All articles

Everything on The Styling Bench, organised by topic.

Dryers & Heat

• Best Hair Dryer Types: Match Heat, Airflow, and Texture — The best hair-dryer type depends on the finish and hair condition: choose a full-size dryer with independent heat and speed controls for most users, add a…
• How to Use Heat Protectant on Dry Hair — Use a product whose directions explicitly permit dry-hair application before your intended tool.
• How to Reduce Hair Damage From Heat Styling — You cannot guarantee heat styling without damage, but you can reduce exposure substantially.
• Heat Protectant: How to Apply It Before Styling — Apply heat protectant immediately before the heat stage named on its label.

Brushes & Styling

• Best Hairbrush Types: Detangle, Smooth, or Shape — Choose a hairbrush by job and hair state: a flexible, widely spaced brush for wet conditioned curls or coils; a paddle brush for broad smoothing; a vent…

Treatments & Care

• Hair Mask Buying Guide: Damage, Texture, and Buildup — Choose a hair mask by the problem you can observe. For rough, dry-feeling lengths, pick a conditioning mask rich in fatty alcohols, cationic conditioners,…
• Heat Protectant Spray vs Cream: Choose by Styling Job — Choose by the stated styling job: a spray can suit light application or dry restyling; a conditioning cream can suit a damp-hair blowout.