OK, seriously...What is the real deal about brushing?

[audacity.]

Thank you for all of your comments and sharing.

OK, then, if y'all aren't brushing, please share how you are smoothing your hair for buns and ponytails and such?

Yes, my brush is hard... I feel like the softer ones (like the one that I use on my kids' hair) isn't as effective and leaves "lumps" in my hair, thus leaving my hair looking less smooth and "kept." (and I know that I am not the only one who feels that way...)

I am interested in phasing out the brush, but to be honest, I don't know how. erplexed

Can the "smoothness" thatI achieve with my brush be duplicated? If so, how?

 

[foxy kc]

I brush daily with a hard boar bristle brush.....
I've used a brush 30+ years and it never hurt my edges.

When I joined LHCF I tried all the other methods...I have tried the soft bristle, finger combing, the regular combing, the tying down with the silk scarf.....none of that works for me as far as achieving a smooth bun like the hard bristle brush does.......that and I like the way the bristles feel on my scalp

 

[deltagyrl]

I don't brush and I don't remember why.....

 

[Arcadian]

Are there any BSL (or longer) who brush?
I'm more or less APL

Is there anyone out there who has used a brush throughout your journey AND have retained length?

Yes! I Use a Denman D4. I comb my hair every 3-4 days and do not lose a lot. I lose quite a lot during the winter/spring fall/winter change but it its not brushing related (I just shed more at that time)

What is the best brush to use (if you are like me) if you can't burn the brush?

I use the denman's because its like a comb. It does help to remove any tangles I may have that the wide comb dosen't get to.

How frequently (or infrequently) do you brush and why do you or don't you brush?

Every 3-4 days.

Really, y'all, am I defeating my journey by using my brush? I use it mainly to smooth my edges (once per day ).


Its about how you use it and how much IMO. My brush is very heavy. Denmans' ain't no joke!! I take my time when I use it.

As I stretch relaxers, take more care with how I use that brush....but I still use it.

For some, no brushing ever works just fine, and then there are some that will use their brush without any problems at all.

I have never been concerned about brushing my edges, there's better ways to lay them down.


-A

 

[Swanky]

Personally, I don't brush, I have more control when I use my fingers and/or a comb combined with finger massages, which is best for my hair and scalp.

 

[PatTodd]

I used to brush my hair when it was in it's natural state to tame it, but relaxed I can only use a paddle brush or while blow drying an ionic one. I can't see myself using any boar bristle brush

Just to clarify...I'm talking about a man's paddle brush with black bristles like my hubby uses (not the lighter wood ones with the stiff bristles - never that!!! )...the black brush is very very soft and I usually wet it to boot.

 

[Nice & Wavy]

I have a Denman and an Aveda paddle brush. If I use them on dry, curly hair, my hair goes really big east-west. So, I don't do that. I can get away with brushing previously detangled hair that dried banded, but this is something I very rarely do. In general, brushing dry hair is a no-no (for my hair) and I really feel that doing so regularly would most certainly cause damage over time.

If my hair is wet and well detangled, I might occasionally run a brush through it to really get ALL the shed hair out. But this, also, is something I do cautiously.

Mostly I use a seamless comb and/or I finger comb.

Hey Cichelle, how do you like the Aveda paddle brush? How is it different than the denman?

Thanks.

 

[neonbright]

I don't use my boar brush on a regular basis, but I do use it for my ponys and to smooth my edges.

I use my Snagless Brushes by Goody and I love it, I have to use something to comb out my hair during the day. Windy days are murder on my hair and finger detangling just won't work.

 

[Energist]

Just to clarify...I'm talking about a man's paddle brush with black bristles like my hubby uses (not the lighter wood ones with the stiff bristles - never that!!! )...the black brush is very very soft and I usually wet it to boot.

lol, ok I know which one you're talking about! I like those brushes, and sure enough I was thinking of those other boar bristle brushes

 

[Dogmd]

I brush daily with a hard boar bristle brush.....
I've used a brush 30+ years and it never hurt my edges.

When I joined LHCF I tried all the other methods...I have tried the soft bristle, finger combing, the regular combing, the tying down with the silk scarf.....none of that works for me as far as achieving a smooth bun like the hard bristle brush does.......that and I like the way the bristles feel on my scalp

Same with me. I have never had a problem with brushing. I don't brush my hair if it is dry however. But I have been brushing my hair with a regular old nylon hard bristle brush for over 25 years now (I have used the same brush since I was a little kid). I just throw my hair brush in the dishwasher to keep it clean 1x a week after removing all of the dead hairs. It is the only way to tame my hair for regular styling.

