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The Best Hair Brush for Every Hair Type and Style, According to Pros
 

Some hair products are nonnegotiable. (See shampoo and conditioner.) But finding the best hair brush can be a game changer for your hair-care routine, allowing for easier styling, less frizz, and overall healthier hair. That said, finding the right hair brush for your hair type isn’t always so straightforward. Depending on the design and construction—whether it has boar bristles or nylon pins, for example—one can be better than another for brushing out a certain hair texture or creating a given hairstyle. We asked hairstylists to spill the deets (and their top picks) on the best hair brush for every situation.

How to choose the best hair brush

Straight hair, thin hair, long hair—whatever you’re working with, using the right brush can help. “Different brushes have different uses,” says Leigh Hardges, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. “Bristle types, shapes, and sizes all have a purpose.” She not only takes the construction of the brush into consideration, but also its weight and how ergonomic it feels in her hand.

The bristles are kind of a big deal. Most of the time you’ll see either boar bristles, which are stiffer, or nylon, which makes for more flexible bristles. This difference influences how they’re used. “Boar bristles help carry natural oils to the ends of the hair. I like to use boar on clients with fragile, fine hair,” says Hardges. ”Nylon bristles are the workhorses of brushes. They are optimal for heat styling and detangling.”

That said, you don’t necessarily need 10 different brushes to get a good hair day on the books, says New York City hairstylist Mikel McIntyre. If you’re not sure where to start, he says, “get a good, proper detangling brush and a good, proper style brush—and you’re set.”

How to brush your hair correctly

First, it always helps to begin with a detangling spray, especially if you’re working with damp hair. ”Apply and spread with your fingers, then start to brush at the bottom,” says McIntyre, who’s currently a fan of Verb Leave-In Conditioner Mist. “You’ll notice a much cleaner blow-dry or air-dry style.” Whether you’re working with damp or dry hair, that brushing technique is essential for the best results. “Always start at the ends and work your way up the section of hair, brushing out tangles as you go,” says Hardges. “Otherwise you end up pulling more tangles down into the ends.” 

How to care for your hair brush

Some brushes can be an investment (we see you, Mason Pearson), so it’s worth taking good care of yours, whichever you choose. Remove loose hair from your brush weekly, and clean it with a mild shampoo if you notice gunk or buildup on the bristles. “If the handle is wooden, be sure to let it dry completely or it will warp,” says Hardges.

If you’re losing bristles left and right, take it as your cue to invest in a new one. With that in mind, consider these brushes to add to your arsenal—or replace your years-old model that isn’t quite cutting it.

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Best Nylon-Bristle Brush: Trademark Tame Your Mane Smoothing Brush

This clocks in at an affordable price, and Hardges considers it a winner for getting smooth, shiny hair. “The differentlength bristles ensure smoothing for thick hair, and it’s a great all-in-one, as it can be used on wet and dry hair and for styling,” she says. Versatility—we love to see it.

Best Boar-Bristle Hair Brush: Mason Pearson Pocket Boar-Bristle Hair Brush

Sorry, but this lives up to the hype. It’s beloved as much for its natural boar bristles as it is for its smoothing abilities; the boar bristles disperse hair’s natural oils down the length of the hair, minimizing flyaways and frizz. “It is the king of styling brushes,” says Hardges. “It’s heavy, comfortable to hold, and virtually timeless.” If you take care of it, it can last years—making it worth the price.

Best Scalp Massage Brush: Tangle Teezer The Scalp Exfoliator & Massager

“Brushing your scalp is just as important [as brushing hair], especially if you’re someone with dry scalp,” says McIntyre. Not only does it help loosen flakes and buildup, but doing so can also boost blood flow, he says. That can help promote healthy hair growth just by keeping the follicles free and clear.

Best Detangling Brush: Fromm the Intuition Flexer Vent Brush

This vented brush features super-flexible pins for bristles, which are gentle on scalp and strands alike. “What I love is that the bristles are very flexible—so if they get caught on a tangle, it’s not going to pull your soul out along with the tangle,” says McIntyre. The cushion-free head allows you to brush wet hair without worrying about mold, and the flexible base adjusts to your head for an easier all-around experience.

