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Why It's Good:
No matter what shampoo or finishing products you use, you can't create the perfect style without the right brush. Learn to use these tools correctly and your locks can look red carpet-ready.
Why It's Green:
These brushes are as gentle on the Earth as they are on your hair: Think tools manufactured without toxic glues; brush handles made from sustainable bamboo, recycled materials and FSC-certified, responsibly harvested wood; and bristles sheared humanely from farm-raised boars (just like wool is sheared from sheep). Some also speed up drying time, which helps reduce your energy use.
Where To Get It:
To purchase any of these brushes, click on their names, below.
Tricks of the Celebrity Hair Stylist's Trade
Want to learn how to brush with greatness? You can: Many celebrity stylists create beautiful coifs for their A-list clients using just a hairdryer and a hairbrush. But they don't pick their brushes as randomly as most of us do when we're shopping for one at the drugstore. Choosing the best detangling tool for you depends on your hair type and length, as well as the look you're going for. To figure it all out, we spoke with some top stylists who gave us the lowdown on which brush they would use to create today's celebrity styles.
But one quick green word before that: Most mass-produced mane tamers have a plastic handle and paddle (the part the bristles are attached to) and nylon bristles. These materials are petroleum-based, which means they'll be hanging out in the landfill, waiting to biodegrade, centuries after they've last passed through your locks. Brushes made from wood are a better option—unless they're made from endangered wood, so look for the FSC-certified logo. Bamboo and recycled plastic handles, though rare, are also out there and are excellent green options. As for bristles, those made from natural boar are eco-friendly and better for your hair (as they distribute oils through your strands, boosting shine), though they may make some animal lovers squirm. We found one from a German brand that claims to use humanely sheared bristles from farm-raised boars. Whichever brush is best for you, go ahead and use it with a clean conscience, and preferably on a clean head of hair.
The Round Brush
Want sleek strands like Jennifer Aniston's or Kate Hudson's? Pick up a round brush. Round brushes, which have bristles placed very close together, have the ability to pull even the curliest strands straight (with a little help from your hair dryer). Depending on the size of the barrel of the brush (the part where the bristles are attached), you can also create waves and bends, like those favored by Jessica Alba, with these tools—the smaller the barrel, the tighter the curl. Brushes made from metal that has been coated with ceramic are best for making waves because they heat up, much like a curling iron, which shapes the hair while it's on the brush. The heat of the barrel also speeds up drying time. Brushes with boar bristles create super straight styles: They're very gentle on hair, yet the bristles are so close together that they create the tension needed to straighten strands. Our green picks:
Aveda Ceramic Round Brush
($20 to $22, depending on size of barrel): This brush is made from recycled materials: The ergonomic handle uses 100% post-consumer recycled material while the barrel consists of recycled aluminum that's been coated with ceramic. The bristles are also attached to the barrel without the use of toxic glues.
Ambassador All Round Hairbrushes
($15.95): Made without the use of endangered wood and packaged in a 100% recycled material box that's been printed with soy ink, this brush is made by a company that claims they use only natural boar bristles that have been sheared from animals that are humanely raised.
The Paddle Brush
These tools are great for detangling and reviving end-of-the-day locks. You can also use them while blow-drying, but don't expect super straight hair; the bristles on most paddle brushes are spaced further apart than on round brushes, so it's difficult to get the tension needed to pull wavy or curly hair straight. They're better for light, soft blowouts that are intentionally imperfect (think Gwyneth Paltrow's current shoulder-length look). And if you have a short, straight style (à la Posh Spice or Katie Holmes), a small paddle brush is best when blowdrying, as round brushes will give too much bend at the ends, creating a bulbous look that's far from flattering. Our green picks:
Olivia Garden's Healthy Hair Ionic Massage Hair Brush model HH4
($12.50): The handle, paddle and bristles on this brush are made from bamboo, a 100% renewable resource that can grow up to 60 feet in just four years (while trees take 25-60 years to attain the same height). The anti-static bristles also gently massage your scalp, boosting circulation, which some believe improves hair's health.
Widu Wooden Bristle Extra Large Paddle Brush
($45): This brush is made from all natural materials: The handle, paddle and even the bristles are 100% FSC-certified wood, and natural rubber is used to make the cushioned head. The oversized tool is perfect for quickly blow-drying long locks.
