# Denman Brush on Curly Hair: How to Use Without Frizz
> Use a Denman brush only on soaking-wet, detangled curls with product in, in small sections. Learn which rows to remove, when to skip it, and how to fix frizz.
Canonical: https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/denman-brush-curly-hair
Last updated: 2026-10-20
To use a **Denman brush on curly hair**, brush only soaking-wet, detangled hair that already has leave-in or curl cream in it, one small section at a time, pins facing up from root to tip. Then scrunch each section and leave it alone until it's fully dry. **[Frizz](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/frizz-vs-dehydration-guide)** almost always means one of four things: the hair dried while you brushed, the sections were too big, the pins are too close for your hair, or you touched your curls while they set.
The brush works by tension. Done right, it groups strands into clumps. Done wrong, it breaks them apart.
**In this guide, you'll learn:**
- Which Denman brush fits your curls
- Which rows to remove, and how
- The step-by-step routine
- When to skip the brush
- How to fix frizz after brushing
Here's how it works.
## Quick answer
- **Hair state:** dripping wet with product in it. Never dry. ([AAD](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/curly-hair-care), [Oprah Daily](https://www.oprahdaily.com/beauty/hair/a35584566/denman-brush-for-curly-hair/))
- **Detangle first** with fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Stylists say the Denman is a styling tool, not your main detangler. ([Who What Wear](https://www.whowhatwear.com/denman-brush))
- **Technique:** small sections, pins up, brush root to tip with gentle tension, turn or tuck the brush at the ends, scrunch. ([HeyCurls](https://www.heycurls.com/blogs/thehue/how-to-denman-brush-curly-hair), [Prose](https://prose.com/blog/denman-brush-for-curly-hair))
- **If it snags,** the pins are too close for your hair. Remove rows or switch brushes. ([Oprah Daily](https://www.oprahdaily.com/beauty/hair/a35584566/denman-brush-for-curly-hair/))
[Start with a Curltine hair scan](https://curltine.com/open?utm_source=curlyhair&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=denman-brush-curly-hair)
## Which Denman brush for curly hair
The classic Denman stylers differ mainly in row count and pin spacing. These details come from Denman's own pages.
| Model | Rows | What Denman says it's for |
| --- | --- | --- |
| D14 Mini Styler | 5 | Thinner or delicate hair; detangling loose, spiral, and corkscrew curls ([Denman](https://denmanbrush.com/blogs/news/here-come-the-curls)) |
| D3 Original Styler | 7 | Wet curl definition; medium-length hair ([Denman](https://denmanbrush.com/products/d3-original-styler-7-row)) |
| D4 Original Styler | 9 | Same results as the D3, for longer hair ([Denman](https://denmanbrush.com/blogs/news/here-come-the-curls)) |
| D31 Freeflow Styler | 7, staggered and wider apart | Detangling thick, curly hair; less tension for a looser curl pattern ([Denman](https://denmanbrush.com/products/d31-freeflow-styler-7-row)) |
*Some guides describe the D31 as having "fewer rows." Denman lists it as 7 rows with more space between pins. The difference is spacing, not row count.*
How to choose:
- **More rows and closer pins** mean more grip and tighter definition. **Fewer rows** suit looser curls, according to stylist Fae Norris. ([Oprah Daily](https://www.oprahdaily.com/beauty/hair/a35584566/denman-brush-for-curly-hair/))
- **[Wavy](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/wavy-vs-curly-hair) or fine hair** (type 2) often clumps better with closer pins, so stylist Deaundra Metzger suggests the D3 or D4. See [2B hair](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/curl-type-2b) for how waves behave. ([Who What Wear](https://www.whowhatwear.com/denman-brush))
- **Thick, tight curls and coils** (type 3C and 4) do better with pins set far apart, like the D31, after a wide-tooth comb detangle. ([Who What Wear](https://www.whowhatwear.com/denman-brush)) See [3C](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/curl-type-3c), [4A](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/curl-type-4a), and [4C](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/curl-type-4c).
- **Long hair** may find the larger 9-row D4 covers more per pass. ([Denman](https://denmanbrush.com/blogs/news/here-come-the-curls))
Not sure where you fall? The [curl type chart](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/curl-type-chart) helps. Your [density](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/density) matters too, because dense hair needs smaller sections and often wider pin spacing.
## How to remove rows
The classic stylers are built so the pad and pins come out. Denman's cleaning guide shows how. ([Denman USA](https://denmanbrushus.com/blogs/news/d3-original-styler-brush-of-the-month), [Denman D3](https://denmanbrush.com/products/d3-original-styler-7-row))
1. **Slide the rubber pad up and out of the handle.**
2. **Open the pad and pull out a strip of pins.** Grab it by the bobble end.
