Tester feedback: “Look, the Mason Pearson brush is very expensive, I know. But there’s a reason it’s long been regarded as one of the best in the world, and that’s evident by the way it can tame even my tangled-ass, damaged-ass hair into a smooth, shiny finish,” says Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen. “Its soft but dense bristles draw hair in like a magnet to gently rake through knots while eliminating frizz-fueling static—a must for extremely fragile hair.”
Material: boar bristles | Who it’s for: all hair types, especially thin hair
Best for Thick Hair: La Bonne Brosse No. 2 The Essential Do-It-All Brush
Why it’s worth it: With La Bonne Brosse’s No. 2 The Essential Do-It-All Brush, you get the best of both worlds, as in, synthetic and naturally derived boar bristles. This combination of nylon and boar bristles glides through knots with ease, no matter how tightly wound or tangled your strands are. Its boar bristles evenly redistribute oil to minimize greasiness, boost shine, and gently massage your head. We’re big fans, especially for those with thicker hair.
Tester feedback: “The most prized part of my hair routine! La Bonne Brosse uses natural boar bristles that are equal parts firm and soft to smooth strands, amp up shine, and add body to the hair. I love the flexible, elongated nylon bristles; they detangle your hair and give you a truly addicting scalp massage,” says Allure commerce director Shanna Shipin. “It’s the most versatile brush I own: You can use it for finishing and styling as well as everyday detangling and general care. After years of heat-styling, I’m quite ‘hard-headed,’ so if you have a more sensitive scalp or hair on the thin and brittle side, you’ll want to opt for the brand’s No. 03 Essential Soft Hair Brush, which has softer, ball-tipped nylon bristles.”
Material: boar and nylon bristles, cellulose acetate | Who it’s for: all hair types
Best Round Brush: Sisley-Paris Hair Rituel The Blow-Dry Brush No. 2
Why it’s worth it: Boar bristles are typically found in paddle brushes, but Sisley-Paris Hair Rituel The Blow-Dry Brush No. 2 deploys them alongside nylon pins in this round brush. It’s designed for blow-drying hair—but instead of giving you pin-straight strands, it lends hair a bouncy, wavy effect. In our testing, it delivered easy-to-control tension, and the wood barrel was a cinch to grip.
