The Best Hairbrushes
Hair is our crowning glory, and it’s important that we treat it right. Using the correct brush can prevent breakage, remove tangles and knots, and distribute oils down the shaft of the hair for maximum shine and health. There is a huge variety of brush shapes and bristle types available, each one perfectly suited to different hair types and styling habits. Natural boar bristles are great for adding shine, while plastic bristles can help detangle stubborn snarls. To assist you in finding your own best option, we’ve combed the internet for a few of the best hairbrushes to help you tame your mane.
What to Look For
Your brush will make a big difference in the way your hair looks on a daily basis, so it’s crucial that you pick the right one. To do that, focus on finding one that’s compatible with your hair type, length, and texture. Because brushes are made with different materials, some are better at certain tasks. For example, the detangling brush offered by Crave Naturals is perfect for anyone with a sensitive scalp. Unlike other materials, the ones used in this brush allow you to brush and detangle gently. That means it won’t yank and tug, ripping out vulnerable hair and causing you pain in the process. But for those of us looking for a go-to everyday brush, our top pick is offered by Denman. It’s suitable for all hair types, and it’s portable enough to keep in your purse, too. There are many reasons so many people love it. To learn why that is and discover the rest of our favorites, keep on reading.
Denman Classic Styling Brush
Small but mighty
Five rows of widely-spaced nylon bristles help this brush glide through your hair with ease, reducing frizz, removing knots, and adding shine and volume. Suitable for a wide variety of hair types, it excels at detangling and smoothing straight hair and separating and defining curls. The narrow profile makes it easy to toss in a purse and bring with you for touch-ups throughout the day, while the balanced grip handle makes it easy to control and use.
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Sturdy
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons:
- Great for styling and detangling, but doesn’t help distribute oils
- Small size is convenient for traveling, but may be more difficult to hold
Crave Naturals Glide Thru Detangling Brush
For people with sensitive scalps or sensory issues, hair brushing can be a painful and unpleasant ordeal. This brush makes the process much easier, since it is designed with unique cone-shaped bristles that help separate tangles sideways rather than downwards. This reduces pressure and tugging on the scalp and keeps the hair from breaking off or falling out. It’s gentle on both wet and dry hair, and it works on a variety of hair types so that everyone can detangle their hair stress-free.
Pros:
- Helps work through tough snarls and knots
- Plastic bristles massage scalp
- Gentle on scalp and hair
Cons:
- Unique shape can make the brush difficult to grasp
- Works on wet or dry hair, but the handle is not rubberized and can get slippery in the shower or while using conditioner
Osensia Ultra-Small Round Brush
Turning heads
There’s nothing like a fresh blowout to add shine and volume to hair, and now you can achieve the same results at home thanks to this round hairbrush. The bristles help grab hair so it stays in place while blow-drying, and rotating the brush will help you get the smooth, bouncy look you get at the salon. Furthermore, the bristles are infused with ionic minerals to reduce frizz, and the ceramic base helps your hair retain its shape while also speeding up drying time.
Pros:
- Ceramic base helps heat style hair while blow-drying
- Helps volumize the hair
- Ionized bristles are anti-static
Cons:
- Small diameter makes this brush best for styling bangs and short hair, not long hair
- Fine, stiff bristles can get caught in thick hair
Wet Brush Original Detangler
Just add water
Hair is at its most fragile while wet, so many stylists recommending only brushing hair when it’s dry to prevent breakage. However, combs are not as thorough at detangling, so this brush was designed to specifically work on wet hair without harming it. The soft, flexible bristles move easily through many different hair textures, removing knots and making it much more manageable and smooth when it dries. It also works well on dry hair, making it a versatile addition to your bathroom cabinet.
Pros:
- Flexible bristles glide through hair
- Works on wet or dry hair
- Suitable for both straight and curly hair
Cons:
- Thin pins easily separate hair, but may get bent after heavy use
- Bristles detangle the hair but are not designed to smooth individual hair shafts
Sosoon Boar Bristle Paddle Hairbrush
Work through it
Natural boar bristles are one of the best ways to add shine to your tresses because they help distribute oils from the scalp along the length of the strands. This also keeps grease from collecting at the roots of the hair, and it adds moisture and strength over time. However, boar bristles are flexible and can’t effectively detangle thick hair. To solve this problem, this brush pairs boar bristles with sturdy synthetic bristles that can comb through layers of hair, making it an excellent choice for both long and short thick hair. As an added bonus, the brush comes with a tail comb to part and section off hair, or to help clean hair out of the brush.
Pros:
- Smooths frizz and flyaways without causing static
- Helps distribute oils through the hair
- Mix of bristle types penetrates thick hair
Cons:
- Works well on straight and wavy hair and types 3A and 3B curls, but not for type 3C or type 4 hair
- Large size speeds up brushing but makes it difficult to put in a purse or toiletry bag
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I clean my hairbrush?
First, remove as much loose hair as possible from between the bristles. Then, fill a sink or bowl with water and a few drops of shampoo, and submerge the bristles for 3-5 minutes. Dip and shake the brush, or scrub bristles with an old toothbrush to remove buildup, then rinse and dry.
What type of bristles should I look for?
Boar bristles smooth hair and add sheen, but they do not penetrate through thick or curly hair. Wire rubber-tipped bristles are flexible, and they’re great for thinner hair. Stiff plastic bristles are best for detangling thicker hair, and a mixture of the two is suitable for people with thick or thin hair.
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