Best Boar Bristle Brushes of 2022

Boar bristle brushes are great for the hair. They bring out the natural texture in straight, wavy, or curly hair. 

They can also help create volume, make styling easier, and help you achieve the perfect blow out. Let’s look at what a boar bristle brush is in more detail.

What is boar bristle brush?

So, what is a bristle brush? 

A boar bristle brush is a hairbrush that contains the hair of both wild and farmed boars. Don’t know what a boar is? 

Let me explain. A boar is a pig that lives out in nature, and is the ancestor of domestic pigs. Boars have long manes, meaning they have lots of hair.

Since the 1800s, people have been using boar bristle brushes to achieve shiny, healthy hair without using styling products. 

Fun fact: It was using the boar bristle hairbrush that famous women like Lauren Bacall, Rita Hayworth, Katherine Hepburn were able to achieve their wavy glamorous styles.

How to choose (buying guide)

Consider these factors when buying a boar bristle brush:

Brush size

For longer hair, consider getting a bigger brush, and vice versa.

Brush type

There are different types of boar bristle brushes, including paddle brushes, round brushes, teasing combs, and detangling brushes. 

The type of brush you choose should depend on the purpose you’re going for. 

For example, a round brush with boar bristles, which has a cylindrical shape, is great for creating volume and lift. 

Paddle brush boar bristles have a wider base, which means they cover a larger surface area. They’re a great option for everyday use and for smoothing the hair.

Teasing combs come with serrated bristles, which provide friction to create volume and height. Because they’re smaller, use teasing combs to style smaller sections of hair.Detangling boar bristle brushes do exactly what the name suggests–detangle. Their bristles are farther apart, which makes them better for getting rid of tangles, especially for thicker or coarser hair.

The cut of the bristles

There are three different cuts of boar bristles. Each cut means different coarseness, stiffness, and texture of the bristles. Let’s look at that in more detail:

• First cut boar bristles: The first cut is the deepest. They’re the very first cut from a boar’s hair, so they contain the bulb end of the hair that’s closest to the root. This makes first cut bristles more coarse, which makes them the best when it comes to boar bristles. First cut boar bristles are best for coarse, medium or thick hair. And they’re usually more expensive.
• Second and third cut boar bristles: After taking a first cut, some manufacturers might take a second, third, or even fourth cut from a boar. This means finer bristles. As you might guess, second and third cut bristles work best for fine, thin, or very short hair. They’re typically less expensive.

Best of boar bristle hair brushes in 2022

We’ve put together a list of the best boar bristle brushes out now.

Hit the short hair jackpot with this brush

Best for short hair — Belula

Only 2.1 inches in diameter, this brush is perfect for shorter strands. Whether you want to heat style your short hair or add volume to flat roots, this brush will help you get the look you want.

In theBelula 100% Soft Boar Bristle Round Brush for Blow Drying Set, you’ll get:

• Natural boar bristles
• Ergonomic handle
• Handcrafted wooden core
• …and a short, voluminous style!

Get luxurious locks with this soft bristle brush

Best for fine hair — Sonvera Bamboo Comb — Boar Brush Set

Need a boar bristle brush for fine hair? The Cristophe Robin boar bristle brush might be just what you need.

This brush has:

• Soft and gentle bristles, ideal for fine hair
• Handmade
• Bristles are different lengths to easily grab every strand when brushing
• set consists of a wooden hair brush, a wood comb and a washable hemp travel bag

The thing that makes us love this product is that it comes with a comb. Boar bristle brushes work best when you detangle your hair. That’s what the comb is for — detangling.

Tame those curls with this detangling brush

Best for curly hair — Wet Brush Pro Shine Enhancer Brush

Having trouble brushing those beautiful curls? Need a boar bristle brush for thick hair? Try the Wet Brush Pro Shine Enhancer Brush.

• Flexible massaging bristles condition the hair and stimulate the scalp
• EasyGrip handle for more comfort and control
• Great for detangling

Spoiler: this brush is a time-saver

Best for long hair — Bass Brushes

Having long hair problems? Does it take you forever to brush your hair? The Spornette DeVille Cushion Paddle boar bristle brush has your back. 

This brush features:

• 100% natural bristle brush hair
• Cushiony base to prevent damage and breakage
• Wide base, making it easier to cover a lot of ground quickly while smoothing hair
• Luxurious wooden handle
• Great for general styling

Need an all-around brush that’s totally genius?

Our top pick — Belula set

What we love most about it:

For the best overall boar bristle brush, we chose the Belula Set. 

Why?

For one, its manufacturers believe in treating boars ethically. How? By sourcing the boar bristles from shearing rather than plucking. That means they don’t “pull” the hair from boars. They cut it instead. 

Imagine trying to pull your hair out. It probably won’t feel too good would it?

