There are many different types of brushes out there. Below are descriptions to help you cut through the confusion.

• Ceramic brushes are the latest in technology, due to the positive effects ceramic has on the hair and scalp. Ceramic can be added to metal surfaces on any style brush, although round brushes are the most popular. During blow-drying, heat from the hair dryer is evenly spread across the barrel of the brush, eliminating damaging hot spots. Ceramic helps seal the hair's cuticle, reducing frizz and drying time.
• Paddle brushes are flat and wide. They create smooth, straight styles on long hair.
• Cushion brushes are available in many different sizes and feature a rubber or synthetic cushion that holds the bristles. The cushions vary in softness and flexibility for versatile use. These brushes are great for massaging the scalp, smoothing and detangling the hair, and are ideal for both wet and dry styling.
• Vent brushes create volume while blow-drying or air styling. The vents or openings in the brushes allow air to flow through, resulting in quicker drying time.
• Round brushes are used to add body and volume. Smaller barrel brushes create curl, whereas larger brushes straighten and smooth hair.
• Styling brushes consist of five or seven rows of nylon brushes and rectangular boar bristle brushes.
• Thermal brushes are ideal for blow-drying since hot air from the hair dryer heats the metal barrel and allows the hair to set and dry faster.
• Ionic bristles are bristles that emit negative ions when in use. They help seal and lock moisture into each hair strand, leaving hair shiny and supple.
• Boar bristles are actual hairs from boars. Boar bristle brushes massage the scalp, which stimulates the secretion of natural oils. When using a boar bristle brush, oils are distributed to the ends of each hair strand. The cuticle is closed, leaving hair very shiny and manageable. Due to the inherent soft nature of boar bristles, 100 percent boar bristle brushes are ideal to smooth and finish very short or fine hair. Nylon bristles can be added for a combination bristle brush. The combination of nylon and boar allows the brush to penetrate thicker, longer hair. Any ratio of boar to nylon can be used, but generally, the more nylon is added, the stiffer the bristles. Either with 100 percent boar or a combination of nylon/boar, these brushes create flexible, manageable, shiny hair.
• Porcupine bristles are boar bristles with one nylon pin per tuft. The nylon pin is longer than the boar bristles, allowing the bristles to easily penetrate thick or curly hair while giving the benefit of boar.
• Nylon brushes are synthetic materials that are firm enough to easily penetrate any hair type. They're ideal for thick, wavy, or curly hair. TPW