Brush up your style

Natural bristles are top favourites for grooming and polishing because they create less friction and stress on the hair. These types of bristles are also great because they distribute sebum, the hair's natural conditioner, down the hair shaft and so add shine. Boar bristles, like those used in the classic Mason Pearson brushes, are easiest on normal, fine, thinning or damaged hair. A good bristle brush should not scratch the scalp, yet it shouldn't be so soft that it slides ineffectively over the hair. Mason Pearson brushes come with a special brush that you can dip into cleaning suds in order to avoid immersing your hairbrush.

Nylon or plastic quills, also called pins, are widely used for budget-priced, everyday brushes. Look for pins that have rounded or ball tips on the ends - these help to avoid scratching your scalp. Wire quills are often used on brushes that have metal bases, and firm, wire quills are well suited to brushing thick hair.

Rubber pads have an anti-static quality and are therefore a must for fine hair or hair that tends to be flyaway. Some brushes have detachable rubber pads for easy cleaning. Metal bases are used in some brushes because they retain heat and so can improve drying and styling technique.

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