The second thing we love about the Sonvera Set is that it’s great for all hair types. Sure, its soft bristles are best for thin, fine, or normal hair.

But hear us out:

If you have thicker hair, you can still use it just fine. Simply brush in smaller sections. 

Bottom line:

Whether you have fine, thick, straight, or curly hair, you can’t go wrong with Belula!

How to find the official boar bristle brush for you

It’s no doubt that boar bristle brushes work wonders for the hair. They help evenly disperse the scalp’s natural oils throughout the hair shaft. Plus, they help make the hair shinier, bouncier, and more voluminous. 

But that’s not all. Boar bristle brushes also:

• Reduce frizz. By carrying sebum from the scalp to the end of the hair shaft, boar bristle brushes can reduce frizz. How? Because sebum is the original and probably the most effective anti-frizz treatment.
• Stimulate the scalp. With their massaging bristles, boar brushes can improve blood flow to the scalp, which stimulates growth.
• Reduce the need for styling products. Because bristle brushing can make your hair healthier, softer, and conditioned, you really don’t really need a whole lot of products to style your hair.
• Reduce the frequency of washing. Bristle brushing prevents oil buildup at the scalp, which can weigh your hair down and make it look greasy. But when you’re evenly spreading those oils throughout your hair, they’re less likely to build up.

Choosing the epic boar brush for your hair texture

But you’re not going to achieve ideal results if you don’t choose the right brush for your hair texture. 

Our number 1 recommendation? To choose a boar bristle brush based on the spacing between the bristles. So the thinner your hair, the thicker the space should be between the bristle, and vice versa. 

You may be wondering:

Why does spacing between bristles matter?

Because if you have thinner strands, a brush with wider spacing can grab more hair with each stroke. This creates more volume.

But on the other hand, if you have thicker hair, you want narrow spacing. That way, the brush won’t grab as much hair and introduce too much volume. 

Now for more textured hair. Which brush should you use? 

Whether you’re looking for the best boar bristle brush for African-American hair or for curlier hair, look for a hairbrush with widely spaced wooden pins. Wood brushes are great for curly hair because they won’t separate the curls or create the all-too-familiar curly hair problem: static. 

The cheat sheet to choosing the right brush for your hair length

When it comes to choosing the right boar bristle brush for your hair length, the principle is pretty straightforward. If you have longer hair, you should get a bigger brush. 

When you use a bigger brush, you’ll be using fewer strokes, which reduces your chances of breaking or damaging your hair.

On the flip side, for shorter hair, you want a smaller brush.  Makes sense, right?

How to use boar bristle brush

Once you’ve found the perfect boar bristle brush for your hair, learn how to use one. Follow these tips.

1. Always brush dry hair

When your hair is wet, it’s a lot more vulnerable. If you brush your hair while it’s wet, the brush will grab your hair and stretch it to the point where it’ill snap. And this causes split ends. 

So always brush your hair when it’s dry because that’s when it’s at its strongest point. This minimizes breakage and split ends.

2. Detangle those strands before brushing

In order to get the best results, get those tangles out before you even pick up your brush, especially if you have a more coarse or curly hair texture. 

To detangle, use a wide tooth comb or a detangling brush. Then, you can start brushing. You’ll see your boar bristle brush glide right through your strands.

3. Calm the boar bristle brush “static”

Because boar bristle brushes separate each strand to naturally condition it with sebum, you might notice that your hair “poofs”, or becomes static-y when brushing. This is normal. Just give your hair a twist or two, and it’ll naturally fall.

Boar bristle hair brush FAQs

Why boar bristles?

Boar bristles give hair more shine and volume. And they also close the hair cuticle, which gives the hair a smoother, more polished look.

What should I look for in a boar bristle brush?

Look for boar bristle brushes that use only the first cut of boar bristles. The first cut contains the bulb end of the bristles, which is more gentle on the scalp.

How often should I use a boar bristle brush?

For best results, use your boar bristle brush regularly, once in the morning and once at night.

When manufacturers make boar bristle brushes, do they harm boars in the process?

No. Manufacturers use shears to cut a boar’s hair. It’s the same way you’d cut your own hair. 

How do I clean a boar bristle brush?

After using your boar bristle brush, get in the habit of removing loose hair. If you notice build up from oils or product, wash your brush in lukewarm water. Then, let it air dry.

Do boar bristle brushes damage hair?

No, but the way you use it can. For example, if you have delicate hair and you use a boar bristle brush with harder bristles, then it’s possible to damage your hair, especially if you’re rough with the brush.

How do I know if a brush is made with boar bristles?

Some brushes have bristles with a combination of nylon, plastic, or synthetic boar hair. Ican be difficult to tell the material of a boar bristle brush. So look at the packaging and make sure it says 100% boar bristles.

Before you go

Are boar bristle brushes necessary? Or are they just a trend? Let us know what you think in the comments.