Downing the Denman

I just read a blog over on Curly Nikki's site about the Denman brush and I though it was a little misleading. A Denman brush is a tool and like all tools will not work for everyone in the same way or at all. I am not a person who swears by the Denman but I think it lives up to its claims.

In my humble opinion, the Denman brush has suffered the same fate as other instant/magical/super fixer natural hair products, it wasn't instant, super or magical.

According to the manufacturer, the brush is, "effective for giving greater control over styling the hair" it is not and was not designed for detangling. Denman actually carries a detangling brush called the Tangle Tamer.

I have always been advised by seasoned naturals to expect only curl definition from a denman brush following detangling. I CANNOT detangle with this brush regardless of the amount of water or conditioner. 



Yes, using a knock-off version is great because they are cheaper and why pay $9-12 dollars for something you don't know if you are going to like. I bought the real deal because I was newly natural and all gung-ho.

Talk to someone who has successfully used one before or for instruction. My brush sat in a drawer for a year before someone taught me how to use it correctly. It was an eye-opening experience. 

Use product with your brush. It's a brush not magic! If you want curl definition use the brush and a curl definition product. As for complaints of fuzzy roots, I cannot comment on how individuals style their hair but when I could only get curly ends I wore a curly puff or up-do until I figured out what to do to change it.

Finally, removing bristles from the brush to make it a utilitarian item as opposed to an monument to the money you spent being newly natural is completely understandable but if you just like fewer bristles when detangling Denman actually makes a brush with spaced out bristles. It is NOT designed for detangling either it is a volumizing brush.

Just to summarize, A Denman brush is:

• not designed for detangling
• expensive, try a knock-off
• give curl definition, definition (God gives curls, products and tools define them.)
• not magic

Today's Hair- Fall Protective Style

 Style: Fall Protective Style (updo)

Time to Complete: 20-25 mins (on dry stretched hair)

Products Used: Water, Sof'nFree Nothing But Curl Sealer, Qhemet Biologics Grapeseed Oil and Tea Tree Pomade thinned with castor oil

Tools Used:  brush, rattail comb, bobby pins (lots!)

Reason for style: My continuing quest to vary from twists.

Lessons Learned: Open all products first when using oils and pomades ( greasy hands!), Thinning a pomade with castor oil made a great smoothing pomade with the benefit of the nourishing oils

other side

back view

Every length is a revelation

Immediately after transition

The heyday of my puff

So, I've been natural for a while now a as a blogger/vlogger/product maker I think I'm pretty knowledgeable about the basics of hair care. I know the commandments:

• Thou shalt not comb dry hair
• Thou shalt not use a fine tooth comb
• Thou shall spritz thy hair with water as much as your style allows
• Thou shalt use oils to seal; not moisturize
• Thou shalt clarify regularly
• Thou shalt wash hair in a orderly was to prevent tangles, you are not in a shampoo ad

what I had forgotten was as your hairs length changes so do the rules. Initially, I could wash my hair loose, as it grew I had to section it, it grew longer and I had to twist or braid the sections. 

medium length with curl defining product - mass shrinkage

When my hair was shorter curl definition products made a curly fro, as it grew it was more like a traditional wash-n-go and now the products give a long loose curly look.

long bang tucked in hat with curl defining product

I recently realized that I can no longer detangle and wash at the same time. I was amazed at how much better things went when I detangled before washing. I had a revelation and then remembered I had had several such  revelations previously. 

mini twists medium-long hair - mass shinkage

Every length is a revelation so take advantage. Try products you had previously dismissed, try techniques that may not have worked, try styles and tools you may have already written off. I surprised myself with just a basic change.