Best Round Brush for Blowouts

Round hair brush
 
Q: What is the best round brush for blowouts? What should I look at when I buy a new round brush? I would like to know what the most versatile size is and what type of brush I need for minimal hair damage. Are heated round brushes any good?
 
A: The best size depends on how long your hair is. If you hair is short, you'll need a smaller brush. If you hair is long, get a big round brush, otherwise you'll end up with wave-like dents in your hair and take forever to get you hair blow dried. If you're still unsure about the size, treat yourself with a trip to the salon and have your hair blow dried. Note the size and type of brush that the stylist uses.
 
Professional salon brushes are usually ordered by the salon from hair and beauty manufacturers, but the salon usually sells these brushes as well. This way you'll be able to get direct advice from your stylist on which brush she/he prefers, what size and type would be best for your hair and the best styling methods to be used by using the brush. The stylist gets commission on the sale of the brush, so he/she will be more than willing to give you advice and show you tricks to make your styling easier.
 
Look out for a brush that is made of a solid unit structure. I have found that brushes where the head/brush structure is glued onto the handle part come apart very easily. The glue that is used to glue the two pieces together melts when it is exposed to the intense heat of the hair dryer, which causes the brush and handle part to separate.
 
Also, look for a brush that has been manufactured with anti static qualities. This improves the end result of your blow dry as well as the ease factor when blowdrying the hair. It is seriously irritating to have completed a good blow dry, only to have the hair standing up in all directions.
 
The best salon brushes are made from heat absorbing materials that prevent you from burning your hands or your hair when the hair dryer heats up the metal of the brush. These brushes are usually a matte black color, although it's becoming vogue to color code the brush sizes these days. In any case, the brush is usually a matte color, and will clearly advertise the fact that the brush absorbs the heat instead of distributing it along the shaft and handle of the brush.
 
A foam or rubber grip is also always a plus when looking at different round brushes. The grip helps you to be able to turn the brush easier, as well as improving the handling of the brush.
 
An aerodynamic/sleek aesthetic appearance is also a good sign. The silhouette of the brush, especially the handle part, should be sleek with clean lines. If there are sharp edges, indented ridges or any rims along the structure of the brush, you can be sure that the hair will be tangled or get caught there. This causes hair breakage, difficult styling and immense discomfort and often pain to the client or user.
 
I dislike heated brushes because you don't have control over the heat distribution, and the brushes are made of plastic.
 
©Hairfinder.com
 
See also:
 
How to style hair
 
Blow drying basics
 
Hair combing and brushing basics