Over the course of your hair-having life, you’ve probably owned a variety of brushes — round, vented, paddle, etc. — but nothing comes close to the best boar-bristle brushes and their exceptional smoothing and shine-enhancing abilities. They’ve long held a special spot in hairstylists’ kits for their singular gentle bristles that create tension and detangle tangles without damaging hair.
“Boar-bristle brushes are great because their soft bristles glide through hair, leading to less hair breakage during styling,” hairstylist Kim Kimble explains. “They are also great for massaging the scalp and promoting blood flow, which is important for healthy hair.” Hello, relaxation.
Need even more convincing? Fort Lauderdale-based stylist Olivia Smalley says boar-bristle brushes won’t cause any annoying static, split ends, or frizz — and they can even exfoliate. “As the boar bristles come in contact with your hair, they are actually brushing out the dead cells from your scalp and getting rid of product buildup and dust,” she tells Allure.
Now you know why stylists love boar-bristle brushes — and you’re about to know exactly which ones are their top picks. Below, are the best boar-bristle brushes for your hair-care needs, no matter what your budget is.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Prose Boar Bristle Brush, $72
- Best Under-$50 Brush: Denman D81M Style & Shine Hairbrush, $39
- Allure Staff-Approved: Dae Detangle + Style Brush, $24
- Best for Frizz: Christophe Robin Detangling Hairbrush, $97
- Best for Longer Hair: Leonor Greyl Natural Boar Bristle Brush, $74
- The Strand Smoother: Crown Affair The Brush No. 003, $74
- Best Round Brush: Oribe Medium Round Brush, $125
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
