What brush has a large flat base?
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While some people can get by with just a comb, brushes are crucial for anyone with long, thick hair. But as hairstylist Kat Savano notes, they're not all created equal. Your hair type and desired style will determine what kind you need. Show
Byrdie Researched & Approved Top brushes like our best overall pick Fromm's Intuition Glosser Boar Bristle Brush boast natural materials that can better distribute natural oils that make your hair shinier. A good brush also won't pull out too many hairs. That's why the Conair Velvet Touch Hair Brush won the top spot for budget-friendly brushes. "The more bristles, the more control (tension) you get when you blow out the hair," Savano explains. "The fewer bristles, the more airflow you get, so less control but a faster blow-dry." Additionally, she recommends natural over plastic bristles and ceramic instead of metal barrels when blow-drying. For wet hair, plastic is usually the way to go. According to hairstylist Carolyn Aronson, a good hairbrush will have a "strong, comfortable handle." As for the bristles, she says boar or a blend of natural and nylon is best. With pointers from these pros in mind, we rounded up the best hairbrushes below. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Fromm The Intuition Glosser Boar Bristle Brush at AmazonJump to Review Best Budget: Conair Velvet Touch Hair Brush at AmazonJump to Review Best Drugstore: Goody Straight Talk Boar Bristle Hair Brush at AmazonJump to Review Best Splurge: Leonor Greyl Natural Boar Bristle Brush at AmazonJump to Review Best Paddle: T3 Smooth Paddle Brush at AmazonJump to Review Best Round: It's a 10 Haircare Miracle Round Brush at AmazonJump to Review Best for Thick Hair: Denman 9 Row D4 Classic Styling Brush at AmazonJump to Review Best for Curly Hair: Rizos Curls Pink Detangling Flexi Brush for Curly Hair at AmazonJump to Review Best for Type 4 Hair: Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush at AmazonJump to Review Best for Extensions: Drybar Super Lemon Drop Detangling Brush at AmazonJump to Review In This Article Expand
Best OverallFromm The Intuition Glosser Boar Bristle Brush4.5  Ulta View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Walmart What We Like
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Who else recommends it? Allure also picked the Fromm The Intuition Glosser Boar Bristle Brush. What do buyers say? 89% of 1,300+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above. Fromm's Intuition Glossar Brush checks both the boxes our experts recommend: boar bristles and a strong handle. The natural fibers are positioned in a porcupine-style formation to help distribute the oils produced by your scalp while loosening up debris. This brush also has longer pins throughout that work to massage your scalp. A cushioned base minimizes tugging while you pull it through your hair, and the wide paddle gives you more coverage with each stroke. Price at time of publish: $23 Hair Type: Straight, wavy, curly, fine, medium | Bristle Material: Boar | Shape: Paddle | Wet or Dry: Both Best BudgetConair Velvet Touch Hair Brush4.7 View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Walmart What We Like
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Conair's Velvet Touch Hair Brush Gave Me Tangle-Free Hair For babes on a budget, we recommend Conair's Velvet Touch Brush. It clocked an impressive 4.7 out of 5 overall score from our home tester, who said it gets knots out without unnecessary tugging. Price at time of publish: $7 Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Plastic | Shape: Oval | Wet or Dry: Both Best DrugstoreGoody Straight Talk Boar Bristle Hair BrushWalmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond What We Like
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Goody reigns in the drugstore category for its clips and hair ties. The brand also makes an excellent hairbrush, and considering the natural boar bristles, this one's a steal. Price at time of publish: $7 Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Boar | Shape: Rectangular | Wet or Dry: Both Best SplurgeLeonor Greyl Natural Boar Bristle BrushSsense View On Amazon View On Neiman Marcus View On Ssense.com What We Like
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"For brushing dry hair and advancing natural oils down the hair strand, I like a flat brush like the Leonor Greyl Natural Boar Bristle Brush," says Savano. Price at time of publish: $60 Hair Type: Straight, wavy, fine, thick | Bristle Material: Boar | Shape: Flat oval | Wet or Dry: Dry Best PaddleT3 Professional Smooth Paddle BrushAmazon View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Ulta What We Like
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Designed to work with all hair types, T3's take on the paddle brush has a broad base, a cushioned body, and heat-resistant bristles that gently detangle and smooth wet or dry hair. The soft, non-slip handle also provides a nice grip. Price at time of publish: $35 Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Paddle | Wet or Dry: Both Best RoundIt's a 10 Haircare Miracle Round BrushAmazon View On Amazon What We Like
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Aronson stands behind It's a 10 Round Brushes. "They come in five different sizes and have aerating holes at the top of the brush, as well as throughout the barrel," she tells Byrdie. "The core of the brush is a tourmaline metal, which heats up and acts almost like hot iron." Price at time of publish: $19 Hair Type: Straight, wavy, curly | Bristle Material: Nylon, boar | Shape: Round | Wet or Dry: Wet Best for Thick HairDenman 9 Row D4 Classic Styling BrushAmazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Sallybeauty.com What We Like