3. **Pick your rows.** Our suggestion for a 7-row brush: remove rows 2, 4, and 6. That leaves four rows with even gaps, and the two outer rows stay in place.
4. **Reassemble.** Bobble ends all go at the bottom. Denman notes that the two shorter rows go on the outside. Fold the pad and slide it back in.
5. **Test on wet hair.** If it still snags, take out one more inner row.
Keep the strips you remove. You can put them back if your hair changes or you want more grip later. Stylists confirm rows can be removed or replaced at home. ([Oprah Daily](https://www.oprahdaily.com/beauty/hair/a35584566/denman-brush-for-curly-hair/))
## How to use a Denman brush on curly hair
Do this on wash day right after conditioning. Our [wash day routine](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/wash-day-routine) covers the cleanse and condition steps before it.
1. **Soak it.** Hair should be dripping wet. Keep a spray bottle close and re-wet any section that starts to dry. ([Prose](https://prose.com/blog/denman-brush-for-curly-hair))
2. **Detangle first.** Wet hair, leave-in for slip, fingers or a wide-tooth comb, working in sections. ([AAD](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/curly-hair-care)) Coily hair especially should be fully detangled before the Denman. ([Who What Wear](https://www.whowhatwear.com/denman-brush)) Full method: [how to detangle curly hair without breakage](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/detangle-curly-hair-without-breakage).
3. **Apply product to wet hair.** Leave-in or curl cream first. Thick hair can take a heavier cream. Fine hair does better with mousse or a light cream. ([Oprah Daily](https://www.oprahdaily.com/beauty/hair/a35584566/denman-brush-for-curly-hair/)) If you use gel, apply it now while the hair is still wet. See [gel layering for curly hair](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/gel-layering-curly-hair).
4. **Work in small sections.** Clip the rest away. Thicker hair needs smaller sections for definition. Thinner hair can use larger ones. ([Oprah Daily](https://www.oprahdaily.com/beauty/hair/a35584566/denman-brush-for-curly-hair/), [Prose](https://prose.com/blog/denman-brush-for-curly-hair))
5. **Pins up, root to tip.** Place the brush under the section, pins facing up. Brush down slowly with gentle tension. Near the ends, turn or tuck the brush under so the section springs into a clump. Denman calls this a 90-degree twist, like curling ribbon with scissors. ([HeyCurls](https://www.heycurls.com/blogs/thehue/how-to-denman-brush-curly-hair), [Denman](https://denmanbrush.com/blogs/news/here-come-the-curls))
6. **Scrunch, then hands off.** Scrunch each section up toward the scalp. Then don't touch it until it's dry. Air dry or diffuse; [diffusing vs. air drying](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/diffusing-vs-air-drying) compares the two.
If a section won't form a clump, try twirling the brush the other way. Stylist Janet Jackson suggests this for types 2A to 3B. ([Oprah Daily](https://www.oprahdaily.com/beauty/hair/a35584566/denman-brush-for-curly-hair/))
## When not to use a Denman brush
The brush isn't right for every day or every head of hair. Skip it when:
- **Your hair is dry.** Dermatologists advise against brushing dry curly hair because it breaks and frizzes. ([AAD](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/curly-hair-care)) To restyle between washes, fully re-wet the section first. Or use our [refresh guide](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/refresh-curls-between-wash-days) instead.
- **Your hair is damp with no product.** The pins need slip to glide.
- **Your curls have started to set.** Brushing gel that has begun to dry breaks up clumps.
- **You have matted knots.** Work them out slowly with conditioner and fingers or a wide-tooth comb first. ([AAD stop-damage](https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/stop-damage/))
- **You want [less shrinkage](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/length-retention-curly-hair).** One curl stylist warns that the Denman will add to shrinkage if you already have a lot. ([Who What Wear](https://www.whowhatwear.com/denman-brush))
- **It hurts or hair snaps.** That means the pins are too close for your hair. Remove rows or choose a wider-spaced brush. ([Oprah Daily](https://www.oprahdaily.com/beauty/hair/a35584566/denman-brush-for-curly-hair/))
A note on the Curly Girl Method: the original method avoids combs and brushes. Many curly people use a Denman on wet, conditioned hair anyway. ([Prose](https://prose.com/blog/denman-brush-for-curly-hair)) If you follow the method strictly, see our [Curly Girl Method guide](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/curly-girl-method) and [use finger styling instead](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/finger-coiling-curly-hair).
