From brushes that promise poker-straight hair to those specifically for detangling, adding shine — or even taking photos — a hairbrush is no longer simply a hairbrush.
With the help of Bristol-based session stylist Kellie Mitchell, who has worked with stars including Tess Daly, Rachel Stevens and Tamsin Egerton, ALICE SMELLIE put the newest hi-tech brushes to the test . . .
BRUSH IN CURLS
WonderBall 6 in 1 Styling Sphere by Mark Hill, £9.99, markhill.co.uk
THEY SAY: The ultimate styling tool. Can be used on wet hair to detangle or dry hair to add volume.
WE SAY: This looks weird, but it’s comfortable to hold and runs through wet and knotty hair rapidly and painlessly.
This brush looks weird, but it’s comfortable to hold and runs through wet and knotty hair rapidly and painlessly
To create instant curls and waves, you twist hair around the ball and blast it with a hairdryer, It easily disengages from hair without catching or ruining the curls. It takes a few minutes longer than usual to hastily dry, but the result is brilliant. 9/10
STRIKE A POSE
Selfie Brush, £16.99, sallyexpress.com
THEY SAY: Designed to give you picture-perfect hair in every selfie, this multi-tasking brush doubles up as a case for your phone.
WE SAY: This is a complete gimmick. The brush detangles and smoothes nicely enough, but it is hefty and my iPhone feels loose in the slot. A mirror next to the phone slot allows me to check my reflection before taking a picture, but it’s too small to see all of my hair at the same time. Selfie-loving teens will be sold — but I’m not. 5/10
Designed to give you picture-perfect hair in every selfie, this multi-tasking brush doubles up as a case for your phone
STOP THE FRIZZ
Braun Iontec Satin Hair 7, £19.49, superdrug.com
THEY SAY: Instant shine and smoothness from the first brush stroke, anytime and anywhere — at the push of a button.
WE SAY: It sounds gimmicky, but ions — invisible molecules with an electric charge — work brilliantly to smooth frizzy hair.
A green light indicates it’s on, and millions of ions are pumped out through a jet within the brush’s central core, creating a halo around the hair, working like a conditioner.
I create static by rubbing a balloon from my daughter’s party against my hair. As I run the brush over it, not only does my hair flatten, but it gleams, as though I have had a blow-dry. Amazing. 10/10
DITCH THE STRAIGHTENERS
The fantastic new brush that makes straightening your hair so easy and quick you’ll want to use it every day
Straight ‘n’ Go, £9.99 (plus £1.99 p&p), highstreettv.com
THEY SAY: The fantastic new brush that makes straightening your hair so easy and quick you’ll want to use it every day.
WE SAY: These sound like a brilliant time-saving device and have the same tong shape as straighteners, without the effort of plugging them in. But the bristles are dense and coarse. They drag, too, rather than glide down the hair, leaving it full of static. You’re better off with straighteners. 3/10
KEEPING IT CLEAN
Lee Stafford Squeaky Clean Paddle Brush, £8.99, boots.com
THEY SAY: Infused with nano silver to smooth and create amazing shine.
A good-sized paddle brush that doesn’t smell plasticky, and looks good
WE SAY: A good-sized paddle brush that doesn’t smell plasticky, and looks good. It’s light and runs easily through my hair, leaving it smooth and shiny with no static. The firm bristles feel pleasant against the scalp, giving a slight mini-massage. Plus, nano silver has well documented anti-bacterial properties. 7/10
GROW IT OUT
LifeMax Infrared Massage Hairbrush £10.49 (plus £4.99 p&p), goodlifeguide.co.uk or 01635 588 370
Gentle infra-red heat and a massaging action combine to promote blood circulation in the scalp and stimulate hair follicles
THEY SAY: Gentle infra-red heat and a massaging action combine to promote blood circulation in the scalp and stimulate hair follicles.
WE SAY: A red strip lights up and shudders in your hand. Pressed against the head, it feels like a proper scalp massage and is wonderfully relaxing. But while heat and vibration may increase circulation, it’s a jolly small red light and Rapunzel-type growth seems unlikely. 6/10
GET RID OF THE KNOTS
The Wet Brush, £11.99, cultbeauty.co.uk
THEY SAY: Designed specifically for wet hair, the Wet Brush will detangle with ease — no matter what your hair type.
WE SAY: Wet hair is significantly weaker and brushing leads to increased breakage as strands can’t handle as much tugging and pulling, so they stretch until they snap.
These bristles are fine and well spaced out, so hair is less likely to tear. This not only runs easily through my hair, but also my six-year-old Lara’s, who frequently practises doing her plaits in bed, then wakes up knotty as a fisherman’s net. Useful. 8/10
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