Different Comb Types

A hair comb is a very popular hair tool in the beauty and haircare industry. There are various comb types used for hair styling. Some combs are used for smoothing and styling and others are used for hair detangling. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Most people only own a few of these comb styles, but it is always good to have one of each depending on your styling needs.

Wide tooth

This style has a broad handle and thick, spaced-out teeth that are quite large. People with thicker, coarser hair will benefit from this design because it makes it easier for the comb to move through their hair without snagging. These perform best when used to detangle thick or coarse hair and when combing wet hair.

Rat tail

In the world of beauty, these combs are among the most widely used. They resemble pin combs but differ in having a slightly pointed end. These are among the best combs for hair smoothing or parting. It is possible to make precise parts and incredibly neat and clean lines by using the pointed end of the comb tail. With the right care and technique, they can be applied to all hair types to prevent hair loss.

Hair pick

Hair picks are made solely for hair stands. While they can be used for combing and slicking the hair into place, they are designed to be used for fluffing or pulling the hair away from the scalp. They usually have wide teeth and short handles. Mostly made out of plastic but some are designed with plastic handles and metal teeth. They can also be used to partially fluff or tease your hair.

Cutting comb

The best use for these is haircutting. Their teeth range from short to medium in length, and they are lightly spaced. This style resembles all-purpose combs in design. Only a few cutting combs have numbers along the base, which is the only distinction between the two. These figures are used to gauge hair length and estimate how much needs to be cut or shaved off.

Teasing comb

These are typically designed for people who have fine or thinning hair. They are used to create styles that are voluminous and fuller in density. This particular style has two types of fine teeth in alternating lengths. One tooth is slightly longer than the other in an alternating pattern throughout the length of the comb. 

All-purpose

The all-purpose comb is used to handle plenty of tasks. These are very durable and can be used on thicker or thin hair. These combs come in a variety of colors and lengths. They are typically used for the parting of the hair or smoothing hair over. They can be used to touch up and shape your edges. This type can be used for males and females alike. 

Barber comb

The barber comb can be used for men and women but is mostly used on male hair. They are most used by barbers when cutting hair. This is because they allow you to cut the hair without getting too close to the person’s head. 

Fine tooth

The fine tooth is a comb that has many teeth close together. This allows you to get a smoother more polished look. This style is used to get your hair perfectly neat and straight. It will work on thick or thin hair but it is more for smoothing similar to a brush rather than for dragging through the hair. While it can be used to navigate through thick hair it will have to be used in smaller sections to avoid breakage, snags, and knots.

Rake comb

The handle design and positioning of the teeth resemble that of a rake. This type has teeth that are wide and thick with medium spacing between the teeth. It can be used to comb through large sections of hair with minimum pain and hair loss.

Pin tail comb

This type is similar to a rat’s tail. The difference is that the tail or the handle is much thinner and finer. These can be used similarly to a multi-purpose style. They are great for parting the hair, smoothing, and taming edges. It can also be a great choice to be used as a chaser when straightening your hair with a flat iron. 

Pocket comb

Pocket combs are simple all-purpose combs that you can fit in your pocket or purse. These are great for everyday use because of their compact size and versatility. They usually have both a wide tooth and a fine tooth side to accommodate all hair textures.