These Boar Bristle Brushes Can Help Your Hair Grow Faster

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I cannot tell a lie—some hair brushes are better than others. Do I have a nylon paddle brush that I’m weirdly emotionally attached to and can’t seem to let go of? Yes, but I also know that that brush, which I grabbed at a random drugstore years ago, isn’t necessarily the best tool for keeping my scalp and strands as healthy as possible; in fact, it could be doing more harm than good. That’s why I’ve also invested in some of the best boar bristle brushes, the gold standard in hair care.

“Boar hair is actually similar to human hair and carries the same protein, keratin, which nourishes the hair. They help spread the natural oils from the scalp, keeping your strands soft and luscious, and also help keep your scalp clean in between washes because there’s less buildup, and the scalp stimulation from the bristles helps your hair grow,” says Cody Renegar, a celebrity hairstylist who splits his time between Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Arkansas.

You can either opt for a brush with 100 percent boar bristles or one mixed with synthetic bristles. According to Renegar, the former isn’t as damaging to your hair, but the latter is better for detangling, especially for those with thicker manes. Boar bristle brushes “come in all different shapes and sizes, but the most important thing is that it’s flat so that it better distributes those oils throughout your hair,” he adds.

Whether you’re a novice looking to replace your own mediocre synthetic brush or a boar bristle brush devotee itching for a new one, we’ve got you covered. We understand that choosing the right brush is a personal decision, so we polled two hair experts, perused customer reviews, and looked on top of our own dressers and vanities to make the search easier for you. Below, find the 14 best boar bristle brushes for shinier, healthier hair.

Popular Mixture Bristle & Nylon Mix Hair Brush

We can’t talk about boar bristle brushes without highlighting the most revered one of all time: the Mason Pearson Popular Mixture Bristle & Nylon Mix Hair Brush. Founded in 1885, the brand has been producing first-class brushes for nearly 140 years, and stylists and in-the-know hair care obsessives adore anything Mason Pearson creates. The Popular Brush is a dream to own and use, with its comfortable cushion and firm yet flexible bristles. Purchase one, and you won’t have to buy another for years—if ever.

Bristles: Boar, nylon

Best for: All hair types

Revolve rating: 4.9/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “For decades, I had seen Mason Pearson brushes on lists as a ‘must-have’ beauty item. I don’t know a celebrity hairstylist who doesn’t have this in their kit. I even recommended them to friends whenever they were on sale. But I never really got the hype until I was gifted of my own. Unlike other brushes, it is a glorious scalp massager; the combination of the boar and nylon tufts feel like firm fingers gently raking through my brain. Plus, it also works to gently detangle hair (for big knots, you’ll need an actual detangler) and leaves my hair looking shiny, fluffy, and glossy. I’ll never forget the first day I used my Mason Pearson brush, and a colleague stopped me in the hallway, saying, ‘Your hair looks great. Did you do something different?’ ‘I brushed it?’ I said, semi-embarrassed. I guess my lank, fine hair really needed a good brushing. I should note that it is on the more expensive end for brushes, but this is one of those rare Forever Objects—something you can buy once and can have for years. Many Reddit users talk about how they have had their Mason Pearson brushes for more than 20 years.” —Kathleen Hou, ELLE beauty director

N.01 The Universal Hair Care Brush

This hair stylist-beloved option oozes quality, from the detailed, ergonomic handle to the strategically placed natural bristles. For best results, La Bonne Brosse’s founders recommend brushing through the lengths of your hair first and then paying attention to your scalp and roots.

Bristles: Boar

Best for: All hair types

The Detox Market rating: 5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “This is by far the nicest hair brush I’ve ever used. Not only is it absolutely beautifully crafted, but it’s also really good for your hair. Whenever I use this brush, I feel like I can go longer in between washes since it evenly distributes the oil from your scalp through the rest of your hair.” —Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor

Everyday Hair Brush

Detangling can cause breakage when done with the wrong tool or technique. The Everyday Hair Brush’s nylon bristles, however, do it with such ease that you barely feel the knots give way. Cleaning the brush is simple, too—soak it in hot water and soap for ten minutes, let it air dry, and you’re done!