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Thick hair? The Denman D4 has your name on it. Featuring nine rows of extra-long nylon pins on a long, rounded base, this brush effortlessly separates, shapes, and defines even the thickest hair. Price at time of publish: $24 Hair Type: Thick, long | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Curved rectangular | Wet or Dry: Both Best for Curly HairRizos Curls Pink Detangling Flexi Brush for Curly Hair4.3 Ulta View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Walmart What We Like
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The Flexi Brush was designed specifically for curly hair. It glides through your knots without pulling on your roots and causing unnecessary fallout. What's more, the non-slip rubber handle gives you a solid grip while you work out the tangles. Price at time of publish: $16 Hair Type: Curly, coily, wavy | Bristle Material: Plastic | Shape: Pronged | Wet or Dry: Wet The 12 Best Brushes for Curly Hair of 2022 Best for Type 4 HairFelicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush5 View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Brushwiththebest.com What We Like
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If you're working with kinky or coily hair, this detangler brush might be your best bet. The flexible bristles are placed in wide rows to help them glide through wet hair without tugging at your scalp or causing breakage. Price at time of publish: $23 Hair Type: Coily, kinky, curly, textured, wavy, medium, thick | Bristle Material: Plastic | Shape: Rectangular | Wet or Dry: Wet Best for ExtensionsDrybar Super Lemon Drop Detangling BrushCourtesy of Sephora View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora What We Like
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Drybar makes the best brush for extensions. Featuring flexible bristles and a soft cushioned base, the Super Lemon Drop is designed to gently detangle wet or dry hair with minimal tugging. Price at time of publish: $20 Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Oval | Wet or Dry: Both Best for All Hair TypesBriogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Hair BrushCourtesy of Sephora View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Ulta What We Like
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We also like this pretty lilac brush from Briogio. It features vegan boar-style bristles with soft ballpoint tips to detangle all hair types, wet or dry while massaging the scalp—extra points for the eco-friendly packaging. Price at time of publish: $28 Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Oval | Wet or Dry: Both The 14 Best Leave-in Conditioners for Curly Hair of 2022 Best for Dry HairThe Hair Edit Finish & Shine Boar Bristle BrushUlta View On Ulta What We Like
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This blush-pink brush by The Hair Edit was designed for dry hair. Featuring real boar bristles and ball-tipped nylon pins, it helps distribute your hair's natural oils, tames flyaways, and enhances shine, while giving you a nice scalp massage. Price at time of publish: $21 Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Boar, nylon | Shape: Oval | Wet or Dry: Dry Best for Wet HairWet Brush Original DetanglerCourtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kohls.com What We Like
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When you step out of the shower, reach for the Wet Brush. This clever detangler works to gently remove knots and separate your hair without tugging at your roots or causing hair breakage. Price at time of publish: $13 Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Plastic | Shape: Oval | Wet or Dry: Formulated specifically for wet hair, but can be used on dry strands, too Best In-ShowerPattern Shower BrushView On Amazon View On Sephora View On Ulta What We Like
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Pattern's Shower Brush has long, comb-like bristles that effortlessly separate and detangle your wet hair while defining your natural curl pattern. The comfy handle also has a hole on the end so you can hang it up next to your loofah. Price at time of publish: $9 Hair Type: Curly, wavy, textured, thick | Bristle Material: Plastic | Shape: Curved rectangular | Wet or Dry: Wet What Our Editors Say "Pattern's Shower Brush makes detangling my thick, long curls a pain-free process. The well-made bristles allow the brush to gently and effectively work through even the toughest tangles in my hair. The brush also does an excellent job of clumping curls, which helps me achieve incredible definition." — Olivia Hancock, Editor The 10 Best Hair Ties of 2022 for Any Type of Hair Best DetanglerTangle Teezer Original Detangling Brush4.8 View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Walmart What We Like
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I Tried the Original Tangle Teezer and My Hair Has Never Been Smoother The Tangle Teezer earned a 4.8 out of 5 overall score from our tester, who said it passed through her knots without tugging and enhanced her hair's natural shine. She also liked the comfy hold and easy-to-clean design. Price at time of publish: $13 Hair Type: Medium, straight, wavy | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Contoured | Wet or Dry: Both Best for Blow-DryingOlivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Thermal HairbrushAmazon View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Walmart What We Like
