We can’t talk about boar bristle brushes without highlighting the most revered one of all time: the Mason Pearson Popular Mixture Bristle & Nylon Mix Hair Brush. Founded in 1885, the brand has been producing first-class brushes for nearly 140 years, and stylists and in-the-know hair care obsessives adore anything Mason Pearson creates. The Popular Brush is a dream to own and use with a comfortable cushion and firm yet flexible bristles. Purchase one, and you won’t have to buy another for years—if ever.
Bristles: Boar, nylon
Best for: All hair types
Revolve rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “For decades, I had seen Mason Pearson brushes on lists as a ‘must-have’ beauty item. I never really got the hype until I was gifted one of my own. Unlike other brushes, it is a glorious scalp massager; the combination of the boar and nylon tufts feel like firm fingers gently raking through my brain. Plus, it also works to gently detangle hair (for big knots, you’ll need an actual detangler) and leaves my hair looking shiny, fluffy, and glossy. I’ll never forget the first day I used my Mason Pearson brush, and a colleague stopped me in the hallway, saying, ‘Your hair looks great. Did you do something different?’ ‘I brushed it?’ I said, semi-embarrassed. I guess my lank, fine hair really needed a good brushing. I should note that it is on the more expensive end for brushes, but this is one of those rare ‘forever objects’—something you can buy once and have for years. Many Reddit users talk about how they have had their Mason Pearson brushes for more than 20 years.”—Kathleen Hou, ELLE beauty director