Remember the lovely NaturallyCurlyEnnovy?!
Well, she’s back with advice on purchasing the right Denman brush for your needs. After reading, I’ve decided that a Denman d41 might be in my future 😉
I purchased the Denman Brush D3 after reading about the Denman Brushes on the forum. Looking at it live and in person I was very skeptical about using it as it looked like it would rip my hair out of my head. I say this because the rows are so close together. It reminded me of a comb and NOT a wide-tooth comb. I purchased it anyway (knowing I could always return to Sally’s) and tried to use it. Took me about 5 minutes before I put it away after trying to use it on only a very small section of hair. It was pulling my hair out and I know I would have lost at least a fourth of my hair had I continued to use it AND it would have probably have taken over an hour to detangle. So I went back to using my trusty Paddle brush.
Now after doing research I realize that I should NOT have bought the D3 nor the D4. Those particular brushes are for STRAIGHT hair and are typically used for blow drying the hair for a smooth look. However, the D31 and the D41 are typically used for THICK or CURLY hair AND used for DETANGLING. The rows are spread apart to allow the hair to actually flow through the brush and the pins are spread apart as well. The D31 medium size brush has 7 rows and is for all lengths of hair. The D41 large size brush has 9 rows and is for medium to long hair. There is also the D1431 which has 5 rows and recommended for shorter hair. It is small and more compact so you could put this in your purse.
Of course, I ordered the D41 online for $9 with $5.95 s/h and will let you know. I’ve never heard of the place I ordered it from so I don’t want to provide it at this time. However, I will once I have received my product and see if it is authentic. I got it for $2 cheaper (this includes the shipping) than I could have at the Beauty Store and Salon in my neighborhood. It’s $16.99 there plus tax. So, I am kind of wondering if it is a TRUE Denman!!
Anyway, I thought I would post for those ladies that said they felt they lost too much hair with the Denman. Perhaps it was because it was the wrong Denman!!
More Denman articles:
Tangles, Shed Hair, and Knots
Frizz Factor
Note to Self
I love my denman unmodified. It just really gets all the shed hair out. i'm careful to go slowly with it and use it after comb/ finger detangling.
whenever you're combing and brushing your hair (especially when detangling your curls) start at the ends then work your way up… this technique goes smoother and easier while reducing breakage (this is particularly significant when using the Denman)
Hi all,
I love all my denmans I have a D4 and a D41 I use the latter to detangle my 3c/4a shoulder length hair it works and is so awesome. I use the other for styling. I also use the D3 and D31 on my two girls hair. As long as you are gentle they are great tools.
Nikki,
Did you ever purchase a Denman D41? Will you review it if you did?
i have the d41 and i LOVE it! it's an amazing detangler 🙂
Thanks for writing about this!! I thought I had just gone too lone without a good detangling!
I'm about to purchase the right Denman for me online through Folica.com. They have cheaper prices than the ones on Amazon and are a trusted site. I can't wait until it gets here!
Thanks for this information.
Thank you sooo much! CLEARLY I've been using the wrong Denman. I used it twice, and I couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about. Thanks for clearing that up!
Anonymous@11:58am Fotki name is naturallycurly
Interesting…I returned the D3 to the store without trying it because of what I heard about it not being the right size for our hair…the Sally's in my area (checked with several) only carry D3's and not D4…hmmm what to do? My shower comb is working great…if it ain't broke don't fix it I guess…unless if find either Denman on clearance!
I have to kindly disagree with this. I have thick 3c/4a hair and my D3 is PERFECT for it! It may not be as long as hers, but it does work it's magic. You just use it how you'd use everything else. Saturate your hair in conditoner and make sure you're starting from the TIP! Maybe it's just because it's a brush, but that doesn't mean you have to RAKE IT through your hair. Start at the sides of the brush, then, as your hair gradually becomes detangled, then use the full brush on that section. All things for natural hair comes with a method….well, pretty much.
That is all. =]
No no, I love my D4! I have a D200 also, but I rarely use it. It works well too, but my blue D4 is my hubsters!'
Also the Aveda paddle brush would be my ideal choice to use in the shower. Detangles like a dream and the bristles are smooth and ball free. However the wood finish ruins easily with any moisture. The finish peels off and the wood splits and it is rather horrid and unattractive. So I bought a new one and hardly use it now 🙁
I use a D200. I works for me quite nicely, especially when I lost my wide-toothed comb. It doesn't rip out my hair either.
Great post I always wondered what the Denman numbers were about, I would probably need a D31, thanks for the info.
Wow! Good to know! Like you, I purchased a Denman, tried it ONCE on a small section, thought it was pulling my hair too much so it's been put away every since. Looks like I got the wrong one! I never even knew there was a deifference.
Hmmm….Just like Bella said, I have the D3 that I purchased at Sally's and it straightens my curls, which then clump at the ends, but when it dries, it's frizzy!! I wish I knew of other locations here in Austin(TX) that sell Denman. I hate waiting on stuff in the mail!! LOL
I figured my Denman 3 wasn't the right one and had been looking into Aveda's paddle brush. I hadn't purchased it because I wanted to make sure it didn't have any balls on the ends of the tines.
I think I'm just going to suck it up and buy the Denman 31 from the company's site or see if there's an U.S. website that sells it.
This is great info. I got rid of my Denman a long time ago becaue no one ever told me there were different ones taht did different things. I might reconsider.
I purchased the D3 and thought I was nuts because everyone raved about it but all it did was straigten my curls and then clump them together at the ends. When my hair dried it was big and frizzy with little slinkyesque coils at the ends.
Off to purchase the correct Denman I go….
Anyone know her Fotki?
Hello! I just seen your post on NC and purchased a D31 online about 5 min ago! I am currently transitioning (4 months) and purchased a D3 recently. I had to use a wide tooth comb 1st, then use the D3. I loved the way the D3 smoothed my relaxed ends, but it pull too much on my new growth. My hair is much easier to style after using the Denman, so I still have hope. Thanks for the info!