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Paddle brushes, barrel brushes, and detanglers—oh my! The best hair brush will serve unique purposes depending on your hair type, texture, and styling goals. “Every person deserves the right brush that fits their needs. Choosing the right hair brush for your hair texture, and needs, is very important for overall haircare. One size does not fit all,” La Bonne Brosse co-founders Flore des Robert and Pauline Laurent tell Vogue.
Pro hair stylist Merita Ibrahimi agrees, adding other factors to consider. “Finding the best brush for you also depends upon your hair’s thickness, and temperament—plus, what you’re actually trying to achieve. Are we smoothing? Lifting? Detangling post-pilates? The right brush changes with the style and look you’re after,” Ibrahimi tells Vogue.
Vogue’s Favorite Hair Brushes
- Best Vegan Bristle: Briogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Brush, $42
- Best Shower Brush: Pattern Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross Shower Brush, $17
- Best for Edges: Baby Tress 3-in-1 Edge Styler, $12
- Best Boar Bristle: La Bonne Brosse N.01 The Universal Brush, $168
- Best Round Brush: R+CO Vegan Boar Bristle Round Brush, $33
- Best for Curl Definition: Denman Curly Hair Brush D4, $26
- Best for a Blowout: DryBar Full Pint Ceramic Barrel, $12
- Best Splurge: Mason Pearson Hairbrush, $325
In this story
- How Choose The Right Brush for Your Styling Needs
- How To Pick the Best Brush Bristle for Your Hair Texture
- Should you use a different hair brush on wet versus dry hair?
- What are the different types of brushes that pro hair stylists use?
- Best Practices for Hair Brushing and Styling
When choosing the best brush for yourself, the actual material of the bristles matter a great deal to maintaining overall healthy hair. “Fine, straight hair benefits from a natural, soft bristle (such as boar bristle hair brushes) or soft, nylon bristles that gently glide to distribute oils without causing static,” professional hair styling and Pattern Beauty educator, Ebony Bomani tells Vogue. "Coarse or thick hair does better with firm, widely spaced bristles (like nylon or mixed bristles) that can penetrate denser strands. Meanwhile, curly, coily, or textured hair need a brush that respects the curl structure—flexible detangling bristles [are your] the best bet.”
Ahead, find the best brushes for every texture and style, from petite travel-friendly options to luxe, worth-it splurges—plus expert insight on which hair type each brush is best suited for.
Best Vegan Bristle: Briogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Brush
- Why We Love It: For those in search of a vegan alternative to a dual bristle brush—look no further than Briogeo. Soft ballpoint tip nylon bristles gently massage the scalp and detangle. Meanwhile, vegan fibers that replicate boar bristles. “This brush is gentle, distributes oils beautifully, and gives that healthy sheen without pulling,” says Ibrahimi. “it’s also ideal for extending a blowout on day 3 when the dry shampoo s doing heavy lifting.”
- Shape: Round
- Bristle Material: Dual bristle; ball-tip nylon, vegan boar bristle
- Wet or Dry: Dry
- Best for: Fine to medium hair thickness, with straight or wavy texture
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Vegan alternative to boar bristles | Does not suit curly hair types |
| Won t break the bank | Not for wet hair detangling |
| Great for daily gentle brushing |
Best Splurge: Mason Pearson Handy Bristle Nylon Hairbrush
- Why We Love It: Vogue.com editor Chloe Malle recently penned a love letter to the Mason Pearson brush she’s had since she was 12 years old—a testament to both the quality of the hair brush, and its longevity as the “only hairbrush you’ll ever need.” First made during the industrial revolution, this nylon and boar bristle remains a popular option for everyday brushing. Plus, the dual bristles ensure detangling and added shine by distributing natural oils.
- Shape: Round
- Bristle Material: Dual bristle; nylon, boar bristle
- Wet or Dry: Dry
- Best for: Fine to medium hair thickness, with straight to wavy texture
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Long-lasting and high quality | Not for heat styling |
| Great for daily hair brush maintenance | A pricier pick |
Best for Curl Definition: Denman Curly Hair Brush D4
- Why We Love It: Denman’s D4 hair brush is ideal for curl definition and styling. “This is a curly dream. Use it on wet hair with a leave-in mask—it defines without breaking up any curl patterns,” says Ibrahimi. The rectangular, narrow brush features nine rows of pin-style nylon bristles designed to reduce snagging and breaking hair strands while styling. As a result, the firm yet flexible pin bristles create just enough tension to define bouncy and uniform curl patterns. It also doubles as an excellent styling brush for straight blowouts, as the bristles are safe for heat styling.
