The right brush does half the work in a blow-dry. Choosing the correct type and size for the job makes styling faster, smoother and easier on the hair. Here's a guide to the main types of professional hairbrush, what each is for, and how to pick the right round-brush size.
The main types of hairbrush
- Round (radial) brush — for blow-drying with volume, bend and shape. The barrel size sets the size of the curl or bend.
- Paddle brush — a large, flat brush for smoothing, straightening and detangling longer hair.
- Vent brush — an open, slotted design that lets air flow through for faster rough-drying.
- Detangling brush — flexible bristles that glide through knots with minimal pull, ideal for wet hair and sensitive scalps.
- Styling or cushion brush — everyday brushing, dressing out and finishing.
What size round brush should I use?
This is the question that matters most for blow-drying. The barrel diameter controls the result: smaller barrels create more curl and volume; larger barrels create smooth, gentle bends. Match the size to hair length and the finish you want:
- Small (20–25mm) — short hair, fringes, tight curl and root lift, like the Head Jog 25mm.
- Medium (33–43mm) — the most versatile range for mid-length hair, volume and movement: the 33mm and 43mm.
- Large (50–60mm) — long hair, smooth blow-outs and soft bends: the 50mm and 60mm.
A simple rule: the longer the hair and the smoother the finish you want, the larger the barrel.
Barrel material: ceramic and ionic
On round brushes the barrel material matters. Ceramic barrels (like the Head Jog Ceramic Radial) heat up with the dryer to set the style faster and smoother. Metal and aluminium barrels do the same and are hard-wearing. Many professional brushes are also ionic, which helps reduce static and frizz for a sleeker finish.
Bristle types
- Natural (boar) bristle — distributes the hair's natural oils and gives the smoothest, shiniest finish; best on fine to medium hair.
- Nylon or synthetic — firmer, grips and detangles thicker hair and powers through a blow-dry.
- Mixed bristle — combines grip and smoothing, a good all-rounder.
Detangling and brushing wet hair
Hair is at its most fragile when wet, so brushing it the wrong way is one of the easiest causes of avoidable breakage. A flexible detangling brush is built for this: its bristles flex and give as they meet a knot, working through tangles with far less pull than a rigid brush. That makes this style ideal for wet hair, fine or fragile hair, and tender-headed clients.
- Work from the ends up. Start at the tips and move up towards the roots in sections, rather than dragging from the scalp down through every knot.
- Use a flexible brush on wet hair. A brush with bend and a vented or skeleton body, like the Head Jog Straw Brush, glides through wet hair while letting water and air escape. (See our Straw Brush guide for why this eco detangler went viral.)
- Be gentle on fine and damaged hair. Softer, more flexible bristles reduce scalp tension and snapping on fragile or thinning hair.
- Detangling minis like the Denman Tangle Tamer are handy for quick work and on-the-go kits.
Choosing by goal
- Volume and curl — a small to medium round brush.
- Smooth, straight blow-out — a large round brush or paddle brush, like the Head Jog Paddle.
- Fast rough-drying — a vent brush such as the Denman D100 Tunnel Vent or D200 Skeleton Vent.
- Detangling and wet hair — a flexible detangling brush like the Head Jog Straw Brush.
- Everyday brushing — a paddle or cushion brush.
Caring for your brushes
Remove hair after each use, wash brushes periodically in warm soapy water (bristles down, without soaking cushioned bases for long), and let them air-dry fully. Clean brushes perform better and last longer.
Where to buy professional hair brushes
Hairco & Beauty stocks round, paddle, vent, detangling and styling brushes from Head Jog, Denman and more at trade prices, with next-day UK delivery. Browse the full brushes collection, or see our guide to tail combs for sectioning tools.
FAQs
What size round brush should I use?
Smaller barrels (20–25mm) create curl and volume on short hair; medium (33–43mm) suits most mid-length hair; large (50–60mm) gives smooth blow-outs on long hair. The longer the hair and smoother the finish, the larger the barrel.
What is the difference between a round brush and a paddle brush?
A round (radial) brush adds curl, bend and volume during blow-drying; a flat paddle brush smooths, straightens and detangles, especially on longer hair.
What is the best brush for wet hair?
A flexible detangling brush is best for wet hair. Its bristles flex as they meet knots, so they glide through with minimal pull — important because wet hair is more fragile and prone to breakage. Always detangle from the ends upwards.
What is a vent brush for?
A vent brush has an open, slotted design that lets air pass through, which speeds up rough-drying. It's ideal for quick drying rather than precise styling.
Are ceramic round brushes better?
Ceramic barrels heat up with the dryer and hold heat evenly, which sets the style faster and smoother. Combined with ionic bristles they help reduce frizz and static.
Boar or nylon bristles — which should I choose?
Natural boar bristle gives the smoothest, shiniest finish and suits fine to medium hair; nylon or synthetic bristles grip and detangle thicker hair better. Mixed-bristle brushes offer a balance of both.
