The 19 Best Hair Brushes for Smooth, Soft, and Tangle-Free Styles

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From shower detangling to blowout styling, we found brushes for every purpose, style, and budget.

<p>InStyle / Alli Waataja</p>

InStyle / Alli Waataja

Purchasing a hair brush isn’t something we always put that much thought into, but not all hair brushes are created equal. Whether you’re looking to enhance your hair health, find the perfect brush for heat-styling, or finally tame those tangles, the brush you pick can make a huge difference to your comfort and hairstyle.

Hair brushes are so common, so know what you’re using the brush for and consider your hair type and thickness. “Are you looking for help to control frizz and smooth your hair? Or do you need a brush that will help create more volume?” says Gretchen Friese, a trichologist at BosleyMD. “You don’t want to try to detangle your hair with a short bristle round brush, and a detangling brush will most likely not give you a great blowout style.” With that in mind, we’ve whittled our list down to the very best hair brushes for every hair type and need.

Best Overall: Wet Brush Original Detangler

See at Amazon.com

See at Sallybeauty.com

Why We Love It: The appropriately named Wet Brush Detangler is THE hair brush for detangling not only wet hair, but dry hair as well, says Friese. This is also an all-time favorite for Norma Long, founder and creative director of Indulge Treatment Bar in Naples, Florida. “It easily gets through hard-to-get-out knots and doesn’t cause any breakage, maintaining healthy hair,” says Long. It also makes detangling—if not pleasurable—at least much less painful than other brushes, and even for kids. It does this with help from Wet Brush’ proprietary IntelliFlex bristles, which are specially designed to minimize pain and damage. Just note, though, that they’re made from plastic and therefore not suitable for use while blow-drying. Other reasons to love this brush? It’s under $10, readily available online and from drugstores everywhere, and it comes in lots of cute colors, plus limited edition versions, too.

Who It’s For: Anyone despairing of their unruly, tangly hair will be obsessed with this brush’ non-painful detangling power.

Just Trust Us: If you have tape-in hair extensions, you can safely use a Wet Brush on them and expect minimal damage, says Friese.

Hair Type: All | Bristle Type: IntelliFlex nylon | Barrel Material: Plastic

Best Budget: Conair Ceramic Wood Nylon & Boar Bristle Cushion Hair Brush

See at Target.com

Why We Love It: Ah, who doesn’t adore drugstore mainstay, Conair? They’ve been around for decades for this very simple reason: The products just plain work, and without breaking the bank, either. This large square paddle brush is a gem for detangling wet or dry hair, even thick manes—though those with extra thick hair may prefer to use this brush for styling after detangling in the shower. Still, curly-haired customers approve of this one as well. We also love that this hair brush features a ceramic coating that leaves your hair beautifully shiny without the need for additional product.

Who It’s For: This brush is perfect for heat styling without snagging, and for leaving your hair glossy.

Just Trust Us: If detangling brushes usually snag and damage your hair, this one will make quick work of your tangles.

Hair Type: All | Bristle Type: Nylon | Barrel Material: Plastic

Best for Sensitive Scalps: Mason Pearson Handy Bristle & Nylon Hairbrush

See at Qvc.com

See at Harrods.com

Why We Love It: A Mason Pearson brush may cost quite a bit more than your average hair brush, but it’s a total classic, and hair stylists swear by it. “A Mason Pearson brush has been part of my kit for 20 years,” says Cheryl Munoz, a master stylist at Josh Wood Atelier in London and the visionary behind the hairstyles seen on the Erdem runway at London Fashion Week. “This bristle brush is great for everyday brushing, and can be used on wet hair as it’s very gentle on the hair, especially great for styling sleek ponytails. Everyone needs this brush.”

Who It’s For: Celebrity colorist Gigi Pogosyan says it’s great for distributing natural oils from your scalp to your ends, giving you an all-over healthy, shiny look. “The combination of nylon and boar bristles helps to stimulate the scalp, promote hair growth, and create a smooth, shiny finish,” says Pogosyan. “While it is a more expensive option, the durability and performance of the Mason Pearson brush make it a worthwhile investment for those looking for a long-lasting hair tool.”

