If I had it my way, I’d run a brush through my hair and call it a day. I enjoy a long skincare and makeup routine, but styling my hair feels like a chore. Yet this ultra-low-effort approach doesn’t always pay off when it comes to curls, notoriously finicky. Plus, curls signify much more than a mere hair type: They’re personal and political, especially for Black folks, whose hair has long been subject to discriminatory legislation and control. Curls also engender their own language: To help guide care for curls, different categories have emerged to help chart the course. These methods do pay off for many adherents, yet I wholly lack the will. Hence, my interest in curly-hair brushes. I’ve been seeking a tool that would do this work for me, taking the steps off my hands so I could glean results in less time and with less energy.
Two brushes kept coming up in my research. One was the famed Denman brush, a decades-strong stalwart that combines its carefully spaced rows of bristles with the tension of brushing to define curls while detangling wet hair. The other was Bounce Curl’s Define EdgeLift brush, which went viral almost immediately upon release for its ability to define and volumize curls all in one tool. Designed to work as a heatless curling tool, it’s something of an all-in-one, with its side edges working to separate curls, its front end adding definition without breakage, and its top edge clumping short hair and bangs. I put the two hairbrushes to the test for months. Curly girls, you already know that bouncy curls are the difference between a good hair day and a great hair day. And learning how to use a curl brush is your one-way ticket to that natural volume and bounce.
A curling brush, if you aren’t yet familiar, is a must-have in any curly- or wavy-hair routine. It’s specifically made to help enhance waves and curls for a more consistent curl pattern. Sophie Rose Gutterman, Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist, curl specialist, and salon owner, counts it as her favorite. “The ridges in the side are great for definition,” she says. Regardless of which one you end up choosing, though, the most important thing is “to let the brush do the work for you,” says Gutterman. Ahead, everything to know about curl brushes, including a step-by-step guide, stylists’ best tips for salon-level results, and how to keep curls looking fresh.
The Bounce Curl Define EdgeLift Brush: what it promises
The benefits of using a curl brush
What does a curl brush do for hair, actually? Using one “gives you control over your curls by smoothing the cuticle, distributing product evenly, and helping curls clump so they dry defined instead of frizzy,” says Vanessa Ocando, New York City hairstylist and trichologist and founder of Béssa Beauty. Using one not only helps waves, curls, and coils look more defined, but it also helps minimize frizz. “As the bristles glide down the hair shaft, they create consistent tension that smooths the cuticle, giving curls a polished, intentional shape,” says Ocando. “When the cuticle is sealed and supported like this, frizz is minimized and you’re able to direct exactly how the curl forms from roots to ends.”
How to use a curl brush: a step-by-step guide
To get those defined curls of your dreams, all it takes is some wet hair and the right brush (with the right tension, of course). “You want controlled tension, not pulling,” says Ocando. “Hold the section gently, keep the hair taut enough to smooth the cuticle, and let the brush do the shaping. The tension should feel supportive, never aggressive and smooth.” But let’s get into the details a bit more:
- Wash the hair. Before anything else, you want to properly cleanse and condition the hair with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner or the hair mask of your choice. Working with wet hair is key to this process.
- Prep the hair. Next, apply styling products. Ashley recommends starting with a detangling spray like Dippity-Do Girls With Curls De-Frizz Leave-In Detangling Conditioner to “soften and add moisture to make brushing your curls easier,” she says. Then, follow up with a curl cream, mousse, or gel. Ashley recommends the Dippity-Do Girls With Curls Curl Defining Cream for soft definition, while Gutterman recommends DevaCurl SuperMousse for hydrating volume and hold. We also love the Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner to hydrate, if your hair is feeling particularly dry, and the Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream to smooth out strands and detangle in preparation for brushing.
- Brush the hair. After products are applied, it’s time to pick up the curl brush. “Work in controlled sections,” says Ashley. “Fine hair, large sections; thick hair, small to medium sections.” You’ll start by simply detangling the hair. “Take your brush starting at the ends of the hair working towards the scalp,” says Ashley. Once detangled, brush slowly to set your curls, she advises. “The curls will begin to clump together,” she adds. This is where it’s important to use tension. After you’ve repeated this in all sections, “scrunch the ends to set the curls,” she says. If you want to boost volume, that’s easily done as well: “When you get to the top sections, I recommend brushing up to create a little volume,” says Gutterman. And just be mindful not to mess up the curls you’ve already created when you move on to the next section, she points out.
