The hair brushes to use to achieve your dream style

The go-to guide for picking the right one

Beauty Crew Beauty Editor / May 25 2017

So you’ve got a designer hair dryer, straightener and curling tong in your kit - but do you have the right accessories for these hot tools to really work their magic? We spoke with Joey Scandizzo, founder of Eleven Australia (he’s also won Australian Hairdresser of the Year three times running), for the best hair brushes to have on hand.

If you want: Smooth waves, like Suki Waterhouse

Try: A large round brush, like Eleven Australia Large Round Brush

Why: This is one must-have tool if you’ve got long tresses. “A large round brush can be used on both wet and dry hair if the bristles are made from boar,” says Scandizzo. “This brush type is gentle on hair and won’t ruin the elasticity.”

Suki Waterhouse

Suki Waterhouse

Eleven Australia Large Round Brush

Play around with the way you hold the brush when blow-drying your hair. Holding the brush parallel to the ground will help you stretch out and smooth your hair. Holding it vertical to your head will help create a soft movement through the ends.
Joey Scandizzo
/
Eleven Australia
Founder

If you want: Lots of volume, like Romee Strijd

Try: A medium round brush, like ghd Natural Bristle Radial Brush

Why: If you’ve got flat or heavy hair, this brush type works wonders. “The medium brush is a great size to create a beautiful wave through your mid-lengths and ends,” explains Scandizzo. “Hold the brush parallel to the ground, take a section of hair and roll it around the brush from tip to roots.” Afterwards, blast your hair with heat and allow to cool. Finish by releasing the hair from the brush for a soft, glamorous wave.

Romee Strijd

Romee Strijd

ghd Natural Bristle Radial Brush

If you want: Short and defined locks, like Alexa Chung

Try: A small round brush, like Eleven Australia Small Round Brush

Why: “The small round brush can be utilised for extra curl or alternatively, it can add shape and bounce to short Alexa Chung-inspired bobs,” says Scandizzo. “Take horizontal sections and wrap the mid-lengths around the brush once, blast with heat, then release when cool.”

Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung

Eleven Australia Small Round Brush

You can use this brush type on both wet and dry hair - use the brush with wet hair to help create the hairstyle you are after and then on dry hair the next day to refresh your look.
Joey Scandizzo
/
Eleven Australia
Founder

If you want: Cool and casual hair, like Blake Lively

Try: A paddle brush, like Shu Uemura Art of Hair Paddle Brush

Why: Who wouldn’t want to look chic with some natural texture in their hair? “The paddle brush is perfect to smooth out and blast hair straight. It also helps stimulate blood flow to your scalp, which helps keep hair healthy and shiny,” explains Scandizzo.

Blake Lively

Blake Lively

Shu Uemura Art of Hair Paddle Brush

If you want: Smooth and tangle-free hair, like Cameron Diaz

Try: A comb, like Dateline Professional Basin Comb

Why: This is one tool we can’t live without - seriously. “A comb is a great detangler on wet hair and on dry hair it’s great to use to loosen curls and release some of the texture,” says Scandizzo.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz

Dateline Professional Basin Comb

For a new look hairstyle, find out more about hair contouring and discover the places that our beauty editors visit to get their hair colour done.

Image credits: Getty

Iantha is BEAUTYcrew's Beauty Editor, and has been part of the team since the site launched in 2016. Besides pinky-nude nail polish and wispy false lashes, she has a healthy obsession with face masks and skin care ingredients. Her previous work can be found in Virgin Australia Voyeur, Women's Health, and SHOP Til You Drop.