Just Trust Us: If you fall just as in love with this brush as we think you will, you can also invest in one in a pocket size to carry around in your handbag, says Munoz.

Hair Type: All | Bristle Type: Boar, nylon | Barrel Material: Cellulose acetate plastic

Best Hair Brush to Prevent Breakage: Briogeo Wet Detangling Brush

See at Ulta.com

See at Sephora.com

Why We Love It: This brush looks like nothing fancy, but it packs big detangling power. It’s designed for use on wet hair of all types, and doesn’t pull uncomfortably on your strands or cause breakage thanks to the flexible bristles—even on fine or thick hair. It also features a squishy cushion for added comfort on your scalp. More generally, we love Briogeo, a Black-founded brand committed to sustainable and ethical practices. Their products are designed to beautify all hair types and textures; they work with anti-racist and other social initiatives that align with their values; and they use recycled packaging and clean ingredients wherever possible.

Who It’s For: Anyone who needs a little help detangling in the shower.

Just Trust Us: If you need a little extra slick, spray a little leave-in conditioner on your hair before using this brush. This will also help your hair look extra shiny once it dries.

Hair Type: All | Bristle Type: Nylon | Barrell Material: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, thermoplastic rubber

Best Boar Bristle Hair Brush: Crown Affair The Brush No. 003

See at Sephora.com

See at Crownaffair.com

Why We Love It: Crown Affair is famous for its amazing microfiber hair towels, but the brand’s hair brushes are equally glorious. This particular number was handcrafted in Italy from natural beechwood and ethically sourced boar bristles, which alone makes it worth the investment. You’re probably wondering about its effectiveness, though, so here goes: The No. 003 is a fan favorite for fine or thinning hair, gently detangling strands without causing breakage or frizz. It also gives your scalp a bit of a massage, which is great for hair growth, and adds shine to your hair by distributing the natural oils throughout.

Who It’s For: If you have fine but thick hair, this brush will leave your hair smooth, silk, and best of all, detangled at last.

Just Trust Us: A brush with boar bristles is perfect to use when styling your hair into a protective style, such as a ponytail, before bed. It will smooth your hair and distribute the oils to promote hair health overnight.

Hair Type: Straight, wavy | Bristle Type: Boar | Barrel Material: Beechwood

Best to Use in the Shower: Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler

See at Amazon.com

See at Nordstrom.com

Why We Love It: First off, we just have to note how freaking adorable the original Tangle Teezer hair brush is. Available in bright pastel shades like Millennial Pink and colorblocked options like Lilac Mint, the barrel is made from plastic and the bristles are patented plastic teeth, with the whole effect reminding us of our beauty kits circa 2003. But we’re not out here buying hair brushes just because they look nice: The cult British brand makes the holy grail in terms of a detangling brush that’s effective and doesn’t damage your hair or hurt your scalp in the process. Because it’s made from plastic, and because the teeth are designed specially not to damage wet hair, this one is perfect for using in the shower, or straight after the shower. Plus, it’s super easy to clean as well, since water won’t damage it. Just remember not to use it while heat-styling, since this will melt the bristles.

Who It’s For: This is the brush for you if you’re looking to detangle unruly hair in the shower (and on a daily basis), and you don’t like the detangling brushes with round bristle caps on them.

Just Trust Us: For best detangling results without damaging your hair, start brushing from the ends of your hair, then work your way up towards the scalp, advises Friese.

