Boar Bristle Brushes?

[SopphireGem]

I recently bought a boar bristle brush as I heard how much better they are for your hair than plastic bristle brushes. However, when I use my boar bristle brush, it seems to make my hair more tangly than before! It seems to rip out more hair as well :O Am I doing something wrong? I'm finding that my plastic bristle brush is much kinder on my hair than my boar bristle brush!!

[MungoMania]

I couldn't use a boar's bristle brush either. The points of the bristles were so picky they actually hurt my scalp. My hair was way too tangly from it. I eventually tossed and went back to a regular brush. Now I just use a wide tooth comb. It's the kindest to my hair.

[krissykins]

Do you detangle with a wooden comb or something similarly gentle on your hair beforehand?

[SopphireGem]

Well I detangle with a wide-tooth plastic comb; are plastic combs really bad for the hair?

[jesis]

I can't use a BBB without detangling first. However, my BBB has replaced hairspray and frequent brushing for me. I really do like it.

[krissykins]

Well I detangle with a wide-tooth plastic comb; are plastic combs really bad for the hair?

It depends. Does it have seams or is it completely smooth? Seams can often catch hair and cause damage.

[SopphireGem]

I can't see any seams. It feels smooth

[Madora]

I recently bought a boar bristle brush as I heard how much better they are for your hair than plastic bristle brushes. However, when I use my boar bristle brush, it seems to make my hair more tangly than before! It seems to rip out more hair as well :O Am I doing something wrong? I'm finding that my plastic bristle brush is much kinder on my hair than my boar bristle brush!!

Yes, natural boar bristle brushes are better for your hair than plastic. Plastic causes heat, which is not good for your tresses.

However, your success with a bbb depends on several factors:

1) the brush itself
2) detangling carefully beforehand

Boar bristles come in a variety of colors, thicknesses/thinesses/ and lengths and stiffness.

From experience I found that my thick hair hated long, thick boar bristles but LOVED boar bristles that were shorter and thinner.

The stiffness of your bbb also plays a role in how well you're able to interact with it. I love a moderately stiff bbb.

However, before you use your brush, there are several things you should consider:

1. Separate your hair into sections. This doesn't have to be done in any particular way..just take your hands and separate sections of hair from the scalp down to the ends.

2) Finger comb your hair gently from the scalp down to the ends

3) Detangle slowly with your comb. Take a small, THIN section of hair, and starting from the ends, comb out a little. Move the comb up the strands a few inches and comb out the strands a little more. Continue untll you reach the scalp, then take another section of hair and repeat until all the hair has been detangled.

4) If you find a snarl, take it apart with your fingers, not your comb. Don't rake your comb thru the snarl.

5) BBBs distribute the natural sebum in your hair, exercise the hair follicles, and over time, impart a wonderful softness and shine to your hair. They are completely natural and the gentlest way to keep your hair looking beautiful.

It is HOW you detangle and use your brush that will determine your hair's overall condition. I've been brushing with a bbb for many, many years and love my Goody bbb.

[jeanniet]

You need to detangle thoroughly first, since BBBs are meant for polishing the hair and distributing oils, not for detangling. I need a high quality BBB for my hair, though. I haven't been happy with the cheaper brushes I've used in the past.

A seamless plastic comb is fine for hair, but combs with seams can do damage.

[ellisbell]

I had a round BBB that was a tool that I used to damage my hair. I would use it to basically rip my hair straight while blowdrying and it would cause a lot of breakage. I would also use it to detangle and just ended up making more of a mess. I think as the other more expert posters have pointed out BBB should only be used to distribute oil/smooth hair and not used to style and overly manipulate the hair.

I also wanted to point out from my research any brushing does damage the hair at least a little bit. I have wavy hair and have stopped brushing and it has been wonderful for my hair, and actually my hair is much less tangled than when I would brush it every day with my bbb.

