Up until a few years ago, I used only my trusty drugstore hair brush for everything with the belief that one-size-fits-all. But then I discovered that there are legit so many different types of hair brushes on the market (see: round brushes, paddle brushes, hair-straightening brushes, detangling brushes, etc.), and they all do something different. And no, you don't need a dozen styles of hair brushes, however, you should consider a few, or instead invest in one that can do the job of many, like my personal favorite, the boar-bristle brush that's great for all hair types. Nylon can also be effective and some tools mix both nylon with boar, like the Oribe Flat Brush. Plastic is okay, though it won't hold up as well and can cause added friction (and therefore added frizz) to strands. Pros: Comes with a variety of attachments, great for touch-ups, great at creating a salon-level blowout Give your hair the best chance and natural volume by cutting it shorter. The longer your hair is, the more likely it is to be flat due to being heavier. This is particularly true for those with flat and thin strands. Try taking off a few inches or even going for a full-on bob to give your hair body and movement. 12. Use a dry shampoo to add fullness. To lift the roots with a lasting finish, make sure you’ve invested in a hairdryer with more than one heat setting. Fine or damaged hair can be sensitive to high heat, so the best way to choose the optimum setting is by directing the hot air into the palm of your hand. If you’re comfortable having that temperature on your palm, it should be fine to use on your scalp.

Anthony Naderis a celebrity hairstylist and the salon owner of Raw Anthony Naderin Sydney, Australia. We suggest using Suave Up The Volume Shampoo and Conditioner, both of which add weightless shine and lasting lift. 5. Keep conditioner away from your roots. The act of brushing also stimulates the capillaries and blood vessels on the scalp. This helps increase circulation to the area, which in turn increases how much oxygen reaches the hair follicles. It also boosts the flow of nutrients to the area. All of this is said to help with hair growth, strengthening the roots and reducing hair loss.Meet the experts: Ghanima Abdullah is a hairstylist in Chicago. Ebony Gordon is a hairstylists and owner of Hairista Studio in Hampton, Virginia. Emilio Uribe is a celebrity hair and makeup designer. Kenna Ehman is the co-founder and master stylist at Kenna Kunijo in Charlotte, North Carolina. First things first, this particular hair dryer brush is designed to be used on dry hair only, so make sure you let your hair completely air-dry or rough-dry with a dryer prior to use. It has a 1.25-inch barrel, which is the perfect size for creating lots of volume and body and hints of curl or wave. (It's easy and fun to customize your results!) Plus, it keeps the heat at a consistent 365°F, so there's minimal damage, and the cool tip means no burnt fingers. Wins all around! When it comes to bristle material, Nader is a big fan of brushes made of boar's hair, as with the Fromm Intuition Glosser. “These are soft, so your strands will glide through them with ease,” he says. “They help reduce the amount of tugging on strands, which can cause hair breakage, and they're fab for promoting blood flow which is beneficial for hair growth.” Your style will have more staying power if you start with wet hair,” says Diaz. “Hair that’s dried naturally rather than with a blowdryer will tend to fall flat easier.” To stop hair from looking limp, Elena suggests using a blowdryer and barrel brush to push each section forwards so when the hair does drop, it doesn’t fall straight down.

Build up your body by separating your hair into several manageable sections and concentrate on drying each one as you go, focusing on the roots. “Most people pull the hair out in a horizontal direction when blow-drying but raising the hair out, then upwards to the top of your head is the key to lasting fullness,” says Diaz.Its lightweight design makes it perfect for keeping in your handbag when you’re on the go, too – so if you’re treating yourself to just one hairbrush, the Wet Brush deserves to be top of your list. This is a simple tip that can change the level of volume in your hair. It’s so important that you only focus conditioner on the bottom two-thirds of your strands. If you put conditioner in your roots is will over-moisturize them and weigh them down, taking away any hope of creating volume at the root, which will, in turn, maintain the flat hair. 6. Use a volume-enhancing mousse against Flat Hair. Incorporate a mousse into your routine for extra volume. In reality, though, massaging your scalp on its own using just this brush can help stimulate circulation, just as most hair oils will take the place of Aveda’s somewhat expensive version. YOUR TURN: Arethere any other types of hair brushes or information I left out? What type of brush do you use, and why? Drop your thoughts in the comments section below! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 Try using your straighteners or a curling wand to create loose, unkempt waves. Alternatively, braid your hair before you go to sleep and unravel it in the morning for plenty of curves and kinks. Ooh la la, indeed.

