The Fundamentals of Hair Brushing
Samson maintained it was the key to his strength, Coco Chanel said if you cut it your life was about to change, and this most treasured feature is proclaimed to be about 90% of any individual selfie.
Selection of ACCA KAPPA Hair brushes
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There can be no doubt about the importance many of us assign to our hair and sure enough the economy around beauty reflects this; from thickening sprays, to frizz defying sheets to wonder water and molecular haircare masks, not to mention the latest Dyson gadget and hours spent at the hair salon modifying it to any and all the colours of the rainbow and back again. It’s little wonder that despite the time, money and favour we devote to our hair, the relationship we have with this feature which can be wild, glamourous, dull and dwindling in turn may become acrimonious at times.
One of the first hair care and beauty rituals we experience is brushing; there is a kind of breathless intimacy to brushing someone else’s hair, patiently unravelling its tangles, working through its depths, applying gentle pressure to the scalp; the sound alone is enough to send tingles down the spine. When we brush our own hair, the delicate nature of this ritual opens up in front of us and can become a thing of joy (believe it or not!). But beyond its nostalgic associations, hair brushing is a beauty fix that makes a difference: from adding shine, to detangling and getting rid of impurities, as well as improving blood flow to the scalp and promoting healthy hair growth, the hairbrush is the ultimate unsung hero of beauty and lifestyle.
Read on to find out more about the golden rules of this ritual, for a good relationship with your crowning feature:
1) Invest in a brush with right bristle type for your hair, and one that is fit for purpose.
For Shine & Volume: If you’re looking for a brush that will gently polish locks between washes, then a natural bristle or ‘porcupine’ (natural bristle & nylon monofilament) brush are good options. Natural bristle is great for adding shine and distributing the hairs’ natural oils down the shaft, while nylon monofilaments will work to gently detangle. Those with finer/ less tangle prone hair are better off with pure bristle whilst those with more tangle prone and/or thicker hair will benefit from a ‘porcupine’ brush.
Featured: ACCA KAPPA Pure Bristle Brush, ACCA KAPPA Mixed Bristle Brush, ACCA KAPPA Extension Mixed Bristle Brush
For Detangling & Scalp Massage: Here at Rye Botanica, we recommend equipping your beauty drawer with a detangling brush as well as polishing brush (mentioned above). Pneumatic pom pin brushes are good for all hair types, even thicker hair whereas looped nylon brushes are ideal for delicate and/or straight hair.
Featured: ACCA KAPPA EYE Collection, ACCA KAPPA Airy No. 2, ACCA KAPPA Shower Paddle Brush
For Curly Hair: Depending on the tightness of your curls, it may be best to avoid dry brushing it completely and sticking with a comb or using a gentle detangling brush when its wet. However a brush with wooden pins will work a bit like fingers to gently detangle hair and can be great solution in between washes for bouncier locks.
Featured: ACCA KAPPA Natura Collection
2) Find a brush that’s the right shape and size for your hair
The bigger the brush the more they can handle, so if you have a full head of flowing locks an oval brush or large paddle is your best friend, but for men’s short hair or pixie cuts a small rectangular brush will do the trick. Travel brushes are perfect for beach bags and windswept days.
Travel Paddle Brush from ACCA KAPPA's sustainable EYE collection
3) Be gentle
Never drag a brush through your hair and avoid a ripping sound- that’s your hair breaking! Use a detangling brush that’s best for your hair (see point 1) and detangle from the ends using sections. Going from the bottom up and taking it one section at a time is more effective and will actually take you the same or less time than tightening tangles when you tear through the top.
ACCA KAPPA Shower Paddle Brush is a gentle detangler
4) Look after your scalp, and redistribute oils
In addition to boosting your mood, scalp stimulation is a vital part of hair health: creating a good environment for hair growth it promotes microcirculation of hair follicles whilst aiding in the removal of dead skin cells.
When you are detangling it’s best to start from the bottom up but when you are redistributing oils start from your roots, the natural oils give your hair shine and strengthen it. Using a soft bristle brush about twice a week for this purpose is good practice and you’ll easily get some scalp care in simultaneously!
ACCA KAPPA Extension Mixed Bristle Brush
5) Not all hairbrushes are created equal
Obvious- but true! For a beauty tool that many of use on a daily basis (sometimes twice) it’s worth investing in a brush that will be good to us.
Features to look out for include:
Mixed Bristle Height: a great brush will have this and not be uniform, enabling you to work through the depths of your hair
Pneumatic Cushion: pneumatic cushions have a small hole to allow air in and out of the cushion, this absorbs pressure allowing for gentle detangling. One exception to this is the ACCA KAPPA Airy brush which has a flexible trident instead so the hair doesn’t get tugged.
Great materials & ergonomic grip: Hair brushing isn’t just a beauty fix, it’s a lifestyle delight. Get one that’s a pleasure to hold and looks great on the shelf, it’s the little things right?
Extra Tip: Clean your brush regularly, removing them of any residue, this will keep your hair cleaner when you brush it too. A brush cleaner is a handy investment for this purpose!
ACCA KAPPA Brush Cleaner
Here at Rye Botanica, we stock ACCA KAPPA brushes, made in Italy since 1869 they offer vegan and sustainable options and are highly regarded by leading stylists and hairdressers.