- Shape: Rectangle
- Bristle Material: Nylon
- Wet or Dry: Both
- Best for: Wet curl definition; Wavy to coil textures of all hair thickness types.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Multipurpose styling on wavy to curly hair types | Not suited for fine, straight hair |
| Provides wet curl definition | |
| Heat-safe bristles |
Best Round Brush: R+CO Vegan Boar Bristle Round Brush
- Why We Love It: Those in search of a barrel brush should look to R+Co for a volume-creating option that combines ball-tip nylon and vegan boar bristles for detangling and static reduction. “The combo of nylon and vegan boar bristles gives both control and polish. It grips and gives tension without any tugging,” says Ibrahimi. The result? Smooth, shiny, and bouncy, blown-out hair (all with a painless experience).
- Shape: Barrel brush
- Bristle Material: Dual bristle; ball-tip nylon, vegan boar bristle
- Wet or Dry: Both
- Best for: Medium to thick hair seeking a bouncy blowout
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Ideal for creating a rounded bouncy blowout | Not intended for daily hair brushing |
| No tugging when styling lengths | Round brushes take a bit of practice |
Best for Edges: Baby Tress 3-in-1 Edge Styler
- Why We Love It: Sure, you could style your edges with a toothbrush—but why not upgrade? Woman- and BIPOC-owned Baby Tress makes high-quality edge styling products like this 3-in-1 multitasker. Ibrahimi boasts this edge styler brush is nothing short of iconic. “[Aside from the classic boar bristles), it gives added precision thanks to it’s a fine-tooth comb and pointed tip for parting—it’s a streamlined essential for mastering your hairline,” she says. Plus, it’s a favorite of Vogue’s senior beauty commerce writer, Kiana Murden. “l literally have four Baby Tress brushes...It may feel excessive, but it s come in handy to have one on hand whenever I need to lay down my edges in a pinch. One for the bathroom, one in my always-packed carry-on, and a few in varied purses—you can never have two many,” says Murden. Perfectly laid edges, ahead!
- Shape: Narrow triangle
- Bristle Material: Dual bristles; nylon, boar
- Wet or Dry: Both
- Best for: Laying edges on textured hair
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Precision edge laying and smoothing flyaways | Not intended for non-textured hair types |
| Three-in-one fine tooth comb, boar bristle, and pointed tip for parting hair |
Best Shower Brush: Pattern Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross Shower Brush
- Why We Love It: Another woman and BIPOC owned brand, Pattern s shower brush is ideal simplifying the detangling process of thicker, curlier textures. “This brush is specifically designed with detangling in mind. The sturdy, wide bristles glide through curls without snapping strands. Use it in the shower with a leave in mask—thank me later,” says Ibramimi. Its worth noting, the brush bristles align vertically straight, which is a key advantage for detangling.
- Shape: Square
- Bristle Material: Nylon
- Wet or Dry: Wet
- Best For: Styling, detangling, and clumping type 3-4 curl patterns.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Tug-free styling, detangling, and cluping on wet on curls to coils | Not intended for straight to wavy hair types |
Best Boar Bristle: La Bonne Brosse N.01 The Universal Brush
- Why We Love It: La Bonne Brosse brushes are more than just pretty decoration to leave out on your nightstand. “This brush is excellent for for smoothing, detangling, and overall scalp health—it glides through hair with elegance.” says Ibrahimi. “Consider it a beauty investment piece.” Of the four brush options available, the No. 1 Universal is made with 100% keratin-rich boar bristles, keeping hair shiny and moisturized. Vogue’s beauty commerce writer calls this pick her brush of choice. “Who doesn’t love the fun of picking your favorite color? No matter which you choose, all brushes feature the brand’s signature sculptural handle—so obviously that’s a major draw,” sats Ciarlo. “Using this for for daily brushing has noticeably decreased how fast my hair has been getting oil and my lengths have a lustrous espresso look.”