 

[SandySea]

Good thread! I couldn't put my hair back neatly without a brush, except for right after a relaxer. With my inch of new growth, my ponytails would look like a mess without the help of a brush to smooth my hair. I'm only SL, but if I ever make it to BSL I'll certainly have used a brush all the way. However, I don't just brush through my hair without a reason--either smoothing into a ponytail or updo or brushing through moisturizer.

P.S. After reading this thread, maybe I'll try not brushing for a few days and see what happens. Never did this before--do I smell a new challenge?

 

[fanofau1977]

I only used to brush my hair when it was natural cause it felt so good against all that hair. But now that I am back relaxed I don't brush. I can get good length with or without the brushing.

 

[bravenewgirl87]

My hair always grew when it was in braids because I wasn't combing nor brushing it. Now that its out of braids and I am trying to maintain its beauty with a relaxer, i can't get it done. It like a compulsive habit. I started hiding the comb/brush from myself, and started letting my roommate repremand me if i put a comb/brush in my hair for longer 5 seconds. If any of you want to help me with this sick habit, send me a pm every couple of days or weeks to remind me to get the COMB/BRUSH OUT OF MY F*CKIN' HAIR! ( you can say it just like that, too) I need help, you guys. If this doesn't end, I'll never make it to shoulder-length.
​

 

[♦K.O♦]

I can count on one hand the amount of times that I use my boar bristle brush each year.

I smooth with a small, seamless, rat tail comb.

 

[Seeking8Rights]

I selected yes, because I just started back brushing once a week. I am a 4a relaxed.

Are there any BSL (or longer) who brush?


Is there anyone out there who has used a brush throughout your journey AND have retained length?

I can't say that a brush contributed to any breakage/excessive shedding throughout my entire journey.

I can say that when my hair became shoulder length I learned that I cannot brush my hair in the same fashion as when I was ear length.

With long hair, I have to section my hair in quad's or more, mist with water, apply moisturizer, and then brush gently. I can do this from roots to ends WITH NO PROBLEMS. I don't take a brush to my edges, as my edges don't like any friction against them, let alone a brush.

Since brushing my hair has been smoother and has a more manicured look and feel. Furtheremore, My ends look HOT and not a HOT MESS, as they are smooth and not wired out asking for Mango Butter.

What is the best brush to use (if you are like me) if you can't burn the brush?

I cannot use the boar bristle brush like some people can. I just can't believe that brush is for AA thick hair!

I have rubber bristle paddle brush and a metal wire paddle brush, I use to wrap my hair and also to brush my ends.

I also have a Denman D5.

How frequently (or infrequently) do you brush and why do you or don't you brush?

I started back brushing but only 1x per week. I basically do what I said earlier and section my hair out, mist my hair, apply a small amount of moisturizer & oil, then gently brush from roots to ends with my Denman. I will then wrap my hair back up using the rubber paddle brush.

For my ends, I use either brush. I split my hair in two parts from the back and lay each section over my shoulder and against my chest and then brush.

As I stated in another thread, when asking my stylists (prior to moving to Italy) about the "no brushing" belief of Cathie Howse, my stylist replied by stating that you should brush your hair but not often. Weekly is okay. So, I prefer to take the advise from someone to knows my hair and who contributed to my hair growing surge from day one.

BUT, honestly, it's really to each it's own. One person may not be able to brush and another can EVERYDAY. We all have different hair genetics, so don't let one persons story become yours. I say if you feel the itch to brush, then get one and try it on your hair. If you like it and see that your not stressing your hair, then don't look back.

 

[Lotus]

BUT, honestly, it's really to each it's own. One person may not be able to brush and another can EVERYDAY. We all have different hair genetics, so don't let one persons story become yours. I say if you feel the itch to brush, then get one and try it on your hair. If you like it and see that your not stressing your hair, then don't look back.

ITA agree! I brush everyday at least twice a day. Now granted, I dont brush with a boar bristle brush from root to tip as I do belive that would pop my strands right off of my head. I use a bristle brush to smooth after I've ponied. But, I use a rubber brush from scalp to the middle... then as needed to detangle the tail of my pony.

