Is a £345 hairbrush worth it? The best models for all budgets
The humble hairbrush has had a makeover. With the news that British brand Tangle Teezer – who found fame (and now fortune) overnight after being rejected on Dragon’s Den – has been acquired for $210 million by Bic, it might be time to try a new one yourself.
“Good hairbrushes are the best investment for looking after your hair and scalp,” explains hair stylist Adam Reed. “You can get really good, reasonably priced brushes but if you do invest, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll ever need another.” With brush prices ranging from £13 to Celine’s eyewateringly expensive £345 model, there’s a brush for all budgets – here’s all you need to know for your next purchase.
Wetbrush Speed Dry Brush
£12.99, Look Fantastic
Detangling is at the core of the Wetbrush brand DNA. From in-shower to pro detangling, the range is vast but justified. Their vented, blow dry brush is designed to speed up hair drying whilst keeping hair knot-free. It’s all thanks to the flexible head that moves as you take the brush through your hair length and the heat resistant bristles help it to glide through all hair types. The open, vented head of the brush allows heat to pass through so water doesn’t get trapped, speeding up your blow-dry.
Tangle Teezer The Original
£14, Tangle Teezer
The original brush that changed the hairbrush market. Finally, a brush that meant no more tangles, no more tears – a simple design triumph born in the UK. The key to the success was the unique, plastic dual length bristles that detangle (the longer teeth) and smooth (the shorter teeth) sitting within an ergonomic handle resembling a horse grooming brush. An instant hit with children, mums and long-suffering knotty hair sufferers. The colour combinations and price are also another reason for their success with countless more Tangle Teezer brush skews and collaborations now available.
The Smooth Company Mane Master Boar Bristle Hair Brush
£26, The Smooth Company
Thank the Kardashians, Hailey Bieber and Sofia Richie for the rise of the slick-back bun. The Smooth Company specialises in just that – brushes and combs to help anyone wanting to master the must-have sleek style that has become the go-to for the Millennial and Gen Z generation. The secret is the smoothing Boar bristles shaped into a curve to follow the scalp and smooth away frizz and flyaways, distributing your natural hair oils for a healthy shine. Suitable for long and short hair, it’s consistently sold out.
Sisley Hair Ritual The Brush
£90, Sisley
If shiny, soft hair is on your wish list, then consider Sisley’s The Brush. The large paddle brush has both flexi bristles and wild boar bristles at different lengths to care for the scalp and hair shaft – the supple bristles for the scalp and the boar bristles to detangle. The idea is to use the brush regularly to benefit from scalp stimulation and remove impurities from the hair and scalp to bring back your hair’s natural shine and radiance. Expect softer, knot-free, shinier hair.
La Bonne Brosse N.02 The Essential
£138, La Bonne Brosse
Inspired by the French luxury hairbrush manufacturing industry that supplied royalty, La Bonne Brosse has revisited the ritual of daily brushing, making beautiful looking brushes with a mixture of nylon and boar bristles for all different hair types. Flore des Robert, Co-founder of La Bonne Brosse explains, “regular brushing stimulates blood circulation, removes impurities, and regulates sebum production, preventing issues like dandruff and hair loss. The timeless practice of brushing 100 strokes a day enhances shine, strengthens hair fibres, and reduces the need for hair care products by half.”
Reed loves La Bonne Brosse because “they’re the best I’ve used for detangling, smoothing, dressing – I use them to exfoliate the scalp and to get product through the hair”. Use their online diagnosis tool to find the right one for you.
Altesse Studio Classic Repair and Shine Brush for Thick or Curly Hair
£270, John Bell & Croyden
A true example of the skinification of hair, the Altesse hair brush focuses on hair and scalp health. What do you get for £270? A brush made in France, an olive wood handle, 100 per cent boar bristles and they look like they belong to a fairy tale Princess – a dressing-table worthy piece, built to last.
Described as a hair and scalp tool, the brush distributes natural oils from your hair roots to tips, nourishing all the way down your hair shafts (the curlier your hair, the harder it is for your natural oils to make its way down to the ends) and helps stimulate hair growth. With designs for different hair textures like this thick or curly hair option, you are a step closer to owning a bespoke hairbrush.
Celine Hair Brush in Acetate Dark Havana
£345, Celine
All hail Celine’s, chic, understated hairbrush – the only catch is the heavy price tag. Rest assured that it’s the perfect handbag trinket with more than just good looks – it’s the perfect party accessory to keep your hair in place when out and about. It doesn’t promise knotty hair management nor does it boast fancy bristles – it’s simply a thing of beauty, an object of desire, an unapologetically handsome hairbrush.
