The best boar bristle brushes are mainstays in the rotations of professional hairstylists and beauty lovers for good reason. Stylist and color expert Carina Fagiani tells Bazaar that not only are they used to detangle hair and manage flyaways, but "their bristles distribute natural oils from roots to ends and stimulate the scalp, which can support hair growth." Boar bristle brushes also come in handy for smooth blowouts and sleek, seamless updos.
Shop the Best Boar Bristle Brushes
Whether you're a regular boar bristle brush enthusiast or considering investing in a coveted tool for the first time, look no further. Along with hair experts and beauty editors and after consulting hundreds of customer reviews, I narrowed down some of the best boar bristle brushes for almost every hair type and texture. Plus, I've included a few synthetic boar bristle alternatives that offer comparable results for anyone who prefers to keep their beauty essentials vegan.
From Oribe's Large Round Brush to the 2024 Bazaar Hair Award-winning Hair Rituel Radiance Brush from Sisley Paris, read on for top hair styling favorites worth adding to your collection.
Best Overall
La Bonne Brosse N.01 The Universal Hair Care Brush
Pros
Handcrafted in France - Available in multiple colors, sizes, and bristle combinations
Cons
- Can't be used as a blow-dry brush
I've never fallen in love with a hairbrush the way I have with my La Bonne Brosse N.01 (it's a stylist favorite for slicked-back styles). Featuring well-placed natural bristles and an ergonomic, biodegradable handle, this design not only leaves my hair feeling soft and smooth but also looks beautiful displayed on my vanity. Additionally, it comes in a mini version perfect for travel as well as two nylon-boar bristle options designed specifically for thicker hair types.
Bristle material: Boar
Customer review: "Love that the brush helps keep my hair shiny and clean-looking. I can now wait an additional day in between two washes."
Best Luxe
Mason Pearson Mason Pearson Hair Brush
Pros
- Celebrity hairstylist-approved
- Can last upwards of 20 years with proper care
Cons
- Pricey
No list of the best boar bristle brushes would be complete without this iconic Mason Pearson style that's beloved by celebrity stylists. Its patented cushion design, which is built to conform to the shape of the scalp, still makes it one of the best brushes on the market nearly 100 years after its inception.
"I always have a Mason Pearson brush and a rattail comb in my kit," celebrity hairstylist Guido Palau explains. "A Mason Pearson brush makes the hair feel luxurious."
Bristle material: Boar and nylon
Customer review: "Simply the best brush. I’ve had mine for twenty years, and it’s like new."
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Best for Thick Hair
Crown Affair The Brush No. 001
Pros
- Suitable for all hair textures
- Made in Italy
Cons
- Some reviewers say the paint eventually starts to chip off the handle
A nylon-boar bristle brush is one of the best options for taming thick and curly hair. Nylon bristles are often stiffer than their natural counterparts, allowing them to work their way through denser hair. With its sturdy bristle blend and beechwood handle, this editor staple from Crown Affair makes a great option for everyday styling."The weight alone of Crown Affair's beechwood No. 001 brush makes it clear that it's crafted with intention," Bazaar associate beauty commerce editor Tiffany Dodson Davis says. "Its nylon and boar bristles are gently stimulating without feeling too scratchy on my scalp yet strong enough to quickly smooth my 4A curls into the perfect updo."
Bristle material: Boar and nylon
Customer review: "100 percent worth every penny. You can instantly feel the difference when brushing your hair." —Anonymous
Pros
- Available in two size options
- Great for boosting volume
Cons
- Some reviewers feel the bristles are too stiff
“Beyond providing utility, I need my hair brushes to be works of art. Luckily, Oribe’s boar bristle brushes offer both," contributor Tatjana Freund notes. "I use this round brush to do a bouncy blowout or give my bangs a quick refresh. Not only does it make styling a breeze, but it looks stunning sitting on my vanity. This boar bristle flat brush is my go-to for slicked-back looks.”
Bristle material: Boar and nylon
Customer review: "This helped dry my hair quicker and it provides such a smooth and shiny finish. I used to have to flat iron the frizz, but I no longer have to, which is a time saver."
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Pros
- Contains no animal by-products
- Works well on wet and dry hair
Cons
- Doesn't distribute natural oils as well as genuine boar bristle options
Dae's gentle detangling brush is beauty director Jenna Rosenstein's top vegan tool pick. Entirely free of animal by-products, the wallet-friendly style features boar-like bristles to massage and smooth as well as ball-tipped bristles to effectively detangle.
Bristle material: Synthetic boar and ball-tipped nylon
Customer review: "As a frugal person with frizzy, dry, and easily tangled hair, I have to say this is one of the best brushes I've bought. It leaves my hair feeling smooth, and I love how the boar bristles massage my scalp, making brushing almost therapeutic."
