The Wrong Brush Can Undermine Curly Hair, But These 13 Give Celeb-Status Results

Every hair type and texture has its own set of idiosyncrasies, but helping curly hair reach its maximum potential can, at times, feel like a dizzying game of chutes and ladders. Especially once you throw a brush into the mix. Not only are curly hair types fragile and more susceptible to breakage due to the natural formation of the hair cuticle, but when you do (or don’t) brush can also have a huge bearing on the end result of your look. So, in order to get the most out of your curls you A) need to know when and how to brush them to protect your natural curl pattern and B) need to have the right brush handy to protect your strands and scalp while applying minimal sacrilege to your god-given texture. 

As for that first part, most experts recommend only brushing curly hair when it’s wet. According to celebrity stylist Christian Wood, brushing dry curls—unless you're simply getting ready to wash or going for a stunning Diana Ross disco vibe—will make your curls fluffy, ultimately pulling out the natural curl formation. If you're looking to maintain the definition, pattern, and shape of your curls, exclusively brush your strands when they’re wet, and then do your best to remain hands-free. (The more you touch, the more frizz and fuzz will abound).

Now, for that second part, the brush. Since certain styles, shapes, and bristle types are far more strategic for curly hair than others, I asked three top celebrity hair experts (Wood, included!) to share their top picks, and the exact brushes they use on their curl-blessed clients. Keep scrolling—13 of the best brushes for curly hair are just below.

The Expert Picks

Bobby Eliot, Celebrity Hairstylist

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Celeb Client: Julia Garner
(Image credit: @juliagarnerofficial)

Missy McDaniels, Colorist, Wig/Hair Extension Stylist and Founder of Missy Hair Boutique

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Celeb Client: Winnie Harlow
(Image credit: @winnieharlow)

Christian Wood, Celebrity Hairstylist

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Celeb Client: Amanda Seyfried
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Beauty Director

Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over four years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor. She considers her day-to-day beauty aesthetic very low-maintenance and relies on staples like clear brow serum (from Kimiko!), Lawless's Lip Plumping Mask in Cherry Vanilla, and an eyelash curler. For special occasions or days when she's taking more meetings or has an event, she'll wear anything and everything from Charlotte Tilbury (the foundations are game-changing), some shimmer on her lids (Stila and Róen do it best), and a few coats of the best mascara-type product on earth, Surratt's Noir Lash Tint.