Bristles: Boar, nylon

Best for: All hair types

Machete rating: 4.9/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “My hair is notoriously prone to frizz and flyaways. Recently, my unruly baby hairs left a professional photographer so distressed that they gave up trying to tame them and exclaimed, ‘I’ll just edit them out!’ The Everyday Hair Brush, however, is one tool that I know can help calm my hair down; as the nylon bristles detangle, the boar bristles spread out my natural oils, smoothing my strands without weighing them down. Made with Italian acetate, the handle feels luxurious and sturdy—and looks downright gorgeous on my vanity.” —Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer

The Brush No. 001

If you need a shortcut to smooth strands and a robust scalp, this wooden brush is it. A few strokes through your hair, and you’ll be left with enviable shine. Since it also stimulates blood flow and spreads out your natural oils, regular use improves the quality of your hair and encourages new and faster growth.

Bristles: Boar, nylon

Best for: Straight, wavy

Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “For people who are afraid of the price of a Mason Pearson but still want the benefits of a paddle brush, I recommend the brushes from Crown Affair. Everything from the pistachio-colored packaging to the small, considered details (like a cloth bag that snugly fits your hairbrush for travel) feels unique. The brushes have a nice weight in the hand to feel special, and it has a similar blend of boar and nylon bristles to the Mason Pearson too. You’ll notice that the brush has an oval-ish tufted shape (also similar to the Pearson in design), and great for delivering shine and soothing scalp tingles.” —Kathleen Hou

D81M Style & Shine Brush in Boar Bristles Black

A solid paddle brush will cover all of your detangling and styling needs, and this one from Denman is also gentle enough to take care of hair extensions and wigs without damaging them. Plus, no matter how much hair you have to brush out, your wrist won’t feel like it’s going to fall out, thanks to the brush’s lightweight composition.

Bristles: Boar, nylon

Best for:

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I have never lost the baby fine hair of childhood, and I have a lot of it. This brush gets the tangles out of my hair right out of the shower and does not hurt my scalp. I very rarely have hairs in the brush when I am done.”

Styling Essentials Goody Boar Hair Brush

Renegar says, “Goody’s small 100 percent pure bristle paddle brush that is super affordable but great quality.” He states that it’s perfect for creating those sleek slick back updos that are all the rage these days.

Bristles: Boar

Best for: All hair types

Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Needed a cheap smoothing brush for when I pull my hair back in a ponytail, and this is perfect. I don’t like to spend a lot on them because I will use them when I’ve already put product in my hair like hairspray and wax, so I don’t want to ruin a good brush. This one is affordable and not only soft so it doesn't feel like it’s ripping your hair, but it is dense enough that it actually does smooth out all of the lumps and bumps in your ponytails very easily.”

Finish & Shine Boar Bristle Brush

We at ELLE.com love a good scalp massage, and this brush’s boar- and ball-tipped synthetic bristles give you a mini version every time you use it. Additionally, it combats frizz and flyaways, killing two birds with one stone.

Bristles: Boar, nylon

Best for: All hair types

Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “The combination of plastic and boar bristles make it a perfect tool to brush and style my hair, and I can feel it stimulating my scalp. Love it!”

Flat Brush

Oribe’s shampoos, conditioners, and styling products are top of the line, and its brushes are no different.“It’s a mixed boar bristle brush, and it’s very luxurious,” Renegar says. The tool may be on the pricier side, but it’s gorgeous and “makes your hair feel like butter,” he adds.

Bristles:

Best for: All hair types

Blue Mercury rating: 5/5 stars

A Blue Mercury reviewer says: “This is my first boar bristle brush, and it did not disappoint. I struggle with an oily scalp and sensitized ends—my hair is thick and fine. I use this on my dry hair before bed and notice a better distribution of oils and shine.”

Super Healthy Hair Smoothing Paddle Brush

This brush detangles wet and dry hair with little to no effort. Because of its bigger size, you’ll need fewer passes to achieve shiny, knotless lengths.

Bristles: Boar, nylon

Best for: All hair types

Beauty Pie rating: 4.4/5 stars

A Beauty Pie reviewer says:

Boar Bristle Hair Brush Set

Thin and fine hair is prone to breakage and needs a gentle touch. Try employing this duo throughout your hair care routine; the wooden comb painlessly banishes tangles, and the 100 percent boar bristle brush lightly pulls your scalp’s nourishing oils through strands, providing extra hydration that can help strengthen each hair over time.

