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

Clocking in at an affordable price, Hardges considers this a winner for getting smooth, shiny hair. “The different length 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. $19, Trademark Beauty. Get it now!

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 tag. $140, Violet Grey. Get it now!

“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 build-up, 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. $10, Ulta. Get it now!

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. $15, Amazon. Get it now!

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: It’s also heat resistant, in case you want to use it to prep sections for a curling or straightening iron. $25, Dyson. Get it now!

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. $14, Ulta. Get it now!

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. $24, Amazon. Get it now!

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. $15, Ulta. Get it now!

For thick or long hair—or both—look no further than this paddle brush. ”It's a boar-bristled 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 also has ionic properties (to smooth hair) and promotes even heat distribution if you're using it alongside a hair dryer for a blowout. $30, Sephora. Get it now!

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 for two different lengths; the longer bristles detangle, while the short ones add shine. They also allows for a better distribution of natural oils from the scalp, spreading moisture down the lengths of hair—where it's needed most. $23, Ulta. Get it now!

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. $45, Amazon. Get it now!

Designed to create a multitude of styles, this brush features a combo of boar and nylon bristles that 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. $18, Sephora. Get it now!

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 OG," says McIntyre, noting that this one is incredibly well-made, too. It's cushioned for extra comfort, and it works for both detangling and blow-drying alike. $36, Amazon. Get it now!

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 lightweight, 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.” $90, Violet Grey. Get it now!

Cut drying time down all the way with a blow-dryer brush, a time-saving hybrid which 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. $50, Ulta. Get it now!