Hair Brush Breakdown

Which Brush Do You Need?

There are a few different types of hair brush. Each with their own purpose, made with varying degrees of quality. I've included the best products here, from both the low and high end price points.




A myriad of materials are used for the bristles, the core, the handle. An effective and well-constructed hair brush is a luxury item and can last for decades.

They also make a unique and thoughtful gift for a hair fanatic. Learn about which hair brush would best suit your puposes by scrolling down or using the links below.

• Paddle Brushes
• Cushion Brushes
• Vent Brushes and Styling Brushes
• Round Brushes
• Specialty Hair Brush

Paddle Brushes

DENMAN Paddle Brush

For styling medium to very long hair. Good for general detangling, and daily hair brushing. This brush is also a good choice to loosen product and rid your hair of strays before getting in the shower.

Vented Styling Brushes

These brushes are great for styling mens hair because they speed up blowdrying and add volume. The widely spaced bristles allow you to move and lift the hair, coaxing nice direction out of it without giving an overly styled look like a round brush would. These brushes help to tame and enhance the hair's natural texture.

DENMAN Volumizing Brush

The design of this hair brush increases air circulation through the hair to the root, adding volume and movement to the hair during blow-drying. Scoop the brush right in and lift as you dry, directing the airflow up and back for an easy natural looking style.

Cushion Brushes

Similar to a paddle brush, but smaller and usually oval shaped. These brushes are good for short, medium length, and long hair. Gentle on the hair and scalp, a cushion brush is great for daily brushing to distribute natural oils and maximize the health of your hair. The cushion brushes with boar bristles work well when smoothing and loosening hair with a blowdryer before straightening or setting hair in rollers.

Here are the best cushion brushes I've found at 3 different price points.

High End	Mid-Range	Low-End
Mason Pearson Pocket - Bristle & Nylon brush, Pocket Size	Warren-Tricomi Salon For Smoothing Hair, Cushion Brush with Boar Bristles	Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Red Porcupine Cushion Brush

Round Brushes

Bristles all around allow for great tension on the hair when blow drying. For best results, use an appropriate diameter of brush/barrel for your length of hair. Large for long, small for short. And within those guidelines, a larger barrel provides more straightening while a small barrel results in more curl and volume. That's why they come in so many sizes, you can tailor your round brush to your specific needs.

Boar Bristle Round Brushes

Boar bristles are very effective for smoothing frizzy hair and amplifying shine. The best for smoothing frizzy hair but beef up your arm muscles because you'll need some brawn to get a boar bristle brush through your hair. Work in small sections for best results. If you have the patience, you'll be richly rewarded. If you're short on time, dry most of your hair with a hot air brush and use the boar bristle brush on only the top sections and around the face.

High-End Boar Bristle Round Brush

Frederic Fekkai Medium Round Brush

100% boar bristle hair brush by Frederic Fekkai. This brush is all quality, specifically designed for styling control and built for longevity. A professional tool for serious round brushers who put their tools to the test.

Good Lower-End Round Boar Bristle Brushes

Marilyn Ovali Pro Hair Brush

Sephora Medium Round Boar Brush

Warren-Tricomi Salon Small Thermal Metal Brush with Metal Core

Boar bristles and a thermal core. The best of two worlds! This is a rare find and the combination results in a very effective tool for smoothing frizzy hair or adding a bend to straight hair.

Ceramic Round Brush

Spornette Prego Ceramic Styling Brush

The ceramic barrel on these brushes heats up to speed drying and help build volume. Why ceramic? It holds heat evenly, preventing damage from overheating, which results from using plain metal hair appliances. Hair glides through the nylon bristles which add some tension to smooth frizz and enhance shine.

Specialty Styling Brush

Spornette Fantasy F-1

For updo styling or creating lasting volume in any hair style, a little back brushing is a great trick. This brush is a very effective tool to build cushioning which'll support fine hair throughout the day (or night). Backbrushing instructions

See all hair styling tools.