- Shape: Round
- Bristle Material: Boar
- Wet or Dry: Dry
- Best for: Daily use on most hair types—a universal go-to for anyone who appreciates elevated essentials.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Sculptural design is chic for display | On the pricier side |
| A luxurious, high quality choice for daily brushing | |
| Keratin-rich boar bristles |
Best Budget-Friendly Detangler: Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler
- Why We Love It: If you ve stepped into a drugstore, you ve likely encountered a Tangle Teezer—and they re worth for the hype, as they work for all hair types. “As someone with very dense, very coily hair, I have to detangle with care to avoid snagging my curls. True to its name, this option by Tangle Teezer is actually the ultimate detangler. I was hesitant about its rather-short nylon pin bristles, but they manage to work through wet or dry hair with ease,” says Murden. Formerly an ergonomically shaped handleless brush, the 2.0 version of the brand s ultimate detangler is the ultimate multitasker for untangling wet or dry hair for durable brushing with flexible nylon pin bristles. “Flexible bristles equal less breakage. This brush is ideal for post-swim, post-sleep, post-anything tangle causing,” says Ibrahimi. “If your hair is prone to tangling at the slightest touch, this brush is a game-changer.”
- Shape: Paddle
- Bristle Material: Patented regular-flex
- Wet or Dry: both
- Best For: All hair types, especially sensitive scalps
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Affordable price point | More for detangling than oil distribution |
| Effective detangling on all hair tyles | |
| Ideal for wet to dry brushing |
Best For A Blowout: Drybar Full Pint Ceramic Barrel
- Why We Love It: Drybar’s barrel brush works similar to a curling iron. “The ceramic core of this brush holds heat, adding volume and curl while cutting down dry time,” says Ibrahimi, explaining this helps to define bouncy blowouts, flips, and waves. Meanwhile, the circular vents increase air flow throughout the brush, decreasing overall drying time. Though keep in mid, nylon bristles such as these can tug, so brush gently to avoid causing mechanical breakage.
- Shape: 2.25 barrel
- Bristle Material: Nylon
- Wet or Dry: Dry
- Best for: Heat styling medium to long hair, from fine to thick.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Ceramic core for even heat distribution | Thin nylon bristles may tug |
| Air vents reduce drying time | Round brushes require a bit of practice |
| Helps to create sleek styles or bouncy blowouts |
Best Paddle Brush: Moroccanoil Ceramic Paddle Brush
- Why We Love It: “This smooths, detangles, and speeds up drying—especially if you re going for sleek,” says Ibrahimi. Not your average paddle brush, this one by Morrocanoil has a little secret: stored inside the tip of the handle is a ball-tipped sectioning tip to make parting hair easy and even. Meanwhile, the ceramic-plated base ensures even heat distribution to amplify results, smoothing down frizz and flyaways in the process.
- Shape: Square paddle
- Bristle Material: Pin-tipped nylon
- Wet or Dry: Wet
- Best for: Heat styling on straight to slightly wavy hair
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Affordable price point | More for detangling than oil distribution |
| Effective detangling on all hair tyles | |
| Ideal for wet to dry brushing |
Best Dual Bristle: Crown Affair The Brush No. 001
- Why We Love It: There’s something unique about this dual bristle brush—it features both shorter and longer bristles for added relaxation and effectiveness: the longer nylon pins work to gently massage the scalp and boosts circulation while the slightly shorter boar bristles help to distribute natural oils from roots to ends. “It’s part brush, part ritual,” says Ibrahimi of Crown Affairs soothing scalp massaging brush.
- Shape: Round
- Bristle Material: Dual bristle; nylon pins, boar hairs
- Wet or Dry: Dry
- Best for: Medium to thick hair with straight to wavy textures
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Dual bristles detangle and distribute oils evenly | Not suited for curls or coils |
| Combination of long and short bristles massage the scalp | Not for heat styling |
| A luxurious daily brushing ritual |
Best Teasing Brush: Oribe Teasing Brush
- Why We Love It: Do you want maximum root volume? In that case, you’ll need a hair teaser. Don’t be alarmed—just because you’re teasing your roots doesn’t mean you’ll end up with a 1980s-era pouf. “Use it when you need a little lift or a major updo moment,” says Ibrahimi—she considers this teasing brush to ensure her celebrity clients don t lose volume when stepping out on the red carpet. The combination of soft nylon pins and boar bristles is antistatic, so you won’t give yourself a tiny shock when backcombing roots, creating ideal results for special occasion hairstyles or more editorial looks.