Best Wide-Tooth Comb: Dyson-Designed Detangling comb

Not only are wide-tooth combs ideal for detangling certain hair types, such as curls, but they’re also helpful for use on wet hair, since you can use their longer teeth to work out knots. “The triangle-shaped teeth help to rake through massive amounts of hair,” says Hardges. Bonus: This comb is also heat resistant, in case you want to use it to prep sections for a curling iron or a straightening iron.

Best Brush for Wet Hair: Wet Brush Pro Detangler Hair Brush

Hair tends to be most fragile—and therefore most prone to breakage—when it’s wet, since water can break some types of bonds in the hair. So wet hair merits TLC in the form of this brush, which was made especially for this purpose. “The flexible bristles are ideal for detangling curly, wavy, or fine hair without pulling,” says Hardges.

Best Brush for Curly Hair: Denman Classic Styling Brush 9 Row

Curls call for a brush that can stand up to texture and thickness without snagging or potentially snapping strands—in other words, powerful yet gentle. That’s where this brush comes in. “The nylon bristles are smooth and safe for curly hair, ideal for detangling without tearing,” says Hardges, who also credits the long bristles for being able to comb through thicker hair types.

Best for Kinks and Curls: Pattern Wide-Tooth Comb

Glamour commerce writer Andrea Navarro swears by Pattern’s wide-tooth comb for taking the work out of detangling her 3C curls on wash day. The big, thick teeth help detangle hair without excessive pulling or tugging—and prevent breakage in the long run. She says, “The sturdy comb is able to pass through stubborn knots with ease, thanks to the comfy handle and extra-strong teeth that allowed me to work quickly and efficiently.” Sold.

Best Brush for Thick Hair: Moroccanoil Ceramic Paddle Brush

For thick or long hair—or both—look no further than this paddle brush. “It’s a boar-bristle brush with long bristles and a wide base for managing thick hair,” says Hardges. “It’s also easy to hold so your hand won’t get tired as fast.” The ceramic base has ionic properties (to smooth hair) and promotes even heat distribution if you’re using the brush alongside a hair dryer for a blowout.

Best Brush for Breakage: Fromm the Intuition Glosser Boar Bristle Brush

Got damaged hair? You’re in the right spot. “This is the best brush for hair with breakage, or for someone with really fine, sensitive hair,” says McIntyre. It offers a combo of boar and porcupine bristles in two different lengths; the longer bristles detangle, while the short ones add shine. The bristles also allow for a better distribution of natural oils from the scalp, spreading moisture down the lengths of hair—where it’s needed most.

Best Hair Brush for Blow-Drying: YS Park G Series Curl Shine Styler Round Brush

Ideal for pairing with a blow-dryer, “this is one of my go-tos for smoothing out texture and creating shine,” says McIntyre. The hollow wood handle allows for airflow without adding weight, while its texture allows you to get a better grip.

Best Styling Brush: Drybar Texas Tease Teasing Brush

Designed to create a multitude of styles, this brush features a combo of boar and nylon bristles to offer the best of both worlds—plus a tapered handle that can be used to section off hair. The bristles smooth when you brush the surface of the hair but can also tease and backcomb hair when used on the underside for extra volume and lift. Bottom line? Your updos will never be the same.

Best Paddle Brush: Denman Black Power Paddle

Paddle brushes are ideal for quick detangling—their broad shape allows it to tackle bigger sections on hair in one swipe, while the flat surface makes for peak smoothing. “My favorite paddle is an O.G.,” says McIntyre, noting that this newer version is also incredibly well-made. It’s cushioned for extra comfort, and it works for both detangling and blow-drying alike.

Best Vented Brush: Yves Durif Vented Brush

Form meets function in this brush, which is pretty enough to leave out on the counter. The lightweight brush (courtesy of carbon fiber and rubber resin) offers a comfortable grip and a vented design that’s ideal for fast heat styling, as the namesake vents allow for better airflow. Glamour senior commerce editor Talia Abbas, who has long, unruly hair, can’t stop singing its praises: “It’s unbelievable,” she says. “My hair doesn’t get caught.”

Best Blow-Dryer Brush: InfinitiPro by Conair The Knot Dr. Detangling Hot Air Brush

Cut drying time down all the way with a blow-dryer brush, a time-saving hybrid that works to detangle, reduce frizz, dry, and style hair in a single tool. The flexible bristles work out tangles without causing pain, and the ionic technology leaves hair less frizzy.