Hair Type: All | Bristle Type: Plastic | Barrel Material: Plastic

Best Detangling Brush: Dae Vegan Detangle + Style Brush

See at Amazon.com

See at Sephora.com

Why We Love It: Suitable for all hair types and textures, this vegan boar bristle brush from Dae is incredible for detangling, without pulling or damaging your hair—whether it’s wet or dry. The bristles are also really gentle on the scalp, and feel like a massage when brushing. Plus, it helps to create volume, smooth the hair, reduce frizz, and add shine by distributing your hair’s natural oils. This brush is close to perfect, but some people have found the bristle caps can come off after a few months. Still, it’s an amazing choice for anyone looking for a brush that’s friendlier to the planet. Dae is Leaping Bunny-certified, meaning the brand is always entirely cruelty-free, and they donate a portion of proceeds from every purchase to projects bringing clean water to developing regions.

Who It’s For: This Dae hair brush is ideal for anyone who likes the idea of a boar bristle hair brush but prefers a vegan alternative and a lower price tag.

Just Trust Us: To clean your brush, start by removing any hair from it with a comb. Then, fill your sink or a bowl with warm water and your choice of shampoo, gentle dish soap, baking soda, or vinegar, and soak the brush face down in the mixture for about 10 minutes. Then, lay it face down on a towel to drain and dry.

Hair Type: All | Bristle Type: Vegan boar | Barrel Material: Plastic

Best for Blow-Drying: Drybar Full Pint Medium Round Ceramic Brush

See at Amazon.com

See at Nordstrom.com

Why We Love It: Who better to make your new go-to heat-styling round brush than the iconic blow-dry bar itself? This round brush from Drybar is designed with a vented ceramic barrel, which means it’s heat-resistant and allows the air from your blow-dryer to flow through the brush, maximizing your styling potential. It’s perfect for creating soft curls and waves, and Ionic Technology also helps to prevent frizz and give your hair a beautiful shine—though some people do find it creates some static. The bristles are firm, but don’t hurt or tangle your hair—even those with fine hair swear by it. Other than that, it also feels comfortable in your hand, with a grip to avoid slippage, and not too heavy, which is important since you’ll need to hold it for a while to get your desired blowout.

Who It’s For: Suitable for all hair types, this round brush makes a great addition to your hair care arsenal if you’re looking to recreate salon-worthy blowouts at home.

Just Trust Us: Boar bristles are typically super gentle on the hair, but make sure to only use them on dry hair to prevent breakage.

Hair Type: All | Bristle Type: Boar | Barrell Material: Ceramic

Best Curly Hair Brush: Denman D31 The Freeflow Curl Definer & Styler

See at Amazon.com

See at Denmanbrushus.com

Why We Love It: This is the perfect brush for curly or coily hair, according to Jane Mayhead, a trichologist at The Private Clinic in London. “One thing that’s great about this brush is that if you’ve got very thick or very curly hair, you can remove every other row of bristles in order to allow the curls to clump together, like it would when using a wide-toothed comb,” Mayhead explains. This Denman number does an incredible job of detangling the thickest, curliest of hair, creating stunning volume and curl definition. It’s also a salon quality hair brush that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, which scores it extra points as far as we’re concerned. Those who love it say it doesn’t snag or cause breakage, and that it’s super easy to clean.

Who It’s For: Those with hair types 2A through 4C will love how painless this brush is when detangling and defining.

Just Trust Us: For extra curl definition, brush a strand of hair starting from as close to the root as you can get, then twist the brush down the strand of hair—kind of like you would a curling iron.

Hair Type: Curly | Bristle Type: Nylon | Barrel Material: Rubber

Best for Wet Hair: Dyson Paddle Brush

See at Dyson.com

Why We Love It: You’ve heard all your friends rave about the Dyson Airwrap (or perhaps you’re that friend), but did you know the brand’s hair brushes are equally beloved? This oval paddle brush comes in some pretty cute colors, but of course that alone doesn’t justify the price. Because it’s a Dyson hair brush, it’s specifically designed to use while heat-styling up to 302 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning it’s safe to use on wet hair, and you can expect minimal damage from doing so. It’s comfortable to hold thanks to the weighted handle, and gives your hair a beautiful, shiny finish.

Who It’s For: You’ll love this if you prefer a hair brush that feels like premium quality, and are looking for a great heat-styling brush.

