13 Boar-Bristle Brushes for Your Glossiest Hair Yet

Over the course of your hair-having life, you’ve probably owned a variety of brushes — round, vented, paddle, etc. — but nothing comes close to the best boar-bristle brushes and their exceptional smoothing and shine-enhancing abilities. They’ve long held a special spot in hairstylists’ kits for their singular gentle bristles that create tension and unwind tangles without damaging hair.

“Boar-bristle brushes are great because their soft bristles glide through hair, leading to less hair breakage during styling,” celebrity stylist Kim Kimble explains. “They are also great for massaging the scalp and promoting blood flow, which is important for healthy hair.”

Los Angeles-based hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein says boar bristle brushes are “top of the list” for their shine and smoothing abilities, whether you’re using one to just brush your hair or to blow it out.

Stylist Justine Marjan, who works between New York City and Los Angeles, couldn’t agree more. Marjan frequently relies on boar-bristle brushes to finish sleek styles, especially when blow-drying coarse or thick hair.

Need even more convincing? Fort Lauderdale-based stylist Olivia Smalley says boar-bristle brushes won’t cause any annoying static, split ends, or frizz — and they can even exfoliate. “As the boar bristles come in contact with your hair, they are actually brushing out the dead cells from your scalp and getting rid of product buildup and dust,” she tells Allure.

Now you know why stylists love boar-bristle brushes — and you’re about to know exactly which ones are their top picks. Below, are the best boar-bristle brushes for your hair-care needs, no matter what your budget is.