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Savano recommends a ceramic barrel when blow-drying, like this thermal option from Olivia Garden. Available in eight sizes, it has sturdy bristles, large holes for maximum airflow, a retractable sectioning pick, and an ergonomic handle. Price at time of publish: $25 Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Round | Wet or Dry: Wet The 8 Best Hot Air Brushes of 2022 Best Multi-PurposeKitsch Dual Edge Brush and CombUlta View On Ulta View On Walmart View On Asos What We Like
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This two-for-one product offers a brush on one side and come on the other, so it's kind of the best of both worlds. Use the comb to style edges (or even brows and lashes) or create a part and the brush to smooth flyaways. Price at time of publish: $6 Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Rectangular | Wet or Dry: Either Best For Medium-Length HairMason Pearson Handy Bristle Hair Brush for Medium Length HairMason Pearson View On Tressence.com What We Like
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This two-for-one product offers a brush on one side and come on the other, so it's kind of the best of both worlds. Use the comb to style edges (or even brows and lashes) or create a part and the brush to smooth flyaways. Price at time of publish: $6 Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Rectangular | Wet or Dry: Either Best for Thinning HairCrown Affair The Brush No. 001Sephora View On Sephora What We Like
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All hair types will benefit from this boar- and nylon-bristled brush, but reviewers say it's exceptional for those with thinning hair or hair in need of volume. It's something of an investment, but it easily glides through strands, making it a solid choice for those in need of something that won't be too hard on their head or hair. Price at time of publish: $62 Hair Type: All, but best for thin | Bristle Material: Nylon and boar | Shape: Oval | Wet or Dry: Either The Body Shop Large Bamboo HairbrushThe Body Shop View On Thebodyshop.com What We Like
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This bamboo brush uses the hair's natural oils, stimulating the scalp as it glides over the head and redistributing them through strands. It's affordable, too, making it a great choice for those in need of a quality detangler that won't break the bank. Price at time of publish: $12 Hair Type: All, but best for thin | Bristle Material: Bamboo | Shape: Rectangular | Wet or Dry: Either Final VerdictThe best option overall is the Fromm Intuition Glosser, a wide paddle brush with real boar bristles, massaging pins, and a sturdy handle. For folks on a budget, we suggest the Conair Velvet Touch Hair Brush. And if you're open to splurging, you can't go wrong with the Leonor Greyl Natural Boar Bristle Brush. Meet the Expert
What to Look for in a Hair BrushShapeWhen it comes to shopping for hairbrushes, hairstylist and salon owner Anthony Nader recommends first making sure the brush shape will fit your specific hair needs. “If you want to achieve more volume with a blowout, aim for using a medium to large round brush,” he says. However, if you’re looking to achieve a quick and effortless blowout with minimal drying time, he recommends investing in a large, flat cushioned paddle brush. “The larger the brush, the more area you can cover in a shorter amount of time,” he says. Round brushes are best suited for styling, as they create a lot of volume in the hair. Rectangular brushes, meanwhile, are good for those with straight hair (those with curls may find that the paddle style pulls or tugs at strands a bit too much). BristlesWhen it comes to bristle material, Nader is a big fan of bristles made of boar's hair. “These are soft, so your strands will glide through them with ease,” he says. “They help reduce the amount of tugging on strands, which can cause hair breakage, and they're fab for promoting blood flow which is beneficial for hair growth.” Nylon can also be effective and some tools mix both nylon with boar. Plastic is okay, though it won't hold up as well and can cause added friction (and therefore added frizz) to strands. SizeWhen it comes to a brush, size matters. Larger paddles and longer arms will ensure more coverage and comfortability when brushing long hair, while smaller styles will be better for those with short hair (or those who are looking for a tool to use on-the-go). Ergonomic DesignBlowouts can take some time, especially if your hair is on the thicker side. With that in mind, shop for an ergonomically designed brush that fits comfortably in the hand and is easy to maneuver. This will make your blowout experience less of a hassle and help prevent sore wrists and hands post-blow dry. FAQ
How We Researched & TestedTo compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like shape, size, or bristle material —in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list. Why Trust ByrdieTheresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer specializing in cosmetics, self-care, and wellness. She interviewed two experts for this story, compiling their product recs and insight into the best materials and designs. Before landing on her final selections, she considered a broad range of brushes from myriad brands and retailers, ultimately choosing sturdy, gentle, and effective options. Theresa covers haircare, skincare, and makeup at Byrdie. You can find more of her bylines on The Spruce and MyDomaine. The 12 Best Hair Straightening Brushes of 2022 Article Sources Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
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