Bristles: Boar

Best for: All hair types

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I finally ordered the Dovalia bristle hair brush and comb (they came together with my order), and was amazed by the results. The bristles on the bristle boar hair brush have a similar texture to that of a broom, which was a surprise, though after one brush, my hair instantly felt thicker, smoother, and more voluminous! This was much unlike my plastic brush, which would usually leave my hair feeling either flat or staticky. Apparently the brush helps spread oils evenly throughout the hair, making it shinier and healthier, while the texture of the bristles bring volume to the hair.”

Mini Boar Bristle Brush in Pink Sugar

Hair emergencies don’t only happen in the morning—often, they come out of nowhere while you’re on the go. But no need to fret if you keep this mini brush from Emi Jay in your handbag. Small but mighty, it can transform a frizzy mess into a sleek, glossy do in minutes.

Bristles: Boar, bamboo

Best for: All hair types

Shine Enhancer

Reviewers rave about the Shine Enhancer’s ability to detangle fuss-free, in and out of the shower. The boar bristles that surround each synthetic one also de-frizz the hair for a smoother, more polished effect.

Bristles: Boar, synthetic

Best for: All hair types

Amazon rating: 4.8/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I love Wet brushes and have had (or have) different versions. I like this one with the added boar bristles mixed in with the plastic ones. It still glides through my super baby fine thinner hair with ease and no pulling or feeling as if it is tearing at my hair. Feels great on my scalp, like a little massage.”

Vegan Boar Bristle Hair Brush

Looks can be deceiving—Briogeo’s Vegan Boar Bristle Hair Brush may appear to be studded with natural boar hair, but the bristles are actually comprised of vegan fibers. Like the other brushes on this list, it massages the scalp and sorts out frizz in a flash.

Bristles: Synthetic

Best for: All hair types

Dermstore rating: 3.5/5 stars

A Dermstore reviewer says: “In all honesty, I personally think that this is the best brush that I’ve used to detangle my 3b-3c curly hair! It works great to detangle, and leaves my hair soft and manageable. I’ve tried many other brushes and they did not perform as well as this one! Definitely give it a try! Very good!”

Double-Sided Bristle Brush

Why hold onto two brushes when one can do it all? Tracee Ellis Ross’s hair care brand offers a multi-tasking brush that boasts detangling nylon brushes on one side and smoothing boar bristles on the other. Styling and slicking back your hair has never been simpler.

Bristles: Boar, nylon

Best for: All hair types

Sephora rating: 3.8/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “I’ve wanted to replace my old brush for years. It was the only one that could slick my thick hair into a ponytail. But this brush is amazing. It works better than my old one! If you have type 4a/3c, coarse, very full hair like mine, I recommend this brush! It slicks my hair so easily, I have no doubt it will work for tighter coils as well! This brush is a godsend!”

Meet the Experts

Cody Renegar is a celebrity hairstylist who splits his time between Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Arkansas.

Flore Des Robert and Pauline Laurent are the founders of La Bonne Brosse.

What factors should you consider when shopping for a boar bristle brushes?

Renegar underscores the need for one with firm bristles that can “properly stimulate the scalp.” Additionally, “you also want to make sure the shape of your brush contours to your head. A nice handle with a good grip is also a plus,” he adds.

What hair textures should use boar bristle brushes? Are there any that should avoid them?

According to our experts, everyone should be using one—it’s all a matter of technique and frequency of use. “A 100 percent boar bristle hair brush is ideal for normal, fine (even fragile), straight, or soft hair. Used in the morning, the brush regenerates while detangling and styling, while at night, it offers complete care and rids the hair of impurities before bed,” says Flore Des Robert and Pauline Laurent, the founders of La Bonne Brosse. They recommend those with curly or thicker hair use boar bristle brushes in the evening rather than the morning in order to avoid affecting curl definition and level of volume, depending on the look you’re going for that day.

Renegar also warns that overbrushing damaged or fragile hair can cause further harm. However, you can still reap all the benefits of utilizing a boar bristle brush; just make sure to pay attention to the condition of your strands and don’t overdo it.

Why Trust ELLE Beauty

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke with trusted hair experts about boar bristle brushes. She also searched the internet for boar bristle brushes, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.

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