Hair care: Hair brush guide

Having trouble getting your hair to behave? It could be time to ditch your favourite old hairbrush and try something new

Women in the 17th century believed that brushing their hair would help control fits of 'the vapours'. Today, however, we know that no matter what kind of implement you use, if the end-result is badly-behaved locks it's enough to drive any woman crazy. If you want to take control of your hair, we suggest ditching your traditional brush and trying a new approach to styling. Check out our guide below to brushing basics.

Round brushes: Small to medium round, or barrelled brushes work best on shorter hair, while big barrelled brushes are often favoured by hairdressers for blow-drying medium-length to long hair. Round brushes are mostly used to give texture or curl to shorter hair, and the golden rule is the smaller the barrel, the tighter the curl. 'To add definition to shorter, layered styles, apply mousse and then use a round brush to style the hair. You can shape it with your fingers and finish off the ends with a little wax or gel,' suggests Kathryn Peach of the Success Hair Company in Surrey and Sussex. 'If you want to give the hair more body and lift, set it on rollers first,' she adds.

For medium-length to long hair you'll need a chunky barrelled brush. Really large, round brushes aren't generally available in chemists or department stores, but your stylist can probably order one for you from his or her wholesaler. When styling, start at the roots and be careful not to wrap a big section of hair around the brush - otherwise you could get into a tangly mess.