Abstract: The invention shows a comb for the formation of braids and similar hairstyles in professional hairdressing. One embodiment is a comb, having teeth of a spaced pattern common in the trade; extending out from the back of the comb, for a substantial distance along the back of the comb is a flat, flexible bar, spaced a distance from the comb. Preferably, the spacing is tapered, being narrower at the point of attachment of the bar to the comb. This forms a tapered space for holding a section of hair, and aids in retaining the section of hair by the comb, permitting a hairdresser to separate a section of hair into the space, and then allow the comb to hang free. In a second version of the comb, the flexible bar is in the form of a spring, a curved flexible bar fastened to one end of the comb, and extending in for form of a looped curve along the back to a pivot pin at the other end of the comb; the bar then is curved around the pin and extends back a distance along the comb to form the hair braid retention space.