Most Versatile
Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Double-Sided Bristle Brush
Pros
- Under $25
- Works well for slicked-back hairstyles
- Great for curly and coil hair types
Cons
- Some reviewers say the bristles shed over time
"I'm a super fan of Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross's Shower Detangling Brush, so the brand's Double-Sided Bristle Brush became another go-to tool I always keep in my haircare arsenal," Dodson Davis adds. "It features both nylon and boar bristles that come in handy to craft slicked-back styles and smooth flyaways with ease."
Bristle material: Boar and nylon
Customer review: "My hair is very thick 4C, and can be pretty annoying to tame, especially when I want to do a slicked-back bun. I was so happy when I first tried this brush, and my hair was easily slicked—no bumps. I’m in love with this brush!" —Anonymous
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Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable to hold
- Air-cushioned pad minimizes pulling
Cons
- Some reviewers found the bristles to be too stiff for sensitive scalps
This viral brush is practically a steal at just under $30. "A Denman boar bristle brush is a must in any hairdresser's styling kit," Fagiani says. "It gives high-quality results for a reasonable price." If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to the Mason Pearson style, this $29 boar and nylon-bristled style is a great option.
Bristle material: Boar and nylon
Customer review: "I was experiencing flaking due to some serious dry scalp and product buildup. I began brushing my hair with this brush routinely before bed and while in the shower on wash days. A few weeks into using this brush, and my hair is softer, shinier and flakes are gone." —Anonymous
2024 Bazaar Hair Award Winner
Sisley Paris Hair Rituel The Radiance Brush
Now 30% Off
Pros
- Editor-approved
- Great for the scalp
Cons
- Some reviewers say brush doesn't distribute natural oils as well as genuine boar
Another great vegan alternative, this popular Sisley Paris style looks and performs just like a classic boar bristle brush. Featured in Bazaar's 2024 Hair Awards, it contains synthetic bristles that expertly detangle hair while stimulating the scalp and promoting blood flow for healthy follicles.
Bristle material: Nylon and synthetic boar
Customer review: "I'm not one to spend money on brushes, but I thought I'd give this a try. I'm so happy I did. Excellent paddle brush on my fine, thin hair. Distributes hair oils, does not snag and feels good on my scalp." —Anonymous
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Pros
- Pointed handle can be used for parting and sectioning
- Effectively smooths flyaways
Cons
- Not designed to be used for detangling
Natural boar bristles have just the right stiffness to tease roots and perfect edges. Ghd's slim dressing brush can seamlessly be used to evenly section hair and smooth flyaways—just add a hint of edge control or use a hair wax stick for the perfect amount of hold.
Bristle material: Boar
Customer review: "This is perfect for smoothing the sides and making sure you've not missed any bits. Makes your ponytail look really smooth." —Anonymous
Pros
- Great for travel and on-the-go use
- Comes in multiple pearlescent finishes
- Full-size version available
Cons
- Not the best choice for detangling wet hair
For on-the-go styling, try Emi Jay's mini boar bristle brush (their paddle brush is a 2024 Bazaar Hair Awards winner). The tool's genuine boar bristles help gently distribute your natural oils, and its stylish bamboo and cellulose acetate handle is nicely available in five pearlescent finishes. To round out your collection further, the style also happens to be available in a larger size.
Bristle material: Boar
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Are boar bristle brushes good for all hair types?
Just like human hair, boar bristles are made of keratin. Boar bristles are softer and more flexible than nylon bristles, so they're best suited for fine to medium hair that's straight or wavy. If you have coily or curly hair, you'll likely get the best results from brushes with both boar and nylon bristles. As a rule of thumb, use a wide-tooth comb for serious post-shower detangling and a boar brush for quick smoothing and styling.
How should I clean one of the best boar bristle brushes?
Fagiani recommends cleaning the hair out of your brush after every use and deep cleaning it as often as once a week. A simple hair comb can get between the stiff boar bristles and remove loose hairs, but it's worth having a hair brush cleaning tool (such as this $12 option from Kitsch) on hand for more effective hair removal. Warm water and a mild shampoo or makeup brush cleaner will help remove product buildup from the bristles.
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Meet the experts
- Carina Fagiani is a hairstylist and colorist based in Brooklyn, New York. She has extensive experience working with all hair types and textures for haircuts, styles, blowouts, and extensions.
- Guido Palau is an internationally renowned hairstylist specializing in editorial and runway hair looks.
Shop more editor-approved hair favorites
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- The Best Natural Curly Hairstyles for Every Length and Pattern
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For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women of every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
Sarah Maberry
Fashion and Luxury Commerce Editor
Sarah Maberry is a fashion and luxury commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where she covers fashion, beauty and pop culture. A seasoned trend forecaster and fashion historian, she analyzes viral products and trends on a deeper level, helping readers determine what's worth buying. When she’s not writing for ELLE, Harper’s BAZAAR, Town & Country, Esquire, Cosmopolitan and other publications, she can be found roaming the Museum at FIT (her alma matter) or sewing her own couture while she binge-watches reality TV.
