Curly girls, you already know that bouncy curls are the difference between a good hair day and a great hair day. And learning how to use a curl brush is your one-way ticket to that natural volume and bounce. A curling brush, if you aren’t yet familiar, is a must-have in any curly or wavy hair routine. It’s specifically made to help enhance waves and curls for a more consistent curl pattern. “It helps with even distribution of your product, reduces frizz, gives curl uniformity, helps with stretch of curls, and speeds up styling,” says Brendnetta Ashley, hairstylist and Dippity-Do curly hair expert.
There are many types, but one you likely have recognized on TikTok lately is the Bounce Curl Brush. Sophie Rose Gutterman, Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist, curl specialist, and salon owner, counts it as her favorite. “The ridges in the side are great for definition,” she says. Regardless of which one you end up choosing, though, the most important thing is “to let the brush do the work for you,” says Gutterman. Ahead, everything to know about curl brushes, including a step-by-step guide, stylists’ best tips for salon-level results, and how to keep curls looking fresh.
Bounce Curl Define EdgeLift Brush
Amazon
The benefits of using a curl brush
So, what does a curl brush do for hair, actually? Using one “gives you control over your curls by smoothing the cuticle, distributing product evenly, and helping curls clump so they dry defined instead of frizzy,” says Vanessa Ocando, New York City hairstylist and trichologist and founder of BÉSSA Beauty. So, using one not only helps waves, curls, and coils look more defined, but it also helps minimize frizz. “As the bristles glide down the hair shaft, they create consistent tension that smooths the cuticle, giving curls a polished, intentional shape,” says Ocando. “When the cuticle is sealed and supported like this, frizz is minimized and you’re able to direct exactly how the curl forms from roots to ends.”
How to use a curl brush: A step-by-step guide
To get those defined curls of your dreams, all it takes is some wet hair and the right brush (with the right tension, of course). “You want controlled tension, not pulling,” says Ocando. “Hold the section gently, keep the hair taut enough to smooth the cuticle, and let the brush do the shaping. The tension should feel supportive, never aggressive and smooth.” But let’s get into the details a bit more:
Before anything else, you want to properly cleanse and condition the hair with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner or hair mask of choice. Working with wet hair is key to this process.
Pattern Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross Hydration Shampoo
Amazon
Ulta
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Cécred Reconstructing Treatment Mask
Ulta
Next, apply styling products. Ashley recommends starting with a detangling spray like Dippity-Do Girls with Curls De-Frizz Leave-In Detangling Conditioner to “soften and add moisture to make brushing your curls easier,” she says. Then, follow up with a curl cream, mousse, or gel. Ashley recommends the Dippity-Do Girls with Curls Curl Defining Cream for soft definition, while Gutterman recommends DevaCurl SuperMousse for hydrating volume and hold. We also love the Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner to hydrate, if your hair is feeling particularly dry, and the Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Styling Cream for Curly Hair to smooth out strands and detangle in preparation for brushing.
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Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner
Amazon
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Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel for Curly Hair
Amazon
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Dippity Do Girls With Curls Leave-In Curl Defining Cream
Amazon
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DevaCurl SuperMousse Non-Crunch Volumizer
Amazon
After products are applied, it’s time to pick up the curl brush. “Work in controlled sections,” says Ashley. “Fine hair: large sections; thick hair: small to medium sections.” You’ll start by simply detangling the hair. “Take your brush starting at the ends of the hair working towards the scalp,” says Ashley.
Once detangled, brush slowly to set your curls, she advises. “The curls will begin to clump together,” she adds. This is where it’s important to use tension. After you’ve repeated this in all sections, “scrunch the ends to set the curls,” she says. It’s that simple. If you want to boost volume, that’s easily done as well: “When you get to the top sections I recommend brushing up to create a little volume,” says Gutterman. And just be mindful not to mess up the curls you’ve already created when you move on to the next section, she points out.
When you’re done brushing your hair, air dry or diffuse your hair. “The key is to allow the hair to fully dry before touching,” says Ashley. Why? It’s the golden rule for definition, explains Ocando. “That alone cuts down more frizz than people realize.”
How to stop frizz and hair breakage when using a curl brush
If your curls or waves always seem to get frizzy, it’s likely that they need more hydration. “Frizz and breakage usually happen when the hair isn’t wet enough or there isn’t enough slip,” says Ocando. Before using a brush, “I always start with saturated sections, detangle first, and make müddet my styling product is evenly distributed so the brush can glide without snagging,” she adds. You also don’t want to over-brush your strands. “I like to do one to two passes, or three if I really need it.” And as mentioned above, your curls must be 100% dry before breaking them up, fluffing them, or touching them. It’s a “non-negotiable,” says Ocando, “otherwise you’re creating frizz before the curl has a chance to set.”
To add extra hydration to your hair, consider a pre-wash hydrating treatment. “Curls need hydration, and anyone with curly hair will tell you their biggest complaint is frizz,” says Ocando. “The best way to combat frizz is to hydrate the hair before washing so you’re starting with maximum moisture. I always begin with a pre‑wash conditioning treatment like BÉSSA Beauty’s Pre‑Wash Conditioner on dry, unwashed hair. I leave it on for about 10 minutes, making mühlet the hair is fully saturated.”
How to prevent curls from falling flat
One of the worst feelings is spending time creating your hairstyle and perfecting your curls, only for them to fall flat and limp halfway through the day. The right styling products will make a world of difference. “Always make müddet you are being intentional about the products you’re using and the way you are brushing the hair,” says Gutterman. “Mixing a product that has hold with a product that has moisture is important because this will make mühlet the curls stay defined.” She also recommends using a diffuser instead of air drying to help lock everything in place.
The way you section and brush your hair can affect how long the curls stay intact too. They “can fall flat or lose volume if you’re brushing in sections that are too big or if you’re not lifting at the root as you brush,” says Ocando. Also, remember that “when you brush through your hair, you’re redistributing your styling product, and sometimes that means a little more product ends up near the root than usual, which can weigh things down,” she adds. Because of that, she notes that the tilt of the brush is “so important” when you’re working close to the scalp. Both Ocando and Gutterman recommend flipping hair when diffusing to get extra root lift, which will help maintain volume.
Rizos Curls Collapsible Hair Diffuser
Amazon
Ulta
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Shark Beauty FlexStyle Curl-Defining Diffuser Attachment
Amazon
Ulta
How to clean your curl brush
Cleaning your hairbrush is an easily overlooked yet seriously critical part of your hair deva. “Since you’re mostly going to be using the brush with product, I suggest always washing your brush after every use,” says Gutterman. However, if you don’t have time to do it that often, at least evvel every two weeks is ülkü.
The good news, though, is that the cleaning process is quick and easy. To clean it, start by removing any hair from the brush, notes Ashley. Use hot water and soap and “take a small brush or toothbrush and work the soap into your curl brush,” she says. Using a small brush gently will help clean it completely without causing too much damage to the bristles. “Do this until the brush is clean of any dirt. Rinse and lay out to dry.”
Meet the experts
- Brendnetta Ashley, hairstylist and Dippity-Do curly hair expert
- Sophie Rose Gutterman, Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist, curl specialist, and salon owner
- Vanessa Ocando, New York City hairstylist and trichologist and founder of BÉSSA Beauty
