How to Use a Back-Combing Brush for Volume

Quick answer

Use a back-combing brush with a fine-tipped handle and angled bristles to gently tease sections at the roots for lasting volume.

Step-by-step back-combing technique

1. 1. Start with dry, detangled hair: Back-combing works best on completely dry hair. Brush through all tangles with a paddle brush first. Damp or tangled hair will break more easily. Checkpoint: hair should be dry and smooth before you begin.
2. 2. Section off a 1-inch horizontal strip at the crown: Use the fine point of the back-combing brush to lift a small section of hair directly at the crown. Clip the rest of the hair out of the way. Working in small sections gives you control and prevents a tangled mess. Common mistake: taking sections larger than 1 inch can cause uneven volume and matting.
3. 3. Tease the underside of the section with short strokes: Hold the section taut. Insert the brush about halfway down the hair shaft and push it toward the roots in short, gentle strokes. Focus the teasing on the bottom 2–3 inches near the roots. Repeat 3–4 times per section. Checkpoint: stop as soon as you feel resistance – over-teasing weakens hair and is hard to brush out.
4. 4. Smooth the top layer without flattening the volume: After teasing, lightly brush the very top surface of the section with the back-combing brush or a soft bristle brush. This hides the teased texture while keeping the lift underneath. Common mistake: brushing too aggressively will collapse the volume you just created.
5. 5. Repeat and finish with a light hold product: Move to the next section, working from the crown forward. Once all sections are done, spritz a flexible-hold hairspray from 10 inches away to set the volume without stiffness. Checkpoint: avoid heavy sprays or gels that weigh down fine hair – a light mist is enough.

Product used in this guide

• Perfect For Back-Combing Brush - Mountains - PF15: The Perfect For Back-Combing Brush has a lasered engraved beechwood handle that finishes at a fine point for picking up and sectioning hair, plus three angled rows of bristle and nylon filaments for back-combing. The fine point lets you create clean partings, while the angled bristles grab hair evenly so you can build volume without over-teasing one spot.