[WaterMusic]

I also think that it is important to not use BBBs on damaged hair. I really think the benefits they provide are lost on damaged hair, and they will contribute to breakage and splits.

[Mommyof4]

Are you sure it's a 100% Boar Bristle Brush? It's possible that it could be reinforced with black plastic-like bristles mixed with the Boar Bristles. I like the BBB's at Sally's and other beauty supply stores that are extremely soft and only have the lighter brown bristles so you can tell it is truly 100%.

Look at the ends of your bristles.. Are any of them perfectly round and flat-ended? If you see that, most likely, it is not a true BBB.

[SopphireGem]

Are you sure it's a 100% Boar Bristle Brush? It's possible that it could be reinforced with black plastic-like bristles mixed with the Boar Bristles. I like the BBB's at Sally's and other beauty supply stores that are extremely soft and only have the lighter brown bristles so you can tell it is truly 100%.

Look at the ends of your bristles.. Are any of them perfectly round and flat-ended? If you see that, most likely, it is not a true BBB.

You could be right. I bought it from amazon.com, but it didn't say that it was 100% boar bristle. Does anyone know any shops in the UK that sell 100% boar bristle brushes?

[Madora]

I would imagine Harrods would have pure boar bristle brushes. The "Kent of London" company makes beautiful (and expensive) pure boar bristle brushes.

[Madora]

Link to Kent of London boar bristle brushes:

http://www.kentbrushes.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=16&cat=Bristle&page=5

[ithil]

I'm using a boar hair brush and couldn't be more happy about it. Like everyone before said it's vital to have your hair detangled before first strikes of boar power. I normally have very fuzzy hair, but after a few minutes hair feels wonderfully smooth and shines.

[LadyJJ]

I have boar bristle brush but it makes my hair very static :/ any ideas why? is just boar bristle brush not for me?

[Feathered]

I have a bbb, but quit using it. It also made my hair really staticky and I didn't like how it felt on my scalp when using it. It was also really hard to get through all my hair to get to my scalp. It just ended up frustrating me. I guess it's just up to personal preference, but I know a lot of people swear by them.

[Elyse M.]

I don't like them.


If you can get your hair absolutely tangle-free before using them, it's great. It feels nice on the scalp. If not, it will catch on any little knot and make your hair far worse. And I have a hard time ever getting my curly hair completely detangled.

When I tried a no-hairwashing-at-all experiment for about two or three months, I kind-of like the bbb since the oils helped my hair to be a lot less tanglely and more shiny, but my ends were still dry and it seemed to me that the brush was making the breakage worse.

I've accidentally bought one with small, plastic bristles hidden throughout it (that promptly became a cat brush), but a 100% boar bristle brush still pulled on my hair.

[Olavi]

I had to stop using BBB, as it made my ends feel HORRIBLE! Even if I de-tangled before, with wide toothed wooden comb, it seemed to cause damage :/ I now only use Tangle Teezer (or knock off) and wooden combs, and my ends feel much better.

[Platzhalter]

Been using my BBB for a while and never had any issues with it. Besides always detangling before, I think it also matters what type of hair you have. Not everything that's good is suitable for everyone.

[Akville]

the only thing I am irritate about BBB is that it makes my hair so sticky and limy ..
and its so hard to brush it afterwards.

[Madora]

the only thing I am irritate about BBB is that it makes my hair so sticky and limy ..
and its so hard to brush it afterwards.

I've never heard of a bbb leaving hair like that! Perhaps your hair needs to be clarified with a clarifying shampoo, followed by a conditioning treatment afterwards.

Are you detangling your hair with a wide tooth comb before you brush??

The only time I ever encountered difficulty in brushing with a boar bristle brush was because the bristle clumps were packed too closely together.

[Marika]

I have the Mason Pearson BBB but I'm a bit scared of using it because I have some damage and very fine hair. I have a Kent brush too (link below) because this one is supposed to be good for finer hair types but I haven't used it much either. But I do prefer it to Mason Pearson brush. I've been using the Kent brush on my baby's hair since he was born. Actually that made me think: it hasn't caused any damage to literally baby fine hair, so why would it damage mine if I use it properly.