Just Trust Us: While its primary function is to smooth hair while heat-styling, the paddle brush is also incredible for detangling really thick hair without damaging it.

Hair Type: Straight, wavy, curly | Bristle Type: xx | Barrel Material: xx

Best Hair Brush for Fine Hair: Fromm The Intuition Glosser Boar Bristle Brush

See at Amazon.com

See at Ulta.com

Why We Love It: It’s important to be extra gentle when brushing fine hair, because it can easily snag and break with the wrong hair brush. A boar bristle brush in general makes a great choice since these bristles are typically gentler than nylon or plastic ones. A paddle brush is great if your hair is thick as well as fine (the former referring to the amount of hair you have, the latter to individual hair thickness), or if it’s long, since it can brush more hair in one go than a regular oval brush. As for this one from Fromm specifically, it’s amazing for gently detangling fine hair (although not so much for coarse hair), without pulling, tugging, or snagging. It also doesn’t cause static and helps your hair look smoother and healthier overall.

Who It’s For: It’s ideal for taming frizz on a daily basis.

Just Trust Us: Use this one on oily hair to help distribute the oil and gain an extra day between washes.

Hair Type: Straight, wavy, curly | Bristle Type: Boar | Barrel Material: Nylon

Best Hair Brush for Thick Hair: GHD Paddle Brush

See at Amazon.com

See at Nordstrom.com

Why We Love It: Hailing from beloved heat-styling brand Ghd (formally referred to as Good Hair Day, meaning you really know what you’re getting), this paddle brush was of course designed with blow-dries in mind. It should be used on damp rather than wet hair to avoid any breakage, and will leave your hair smooth, sleek, and shiny. It’s also great for detangling thick and/or long hair and taming frizz, and won’t cause any annoying static. If you have a lot of hair volume-wise but each hair is fine, you’ll love how this brush works through your tangles without damaging your hair or hurting your scalp. People absolutely love this brush as long as it’s working well, but a big downside we have to call out is that it’s not durable: Some people find the bristles fall out and the cushion detaches after a few months to a year.

Who It’s For: Anyone blessed with a full head of thick hair prone to tangles will be obsessed with this smoothing wizard.

Just Trust Us: When you go to wash your brush, make sure to keep the metal end away from water. Then, lay the brush face down to dry on a towel, so that the cushion doesn’t fill with water, which can damage it.

Hair Type: Straight, wavy, curly | Bristle Type: Synthetic | Barrel Material: Plastic

Best Round Hair Brush: Philip B. Medium Round Hairbrush

See at Dermstore.com

See at Knockoutbeauty.com

Why We Love It: Professional hair stylists are obsessed with Philip B.’s hair brushes, and this mahogany round brush, though expensive, is a real winner. The wooden barrel is kind to your hair and helps avoid static, and the nylon and boar bristle mix works beautifully to boost hair health, and leave your hair feeling soft and looking glossy. It’s designed to give you a glamorous blowout, with no tugging or breakage, creating a smooth, bouncy hairstyle. This medium-sized round brush, with its ergonomic handle, is also really comfortable to hold—a must when you’re working hard on your blow-dry. Also, Philip B.’s brushes are made in Spain from ethically sourced materials, with sustainably sheared boar bristles and mahogany from non-endangered forests, so you can feel good about your purchase.

Who It’s For: Those with fine hair will thank this brush for not creating unwanted frizz, and for detangling without snagging.

Just Trust Us: Friese loves a hair brush that combines both nylon and boar bristles because it keeps the price slightly lower when compared to pure boar, is just as effective, and is easier to clean.

Hair Type: All | Bristle Type: Nylon and boar | Barrell Material: Mahogany

Best Hair Brush for Edge Control: PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross Edge Tool

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See at Nordstrom.com

Why We Love It: Red-carpet regular Tracee Ellis Ross knows a little something about natural hair, and we think you’ll love her entire hair care line. Singling out this edge tool, it’s a game changer for styling your baby hairs as simply or intricately as you like. It’s double-sided, with an edge brush on one side and a mini comb on the other. The brush also comes with a protective sleeve so you can take it with you for any touch-ups you may need. Most people love that the brush perfectly toes the line between firm yet gentle bristles for great shaping without damaging your delicate baby hairs; however, some people find they are slightly too firm and can scrape the skin a little.

