Wondering if you need a detangling or styling brush for natural hair? Here’s how to tell and why using the wrong one could wreck your curls. If you’ve got natural hair and you’ve ever thought, “Do I use this brush before or after I style?” you’re not alone. And the answer isn’t always simple, but it is important. Using a styling brush when your hair needs detangling can cause breakage, frizz, and a serious case of “why is this brush full of my hair?”
Let’s break it down.
✨ Detangling Brushes: What They’re For
Detangling brushes are your prep team. They’re meant to:
- Remove knots and shed hair
- Glide through textured strands with minimal pull
- Work best on wet or damp hair (conditioned is even better)
✅ Great for:
- Wash days
- Section-by-section detangling
- Kids or tender scalps
🛠️ Examples:
- Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
- Wet Brush Go Green Mini Detangler
- Tangle Teezer Naturally Curly
“If your brush fights your curls before you even add product, it’s not a detangler it’s a stress test.”
– Meesh Switch, HairBrushy Contributor
💁♀️ Styling Brushes: What They’re For
Styling brushes are the closers. You reach for these after detangling, to:
- Define curls
- Distribute styling product evenly
- Control frizz and flyaways
- Create tension for stretched styles or blowouts
✅ Great for:
- Twist-outs, braid-outs, or defining curl clumps
- Smoothing edges or shaping bangs
- Blow-dry sessions (with heat protection!)
🛠️ Examples:
- Denman D3 or D31 (curly hair faves)
- Boar bristle brushes (for smoothing)
- Round brushes (for stretch styles or volume)
🧠 So Which Do You Actually Need?
If you’re not sure, ask yourself this:
🟢 Are you prepping clean, wet hair to remove tangles?
➡️ Use a detangling brush.
🟡 Are you applying gel, twisting, or shaping dry/damp hair?
➡️ Use a styling brush.
🔴 Still tangled after styling?
➡️ Stop. Go back. Don’t pass Go. Don’t lose $200 worth of edges.
| Feature | Detangling Brush | Styling Brush |
|---|---|---|
| Best Used On | Damp or wet hair with conditioner | Damp or dry hair after detangling |
| Purpose | Remove knots and shed hair | Define curls, smooth styles, distribute product |
| Hair Types | All curl types (especially 3A–4C) | Works best on already detangled hair |
| Bristle Type | Flexible, separated rows (e.g. Felicia Leatherwood) | Denser rows (e.g. Denman D3, boar bristles) |
| When to Use | Wash day prep, detangling sections | Styling after applying product, smoothing |
| Common Mistake | Using on dry hair without slip | Using to detangle = breakage! |
🪮 Detangling Brushes
- 🪮 Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush: Check it out on Amazon
- 🌱 Wet Brush Go Green Mini Detangler: Check it out on Amazon
- ✨ Tangle Teezer Naturally Curly: Check it out on Amazon
💇 Styling Brushes
- 🧴 Denman D3 Styling Brush: Check it out on Amazon
- 🎩 Mason Pearson Boar Bristle Brush: Check it out on Amazon
- 🔥 Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Round Brush: Check it out on Amazon
(As an Amazon Associate, HairBrushy may earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!)
🪮 What I Keep in My Own Routine
I’ve got one of each:
- Detangling: Felicia Leatherwood for wet days, Wet Brush for gentle work
- Styling: Denman D3 for curl definition, boar bristle for smoothing edges
“A detangler is like the wide-tooth comb’s smarter cousin. A styling brush is your sculptor’s tool.”
– Stacey Bee, HairBrushy Contributor
🎯 Final Word from Ed
Natural hair needs different tools at different stages. If you’ve ever wondered why your curls aren’t popping or your style isn’t holding, your brush might be to blame. Get yourself one of each and learn when to use them.
👉 Take the HairBrushy Quiz to match your routine to the right brush type. Your coils will thank you.
Hello, I’m Ed Shears, Editor and Author at HairBrushy.com and your trusted guide on the journey to healthier, more vibrant hair. At HairBrushy.com, I utilize my extensive expertise in research of hairbrushes to curate and create educational, dependable content that empowers readers to take control of their hair care routines.
Hello, my name is Stacey Bee experienced research analyst. I specialize in hairbrushes for adults with over 30 years experience. As we get older, our hair changes and so do our hairbrushes needs. What worked while we were young may not work as we get older. For than 30 years I have researched and tested hundreds of hairbrushes and contributed to just as many or more hairbrushes articles. I am about providing sound advice to help people look their best.
Hello, my name is Meesh Switch, I am a contributing editor and hairbrush product analyst. I am focused on hairbrushes for young adults. I have enjoy writing, testing, and analyzing hairbrushes. I have contributed to hundreds in-depth articles and provided sound advice on hairbrushes based on testing and research.