Round brushes come in different sizes and styles. The diameter of each brush affects the style. Smaller diameters are better for tighter curls and waves. Larger round brushes will produce looser curls and flips. For longer hair, you may need a larger brush. When choosing a round brush, be sure not to choose one with any epoxy resin ball tips. These seemingly harmless beads can cause significant damage to synthetic or human hair wigs.
If you are one of those people who picked up a round brush and hair dryer around the age of 12 and never looked back, then you may not understand the hair styling dilemma - the challenge. However, we can tell you from experience that not all women are born with the ability to wield a round brush like a pro.
For many of us, the struggle to control the household well is real. It involves tangled strands, aching arms, and - often - quite a bit of cursing. So, after spending years trying to figure out how to use a round brush, we decided to change all that. We've been watching the top hair experts at work, asking them for advice, and taking careful notes. Now we've finally figured out where we've gone wrong over the years. Read on to learn how to use a round brush like a pro.
1. Air dry first
If you hate using a round brush, chances are you've tried using it on soaking wet hair and it didn't work well. Blow-drying your hair before it's 80% to 90% dry has proven to be a waste of time and energy. If your hair is not dry most of the time before you start blow drying, it will take a long time to complete the style, which means your arms will be tired and there will be a lot of frustration.
2. Choose your round brush
Not all round brushes are created equal, and not all brushes guarantee the same results. The material and density of the bristles as well as the size of the brush are all factors that affect the final result. While vented metal round brushes help to enhance heat when styling, hog bristle brushes are typically stronger, denser and will create more tension when pulling hair, which will ultimately create more volume and lift. In terms of diameter, round brushes follow the same concept as your curling iron: the larger the diameter of the brush, the greater the curl. Unless you're a pro, don't mess with a brush that's too small or you'll risk getting your hair tangled in the bristles. Need some advice? Try one of the following or keep scrolling to see some of our favorites.
3. Change your angle
You know how your stylist is constantly moving while blow-drying your hair? Well, continuous movement is important. Sure, you know you can't just blow-dry your hair in one place and expect perfection, but you may not be changing the angle of your brush as often as you should. Try this technique for beginners: start with a round brush at the root and roll it down to the end, following the brush with the heat from the blow dryer. Once you've mastered this, change the way you angle the brush toward the ends of your hair. After lifting the roots, instead of always holding the blow dryer horizontally, flip the brush vertically. When you go to add a soft, natural wave, give it an extra wrist twist or twirl. One important thing to keep in mind: No matter how you move the brush, always keep the nozzle of the blow dryer parallel and angled downward so you can distribute the heat evenly through the hair without mussing the cuticle.