Who It’s For: If purchasing ethical products is a big deal to you, you’ll love that Pattern is cruelty-free, and committed to supporting organizations that empower women and people of color by donating one percent of proceeds from each purchase.

Just Trust Us: For the perfect swirls, start by applying a little edge pomade on your baby hairs. Next, brush your baby hairs straight down towards your face. Then, place a finger halfway through the length of a strand while swooping the end towards your scalp in a circular motion.

Hair Type: Curly, coily | Bristle Type: Synthetic boar | Barrel Material: BPA-free thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)

Best Paddle Brush: Denman D83 The Gentle Paddle

See at Denmanbrushus.com

See at Planetbeauty.com

Why We Love It: Mayhead loves the Denman paddle brush for long straight hair. Because it’s larger than your average flat brush, it can deal with a larger chunk of hair at a time, making it a definite time saver. It’s perfect for detangling and straightening your hair as you blow-dry, without pulling or damaging the hair. Thanks to the soft, bouncy cushion and ball-ended bristles, this brush feels lovely on your scalp, while the handle’s shape and texture make for a comfortable experience while you work it through your hair. While it’s great for styling damp hair, this brush is also perfectly suitable for daily brushing on dry hair. A quick note: If you have extra thick or curly hair, you can still use this brush for styling, but you may need a separate detangling brush.

Who It’s For: This Denman brush is for you if you like a little scalp massage while you style your hair.

Just Trust Us: Nylon is static-resistant, says Friese, so break this brush out if your hair starts standing of its own accord.

Hair Type: All | Bristle Type: Nylon | Barrel Material: Plastic

Best for Shine: YS Park Straight Shines Styler Round Brush

See at Ysparkusa.com

Why We Love It: This salon quality hair brush comes highly recommended by Munoz. “I use these brushes on almost every client,” she says. These are “great for polishing the hair, create an incredible shine, and are wooden, therefore don’t overheat and damage the hair when using the hairdryer.” Since this is a round brush, it’s specifically designed for use while blow-drying, with the smaller option perfect for creating tighter waves or curls, and the larger one ideal for soft waves or straight blowouts. Thanks to the ventilated holes in the barrel, this brush allows for faster dying, while its high-quality boar bristles work to create exceptional shine and gloss in the hair.

Who It’s For: You’ll love this brush if you want a beautiful blowout but without the unnecessary heat damage, since it’s designed to dry your hair faster than a non-ventilated round brush.

Just Trust Us: A boar bristle brush like this one is the perfect choice for smoothing your hair and distributing natural oils throughout the hair for a shiny, healthy look, says Friese.

Hair Type: Straight, wavy, curly | Bristle Type: Boar | Barrell Material: Teak wood

Best Hair Brush for Hair Growth: Manta Pulse Electric Scalp Massager

See at Amazon.com

See at Nordstrom.com

Why We Love It: This hair brush is really more of a scalp massager, but you won’t see us complaining. This nifty little handheld device uses magnetic pulsations to boost blood flow in your scalp, exfoliate your skin, help remove product buildup, and all-around make it so that your hair can grow faster and more healthily—not to mention it feels amazing while you’re using it. It’s designed to use while you shampoo, so is totally waterproof (hello, easy cleaning), and features two modes, one of which is meant to give you a lovely relaxing massage and the other a more invigorating experience. It’s definitely best for use on thin or straight hair, as it may cause tangles on thicker hair.

Who It’s For: This one is for those who see a shower as an opportunity for a full-blown self-care moment, and also want to stimulate hair growth.

Just Trust Us: If you have thick hair but still want to enjoy the benefits of a head-massaging brush that also promotes hair growth, you can use this tool after thoroughly detangling your hair and separating it into sections.