- Shape: Narrow rectangle
- Bristle Material: Dual bristle; nylon pins, boar bristle
- Wet or Dry: Dry
- Best for: Adding volume and teasing roots for gravity defying styling
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Ideal for adding volume to hair styles | On the pricier side |
| Dual bristle contribute to precision styling |
Best for Budget-Friendly Shine: Wet Argan Oil-Infused Wood Brush
- Why We Love It: Overall, Wet brush is a tried and true drugstore brand we all know and love. Murden agrees, noting she’s not particularly precious about paddle brushes and tends to pick them up at a drugstore or beauty supply. For a cost-efficient, budget-friendly paddle brush that boosts shine, few compare to this brush by Wet. “This paddle brush gently detangles while conditioning strands—perfect for after the shower, daily brushing, or when your hair just needs a little extra love,” says Ibrahimi. The dual boar and flexible nylon bristles are infused with argan oil to moisturize each strand and restore softness and shine in between wash days.
- Shape: Square paddle
- Bristle Material: Dual
- Wet or Dry: Both
- Best for: Smoothing frizzy hair or flyaways on all hair types—especially dry, damaged lengths.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Argan oil infused bristles moisturize hair | Not suitable for heat styling |
| Detangles and smooths frizz |
Best for On-The-Go: Yves Durif Petite Vented Brush
- Why We Love It: This small but mighty brush does it all—heat-resistant nylon pin bristles detangle wet or dry lengths with ease. Meanwhile, air vents cut drying time in half by evenly distributing heat (and adding a bit of root lift, as a bonus.) Not to mention, the petite size is perfectly portable—pop it in your tote bag for on-the-go hair touch ups, or use it as the perfect beauty travel companion when jet setting this summer.
- Shape: Mini square paddle
- Bristle Material: Dual
- Wet or Dry: Both
- Best for: Multi-purpose styling on straight to wavy hair types—from detangling to heat styling. Even more, this pick is safe for hair extensions.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Petite size is great for travel or on the go styling | Not suitable curly hair |
| Suitable for detangling on wet or dry hair | |
| Heat-resistant bristles |
Everything You Need To Know:
How Choose The Right Brush for Your Styling Needs
“Consider your brushes essential tools in a well-curated beauty routine—each one designed to serve a specific purpose and elevate your styling with intention and ease,” says Ibrahimi. Below she breaks down which type of brush will best serve your styling needs.
- Rough Dry or Speedy Blowdry: “Reach for vented or ceramic barrel brushed when you need to dry hair fast, because their design helps to direct heat,” she says.
- Preserve or Define Natural Texture: “Look for detangling and curl-specific brushes,” says Ibrahimi. “Bonus points if they play well with your conditioner!”
Go Full Bouncy Blowout = Round brushes with grip are your ticket to volume, bounce, and that salon level smoothness- no appointment necessary vibe.
Maintain Scalp Health + Shine = Boar bristles (or vegan dupes) distribute oils like a dream. Think of them as nature’s dry shampoo.
How To Pick the Best Brush Bristle for Your Hair Texture
Professional hair stylist and Pattern Beauty brand educator, Ebony Bomani explains how to pick the best hair brush to match your specific needs. “It’s less about one-size-fits-all and more about what your strands actually need. Hair texture isn’t just about curl pattern; it’s also about density, porosity, and strand diameter—all of which determine how much tension and friction your hair can handle,” she says.
Bomani breaks down the different type of brush bristles, and who they’re best suited for:
- Natural boar bristles: Boar bristles mimic the hair’s cuticle structure, making them excellent for distributing oils and smoothing fine to medium textures.
- Nylon bristles: Provide more grip and tension, ideal for detangling or styling thicker hair without causing static.
- Mixed bristle brushes: Dual bristle brushes offer the best of both worlds—shine-enhancing boar bristles with the targeted detangling of nylon ones.
- Silicone or flexible plastic bristles: Found most often in detangling brushes (think: the Tangle Teezer), these bristles are are gentler on coily, curly, or highly textured hair, reducing breakage.
Should you use a different hair brush on wet versus dry hair?
