
The price of hair straightening tools can vary depending on the brand, quality, and features. In general, flat irons tend to be more expensive than straightening brushes.
You can find a good quality flat iron for around $50, whereas a straightening brush may only cost you around $30.
So, if you’re on a budget, a straightening brush is a more affordable option.
What to Look for When Buying a Straightening Brush
Straightening brushes have come a long way in recent years, and there are now many different types on the market. So, how do you know which one is right for you?
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best straightening brush for your needs.
First, let’s start with the shape of the brush.
Shape of the Brush
Straightening Brushes come in different shapes and this plays a big part in determining your style.
There are three main shapes to choose from: round, paddle, or oval straightening brushes.
Each of these shapes are designed specifically with different types of styles in mind.
Paddle Brush
The paddle brush is great for those looking to smooth and detangle large sections quickly and effectively. With its wide rectangular shape, it covers a large section of hair effortlessly and detangles knots with ease.
Paddle brushes work best on long hair for fast and effective styling.
Round Brush
Round brushes offer much more grip than paddle brushes, making them perfect for wavy or curly hair. Their cylindrical shape helps maintain enough tension to stretch and straighten your locks, allowing for a smoother result.
Not only that but they spin more easily so you can really add volume at the scalp, giving fullness and bounce to any hairstyle.
With round brushes, you can also curl, smooth, and straighten your locks for versatile styling options.
Oval brushes
They strike a great balance between paddle and round brushes. They have a wide paddle-like shape, but the ends are slightly curved, creating a more rounded look.
Oval brushes provide gentle tension, so they are great for fine hair types that need an extra boost of volume. They will also help you get your desired style faster, as they cover more surface area than a round brush.
This makes oval brushes the best option for shoulder-length or longer hair.
Material:
Straightening brushes typically have a ceramic plate, but there are also options with titanium or tourmaline-infused ceramic plates.
So, what’s the difference?
Ceramic is a popular material for hair straighteners. It evenly distributes heat, which means no hot spots that can damage your hair, and no cold spots that result in needing to go over the same section more than once.
So if you have fine, thin, or damaged hair, ceramic is the best material for you.
If your hair is prone to frizz, tourmaline-infused ceramic is a great option. Tourmaline is a crystal that produces more negative ions than ceramic, which helps to close the cuticle and seal in moisture. This makes it a weapon against frizzy hair.
If you have thicker, harder-to-straighten hair, titanium is a good option. Titanium is a light metal, which means a less heavy tool. This also means it heats up faster and transfers the heat to your hair more quickly. Titanium plates are also recommended for long hair as they can recover heat faster than ceramic plates.
Heat Settings:
Many people believe that the higher the heat setting, the better the results will be.
In fact, using too much heat can actually cause damage to your hair.
The best way to pick the right heat setting is to consider texture and current health of your hair. (https://numehair.com/blogs/default-blog/what-goes-on-inside-of-your-straightener)
When it comes to choosing a hair straightening brush, it’s important to choose a brush that offers multiple heat settings. That way, you can find the perfect setting for your hair type and avoid causing any damage.
Maximum/ Minimum Heat Level
Heat is essential to straighten your hair, but it’s important to consider the amount of heat required to straighten your hair.
If you’re someone with fine or fragile hair, make sure the lowest heat level starts at maximum 250°F.
But if you have thick hair you’ll need a straightening brush that can reach temperatures of up to 450°F.
This way, you can adjust the temperature according to your needs and avoid damaging your hair.
Handle:
Before you choose a new straightening brush, don’t forget to examine the length of the handle! If it’s too short, it can put strain on your hands.
You can think of another object that requires balance – a teeter-totter, for example. The same concept applies to a straightening brush: if it has a shorter handle compared to the barrel, then it will be difficult to balance it properly.
To make sure that you have an easy grip in hand, check for wider handles with a non-slip covering – most suitable for those who have smaller hands or difficulty holding. In contrast, narrow handles can cause difficulty in gripping them and make your arms tire easily.
Auto Shut Off
Nobody likes to start their day with a fire alarm, so it’s important to make sure your straightening brush has an auto-shutoff feature.
This feature automatically turns off the device after a certain amount of time, usually between 30 and 60 minutes.
This is a great safety feature as it prevents the device from overheating or catching fire.
Size and Weight:
When it comes to straightening brushes, size and weight are two important factors to consider.
A good rule of thumb is to pick something lightweight, as this will make it easier to maneuver and style your hair.
Also keep in mind that weight is related linearly to size; the bigger the tool, the heavier it will be.
Price:
Finally, always consider the price when buying a straightening brush.
There are many different options out there, from budget-friendly models to high-end ones.
Look for a straightening brush that fits your budget but also offers all the features you need. Don’t settle for something cheap just for the sake of saving money, as this could end up costing you more in the long run.
Overall, it’s important to choose a straightening brush that meets your needs and budget while still protecting your hair.
Bottom Line:
We hope this guide helps you find the perfect straightening brush.
When it comes to hair care, the best tool for you is one that helps you reach your desired style and still protects your locks.