I use a rubber brush to detangle wet (in and out of the shower), dry hair and to massage my scalp cuz it feels soooo good. I brush on relaxed and/or stretched new growth. Truth be told, I brush often and rarely comb.erplexed

 

[freshlikemoi]

I brush alot. Especially when I am stretching! For instance, I am currently 13 weeks post, and brushing is the only way my edges will lay down. I also never brush past my roots and edges. But it needs to be done or else I wouldn't be able to stretch!

 

[SqrpioQutie]

i brush daily - using my denman to detangle... if i'm wearing a bun, i'll use the soft boar to smooth it back.... if i'm wearing a rollerset or blowout, i use my denman paddle brush...

now that i think of it, the denman is what truly helped me come from my twa to where i am now (inching up on bsl)... so i definitely don't think that it's derailed my progress at all... you can't beat that scalp stimulation!!!

combs laugh at me and i laugh at them... lol

 

[chayil0427]

I use a paddle brush as needed and when I hand blow dry I use a ceramic ionic round brush. I hardly notice any hairs in the paddle brush but I've quit hand blowdrying and am sticking to the pibbs because I noticed a lot of hair in the round brush.

Chayil

 

[cococutie007]

I use a paddle brush for wrapping at night and I may brush through the wrap after untying. I have about an inch to go to bra strap length (3b relaxed). I go through that brush with a fine tooth comb looking for the tons of hair I used to lose (b/4 LHCF) and I just don't see it. This is probably due to my taking better care of my hair i.e protein treatments, DC, co-washes, extensive moisturizing etc. Therefore I'm voting for brushing-in moderation of course. If I start to see clumps of hair in my paddle, I'll toss it or drastically cut back.

 

[Chromia]

I decided to stop brushing years ago because of breakage. I lost interest in looking for a good brush.

If I get my hair wrapped at the salon then of course the stylist will use a brush for that, but other than that brushes don't touch my hair.

 

[lana]

I never brushed before this weekend...really, not ever. I own a brush but never use it cause I always thought it was damaging. UNTIL...(dramatic music) I found this massage brush at Marshall's this weekend. Good lord. I was like a cat getting petted. I started purring as soon as that brush touched my scalp! I am not kidding. Now I may be addicted to brushing.

I found that if I pull the brush all the way through my hair that's a no-no. But I can just brush my scalp and stop right before getting to the ends, ohhhh myyyy gosshhhh...did it feel good.

 

[misspriss]

I use a soft boar brush to slick down my edges when my hair's in a pony. It doesn't pull out my hair and I'm gentle with it. I also use it if I rollerset and wrap my hair instead of pincurling, that only happens a few times a year though. I haven't noticed any damage or thinning edges with that brush, but I had to stop using my Denman brush to detangle because it was pulling out my hair and now I only use a wide tooth comb.

 

[Janet']

I'm past BSL and my staple style is a wash and go pony puff...I brush my hair up into the puff everyday and so far so good...

 

[SmileyNY]

I'm about an inch from bsl. I only use a soft haired brush lightly on my edges when smoothing my hair back for a bun, banana clip, headband, etc. I never brush down the entire length of my hair. I don't see what the reason for that would be.

 

[Angelicus]

I haven't used a brush since I joined LHCF.

 

[kittikat24]

woooo this thread goes back to my early LHCF days! love it!

I never brush and havent for over 3 years! I transitioned (no BC) from APL texlaxed to APL/BSL fully natural successfully w/out a brush. Fingercombing has gotten me thru-- For my hair, using a brush caused my strands to break...

 

[divachyk]

No BSL but close....well, close enough to comment. I brush almost daily. Usually 1x daily, in the morning when smoothing the hair for a pony. I use a boar bristle brush. I brush more than I comb. I find that I lose less hair with brushing and it brings out the shine in my hair. I only brush the crown area and use a toothbrush for my edges and nape. ETA: I use a soft, boar bristle brush.

 

[divachyk]

@Babygurl
What's a nylon bristle brush?

@audacity.
You can use the fingers to pull the hair back and then a fine tooth comb to rake over the top layer of the hair to smooth the strands. Don't comb, but lightly rake the comb across. I sometimes do this and I sometimes use a soft, boar bristle brush. I always use a toothbrush on my nape/edges.

 

[Raspberry]

**bump**

I'm confused about brushing as well, my intuition tells me that using my boar bristle brush would probably do more harm than good, though maybe occasional smoothing on my edges is ok?