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The 7 Best Brushes For Fine Hair

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best brushes for fine hair

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Updated: Sep. 30, 2021

Originally Published: Sep. 8, 2017

Curly or straight, keeping your hair protected from unnecessary damage is probably your biggest hair-related concern — and fine hair is particularly susceptible to damage. While heat styling tools and non-sulfate-free shampoos are well-known troublemakers, sub-par hair brushes are another culprit behind breakage. The best brushes for fine hair are gentle on the hair, won't tug on strands or tangles, and help evenly distribute your scalp's natural oils along the hair's shaft.

Boar bristle brushes are generally considered a must-have for fine hair. Their bristles are stiff enough to detangle, but still gentle enough that they won't tear or pull out sensitive strands. Boar bristle brushes also do a phenomenal job of distributing the scalp's natural oils from root to tip and softly removing dirt and debris from hair. Damaged hair can benefit from an extra-soft boar bristle brush that helps stimulate the scalp, which boosts circulation to hair follicles, and if you like a good blowout, the best round brushes for fine thin hair are often made with 100% boar bristles.

But 100% boar bristle brushes aren't the only ones you should have on your radar. Brushes with a combination of boar and nylon bristles are great for blow drying, too, and brushes with flexible plastic bristles are perfect for detangling without breakage, especially if you want a hairbrush for use on wet hair. Whichever materials you decide to go with, remember that brushing gently is absolutely essential.

Now that you have a better idea of what you should look for, read on for my list of the best brushes for thin hair (and get ready to say goodbye to breakage for good!).

1 A Detangling Brush That Works On Wet Or Dry Hair

Knots and snarls can cause breakage regardless of hair type, but they really wreak havoc when you have fine hair, which is why it's important to invest in a good detangling brush like this award-winning one from Tangle Teezer. Featuring memory-flex bristles that are firm but still gentle on sensitive hair follicles, this brush can be used on wet or dry hair and glides through it with ease. It's constructed with a mix of long and short teeth, the former to detangle your hair and the latter to smooth it. According to the brand, the brush is so gentle that it can even be used on hair extensions, weaves, and wigs.

Helpful Amazon review: "I have long hair, fine texture - so lots of tangles after I wash. This breezes through my wet hair and really minimizes shedding. Meaning, I went from a fistful after each wash to just a few strands. Highly recommended!"

2 A Classic Brush With Boar & Nylon Bristles

Denman is a well loved brand, and this highly rated brush combines two fantastic fine-hair helpers: boar bristles and nylon bristles. The soft boar bristles are gentle on delicate hair, and they distribute oils for natural sheen and protection. Meanwhile, the flexible nylon bristles add a little detangling power while helping to style hair. To top it off, the air-cushioned pad goes easy on the scalp. This eco-friendly option is available in three sizes.

Helpful Amazon review: "Love this brush!! My fine hair appears to be fuller. Even coworkers have commented on the fullness of my hair and have asked me if I'm wearing extensions."

3 An Affordable Boar Bristle Brush With Great Reviews

With thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, this Belula hair brush is a great way to go if you're looking for an affordable option with real boar bristles. This brush for thin hair and fine hair features a bamboo handle and soft bristles that smooth your strands and distribute oils for natural conditioning. Keep in mind that it's probably too soft to detangle medium or coarse hair, and that this option isn't necessarily recommended for styling.

Helpful Amazon review: "I have very thin/fine shoulder length hair. It felt amazing the first brush through. No static or pulling. I always have snags in my hair due to it being dry and the brush smoothed it wonderfully. Hair felt softer and better on day one!!"

4 An Editor-Approved Brush With Boar & Nylon Bristles

For less than $30, this boar and nylon bristle brush is an editor favorite that's slightly more affordable than the similar Denman. "My stylist recommended that I use this Misel brush on my long, fine, very-dyed hair, and it's made a major difference in its softness and strength," explains BDG Associate Commerce Editor Caroline Goldstein. "It works perfectly fine as a detangler, but I like it best for evenly distributing products (and oils, if my hair is unwashed) from scalp to ends — and making it visibly shinier in the process." Thanks to the combination of bristles, you really do get that dual functionality, with the nylon bristles helping to detangle and the boar bristles distributing products and natural oils for smoother, shinier hair. It comes in two different sizes, and Amazon reviewers with fine hair seem to be big fans of the brush as well, raving about how well it smooths and detangles without pain or pulling.

Helpful Amazon review: "What a surprise! This is not your ordinary hairbrush. I have fine hair and it gets super knotty [...] There's no tug o war when you're brushing your hair! This once was a chore and now I look forward to brushing my hair! Whaaaaaaaa! It's true, simple satisfaction. Leaves your hair super smooth and not frizzy. Love love love this brush."

5 A Vented Round Brush That's Perfect For Blowdrying Fine Hair

When it comes to blow drying fine hair, the biggest challenge lies in getting the hair to actually remain on the brush while you're styling it. But the 100% boar bristles in this round ceramic brush allow it to firmly hold onto fine hair while you blow dry, without tugging or snagging. On top of that, the vented ceramic barrel is designed to allow air from the blow dryer to circulate, helping your hair dry extra fast for some amazingly voluminous results. Finally, it comes in three barrel sizes, so you can achieve the style you're looking for.

Helpful Amazon review: "I really like this brush. It has some really stiff bristles surrounded by soft bristles. I have very fine hair, and this brush gently grabs it and holds onto it while blow drying. I have been using this brush daily for a few weeks now, and I have no complaints!"

6 A Static-Fighting Cushion Brush That's Perfect For Long, Fine Hair

With more than 9,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.6-star rating, this Denman cushion brush with nylon bristles is a popular styling tool for people of all hair types, but it also works well on fine hair because its soft rubber base and flexible bristles won't pull on hair. Instead, this static-fighting brush is like a gentle massage for your scalp, and helps shape and smooth out long hair.

Helpful Amazon review: "Very well-made. Comfortable to hold. It's much different than other brushes I've used but is really gentle on my fine hair so I am happy to keep using it until it becomes my new normal."

7 A Boar Bristle Brush For Less Than $10

If you don't want to spend too much on a boar bristle brush, this Diane one is a super great deal, boasting a 4.4-star rating on Amazon overall, from more than 5,000 reviews. Best of all, it'll cost you less than $10. The brush comes in a range of different styles intended for different types of hair, but this soft bristle version is meant for fine to medium tresses. It features 100% boar bristles and an ergonomically-shaped wooden handle that's comfortable to hold.

Helpful Amazon review: "I have very fine hair that tends to be somewhat oily near the top and dry at the ends. This brush helps to distribute the oils down the whole shaft and always leaves my hair soft. I also found that this can gently help undo tangles. [...]The brush itself is well priced, is high quality, and serves its purpose very well"