As someone with thick, curly hair I've gone through my fair share of hair products, including the best anti-humidity products. Like many curly, coily, and kinky-headed folks, finding what works for me is a process. And although the focus is usually on shampoos, conditioners, gels, and curl creams, styling tools and finding the best hair brushes are just as important.
What I prefer to use changes throughout the week depending on what I'm going for. If it's a wash day, I'll opt for a detangling comb that I use in the shower. If I'm going for a mid-week slicked-back look, I'll use a boar bristle round brush. So when the viral Bounce Curl Define EdgeLift brush came across my TikTok feed, I was curious to know what all the hype was about.
Bounce Curl Original Define EdgeLift Brush
Pros
- Grooves help define curls
- Bristles help prevent frizz
Cons
- Can't be used like a detangling brush
At first glance, I noticed it was basically a brush and a comb combined, which made me a little apprehensive about giving it a shot. But given the thousands of videos of users showing off their defined, frizz-free curls, I decided to see if it could deliver the same results on my 3B, 3C combo hair.
Why The Bounce Curl Define EdgeLift Brush Is Worth It
Admittedly, this brush is on the pricier side, and you can definitely find cheaper styling brushes out there. However, the features of this brush is what separates it from the competition.
The grooves provide definition
One of the first things you'll notice is its unique shape and the grooves along the edges of the brush. These grooves serve a unique purpose that give curls that sleek and defined look. The top edge can be used to shape shorter hair (including bangs) while the longer edges create thick curl clumps that can be separated as they dry. It's also meant to be a great option for people who tend to struggle with frizz since the vegan boar bristles promote a smooth finish.
It prevents flyaways and breakage
The rounded bulbs on the taller bristles prevent you from having to pull and tug at your strands. In other words, you won't have to worry as much about causing excess breakage as you style your hair.
The shape is convenient and easy to use
I love that this brush is made from an eco-friendly, bio-based PLA material, so it doesn't have paint and toxic odors. It also has an hourglass-shaped handle that makes it really easy to hold while I'm styling my hair. If aesthetics are important to you, the brush is also available in pink and teal (my brush is in the color tan). Aside from all of its unique features, the biggest selling point of them all is the results.
Before (left) and after (right) using the Bounce Curl Define EdgeLift Brush.
How I Used The Bounce Curl Define EdgeLift Brush
One thing that users are reminding each other is that this brush is not designed to be a detangling brush, so I kept that in mind during my testing. Once I got in the shower, I parted my hair in three sections and detangled my curls using my fingers, section by section. Generally, I try to style my curls in the shower so that I can continue soaking my hair while I'm applying my products. This ensures that the products will get worked into the curls rather than sitting on top, which would weigh me down.
Once I rinsed out my shampoo and conditioner, I reached for my Pattern Leave-In Conditioner and Styling Cream (skipping on the gel). I applied my products evenly from mid-length to ends and back up, avoiding getting too close to my roots. From there, I used the Bounce Curl Define EdgeLift Brush to comb through each section while turning the brush outwards so that the bristles faced away from me as I moved down each strand to give it that extra curl.
After completing each section, I scrunched my soaking hair with my hands in an upward direction. One thing I noticed as I was creating my curls was that there was already a bit of frizz starting to form, which I assume is because of the shorter boar bristles. Usually if I use a boar bristle brush on my hair, it breaks up my curl pattern, which is why I only use it when slicking my hair back.
As my curls dried throughout the day, I began pulling thicker curl chunks apart to create a fuller appearance. My hair takes a while to dry without a diffuser, but I definitely noticed definition from early on. That said, when you separate your curls, it can potentially cause unwanted frizz, so unless you already have a lot of hair that is also thick, you may be prone to some post-styling frizziness from breaking up those thicker pieces formed by the brush.
The Bottom Line: Is The Bounce Curl Define EdgeLift Brush Worth It?
Although this brush didn't give me salon-quality results, I still think this brush is worth the buy. This brush is super easy to use and although it sells for $30, its ability to quickly create defined curls makes it worth it. There are also similar versions to this on Amazon that you can get at a lower cost, but just know that you will probably be sacrificing on the quality.
I'm not sure it was the perfect match for my texture, but it did a great job at tightening up my curls and giving them bounce.
It's worth keeping in mind that people with tighter curls and coils might be prone to more frizz because of the boar bristles. Additionally, while I do like the round pointed bristles that stick out, I find that, with other brushes, the bulbs at the end start falling off after a while. With that in mind, I'll be really curious to see how well these stay intact moving forward. Overall, this is definitely a brush I will be using again to style my hair (especially when I'm on a time crunch and need something to get the job done fast).
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Sabrina Talbert
Editorial Assistant
Sabrina is an editorial assistant for Women’s Health. When she’s not writing, you can find her running, training in mixed martial arts, or reading.