I’ve always left hair matters to the professionals, after all there are far too many brushes and tools for me to keep track of. Give me the basic wide-tooth comb and a hair dryer, and I’ll try my best to make it work.

But, I think it’s about time I left my ignorant little cave and became better informed on the different hair brush types, because with the right brush, you’ll get the desired effect.

Related: Must Have Makeup Brushes and Their Uses

Here are 5 hair brushes you need to get familiar with 

1. The rat tail comb. Though its name is a little off-putting, it’s a great tool to help you create that perfectly neat parting. The pointed end is great to make clean and precise lines, while the teeth help you smooth down stray hairs.

Image: ricksync.com
Image: ricksync.com

2. The standard brush. This comes in either synthetic bristles, natural bristles made from boar bristles (usually), or mixed bristles (a combination of the two). Great for times when you need to brush through wet hair – only for those with straight hair – or to get tangles out-of-the-way. The bristles help to evenly distribute your scalp oil throughout and it’s gentle enough to not cause too much breakage. Great for fine hair.

Image: target.com
Image: target.com

3. The round brush. Perfect for volume boost and a bit of curl to your blowout. Used correctly, it can give you a silky smooth finish.

Image: health.com
Image: health.com

4. The paddle brush. For women with straight hair, this is your daily go-to tool. It doesn’t cause kinks or pull on your hair. The fact that it’s a flat brush means that it won’t create waves or curls, but rather follows the natural straight structure of your mane. Plus it helps smooth down frizz.

Image: lookfantastic.com
Image: lookfantastic.com

5. Teasing brush. Just as its name implies, there is no ambiguity to it. This brush is for teasing your tresses. Great for when you need that added volume for up-dos. Try to avoid using one with plastic teeth as it causes more breakage. Look for one with bristles instead.

Image: ulta.com
Image: ulta.com

There are obviously a lot more like the wide-tooth comb, vented brush, and various types of the standard brush. While it may differ in material and cushion type, they serve the same purpose and is not too difficult to figure out.

– Cover Image: mandymccullough.com