What Are Your Favorite. . . Hair Tools

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The Bump Nest
I’m starting a new series here on the blog called “What Are Your Favorite. . .”. I’ll go through different categories and pick my favorites for each one. 

Of course I had to start with hair tools because 1. it’s kind of my thang and 2. I get questions from readers often regarding hair tools.

I’ll try to include as many as my favorites as possible and answer as many questions as I can!

1. Cricket Silkcomb ; this is the comb I’ve used in every one of my hair tutorials.

2. Denman brush ; I use this brush as I’m blow drying my hair. A vented brush, like this one , is also great for blow drying hair.

3. BaByliss curling iron (in any size) ; heats up quickly and curls nicely 

4. Cricket wide tooth comb (similar) ;  perfect for combing out wet locks as well as distributing conditioner to your ends while washing your hair.

5. Olivia Garden round brush (any size) ;  I use these at the salon and really love the bend they put in the hair. The cermamic middle holds enough heat to dry the hair quickly without burning it.

6. Polyband clear elastics ; Anytime I’m pulling my hair up, I’ll use these. You can find them at drugstores, Target, etc. 

7. Rusk Speed Freak dryer ; has lasted for years and dries my hair quickly!

8. Hot Tools curling iron (in any size) ; a classic favorite. Still own the ones I got in beauty school.

9. Diane Bobby pins (bronze or black) ; professional bobby pins are 1000x better than the ones you buy at the drugstore. These won’t slip out and they hold the hair better than cheap ones. Oftentimes I’ve found that the drugstore brand has a plastic coating that doesn’t hold the hair well. Ask your stylist if he/she can get you some professional pins! 

10. GHD flat iron (classic or professional) ; my top pick in flat irons for a few years now. I’ve been disappointed with Chi irons (another popular iron) so I always stick with GHD. Cheaper option: Hot Tools flat iron

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1 says · 09.18.13

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Mercedes says · 09.18.13

I’m a stylist as well and just found your blog! Love Ghd, silkcombs, and olivia garden round brushes. I also have my hot tools irons from beauty school, i think they’re indestructable.

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Kelly U says · 09.18.13

We are kindred stylist souls! I am a stylist in Illinois, and, with the exception of the flat iron, these are the exact tools I use and recommend! (I haven’t had any problems with my Chi!)

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Michelle Ash Latham says · 09.18.13

Great post! Looking forward to the series 🙂

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Becky M says · 09.18.13

I love my Babyliss flat iron! It works wonders on my hair. I have been disappointed with Chi as well. Loved seeing your favs!

agirlandhersparkles.blogspot.com

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Ashley says · 09.18.13

Love my round brush, wide tooth comb, bobby pins and of course styling tools!! 🙂

Xo,
Sincerely Miss Ash

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Summer says · 09.18.13

I’m forever looking for the perfect hairdryer…my question is about maintenance…what do you do to maintain your dryer to make it last so long? I swear mine end up burning out in a little over a year, and I’m not talking about $20 dryers either…I’ve bought Solano and T3, among others. Solano has been my fav so far, but one day it just decided to stop heating up and would only blow regular air.

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Michea says · 09.18.13

You need to make sure you clean it regularly. Make sure all of the lint is free from the filter part. That is 100% important when maintaining a hair dryer. As for your T3 burning out, they will replace it. Their customer service is awesome.

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Ashley says · 09.18.13

Love my Speed Freak hairdryer! I didn’t realize how badly my old, cheap one was wrecking my hair until I started using this baby.

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Lauren {Fizz and Frosting} says · 09.18.13

I’ve been looking for a new round brush so this could not have come at a better time!

Lauren
Fizz and Frosting

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reeve says · 09.18.13

professional bobby pins!? I had no idea. I wear at least one bobby everyday. I will have to look into this, thanks!

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sarah jenks says · 09.18.13

I found the Diane bobby pins she’s talking about on Amazon and they are pretty inexpensive especially since they last forever without stretching out.

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Laura B. says · 09.18.13

Love it! Looking forward to more of these What Are Your Favorite posts 🙂

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Michea says · 09.18.13

I love, love, love my Paul Mtchell 413 Sculpting Brush. I’ll never blow dry my hair with anything else. I too love my Hot Tools curling iron, it’s lasted longer than any other hair appliance. I also love my T3 hair dryer. The Diane bobby pins are the best!