Madora, whenever I see your posts, makes me want to take out my BBB! :)

http://www.kentbrushes.com/shopexd.asp?id=223&catid=16

[mamaherrera]

are there any other brushes that will move the sebum down the hair shaft, but that are not BBB brushes????

[lapushka]

I retired my BBB when the TT came into my life! The TT wins, hands down. It is the best brush - ever. Compared to that I'd need about 100 strokes to even get through my hair with the BBB and that can't be good on your hair strands (wear & tear).

[Madora]

are there any other brushes that will move the sebum down the hair shaft, but that are not BBB brushes????

I have no idea, mamaherrera. I only know that the boar bristle, because it so closely mimics human hair, is the bristle that moves the sebum most effectively and non-damagingly (if you use the right procedure).

[Madora]

I have the Mason Pearson BBB but I'm a bit scared of using it because I have some damage and very fine hair. I have a Kent brush too (link below) because this one is supposed to be good for finer hair types but I haven't used it much either. But I do prefer it to Mason Pearson brush. I've been using the Kent brush on my baby's hair since he was born. Actually that made me think: it hasn't caused any damage to literally baby fine hair, so why would it damage mine if I use it properly.

Madora, whenever I see your posts, makes me want to take out my BBB! :)]

Yes, yes, Marika! That's it, E X A C T L Y!!! Using the bbb properly is half the battle! Of course the brush itself has to be suited to the hair's thickness (clumps not compacted too closely together!).

You made me smile...a LOT...with that lovely comment!! Thanks! Brushing is good for your hair (if you're not a curly). I know, I sound like a broken record:)

[Sarahlabyrinth]

Speaking of BBB's how are you finding your new brush, Madora?
I have just ordered one from the George Michael salon for myself. My current BBB is most annoying as the bristles are short and the clumps are very close together and they really don't reach through my hair to my scalp at all, and I want a brush which will reach my scalp and massage it when I brush.

Also I tried inverted brushing this morning which was ok as long as I was sitting down, if I brush standing up I get dizzy. My hair drapes on the ground though, which I don't like...(grumble)

[Madora]

Speaking of BBB's how are you finding your new brush, Madora?
I have just ordered one from the George Michael salon for myself. My current BBB is most annoying as the bristles are short and the clumps are very close together and they really don't reach through my hair to my scalp at all, and I want a brush which will reach my scalp and massage it when I brush.

Also I tried inverted brushing this morning which was ok as long as I was sitting down, if I brush standing up I get dizzy. My hair drapes on the ground though, which I don't like...(grumble)

If you mean my new Madora brush, I like it, with reservations.

First, it really does penetrate to the scalp (at least in the bending down position, which is how I brush). It took a few days to get used to the stiffness of the bristles (as compared to my trusty Goody bbb) but that's understandable.

The only drawbacks I found were that the space where your thumb sits (at the "neck" of the brush) is very narrow and my thumb JUST fits, with no wiggle room. Also, the brush has 4 rows of bristles, and I'm used to 5 or 6.

Also, it has a sneaky habit of turning in my hand when I'm brushing the canopy hair. It doesn't turn when I brush the hair from underneath (ie placing the bristles against my forehead, pressing it into the scalp, then lifting the hair filled brush up and then straight out and down). I rarely brush standing erect as I prefer to get the advantage of blood circulation when brushing in the bent at the waist position.

So: for penetration purposes...the Madora brush gets big points. But for rows of bristles and thumb space: 50%

Bottom line: I still love my old Goody bbb.

I recently bought a Conair bbb and after a few unhappy minutes thinking I had bought another lemon (because the thing shed like a cat when I washed it before I used it for the first time). However, it soon settled down and I really like the way it goes through my hair. Bristles are stiff enough and not too close together. It's not too heavy and has a small black rubber band around the neck of the brush to help in getting a good grip on the brush when brushing.

