The right hairbrush depends on what your hair actually needs: a boar-nylon blend for daily smoothing and shine, a flexible wet detangler for fine or fragile hair, a densely packed smoothing brush for sleek styles, a wide paddle for thick hair, and a teasing brush for root volume. Matching the brush to the job matters as much as the products you put in your hair, since the wrong brush can cause breakage no serum will fix.
By Erin, Educator and Hair Health Expert, Hairhouse
Why Does Your Brush Matter as Much as Your Haircare?
It's easy to overlook the brush and focus on shampoo, conditioner and treatments, but the wrong brush undoes a lot of that work mechanically. Brushing wet hair with the wrong tool is one of the most common causes of breakage Hairhouse stylists see on the salon floor, since hair is at its most fragile when it's holding moisture. Humid Australian summers make the wrong brush even more obvious — dragging a stiff-bristled brush through damp, swim- or shower-fresh hair is a fast way to turn a good hair day into a frizzy one.
Need Zero Frizz and Extra Shine? Try a Boar Bristle Brush
The brush: Brushology Premium Boar Bristle Hairbrush No.1. A blend of boar and nylon bristles evenly distributes natural oils from root to tip, which helps close the cuticle, add gloss and gently detangle without the frizz a purely synthetic brush can create.
Perfect for: daily use on dry hair.
Need a Gentle Fix for Fine, Wet Hair? Try a Flexible Detangler
The brush: Tangle Teezer Fine & Fragile Wet Detangler in Cinnamon. Brushing hair while it's wet is one of the biggest causes of breakage, since hair stretches and snaps more easily when saturated. This detangler's flexible teeth glide with a bit of give rather than pulling or tugging, making it a safer choice straight out of the shower or pool.
Expert Tip: Hairhouse's Hair Health Experts recommend always detangling wet hair from the ends first, working upward in small sections, rather than starting at the root, to reduce tension and breakage.
Perfect for: post-swim and post-shower detangling.
Need a Quick Smoothing Fix? Try a Densely Packed Brush
The brush: Brushology Signature Smoothing Hairbrush. Densely packed boar and ultra-flex nylon bristles tame flyaways immediately and work well across fine, thick or curly textures, making it a solid pick for sleek, pulled-back styles. Note this one is currently available on pre-order, with dispatch from early August.
Perfect for: slicked-back styles and updos.
Need to Detangle Thicker Hair Fast? Try a Wide Paddle Brush
The brush: ghd Paddle Brush. A wide, flat base gives control over larger sections of hair, meaning fewer strokes are needed to detangle thicker hair. The long handle is easy to hold, and the bristles are designed not to create static, making it useful before or after heat styling.
Perfect for: thicker hair that's harder to manage.
Need Big Volume in Less Time? Try a Teasing Brush
The brush: Hairhouse Volumising Teasing Brush. Staggered, dense nylon bristles grip the hair to create friction, helping build lift, structure and long-lasting volume at the root for blow-dries and updos. The precision handle doubles as a sectioning tool, which makes styling more efficient.
Perfect for: all hair types needing root lift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best brush for preventing frizz?
A boar-nylon blend brush helps most with frizz, since the boar bristles distribute natural oils along the hair shaft while the nylon bristles help detangle. Used on dry hair, this combination smooths the cuticle and adds shine rather than roughing it up.
Is it bad to brush your hair when it's wet?
Wet hair is more fragile and prone to snapping under tension, so brushing it with the wrong tool is a common cause of breakage. A flexible detangling brush designed for wet or fine hair reduces this risk significantly compared to a standard paddle or boar brush.
What brush should I use for thick or curly hair?
A wide paddle brush works well for thick hair since it allows control over larger sections with fewer strokes. Densely packed boar and nylon bristles can also work on curly hair when used mindfully to smooth rather than disrupt the natural curl pattern.
How do I add volume at the roots without heat styling?
A teasing brush with dense, staggered bristles creates friction at the root for backcombing, building lift and structure without needing extra heat. It's a quick option for updos or blow-dries that need extra height.
How many hairbrushes do I actually need?
Most people are well covered with two: one for daily smoothing and shine on dry hair, and one gentle detangler for wet or fine hair. Specialty brushes like paddle or teasing brushes are worth adding if you regularly style thick hair or need extra root volume.
Shop all the best brushes at Hairhouse today, with Click & Collect orders typically ready within 3 hours.