Des Robert and Laurent emphasize the importance of using the proper brush on wet versus dry hair—because yes, different brush bristles are suited for wet, damp, and fully dry hair. “For wet hair, entirely nylon bristle brushes are best suited, as they can be fully submerged in water. Our favorite trick is to use a nylon bristle brush to apply hair masks, and deep condition while in the shower,” Des Robert and Laurent explain. “We do not recommend using boar bristle brushes on soaking wet hair, as water can damage the natural bristles. You can, however, used a boar bristle or mixed bristle brush on damp, thoroughly towel dried hair after showering.”
As a pro tip, the co-founders recommend a good pre-showering hair brushing with boar bristles, to help remove product buildup on your scalp, distribute oil, and rid your hair of pollution through gentle exfoliation—this will result in a more thorough shampooing after.
“Wet hair is in its most fragile state—it’s more elastic, meaning it can stretch and snap easily. Using the wrong brush can cause unnecessary breakage,” adds Bomani. “For wet hair, a flexible paddle brush, detangling brush, or a wide-tooth comb work best. Flexible bristles (nylon or plastic) equate to less breakage. If you must detangle wet hair, do it with a conditioner in and start from the ends up— think about it like unraveling a delicate thread.”
What are the different types of brushes that pro hair stylists use?
“A pro stylist’s kit is like a surgical toolkit—each brush serves a specific function,” muses Bomani, explaining how unsurprisingly, a hair stylist will have more hair brush options on hand than an everyday non-professional would ever need. Of all the options available, Bomani recommends having a paddle brush, detangling brush, and a boar-bristle brush in your arsenal, for everyday usage. “Think of them as your hair’s favorite sneakers—a few essential options that are always in rotation.”
Below, experts breaks down the different hair brush types available:
- Paddle brush: Square or round in shape, these brushes are ideal for straight styles and smoothing thick hair. Bomani reaches for Pattern’s paddle brush as a multi-purpose option that is heat-resistant with flexible bristles, making it ideal for overall styling, detangling, and heat styling.
- Barrel brush: Round like a curling iron, these brushes come in small, medium, and large sizes—they’re the secret to a voluminous blowout.
- Vent brush: These speed up blow-drying by allowing air to pass through.
- Detangling brush or wide-tooth comb: Essential for fragile, curly, or wet hair.
Best Practices for Hair Brushing and Styling
Bomani reminds us that brushes aren’t just for styling—the right brush can stimulate the scalp, promote circulation, and even contribute to stronger strands over time. She shares with us her core four rules for the ultimate best practices when hair brushing:
- Treat your hair like fine fabric: Bomani recommends to always be gentle—this will avoid snagging, breakage, and mechanical damage.
- Match your brush to your hair’s needs: Remember, not all bristles are created equal. Pick the right bristle and shape to match your hair type and style goals.
- Brush with intention: It’s all in the technique—and different styling goals call for unique methods. “Want volume? Lift at the roots. Want sleek and smooth? Brush in the direction of your style,” explains Bomani.
- Clean your brushes regularly: “Dirt and product buildup will only make your hair more oily and dirty,” says Bomani, encouraging you to regularly remove hairs to avoid increasing your chances of greasy hair.
How often should you clean your hair brush?
While there are no hard and fast rules as to how often you should clean your hair brush, the pros agree that a monthly deep clean doesn t hurt. “Cleaning frequency all depends on how quickly it gets dirty, which varies according to the products you use and the nature of your hair,” say des Robert and Laurent. As a daily hygiene practice, start by cleaning out the hair from your brush after each use.
“After each brushing session, removing the hair stuck between the tips of the brush will help avoid spreading the accumulated dirt through your hair and extend the life of your brush,” they explain. “Once a month, you can clean your hair brush more thoroughly with a damp cloth. Run the cloth between each bristle to gently clean it and remove any dust inside. You can then let your hair brush air dry naturally with the bristles facing down. Most importantly, if your hair brush is made with boar bristles, always avoid soaking your hair brush entirely in water to preserve the quality of the bristle follicles.”
Meet The Experts
- Ebony Bomani is a professional hair stylist and Pattern Beauty brand educator
- Flore des Robert and Pauline Laurent are the co-founders of La Bonne Brosse
- Merita Ibrahimi is a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Ali Krieger, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, Mallory Swanson and more. She also serves as master hairstylist at Bridal By Alexandria.
