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How Do I Choose the Best Boar Bristle Brush?

Patti Kate
Patti Kate

When choosing a boar bristle brush, you should consider several factors, as they are available in various shapes for all hair types. Your hair texture, style and length will help you determine whether you need a flat, round, or combination boar and synthetic hairbrush. If you have medium to long hair, try a large brush with long bristles to remove oil and residue. A combination hairbrush made of boar bristles and tufted synthetic fiber works best for coarse hair. Your professional hairstylist can suggest one that will work best for you.

For very fine or limp hair, you should purchase a large, round natural boar bristle brush. Read the label to ensure it is made with 100% wild pig hair or natural boar's hair. This type of hairbrush will add volume, especially when used as a styling tool.

Boar bristle brushes effectively smooth, lift, and help redistribute oil throughout the hair.
Boar bristle brushes effectively smooth, lift, and help redistribute oil throughout the hair.

Additionally, a round brush can help define curly hair. If you use a styling gel, brushing your hair with this type of brush will prevent your curls from falling flat. Always read packaging for information, as it should state if the brush is intended for curly hair.

Thick, frizzy, or unruly hair can be brushed with a paddle-style boar bristle brush. Regular brushing will add shine, as this type smooths away frizzies. Your paddle brush should be made of natural boar bristle and nylon material. To avoid further damage to frizzy hair, do not use the brush while your hair is damp or wet.

Using the wrong type of brush can cause damage to the hair and scalp.
Using the wrong type of brush can cause damage to the hair and scalp.

If your hair is short, avoid using a very large, round brush. You can choose a round one if you prefer, but it should be small in diameter. A small, flat, or paddle-style brush is good for short and thick hair. A compact sized model is also convenient for travel and for trips to the gym.

The construction of your hairbrush is as important as the shape and size. Avoid brushes that have a cheap plastic handle, as this can warp or break over time. Beech wood or satin wood are both preferred, as they are generally durable and not likely to crack. Some natural boar bristle brushes have ergonomic handles, making them comfortable and easy to grip, as well as helping to avoid stress on the wrist as you style and brush your hair.

Discussion Comments

Sulaymaan

I am an african american man who is a Muslim. I would like to buy a hair brush that is not made from boar bristles. Where can I find such a brush, because as you should know, a boar is a pig and pig is forbidden in my religion.

Monika

@indemnifyme - I've been thinking about buying a boar bristle brush recently too. I saw a Sam Goody boar bristle brush at the store the other day and it kind of reminded me how great they are supposed to be.

I think I'm going to go for a slightly higher quality boar bristle brush though. I've been exploring the idea of purchasing one online and I've found a few websites with good reputations that sell high quality brushes.

indemnifyme

When I was younger, I had a round boar bristle brush my bought me. I had very long hair all through high school and I think the brush helped me keep my hair looking nice. I brushed my hair at least twice a day with that thing!

Unfortunately, I lost it when I went away to college. I never got around to replacing it, but I think I'm going to take the plunge. My hair isn't so long now, and it doesn't have much volume. From the article it sounds like the best choice for me will be a round, 100% natural boar bristle brush.

sunshined

Both the bristles and the handle make a difference in a quality boar bristle brush. The first one I ever owned was a Conair boar bristle brush which was around $15.

At the time, that felt like a lot of money for a hairbrush. The bristles weren't pure boar and the handle was a plastic handle. I did like the way the bristles felt on my hair and think it added more shine.

When I was ready to replace this brush I went with one that was more expensive and had a beech wood handle. It feels better in my hand and I can tell the bristles are of better quality.

Once you are used to using a boar bristle brush on your hair, it is hard to go back to other types of hair brushes.

Mykol

There can be a wide range of prices and quality when it comes to buying a boar bristle brush. Some of them can run close to $100 or more. I never thought I would spend that kind of money on a hairbrush, but know it will last a long time if I take good care of it.

I have fine hair that seems to get thinner all the time. My hairdresser recommended a Mason Pearson boar bristle brush for me. There were several different kinds, but I bought one that was specifically made for fine hair.

I did notice a difference as soon as I used it and feel that I am not damaging my hair when I use this brush. I use it when I am styling my hair and it also seems to give it more volume so it looks like I have more hair.

As much as I spent on this hairbrush, I expect it to last me for a very long time and hope I never lose or misplace it.

Mae82

@manykitties2 - If you want to take care of your boars bristle brush you should give it a good shampoo at least once a month. I find that washing my brush and drying it really well has kept my brush in really good shape. A brush made of boar bristle is always an investment, so you should make its maintenance a regular part of your routine.

One thing I did was actually buy a brush that came with a warranty. While that may sound a bit strange, they can get so expensive that I figured I may as well protect my investment. It has been a few years now and I haven't needed the warranty. I suppose that it just goes to show the good quality of the brush.

manykitties2

The salon near my house sells quite a few boar bristle hair brushes, but they can be quite expensive. I had a talk with my hair stylist about which boar hair bristle brush would be the best for me and because of my fine hair she ended up helping me choose a boar bristle round brush.

I really love my boar bristle brush and find that it adds a lot of volume to my hair. Unfortunately it also set me back nearly $60! I suppose it will be good for quite a few years so I shouldn't complain too much. I just hope I take care of it well enough to really get the full value out of it.

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    • Boar bristle brushes effectively smooth, lift, and help redistribute oil throughout the hair.
      By: Leonid Nyshko
      Boar bristle brushes effectively smooth, lift, and help redistribute oil throughout the hair.
    • Using the wrong type of brush can cause damage to the hair and scalp.
      By: Laurent Hamels
      Using the wrong type of brush can cause damage to the hair and scalp.
    • A paddle-style boar bristle brush can help to tame and smooth curly hair.
      By: indiraswork
      A paddle-style boar bristle brush can help to tame and smooth curly hair.