Buzz
While I adore my curls, they demand a significant amount of effort. Some days, they fall perfectly into place, while other times, they’re stubbornly uncooperative. My biggest frustration is the sheer amount of time they require to look their best.
Ideally, I’d prefer to simply brush my hair and be done with it. While I enjoy a thorough skincare and makeup routine, styling my hair feels like a tedious task. However, this low-effort approach rarely works well for curls, which are notoriously unpredictable.
Moreover, curls are more than just a hair type—they carry personal and political significance, especially for Black individuals, who have historically faced discriminatory laws and societal pressures regarding their hair.
Curls also come with their own unique terminology: To simplify curl care, a numerical system, ranging from 1a to 4c, has been developed. This scale categorizes hair from pin-straight to tightly coiled, helping individuals identify their curl type.
This means that curl care and styling methods can vary dramatically from person to person, depending on their specific curl pattern and other factors.
In my case, I have dry, frizzy curls that range from 2b to 3b, featuring a mix of ringlets, loose curls, and waves.
According to TikTok, Reddit, and other online platforms, I should be dedicating considerable time to styling my curls, using multiple steps to enhance their shape and definition. While these methods work for many, I simply lack the patience.
This is why I turned to curly-hair brushes. I’ve been searching for a tool that could simplify the process, delivering great results with minimal time and effort.
Two brushes stood out during my research. The first was the iconic Denman brush, a long-standing favorite known for its precisely spaced bristles and ability to define curls while detangling wet hair.
The second was Bounce Curl’s Define EdgeLift brush, which quickly gained popularity for its dual ability to define and volumize curls. Designed as a heatless styling tool, it offers multiple functions: its side edges separate curls, its front end defines without causing damage, and its top edge helps style shorter hair and bangs.
I tested both hairbrushes extensively over several months. While both performed well, they delivered different results: The Denman brush gave me sleek, smooth ringlets, while the Bounce Curl brush added volume and lift, creating fuller, bouncier curls.
The Bounce Curl brush provided a wider range of styling possibilities.
Those new to curl care might find the Denman brush easier to use.