Hair Type: All | Bristle Type: Patented Flexguard technology | Barrell Material: Plastic

Best for Volume: Moroccanoil Ceramic Round Brush

See at Amazon.com

See at Nordstrom.com

Why We Love It: One of the best things about this Moroccanoil round brush is that it comes in four different sizes, meaning there’s one for every hair length and desired result. The small brush is the perfect fit for anyone with short hair or who wants to create small waves, while those with long or very long hair and who are looking to add volume will want to opt for one of the two largest sizes. This brush from trusted hair care brand Moroccanoil is thoughtfully designed with an ion-charged ceramic barrel which promotes straight-out-of-the-salon levels of shine, and will give you beautiful, bouncy, voluminous hair. Another perk is that it comes with a removable sectioning tip so that you can create even waves and neat hairstyles. Beware, though, this brush can snag if you get hair caught in the area where the barrel meets the handle—to avoid this, make sure to work a section of your hair starting an inch or so away from where the bristles end.

Who It’s For: The Moroccanoil round brush is perfect for thin, straight, or wavy hair, but not so great on especially frizzy, curly, or thick hair, because the bristles are too soft.

Just Trust Us: A great hair brush like this one can get you a long way towards the perfect blow-dry, but at the end of the day, Long says you also have to invest in an amazing blow-dryer and hair products to complement the brush’ effects.

Hair Type: All | Bristle Type: Nylon | Barrel Material: Ceramic

Best for Straightening: Olivia Garden NanoThermic Ceramic + Ion Round Thermal Hair Brush

See at Amazon.com

See at Ulta.com

Why We Love It: “Olivia Garden Round Brushes are my go-to brushes for straightening hair,” says Long. “They have a big selection of brushes in different sizes to accommodate a range of hair lengths and textures, and the firm bristles add shine to the hair and help with frizz and flyaways.”

This is another brand loved by hair stylists everywhere, so you know you’re getting a hair tool with the potential to give you that fresh cut-and-blow-dry look. The ceramic-coated barrel retains heat, which allows you to style your hair faster and with longer-lasting results, plus its diamond-shaped vents promote hair flow, which reduces drying time even further. The bristles are gentle on the scalp, the brush doesn’t snag, and it comes with a built-in sectioning pick, too!

Who It’s For: Sleek, glossy, straight hair or soft waves, right this way.

Just Trust Us: This Olivia Garden hair brush is perfect for breathing new life into your curtain bangs. Just roll in the direction you want the wave to go, and blow!

Hair Type: Medium to thick | Bristle Type: Ion-charged nylon with rounded tips | Barrel Material: Ceramic coated

What to Keep in Mind

  • Bristles vs Teeth: Hair brush bristles can be made of nylon or boar, while teeth can be made of plastic or metal. Each of these has a number of pros and cons. Meanwhile, metal or plastic teeth are typically the best choice for heavy-duty detangling without causing damage to the hair, are durable and easy to clean, and are great for sectioning and styling the hair with precision. However, these “may cause damage or breakage if used too aggressively or on wet hair, are not as gentle on the scalp as natural bristles, can create static and frizz in fine or thin hair,” says Pogosyan.

  • Bristle Type: Boar bristles can be more expensive, are more difficult to clean and need to be cleaned often, and aren’t good for detangling thick or coarse hair. Still, they have a lot to recommend them: Boar bristle brushes are “naturally gentle on the hair and scalp, making them ideal for all hair types, help distribute natural oils from the scalp, resulting in shinier and healthier-looking hair, and can help reduce frizz and static in the hair,” says Pogosyan.

    Nylon bristles are “ideal for detangling and smoothing hair, especially for thick or coarse hair types, they’re durable and easy to clean, and can help distribute natural oils from the scalp along the hair shaft,” says Pogosyan. On the other hand, they can cause static and frizz if you have fine or thin hair, can feel harsh on the scalp, and don’t add shine to the hair.