It's called the Conair Classic Wood Natural Shine Booster, all wood (no plastic, except for the band), shiny finish, black and white boar bristles. Retails for $9.99 at Target
.

Oh, and as far as hair draping on the ground, well, what I do to circumvent that problem is what Empress of Elisabeth of Austria's hairdresser, Fanny Angerer, did. Place a large white cloth on the floor and brush away! I don't use awhite cloth. I use an old oilcloth tablecloth instead. Works like a charm!

[Sarahlabyrinth]

Thank you so much Madora! You always give such good tips/advice! I may keep an eye out for this brush.

[Madora]

Glad I could help, Sarahlabyrinth!

[Adiro]

I always loved bbbs, but I ONLY learned about combing first about a month ago, from Madora and other lovely ladies here.

Combing first makes a big difference, I USED TO be able to see broken hair pieces on the floor, after brushing, and just htought it was part of life. Now I know it was ripped hair, because my brush is really good at crossing through any tangles. My latest and most expensive brush is a Mason Pearson is XL and estra stiff, and it is amazing. I have it since about one year ago the tufs are many, six rows I think , but just with a few, not many , bristles per individual group. That makes the brush go through hair and penetrate better.

[Madora]

I always loved bbbs, but I ONLY learned about combing first about a month ago, from Madora and other lovely ladies here.

Combing first makes a big difference, I USED TO be able to see broken hair pieces on the floor, after brushing, and just htought it was part of life. Now I know it was ripped hair, because my brush is really good at crossing through any tangles. My latest and most expensive brush is a Mason Pearson is XL and estra stiff, and it is amazing. I have it since about one year ago the tufs are many, six rows I think , but just with a few, not many , bristles per individual group. That makes the brush go through hair and penetrate better.

Delighted to read you're having such good results with your Mason Pearson XL, Adiro! Good for you!

[windinherhair]

I just started using a BBB again. I thought I didn't like it years ago, but that is because I expected it to do everything. Now I just use it to distribute the oils through my hair after I detangle my hair. As long as your brush is clean, 100% boar bristle, and hair is oiled, a BBB should benefit the hair, but it could also depend on your hair type too. It has been working wonderfully for mine. I'm glad I'm giving it another try!

[Madora]

I just started using a BBB again. I thought I didn't like it years ago, but that is because I expected it to do everything. Now I just use it to distribute the oils through my hair after I detangle my hair. As long as your brush is clean, 100% boar bristle, and hair is oiled, a BBB should benefit the hair, but it could also depend on your hair type too. It has been working wonderfully for mine. I'm glad I'm giving it another try!

Ah, windinherhair, your comments are music to my ears! I don't know about the oiled part, since I don't use oil myself, but hey, if it's working for you, what's not to like!!

[memeow]

Do BBBs get worn out? I recently started brushing again (after reading all the threads about Dr. George Michael), but the brush I'm using is really old. Do the bristles degrade or anything?

It's so funny, I used BBBs growing up, but never combed or anything--my mom would brush tangles out. And I never knew you had to clean them either!

[Madora]

Do BBBs get worn out? I recently started brushing again (after reading all the threads about Dr. George Michael), but the brush I'm using is really old. Do the bristles degrade or anything?

It's so funny, I used BBBs growing up, but never combed or anything--my mom would brush tangles out. And I never knew you had to clean them either!

Yes, memeow, they get worn out, just like any other hair tool. The bristles do "degrade" in that over time (with usage) the bristles in the bristle clumps fall out, thus making the clump skinnier..and less effective at getting through your hair when you brush.

If a brush is going to do your hair any good, it HAS to be clean! What's the use of putting a dirty brush on clean hair???

If you're looking for a new boar bristle brush (no nylon/no rubber) please pm me and I'll be delighted to help you. I've been using them daily since 1960.