IDK Who Needs to Hear This, But It's Time to Buy a New Hair Brush—Here's Why
Do me a favor and go look at your hairbrush. Let me guess: You’ve had it for years, and the bristle count is somewhere near 50%. Personally, I can’t judge, as I only recently swapped out my own brush. But for such a crucial hair tool in our arsenals, it’s time we invested in it a little bit more.
"So many variables come into play in making a really great hairbrush, from the balance of materials used to the variability of bristle length, flexibility, and density of placement,” says Michael Van Clarke, hairstylist and founder of 3 More Inches Haircare and Michael Van Clarke Hairbrushes. "If these things aren’t considered with a high degree of finesse, the result is a clumsy clunky tool which is neither pleasant nor safe to use.”
So when the time comes to upgrade your tools (aka now), it’s important to get a brush that’s worthy of taking care of your strands. That’s why I tapped Van Clarke—as well as two more celebrity hairstylists—to share their hairbrush picks. Whether you’re looking for a brush for curly hair, thin hair, long hair, or even a round brush, there are picks for every hair need.
Curly hair specialist and founder of Rëzo Haircare Nubia Rëzo says this is "a brush I recommend to all of my curly hair customers because it enhances their natural curl pattern and prevents frizz.”
As for Van Clarke, the stylist recommends two brushes from his eponymous line, including this soft-bristle round brush. "It has more flexible bristles so it’s gentler on fine to medium hair to avoid breakage and splitting,” says Van Clarke, adding that "The natural boar bristles glide beautifully across the hair, smoothing the cuticle as you brush.”
Van Clarke says this brush is "Perfect for all hair types, long or short, and including hair extensions.” Design-wise, it features "super-smooth and flexible bristles made from Japanese nylon that glide through the hair, releasing knots without snagging or pulling,” says the stylist, who adds that it’s "So gentle, it’s even an ideal solution to brushing children’s hair."
For both straight and big bouncy blowouts, Artistic Director of Moroccanoil Kevin Hughes recommends the brand’s 45mm round brush. "It is important to use a ceramic round brush because ceramic will heat up quickly and most importantly, it heats up evenly,” explains the hair pro. "This ensures that the entire hair strand is smooth and shiny.”
Hughes adds that this brush in particular "also has this hidden hair pic inside the handle, which is ideal for sectioning the hair while you are blowing your hair out.”
More Hair Brushes We Love
Next: The Best Shampoos for Expensive-Looking Hair
Lindy Segal is a freelance writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. She's been in editorial for over eight years as a social media manager and writer covering beauty, fashion, and lifestyle at Glamour and People. These days, in addition to Who What Wear, you can see her byline at places like Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Ipsy, and WeWork. Both a skincare obsessive and a minimalist, she keeps her routine short, sweet, and effective—and she doesn't go a day without sunscreen. She's also deeply passionate about sustainability, and she strives to recommend products she truly believes are worth the investment.
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