We Tried So Many Hairbrushes, But Only These Have a Permanent Spot on Our Dressing Tables

Bristle type: Nylon

Use on: Wet and dry hair

Editor review: "I have had my Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush for over five years, and it’s still my favourite brush for achieving shiny, smooth hair," says video editor, Emily Shannon. "It’s definitely worth the price, as it’s sturdy, easy to clean, and built to last. I always take this brush with me on the go for quick hair refreshes. I’m amazed at how it can improve even the worst bad hair days! I have wavy hair, and this brush tends to add a bit of straightening rather than enhancing my natural wave, unlike a round brush. I also love the Aveda spas, and this brush reminds me of the premium experience they provide."

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Bristle type: Boar and nylon

Use on: Damp and dry hair

Editor review: "I have to preface this review with an admission—I am awful at using round brushes," says deputy editor, Maxine Eggenberger. "I use my hairdryer in my dominant hand and always find it tricky to get the turning motion required to achieve the bounce my hairdresser manages to create so easily. However, from opening the box, I knew this Beauty Pie round brush was a premium option.

"The wood handle adds to the luxury feel of it—I much prefer it to my plastic brush. The barrel itself is large (the brush comes in three sizes—mine was the biggest 43mm size), which I like as I prefer big, airy volume in place of anything that feels too 'done'. When I ran it through my hair, the combination of bristles grabbed every strand and held them in place. This, I think, was, in part, my problem—I have lots of hair and found it hard to turn the brush as so much of it was held tight in the bristles. However, I’ve had the opposite situation with other round brushes—where my hair won’t stay in place in the brush—so I’d much prefer this scenario.

While I wasn’t quite able to emulate the bounce I get with my hot brush, I have to say, my hair has never felt smoother or, dare I say, quite as glossy! If you feel confident using a round brush, then I would definitely say this is a great option. Me? I’ve actually just bought the paddle brush iteration, as I was very impressed by how healthy and soft the round brush made my hair."

Bristle type: Boar

Use on: Dry hair

Editor review: "Kent Brushes is a heritage hairbrush brand, so I was really excited to try out their natural bristle brush to see if prolonged use would keep my locks healthy. The handle is well-crafted from a beautiful cherrywood, and I would be more than happy to have this on show on my bathroom counter," says affiliate manager, Jerrylyn Saguiped.

"The bristles are sturdy but don’t feel rough when combing through your scalp, and they did a great job at distributing oils as I noticed less greasiness between washes. I did find that I had to make sure my hair was de-tangled before using this brush, as it kept getting caught on some of my knottier ends (which can seem a little self-defeating), and it did create some static in the lengths/ends. Looking past this, I do think using this brush is a nice additional step to a longer haircare routine."

Bristle type: Flexible plastic teeth

Use on: Wet and dry hair

Editor review: Whether I'm using it to work shampoo into my scalp or on dry hair to massage in my hair oil afterwards, my hair definitely feels cleaner after using this brush," says editorial assistant, Brittany Davy. "I had never used a scalp brush before trying this because I was always sceptical it wouldn't do anything, but now I won't do my hair routine without it. The winged shape fits in the palm of your hand, and the bristles gently exfoliate to leave your hair and scalp feeling really clean."

Use on: Wet and dry hair

Editor review: "This product is really great for getting out knots easily, especially after washing my hair," says data analyst Sophie Cookson. "It left my hair really smooth, and it glides seamlessly through the hair, so you aren’t pulling at it. The flexible shape of the brush comfortably fits in the palm of your hand, making brushing your hair as gentle as running your hair through your fingers. It effortlessly detangles, and the brush was designed for people who experience hair loss and want something really gentle to brush their hair with."

Bristle type: Intelliflex™ bristles

Use on: Wet and dry hair

Editor review: "I genuinely don't know how I used to detangle my hair after shampooing before discovering this brush—I now can't live without it," says beauty editor Eleanor Vousden. "I have thick hair that can get really knotty (hairdressers always comment on how tangled my hair gets, and I still remember the pain of my mum trying to detangle my hair with a rigid brush as a child). My paddle brush does a good job on dry hair, but for wet hair, this is so much better. The bristles are soft and flexible, so they gently glide through the hair—without tugging—to gently untangle knots and leave my hair ready for blow-drying. Because the brush bristles are so gentle, this would be ideal for those with fine or fragile hair if you're concerned that your usual brush is removing too much hair. I can safely say I'll be using this detangling brush forever."

Bristle type: Nylon

Use on: Wet and dry hair

This brush is particularly loved by those with curly hair textures. It can be used to detangle all hair types, but there are several techniques that you can use with this brush to help define and clump curls together by rotating the brush through the hair (and wrapping your hair around the end of the brush to help shape your curls). Denman's hairbrushes are great quality (many reviewers say that their hairbrush has lasted them for decades) and are often used by hairstylists too, so you know it's going to be a worthwhile purchase.

Bristle type: Nylon

Use on: Wet hair

If you have tighter coils or curls, then you'll love this shower brush. It effortlessly detangles and glides through knots thanks to its flexible (yet still sturdy) bristles. It's perfect for encouraging curls to clump together, and it's also great for working through a conditioner or hair mask through your lengths. Plus, the waterproof design means it can easily stay in your shower, ready for your next wash day (it even has a hole to hang it on a hook in your shower).

Bristle type: Boar

Use on: Dry hair

French brand La Bonne Brosse (translating to 'The Good Brush') creates some of the most beautiful hair brushes—you'll absolutely want to keep this on show on your dressing table. The boar bristles help to polish your hair by distributing oil from the roots through the lengths, and the brand assures that the natural keratin in the bristles helps to strengthen your hair, too. While expensive, this makes a great investment if you want a good everyday hairbrush to add polish and shine to your hair. Plus, it's a beautiful object that will undoubtedly last a long time.