The right tools not only make hair-styling fun, but also make it much easier. Brushes, combs and pins are the basic tools of hair styling.
Shapers: Shapers were inspired by the principle of rag-rolling hair and are a natural way to curl hair. Soft “twist tie” shapers are made from pliable rubber or cotton, with a tempered wire in the center to enable it to bend into shape. The waves or curls that are produced are soft and bouncy and the technique is gentle enough for permed or tinted hair.
Brushes: Brushes help to remove tangles and knots and smooth the hair. Brushing also stimulates the blood circulation, promoting hair growth. All brushes should be cleaned, at least once a week, by pulling out dead hair and washing in warm, soapy water.
Types of Brush:
Circular or radial brushes: These brushes are used to control naturally curly, permed and wavy hair and are ideal for blow-drying.
Flat or half-round brushes: These are ideal for wet or dry hairstyling and blow-drying.
Pneumatic brushes: These brushes have a domed rubber base with bristles set in tufts.
Vent brushes: They have hollow centers, and special bristle or pin, patterns that are designed to lift and disentangle hair. The air circulates freely through both the brush and the hair so the hair dries faster.
Combs: Good quality combs have saw-cut teeth: each individual tooth is cut into the comb, so there are no sharp edges. Avoid cheap plastic combs that are made in a mould and form lines down the center of the teeth. Use a wide-toothed comb for disentangling and combing conditioner through the hair. Fine tail combs are for styling; Afro combs are for curly hair; and styling combs are for grooming.
Pins and Clips: These are indispensable for sectioning and securing hair during setting and for putting hair up. Double pronged clips are used for making pin or barrel curls. Grips on the clips give added security to all types of curls, French pleats and the most intricately upswept styles.
Heavy hairpins: These are made of strong metal and ideal for securing rollers or putting hair up.
Fine hairpins: These are used for dressing hair. They are delicate and prone to bend out of shape, so they should only be used to secure small amounts of hair.
Twisted pins: These are fashioned like a screw and are used to secure hairstyles such as chignons and French pleats.
Rollers: Smooth rollers will give the sleekest finish, but can be difficult to put in. More popular are brush rollers. The smaller the roller, the tighter the curl. Keep the tension even when winding and do not buckle the ends of the hair.