I have been getting my hair colored for at least 10 years. My colorist uses Goldware products. I have thick hair to my waist. She always remarks as to the quality of my hair. I have used only Aveda shampoo (for red hair) and conditioner (rosemary mint) for years. I rarely use hot curlers and blow driers. (less than once a month). I use a regular plastic hairbrush even right after I wash it, as much as I would love to use a boar bristle brush they just don't go through my hair.  

Wow, your hair sounds lovely.  It must be very strong to handle the coloring and brushing.  Have you ever thought about using a wide tooth comb instead of a brush on your hair? BBB brushes are typically not intended to go thru all of you hair, they are more of a finishing brush to smooth the top layer.