## Why your curls are frizzy after a Denman brush
Every top guide promises frizz-free curls. Here's what to change when that doesn't happen.
| What you see | Likely cause | Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Frizz all over, curls look fluffy | Hair dried while you brushed | Re-wet each section with a spray bottle before the brush |
| Some clumps, lots of loose strands between | Sections too wide | Smaller sections, especially on thick or dense hair |
| Brush pulls, hair in the pins | Pins too close for your texture | Remove rows or switch to wider-spaced pins |
| Defined when wet, frizzy once dry | Touching or moving curls while drying | Hands off until 100% dry, then scrunch out any gel cast |
| Frizz on humid days only | Weather, not the brush | See [humidity and curly hair](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/humidity-and-curly-hair) |
Still frizzy? Frizz can also come from dryness or product choice, not technique. See [how to fix frizzy curly hair](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/how-to-fix-frizzy-curly-hair) and [why curly hair is always frizzy](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/why-curly-hair-always-frizzy). Porosity changes how fast hair dries during brushing, so the [hair porosity test](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/hair-porosity-test) is worth doing once.
## Clean the brush
Product builds up between the pins. Denman suggests pulling hair out with a pointed tool, then washing with warm soapy water and a soft brush. For a deep clean, take out the pad and pins as described above. ([Denman USA](https://denmanbrushus.com/blogs/news/d3-original-styler-brush-of-the-month)) HeyCurls suggests cleaning about once a week if you use a lot of styling product. ([HeyCurls](https://www.heycurls.com/blogs/thehue/how-to-denman-brush-curly-hair))
## Where Curltine fits
The right brush and section size depend on your curl pattern and density. A Curltine scan estimates your curl pattern (2A to 4C), porosity, and density from a photo and builds a [wash-day routine](https://curlyhair.app/fr/routines) around them. The [ingredient checker](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/ingredient-checker) checks a leave-in or gel against your profile before wash day. The free plan includes one hair scan and one product scan ([terms](https://curlyhair.app/fr/terms)). Curltine is for ages 13 and up (16 and up in the EEA), and its results are cosmetic guidance, not a diagnosis.
Curl type guides for this technique: [3A](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/curl-type-3a), [3B](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/curl-type-3b), [3C](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/curl-type-3c).
## Frequently asked questions
**Is a Denman brush good for curly hair?**
It can be, on wet, detangled hair with product in it. The pins add tension that groups strands into defined clumps. It's a styling tool, not a detangler, and it can add shrinkage.
**Can you use a Denman brush on dry curly hair?**
No. Brushing dry curly hair causes frizz and [breakage](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog/curly-hair-mistakes). To restyle, fully re-wet the section and add a little product first.
**Which Denman brush is best for curly hair?**
Denman positions the 7-row D3 for wet curl definition on medium-length hair, the 9-row D4 for longer hair, the 5-row D14 for thinner or delicate hair, and the D31 (7 rows, wider and staggered pins) for thick curly hair. Coily hair usually does better with wider spacing.
**How many rows should I take out of a Denman brush?**
Start with the full brush. If it snags, take out every other inner row. On a 7-row brush, removing rows 2, 4, and 6 leaves four rows and keeps the outer rows in place.
**Does a Denman brush cause shrinkage?**
It can. The tight clumps it creates can spring up shorter. One curl stylist warns it adds to shrinkage if you already have a lot.
**Why are my curls frizzy after using a Denman brush?**
Usually the hair dried mid-brush, the sections were too big, the pins were too close, or the curls were touched while drying. Fix the cause in the table above.
## Next step
On your next wash day, try the six steps on just the front two sections. Compare them with the rest once dry. If the brush pulls, remove rows before you try again. For a routine matched to your pattern, porosity, and density, start a Curltine scan.
[Start with a Curltine hair scan](https://curltine.com/open?utm_source=curlyhair&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=denman-brush-curly-hair)
## FAQ
### Is a Denman brush good for curly hair?
It can be, on wet, detangled hair with product in it. The pins add tension that groups strands into defined clumps. It's a styling tool, not a detangler, and it can add shrinkage.
### Can you use a Denman brush on dry curly hair?
No. Brushing dry curly hair causes frizz and breakage. To restyle, fully re-wet the section and add a little product first.
### Which Denman brush is best for curly hair?
Denman positions the 7-row D3 for wet curl definition on medium-length hair, the 9-row D4 for longer hair, the 5-row D14 for thinner or delicate hair, and the D31 (7 rows, wider and staggered pins) for thick curly hair. Coily hair usually does better with wider spacing.
### How many rows should I take out of a Denman brush?
Start with the full brush. If it snags, take out every other inner row. On a 7-row brush, removing rows 2, 4, and 6 leaves four rows and keeps the outer rows in place.
### Does a Denman brush cause shrinkage?
It can. The tight clumps it creates can spring up shorter. One curl stylist warns it adds to shrinkage if you already have a lot.
### Why are my curls frizzy after using a Denman brush?
Usually the hair dried mid-brush, the sections were too big, the pins were too close, or the curls were touched while drying. Fix the cause in the table above.
## Related
- [Curl Journal](https://curlyhair.app/fr/blog)
- [Home](https://curlyhair.app/fr)