Hair Brushing 101

Hairbrushes have been around as long as hair itself. Ok, well, almost. After early man got tired of picking and grooming by hand, and learned how to make and use tools, the hairbrush came into being. The very first people known to use the hairbrush, is a mystery. But earliest accounts point to Romans and Greeks. Egyptian peoples made combs of bone, and hairbrushes of animal hair. The Vikings had wild heads of hair to tame with crude brushes. The history and development of brushes has come a long way and changed with time and technology.

William Kent began producing hand made hairbrushes in England in 1777. These brushes were painstakingly crafted by up to twelve people for one little brush! Kent Brushes is one of the oldest companies in the UK and makes over 250 different types of brushes today. www.kentbrushes.com

In 1885, Mason Pearson automated brush production, and revolutionized brush making. These brushes were first to feature a rubber cushion pad combined with natural boar bristle. This allows the brush to gently massage the scalp and spread natural oils throughout the hair. This actually cleans and polishes the hair! This is the brush that grandmothers always told us that 100 strokes will make your hair shiny and soft. I can confirm this, and strongly recommend picking one up. I recommend the “Popular”. It has both Boar and Nylon bristles and is a perfect size. www.masonpearson.com

With the addition of a few American brush manufacturers like Hugh Rock, Samuel Firey, and Alfred Fuller hairbrushes were ushered into a modern age. Now, brushes come in different sizes and shapes, with as many different functions and uses. Round brushes are mostly used to volumize hair, and add wave or curl. Ceramic round brushes can be heated and used like an iron barrel to set curls. Flat brushes are used to straighten hair or to dry hair quickly. There are paddle brushes, and vented brushes in either case. Overall brushes are mostly used to control the hair while drying.

As a stylist or an everyday woman the brush should be viewed as a trusted friend, an everyday tool, even an extension of the hand in some cases. To control hair while drying is essential. Ideally hair should be pulled taught, with tension, and dried completely. This will smooth the hair and eliminate frizz. If you dry your hair with tension around a circular object (brush, iron, roller, or beer can), you will have a smoothe curl. If you pull your hair tightly straight out, you will have smooth and straight hair. It’s almost that simple.

For further information about hair brushes, styling, or products; or to make a free private consultation or styling lesson, contact Shawn Michael at Intermezzo Salon.

www.intermezzosalon.com
Twitter @intermezzosalon
206.281.7833