- Dry the hair. When you’re done brushing your hair, air-dry or diffuse your hair. “The key is to allow the hair to fully dry before touching,” says Ashley. Why? It’s the golden rule for definition, explains Ocando. “That alone cuts down more frizz than people realize.”
How to stop frizz and hair breakage when using a curl brush
If your curls or waves always seem to get frizzy, it’s likely that they need more hydration. “Frizz and breakage usually happen when the hair isn’t wet enough or there isn’t enough slip,” says Ocando. Before using a brush, “I always start with saturated sections, detangle first, and make sure my styling product is evenly distributed so the brush can glide without snagging,” she adds. You also don’t want to over-brush your strands. “I like to do one to two passes, or three if I really need it.” And as mentioned above, your curls must be 100% dry before breaking them up, fluffing them, or touching them. It’s a “non-negotiable,” says Ocando, “otherwise you’re creating frizz before the curl has a chance to set.”
To add extra hydration to your hair, consider a prewash hydrating treatment. “Curls need hydration, and anyone with curly hair will tell you their biggest complaint is frizz,” says Ocando. “The best way to combat frizz is to hydrate the hair before washing so you’re starting with maximum moisture. I always begin with a pre‑wash conditioning treatment like Béssa Beauty’s Pre‑Wash Conditioner on dry, unwashed hair. I leave it on for about 10 minutes, making sure the hair is fully saturated.”
How to prevent curls from falling flat
One of the worst feelings is spending time creating your hairstyle and perfecting your curls, only for them to fall flat and limp halfway through the day. The right styling products will make a world of difference. “Always make sure you are being intentional about the products you’re using and the way you are brushing the hair,” says Gutterman. “Mixing a product that has hold with a product that has moisture is important because this will make sure the curls stay defined.” She also recommends using a diffuser instead of air drying to help lock everything in place.
The way you section and brush your hair can affect how long the curls stay intact too. They “can fall flat or lose volume if you’re brushing in sections that are too big or if you’re not lifting at the root as you brush,” says Ocando. Also, remember that “when you brush through your hair, you’re redistributing your styling product, and sometimes that means a little more product ends up near the root than usual, which can weigh things down,” she says. Because of that, she notes that the tilt of the brush is “so important” when you’re working close to the scalp. Both Ocando and Gutterman recommend flipping hair when diffusing to get extra root lift, which will help maintain volume.
Rizos Curls Collapsible Hair Diffuser
How to clean your curl brush
Cleaning your hairbrush is an easily overlooked yet seriously critical part of your hair care. “Since you’re mostly going to be using the brush with product, I suggest always washing your brush after every use,” says Gutterman. However, if you don’t have time to do it that often, at least once every two weeks is ideal. The good news, though, is that the cleaning process is quick and easy. To clean it, start by removing any hair from the brush, notes Ashley. Use hot water and soap and “take a small brush or toothbrush, and work the soap into your curl brush,” she says. Using a small brush gently will help clean it completely without causing too much damage to the bristles. “Do this until the brush is clean of any dirt.”
Video demonstrations and product tests can provide a practical understanding of how these brushes perform in real-world styling.
Testing 3 Curly Hair Brushes | Denman Brush, Viral Bounce Curl Brush, and Detangling Brush
With consistent technique, a curl brush becomes a reliable ally for shaping waves and curls while minimizing frizz and maximizing volume-especially when you’re aiming for a low-effort routine that still delivers salon-like results.
Additional notes on products and tools
- Pattern Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross Hydration Shampoo
- Cécred Reconstructing Treatment Mask
- Dippity-Do Girls With Curls De-Frizz Leave-In Detangling Conditioner
- Dippity-Do Girls With Curls Curl Defining Cream
- DevaCurl SuperMousse Coconut Oil Infused Volumizer
- Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner
- Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream
- Bounce Curl Define EdgeLift Brush
| Step | Action | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Wash | Cleanse with hydrating shampoo and conditioner | Wet hair throughout for even product distribution |
| 2. Prep | Apply detangler, then curl cream/mousse/gel | Moisture and slip prevent snagging |
| 3. Brush | Detangle in sections, then brush with controlled tension | End with ends scrunched and roots lifted for volume |
| 4. Dry | Air-dry or diffuse until fully dry | Dryness is essential to set the curl |