For years, I prided myself on a carefree approach to my curly hair. While others scrolled through TikTok tutorials on diffusers, T-shirt curls, and finger-coiling techniques, I scoffed. After all, these were methods I had been using long before the viral trend. But then, the Denman brush entered the conversation, and I couldn’t ignore the praise it was getting from curl experts. Intrigued and skeptical, I decided to give it a try. Here’s what happened.
A Brush for Curly Hair? Not So Fast
As someone who’s always resisted brushing curly hair, the Denman brush seemed almost blasphemous. Flashback to 2010, when curly-haired folks like myself would roll our eyes at anyone suggesting we simply “brush it” to manage frizz. We had learned the hard way: brushes equaled frizzy, flat hair. Yet, time and time again, I kept seeing TikTok after TikTok of perfectly defined spirals, all thanks to this very tool. Maybe I was missing something. So, I reached out to Frances Courtney, head of marketing at Denman, to learn more about the brush and its benefits.
What Is the Denman Brush?
Surprisingly, the Denman brush isn’t a new invention. It’s been around for 80 years. Frances Courtney explained that the brush was initially designed in the 1930s by John Denman Dean, an entrepreneur from Northern Ireland, who was looking for a way to tame his sister’s unruly hair. Nylon pins were added to the brush because they didn’t melt under heat, making them ideal for styling. Over the decades, the Denman brush has evolved but remained a favorite among professionals, most famously for the iconic Mary Quant bob in the 1960s. However, in recent years, it’s been embraced as a go-to tool for curly hair routines.
Who Can Benefit from the Denman Brush?
The Denman brush is versatile, catering to all types of curls. Whether you have wavy 2B hair or tight 4A coils, there’s a Denman brush designed for your curl type. The original D3 model, with its seven rows of pins, works best for looser curls, while the D4 model, which features nine rows, is ideal for tighter curls.
How Does It Work?
The Denman brush is all about tension. Picture this: when you pull a ribbon through the blades of scissors, it curls up on its own. Similarly, the Denman brush uses tension to pull the hair tight and help it snap back into a spiral. Courtney explained that while the early models of the Denman brush had a rubber base to provide resistance, modern versions use TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), which mimics the properties of rubber but is safer for people with allergies.
How to Use the Denman Brush on Curly Hair
After seeing endless TikToks showcasing flawless curls, I finally caved and purchased the D3 Denman brush. I paired it with my favorite styling products and a diffuser to recreate the technique I had seen so many times online.
And, to my surprise, it worked. I used the brush to work through my 2c/3a curls, starting at the roots and tucking the brush under as I moved toward the ends. This added a mere 10 minutes to my wash-day routine, but the results were incredible. My curls—defined, frizz-free, and bouncy—lasted for days. A quick refresh was all I needed, instead of washing my hair every day. The Denman brush gave me the kind of spirals I’d always admired but never thought I could achieve.
The Results
The Denman brush lived up to the hype. After using it, my curls fell in perfect spirals with minimal frizz and a smooth finish. The root area was a bit flatter than I’d like, but that can be remedied with a different diffusing technique. I also experimented with various methods—finger-coiling, brushing larger or smaller sections—and found the results consistently impressive.
The Final Takeaway
The Denman brush isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a proven tool for creating beautifully defined curls, regardless of your curl type. Whether you have loose waves or tightly coiled curls, there’s a Denman brush variation that will work for you. If you haven’t yet embraced the Denman brush, it might be time to add it to your curly hair routine. With a bit of practice, you’ll find that it provides bouncy, frizz-free curls that last for days. Plus, you can also use it with a blow dryer for straight hair, proving just how versatile this iconic tool truly is.
