Style

This ‘90s Hair Styling Staple Is Back And Better Than Ever

by Amber Petty

Vented brushes may have had their heyday in the '90s, but that doesn't mean they don't still deserve a spot on your bathroom shelf. The best vented brushes not only help to dry hair faster, but thanks to thoughtful design innovations and advanced technology, today's vented brushes are leagues ahead of what you may remember using in middle school.

If you haven't used a vented brush before, the core benefit is pretty basic: When used in combination with a blow dryer, the vents allow air to flow through the brush and directly onto your hair, resulting in a faster dry-time. Beyond this feature, vented brushes, like any other brush, come with a variety of additional features to suit the needs of different hair types and lengths.

Now, most vented brushes won't give you a super straight or smooth look after blow drying, so they're ideal for when you want a quick, tousled style that gets you out the door in about five minutes. But, that's not to say you can't achieve a smooth, shiny finish either. If you're willing to spend a little more on a brush, there are vented styles that have ceramic and ion technology which promise to help add luster and sheen to your finished style.

Whether you're looking for a brush with superior detangling powers, one that will help evenly distribute oil, or just a great brush that won't break the bank, there's a vented brush that will make a great addition to your styling routine.

1

A Vented Brush Designed To Safely Detangle Wet Hair

Wet Brush Speed Dry Hair Brush, $12, Amazon

If you love the cult-favorite Wet Brush, then you'll probably be thrilled to find out that the company also makes a vented brush that's specially designed to help dry hair up to 30 percent faster. This brush is also heat-resistant up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and the curved head is anatomically designed to match the scalp so it's able to get closer to the root to remove excess water. And, of course, just like the original Wet Brush, the Speed Dry hair brush features ball-tipped bristles that are thin, strong, flexible, and can detangle hair effortlessly without tearing or causing split ends.

2

A Vented Brush For Distributing Oil From Scalp To Shaft

Boar Bristle Hair Brush Set, $17, Amazon

Not only will this vented brush help you dry your hair faster, but thanks to the mix of nylon and boar bristles, it's also good for detangling and spreading oils from your scalp down the shaft of your hair. The oversized, curved head is designed to allow for optimum contact points and angles to evenly distribute oils, and is suitable for all hair types.

3

A Budget-Brush That Prevents Static

Cricket Static Free Fast Flo Hair Brush, $6, Amazon

This isn't just best vented brush for budget shoppers, it's also great if you're looking for a solution to static-y hair. It's specially designed to help manage fly-ways and minimize static, plus the reinforced ball tip bristles won't snag. It's also received several hundred glowing reviews on Amazon, including one from a particularly enthusiastic reviewer who wrote: "LOVE this brush! I got one several years ago and used it every day."

4

A Bamboo Brush For The Eco-Conscious Shopper

EcoTools Cruelty Free Sleek and Shine Finisher Hair Brush, $11, Amazon

If you're an eco-conscious consumer looking to reduce your environmental footprint, you'll love that this brush not only cuts down your dry time (and thus your electricity use) by 20 percent, but it's also made from sustainable materials. From the bamboo handle to the cruelty-free bristles, this brush was designed with the environment in mind.

5

A Ceramic Vented Hair Brush That Adds Shine

Olivia Garden Ceramic +Ion XL Pro Vent, $20, Amazon

Thanks to the ceramic and tourmaline ion technology, Olivia Garden's Ceramic+Ion XL Pro Vent brush promises to add luster and shine to your finished style. That alone makes it pretty unique in this category of brushes, but that's not all it has to offer. It's also lightweight, has comfortable ball-point tips, and the ion charged bristles help reduce static.

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