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Melissa says · 09.18.13

You are always so full of great information! Love the new series!!! Keep them coming. It’s great how all your advice is packed into one place so I can refer back to it easily. You so smart 😉

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Stacie says · 09.18.13

Thanks for this post today! I have the worst time making cheapy bobby pins stay in my thick, slick hair, and they are more expensive than what you posted! I have auburn hair. Will the bronze bobby pins be my best option? Are they not too “blond”?

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Alena Pidala says · 09.18.13

I had no idea their were actually professional bobby pins! I spent almost 2 hours watching all of your youtube videos last night! love them! 🙂

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Renate says · 09.18.13

Great, helpful post! I definitely need all the help I can get 🙂 Literally feel like making notes 😀

Renate from http://thecuriousklutz.blogspot.com

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Mikayla H says · 09.18.13

I’ve been trying to figure out where to buy a good quality hairdryer for the longest time! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I notice when I go to the hairdresser the nozzle is skinny than my 30 dollar hairdryer. I’m assuming that’s a big part of why it has such a smooth finish?

Mikayla mylittleblackblazer.blogspot.com

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thelavishlens.com says · 09.18.13

The GHD is by far the most amazing hair tool ever! I use it to both straighten and wave my hair.

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Alexandra {Heart Love Weddings} says · 09.18.13

I’ve been hoping for a post like this : ) Thank you!!

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Kelly Bunster says · 09.18.13

Thanks Kate! I’ve always thought you should have a tab where all your recommendations are listed….because when I’m out shopping it takes awhile to pull up the right post/video. First world problems I guess! Thanks so much! That blow dryer is on my “next thing to buy” list! Thanks again!

Kelly
Sweet Pea’s Party

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TBtheQB says · 09.18.13

Love these! I’m always looking for some good hair tools 🙂

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Sarah says · 09.18.13

Love this series so far! I bought some Diane bobby pins after your recommendation and they rock! SO much better than the stuff from the Dollar Store!

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Melanie Lien says · 09.18.13

Great post! Thank you!

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Melanie says · 09.18.13

I hear about the GHD’s all the time. Are they better than regular flat irons?

Mel
I Pink i Love You

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Amber King says · 09.18.13

Great new series! I am currently using a babyliss titanian flat iron but have also heard about GHD. May be worth a try when mine dies…

Amber
FACE IT Catalog

Follow FACE IT via Bloglovin

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Soni says · 09.18.13

I love “favorites” posts. So much fun to hear what other people are loving. I used to have a T3 flat iron & then bought the GHD and NEVER looked back. Holy cow, what a difference!
I’m considering getting a babyliss curling iron. I have the 1″ Hot Tools curling iron but my hair is hard to curl & after curling my whole head, it’s all straight in about 20 minutes, & that’s using it on the highest setting. (and I use mousse, heat spray etc…) Hopefully the babyliss will perform better on my finicky hair.

Sondra =)

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Melanie Lien says · 09.18.13

What about a diffuser? Is there an attachment for the Rusk Speed Freak?

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Katie says · 09.18.13

Great series! I love my hot tools curling irons too!

katespitz.blogspot.com

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Carolina Little says · 09.18.13

Hi Kate! What is the difference between #3 and #8?

Thanks!

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Unknown says · 09.18.13

I will certainly be tracking down those bobby pins, thank you! Also I have LOVED GHD’s ever since I first used my sisters 11 years ago, they gave me so much more confidence in myself. I have frizzy/straight/curly/wavy hair and the GHD’s fix it right up. Either to make it straight or curly. (My sisters house recently got burgled and she was most upset about her new GHD’s being taken!)

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The Smith Fam says · 09.18.13

Hi Kate, wondering what size of round brush do you use on your hair? I’ve never used the Olivia Garden brand so would love some impute from you before I order one. Thanks!!

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Kate says · 09.18.13

I don’t use a round brush on my hair 🙂

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Ros Garrett says · 09.18.13

Diane Bobby pins $8.63 on Amazon.com (for a 12 pack – cards) and £46.99 for the same pack on Amazon.co.uk – pretty unbelievable!

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adarlingadventure says · 09.18.13

You listed 2 curling iron brands…if I was to invest in one for bigger curls, which would you recommend?

