If you think that in the twenty-first century we are quite advanced in terms of beauty aids, think again. Cosmetics were discovered in the pyramids of Egypt and hair brushes were pictured in caves drawn over 2 million years ago. You don’t have to go back to the days of Cleopatra to find out that women have been enhancing their appearances with eye liner and styling their hair to make the most of themselves. Beauty has been in the forefront of many a mind since before recorded history.  

Where we have made advances is in the tools we use to achieve the mode of the day. Specifically hair brushes have played a significant role in achieving current styles. Back as far as the 17^th century bristle brushes made from the coarse hair of a boar were used to style a lady’s tresses as well as to relieve milady of any fainting spell. Now made with synthetic materials as well as animal bristles the hair brush has become the number one tool for hair. For thin or fine hair it is often recommended that natural bristles be used. The soft bristle variety is best because it prevents hair breakage, and it is less damaging than the synthetic variety.

The shape of the basic hairbrush has changed very little over the decades. What is described as a “paddle brush” is made of a plastic flat base with rows of nylon bristles. This is a “must have” for smoothing out your hair after using a curling iron. It can also be used as an aid for straightening hair in conjunction with the blow dryer.

Of course modern technology has stepped in to create different designs for specific uses. The round or barreled hair brush is great for short to medium hair. Often used with a blow dryer or curling iron this brush can add curl to straight hair. When used with long hair it can help create a loose bouncing curl as well as add shine to the hair.

Oval brushes are great for styles as well as for penetrating the hair and massaging the scalp. Used for long or short hair this handy brush is a great one to tuck into a purse for touch-ups during the day.

You should wash your hairbrushes on a regular basis. Oils from the scalp can cause a build up on the brush. Not only will you not get the desired effect you are trying to achieve, you will also have hair that isn’t as clean as you would like. To clean your brushes remove any hair that is on the base of the brush. Soak the brushes in soapy water using a mild shampoo. Rinse thoroughly and pat it until most of the water is off of it. Then let the brush air dry.  

Don’t limit yourself to just one hair brush. While good quality brushes can be expensive, think of it as an investment. It’s something that you’ll use every single day. You may not have a pyramid waiting to store your belongings like Cleopatra, but you can make your own history with a well-brushed head of hair.

Related Articles
	Styling Products No matter what you want to do with your hair you be able to find a styling product you want. Below is a list of some of the more popular styling products used in hair care today. Deep Conditioners and Hot Oil Treatments are used to help your hair from the environment and stress. These styling products   ...Read more		How to Take Care of Your Styling Tools Not everything lasts forever. Even the styling tools you use each day can suffer from daily wear and tear. The best way to make the most out of the styling tools you use is to take proper care of them. Neglecting your tools will only cause them to deteriorate faster, which means replacing them.   ...Read more