Fine hair falling flat? These 6 brushes actually make a difference

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If you have fine hair, you’ll know that brushing it is easier said than done.

It can get knotty as soon as it’s wet, take ages to brush through, and, in the worst-case scenario, the wrong brush can be painful, cause static, and even lead to breakage.

While there are plenty of products you can use to strengthen hair, like hair masks, bond repair treatments or volumising sprays, your hair brush plays a very important role in your hair health.

Fine hair needs a delicate hand, and with so many hair brushes on the market, each promising something better than the last, it can be hard to work out what’s right for you.

As a beauty editor with fine hair that’s bleached with blonde highlights, super prone to knottiness and someone who has spent many hours in the mirror trying to wrestle a round brush out of a ball of hair, I know a thing or two about brushes.

Firstly, the right one isn’t always a one-size-fits-all; it depends on the type of hairstyle you want.

If you want to add volume with a blow-dry, a smaller barrel design will give you lift at the roots.

Lightweight paddle brushes can smooth frizz, and boar bristle brushes smooth the hair cuticle for a polished downdo.

Meanwhile, flexible, varied-length bristles are best at gently separating tangles without breaking strands.

Oribe Resin Flat Brush

If you're going to splurge on one hair tool, make it this one.

Not only does it look and feel super chic thanks to the marbled handle, but the hand-cut boar-and-nylon bristles smooth strands, grip without snagging fine hair, and distribute styling products like dry shampoo or hairspray evenly throughout each strand.

It’s also great for brushing through tight curls, transforming them into soft waves, without ruining the time you’ve spent curling a whole head of hair.

Buy now for £95

WetBrush Speed Dry Brush

If, like me, you deal with knotty hair on a daily basis, get yourself a WetBrush.

This Speed Dry design detangles without the pain better than any other brush I’ve tried.

Whether you’re in a rush or can’t be bothered to deal with arm ache, this is the best problem-solving hair tool money can buy.

It’s like magic, it just glides through the knottiest of hair seamlessly, makes brushing your hair so much quicker and never leaves my eyes watering.

Buy now for £12.99

BaByliss Diamond Cushion Brush Hair Styler Accessory

This dual-purpose brush is great if you’re not too tied to a hairstyle and want something versatile.

The conical handle is designed to help separate sections, whether you’re blow-drying, straightening or curling, and the brush itself is made up of firm bristles that glide through hair comfortably, without snagging.

Buy now for £11

Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler

The OG of detangling brushes is, of course, Tangle Teezer – however we prefer this handled style over the original design, as it’s less likely to slip out of a wet hand.

It’s very lightweight, can be thrown in a gym bag, carry-on, or rucksack, is durable no matter how many times you drop it, and is easy to remove hair build-up and keep clean.

It’s worth every penny.

Buy Now for £18

Superdrug Shower Hair Brush

This budget-friendly brush hangs in my shower caddy at all times.

Before washing my hair, I give it a quick run through to detangle before getting it wet.

It makes brushing my clean hair after I’ve got out of the shower so much easier as it deals with knots before they become painful clumps, especially my fringe, which has more bleach in it than everywhere else.

For less than a fiver, it’s an easy way to make brushing your hair a more pleasant experience when wet.

Buy Now for £3.50

Dyson-Designed Detangling Comb

Dyson’s comb is surprisingly effective when you want to achieve those perfectly effortless tousled waves without dragging your hair in the process.

The wide-set teeth mean hair never gets stuck, and it's heat-resistant up to 150 degrees, so you can use it with your straighteners at the same time without them melting.

Buy Now for £15
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