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Misty says · 09.18.13

I am a Hot Tools girl! LOVE THEM!!!!

I have used Hot Tools flat irons for years (10+) and just recently befriended a 1 1/2′ curling iron….which I am learning to love. I really value the temperature dial on their tools. My hair tends to need a HOT iron.

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chamois988 says · 09.18.13

Confused about the Denman brush comment, you say you use it to blow dry your hair, and that it’s ALSO great for blow drying hair….repetitive? Meant to say something else?

OH! And thanks for the tip on the blow dryer, have been looking for a good one.

And haven’t heard of GHD flat irons….I use a HAI flat iron. Have you tried one, and if so, what are your thoughts?

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Heather says · 09.18.13

Hi Kate, which alligator clips do you use for keeping sections of your hair separate while styling? I was hoping to see them with the bobby pins and clear elastics. Thanks!!

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Meggie @ My Grace-Full Life says · 09.18.13

I’ve been needing a new brush for ages but had no idea which one to buy! Great post!

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Liz Agee says · 09.18.13

Just started following your blog! 🙂 I’ll have to look into the GHD flat iron, my CHI just broke the other day!

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Kelly King says · 09.19.13

I am crazy about the tiny little claw clips when I put my hair up!

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Kelly King says · 09.19.13

I am crazy about the tiny little claw clips when I put my hair up!

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eatgreatbegreat says · 09.19.13

This is such a helpful post! I’ll be in the market for a new flat iron soon, so now I know which one to buy. Yay!

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therufffarm says · 09.19.13

I cannot live w/o those twist in hair pin things that you kind of screw into your hair. They hold my thick, longish hair in a bun that would normally take 10 bobbie pins.

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Lauren Wickersheim says · 09.19.13

Was there supposed to be a link for a vented hair brush?

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youngmildandfree says · 09.19.13

Love this idea for a series! And I’ve been on the lookout for a new blow dryers, so I’ll have to look in to this one.

xx
youngmildandfree.wordpress.com

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Ali On Mars says · 09.19.13

So excited for this series! I’ve been looking for a good hairdryer, so I’m glad for a suggestions!

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Kylie Jones says · 09.20.13

Ah perfect I’ve been looking for a brush!!!

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Kylie Jones says · 09.20.13

Ah perfect I’ve been looking for a brush!!!

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Heather Brooks says · 09.25.13

This was so helpful! I am in the market for a new flat iron and I just scored the Hot Tools Pink Titanium for $32.95 on Amazon! Crazy!!! Can’t wait to get it.

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empine says · 01.26.14

I just wanted to thank you for the bobby pin recommendation. After a lifetime of buying and throwing out drug store bobby pins–because they did nothing but fall out of my hair, no matter which side of them I put up or down–I bought a container of the Diane bobby pins…and they work. They actually work. For the first time in my life, I’ve successfully used bobby pins in my hair for a week straight, with no problems with them falling out or needing adjusting at all times throughout the day. I even wore them in a freaking *wind storm* without any issues! I can stop wearing my hair in pony tails! Thank you!!!

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sanam arzoo says · 02.10.14

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www.thelondonturtle.com says · 04.10.14

Hi Kate! You’ve inspired this post on my blog about the Diane Bobby Pins – I love them!! http://thelondonturtle.com/2014/04/10/diane-bobby-pins-tips/

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Shelley says · 01.03.15

Hi! Thank you so much for this list…I am currently filling my cart on Amazon with many of these recommendations. I am in need of new round brush and was wondering which size you suggest. I have have hair slightly longer than my collarbone {in process of trying to grow it longer} and like to style somewhat fuller at crown with flippy ends. What would you recommend? Thanks again!

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janetteramirez says · 08.06.15

Karmin is my favorite

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letitiahenry says · 10.06.15

Karmin makes the best in my opinion 🙂

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Barbara says · 05.05.16

Karmin is my preference 😀

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Shelina says · 06.19.18

My hair is too long. I love my hairs…

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Salon Tribeca says · 07.20.18

Great! Thanks for sharing the information about all hair styling tools. .Keep posting. 🙂

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Soniya says · 09.20.20

Well, I use most of them! The only missing is a piece of wooden comb. 🙂

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