  • Material: Hair brush barrels come in different materials—including wood, aluminum, plastic, and ceramic—and this has a non-negligible bearing on how the brush works, how it feels while you hold it, how durable it is, and what you can use the brush for. “Plastic is by far the most common. These are cheap and can be safe but they can break easily,” says Mayhead.

    Wooden barrels can be made from sandalwood, bamboo, teak, beech, and more. “As well as being more sustainable, they’re better for your hair than plastic or metal alternatives,” says Mayhead. “Using a wooden brush over a plastic one is also less likely to cause the static that plastic ones often do.”

    Mayhead adds, “​​In comparison, a metal barrel such as aluminum will heat up quickly and stay hot. This can help styling of the hair but isn’t as kind on the hair because it can make hair more prone to heat damage.”

    Last but not least, “ceramic barrels heat up evenly and retain heat well, making them ideal for use with heat styling tools,” says Pogosyan. The expert explains that these also work to seal the cuticle, creating smooth and shiny hair, and reducing frizz and static. On the flipside, they tend to be quite fragile and can be expensive.

  • Brush Shape: Hair brushes can generally be sorted into either round or flat brushes, though round brushes can sometimes be a bit more on the oval side, and flat brushes can be rounded, square, rectangular, or even triangular.

    With that in mind, round brushes are “ideal for creating volume and body in the hair, especially when used for blow drying, can help smooth and straighten hair when used with heat styling tools, and are great for creating curls and waves when used to wrap sections of hair around the brush,” says Pogosyan. That said, they’re not necessarily the right choice for short or layered hair, can cause tangles and snags, and aren’t suitable for detangling or for use on wet hair.

    As for flat brushes, these are “great for detangling and smoothing hair, especially for straight or fine hair types, can be used to create sleek and polished looks, and are suitable for brushing wet hair without causing breakage,” explains Pogosyan. However, they “may not provide as much volume or body as round brushes, and can be less effective for creating curls or waves and not as versatile for styling as round brushes.”

Your Questions, Answered

How often should you brush your hair?

“Generally, it is recommended to brush your hair once or twice a day to help distribute natural oils from the scalp along the hair shaft and to detangle any knots or tangles,” says Pogosyan. “However, over-brushing can lead to breakage and damage, so it's important to find a balance that works for your hair.” Knowing what your specific hair type needs is crucial, with Mayhead noting that those with coily hair may need to use a wide-tooth comb instead of a hair brush.

How do you brush your hair without damaging it?

“It’s important to avoid brushing your hair too aggressively or when it is wet, as this can cause breakage and damage,” says Pogosyan. “I recommend using a wide-tooth comb instead of a regular brush.” That said, some hair brushes are designed specially for use on wet hair—you should just be extra gentle when using these, especially if your hair is brittle.

Meanwhile, Mayhead says, “In order to brush hair without damaging it, I would advise starting at the bottom of the hair and working up, making sure the hair has good slip from a product such as a serum, conditioner, or oil.”

Can certain hair brushes damage your hair?

It’s super important to choose a hair brush that’s meant for your specific hair type and thickness. “Certain hair brushes can damage your hair if used incorrectly or if they are not suitable for your hair type,” says Pogosyan. “For example, using a brush with hard bristles on fine or fragile hair can cause breakage and damage.”

Why Shop With Us

Iris Goldsztajn is a Paris-born, London-based freelance writer with 10 years of experience covering fashion, beauty, wellness and lifestyle for the likes of InStyle, British Vogue, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Bustle, Refinery29 and many more. As the former associate editor for Her Campus, she was responsible for all style and beauty news coverage. For this story, she researched and tested hair brushes, and spoke to hair care experts who shared their insights and recommendations: Gretchen Friese, a trichologist at BosleyMD; Jane Mayhead, a trichologist at The Private Clinic in London; Cheryl Munoz, a creative master stylist at Josh Wood Atelier; Norma Long, founder of Indulge Treatment Bar in Naples, Florida; and celebrity hair colorist Gigi Pogosyan.

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