The Denman story — 80+ years of the hairdressers' hairbrush
Denman was founded in 1938 by John Denman Dean in Bridgwater, England — a brush-maker who believed a hairdresser's brush should be a precision instrument, not a generic accessory. The brand hit global recognition in the 1960s when Vidal Sassoon used the Denman D3 to cut his geometric bobs, including the now-iconic Mary Quant five-point. Sixty years later, the D3 is still made the same way — a half-rounded rubber pad, seven rows of nylon pins, and a hollow vented handle — and it's still in the kit of nearly every working hairdresser.
Today Denman is sold in over 60 countries and has become the unofficial standard for the Curly Girl Method, the styling technique that uses a Denman brush to shape and clump natural curls in the shower with conditioner. That single use-case has turned the D3 and D4 into cult items for type 2, 3, and 4 hair worldwide.
Shop Denman by line
Denman D3 Original Styler — 7 row
The original. Seven rows of nylon pins on a half-round rubber pad, vented hollow handle. The brush Sassoon built his career on, and the brush that defined the Curly Girl Method for an entire generation of natural-hair stylists. Best for medium-length curls, fine-to-medium straight hair, blow-out prep, and shaping product through wet curls in the shower.
Denman D4 Large Styler — 9 row
Same construction as the D3 with two extra rows of pins and a wider pad. Built for longer hair, thicker density, or anyone who wants more coverage per stroke. The preferred Denman for type 3c and 4 curls and for blow-drying longer styles.
Denman D83 & D38C Power Paddle
The cushioned paddle in the Denman line. Soft air-cushion base, ball-tipped nylon pins, oversized footprint — built to smooth long hair, blow-dry straight styles, and stimulate the scalp without scratching. The D38C is the newer Power Paddle with the same DNA in a refreshed handle.
Denman Tangle Tamer (D90L / D93)
The gentlest brush Denman makes. Flexible nylon pins on a vented pad that glide through wet, fragile, or knotted hair without ripping. The D90L Tangle Tamer Ultra is the heavy-duty version for thick or curly hair; the D93 is the everyday tangle tamer. The right brush for kids' hair, post-shower detangling, and extensions.
Denman round brushes (D200 / D300 series)
Ceramic-ion or nylon-bristle round brushes for blow-out volume, root lift, and bend at the ends. Sized small through large for short bobs through long layers.
Denman vent & styling brushes
Vented styling brushes for faster blow-drying — air flows through the brush body so the dryer does less work. Light, durable, and a long-time favourite of working barbers.
Denman combs
Cutting combs, sectioning combs, fine-tooth combs and rake combs — the same anti-static carbon construction the brand has made for decades.
How to use a Denman D3 for the Curly Girl Method
- In the shower, work conditioner (or a curl cream after rinsing) generously through soaking-wet hair.
- Section the hair into 4–6 chunks.
- Hold the section taut at the ends. Glide the D3 from roots to tips in slow, even strokes — the pins clump strands into defined curl groups.
- Don't over-brush. Two or three passes per section is enough.
- Scrunch out excess water with a microfibre towel or cotton t-shirt. Air-dry or diffuse on low heat.
For type 4 or very thick hair, swap the D3 for the D4 Large Styler — same technique, more coverage.
FAQs
Are Denman brushes worth it?
Yes — for the reason every working hairdresser owns one: the build lasts. A Denman D3 used daily routinely survives 5–10 years before the pins or pad need replacing, and the rubber pad on most models is replaceable, not disposable. The price reflects construction, not branding.
Which Denman brush is best for curly hair?
The D3 Original Styler (7 row) is the standard for type 2 and most type 3 curls. The D4 Large Styler (9 row) covers more hair per stroke — better for longer hair, type 3c, or type 4 curls. Both are the brushes the Curly Girl Method was built around.
What's the difference between the D3 and D4?
Same construction, different size. The D3 has seven rows of pins; the D4 has nine rows on a wider pad. If your hair is short-to-medium and medium density, the D3 is right. If your hair is long, thick, or very curly, the D4 will get the job done in fewer strokes.
What's the difference between the Tangle Tamer and the D3?
The Tangle Tamer (D90L / D93) uses flexible nylon pins designed to glide through tangles without pulling — it's a detangler. The D3 uses firmer pins that grip the hair and shape it — it's a styler. Detangle first with the Tangle Tamer, then style with the D3.
Can I use a Denman brush on wet hair?
Yes — and the D3, D4, and Tangle Tamer are specifically designed for it. The vented hollow handle and rubber pad are built to be used in the shower with conditioner. That's the original use case.
Where are Denman brushes made?
Denman manufactures in Northern Ireland and Bridgwater, England, with global distribution through authorized partners. The brushes sold on this page are authentic Denman stocked through the Canadian distribution chain.
How do I clean a Denman brush?
Remove trapped hair with the end of a rat-tail comb. Once a month, soak the brush head (pad side down) in warm water with a drop of shampoo for 5 minutes, scrub the pins gently with an old toothbrush, rinse, and air-dry pin-side down on a towel. Don't submerge the wooden-handle models.
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