Don’t panic! We know you’re shuddering at the thought of adding extra weight to your hair but actually, applying mousse is a step we suggest you don’t skip. I'm aware that this is the most expensive hot brush out there, but I believe that the Dyson AirWrap is one of the best hair multi-stylers for creating bouncy blowdries at home whilst giving you the option to style your hair in many ways. It offers six different attachments, including a round brush—which is easily my favourite of the bunch—as well as two curling barrels for tighter curls, two paddle brushes for detangling and straightening lengths, and a blow-drying attachment. Kat Savano is a hairstylist based in the California Bay Area. She is also an educator for Leonor Greyl. The ultimate hairbrush from tangle teezer is a revolutionary new brush designed for use on all hair types. It features a unique design that is both flexible and highly durable. The brush is designed to effortlessly glide through any type of hair without pulling or tugging, making it ideal for detangling even the most stubborn tangles. Additionally, its ergonomic design allows for effortless styling, while its unique bristles help to create smooth, shiny hair. My hair has never felt softer and I do think the condition has improved too, as the brush effectively negates the need for other hot tools. Whilst rotating the brush to create your desired effect and bounce does take practice, it's so much easier than doing so with a brush in one hand and a dryer in the other. As someone with a lot of hair, it's nothing short of a miracle that I can give myself a bouncy blowdry (one that I love!) in 15 minutes flat."

Round

Hair rollers are a great way to boost the volume to prevent flat hair and body in your style. Start by blowdrying your hair to about 70% done. Then, add in your hair rollers to create and set your style. Remove your rollers once your hair is 100% dry. 15. Get to the root of the problem. For hair that sits above the shoulders, styling choppy layers with a curling wand is a great way to play with texture,” suggests Diaz. “Take layers at various lengths and curl some of the ends inwards and others outwards. This will add the illusion of fuller hair around the face.” Handle: Consider the ergonomics of the brush. You can choose a few different handle styles: Plastic, wooden or rubber. "For a smooth, perfect, gripped handle, I prefer the wooden handle out of the three," says Taylor, though a rubber handle also provides a solid grip and comfort while brushing, and plastic handles tend to be a more affordable choice. For example, round hairbrushes are perfect for creating that bouncy blow-dry, while paddle brushes can smooth your hair into a poker-straight style.

Here’s our selection of the best hairbrushes, of various types and for all hair textures; read on to find the perfect brush for your style.

Bright

Make sure you're using maximum tension with the hair-dryer brush and move slowly down the shaft of your hair in a 'C' shape motion," says hairstylist Andrés Melendez. If you want extra volume near your face (hi, curtain bangs), direct sections of the hair out and away from the face. It will probably take you a few times to truly ~nail~ the technique, but trust, it gets easier. Choose the bristle type. English brand Mason Pearson hasn’t changed its cult-classic Boar and Nylon Bristle brush since 1895 – a testament to its superb design. Mixing the finest premium-grade boar-bristle with nylon, the brush is exceptionally gentle on the hair and scalp, so it’s perfect for fine, delicate textures that are easily damaged. Plus, brushing spreads sebum to make your hair stronger (sounds disgusting, we know), and this can help with greasiness. What type of hairbrush should I use? We start by taking note of the brush’s recommended usage – for dry or damp brushing, with or without a hairdryer. We confirm the materials from which the bristles are made, the dimensions of the tool and any colour options. In use, we assess how easily the brush passes through our hair and the time it takes to brush a full head of hair. We consider how well the tool removes knots and tangles, how the brush feels on the hair and scalp, the effect of the brush on any static or flyaways and how smooth the hair looks and feels after brushing. Pros: Acts as both a flat iron and hot brush, well-suited for all hair types and textures, reaches heat settings up to 400°F