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We have all heard from our dedicated cool friend, who just happens to have really good hair, that we need to try one of Mason Pearson’s luxury hair brushes. And yes, she promises they are just that good that they are worth upwards of $250. Let’s cut through the noise: is an exorbitantly priced hair tool (with the large size with a wooden handle coming in at $490.01) actually that good, or is this just a classic case of good genes?
I was extremely skeptical myself, and made it my mission to not only become an expert on how Mason Pearson brushes are made, but also find out if they are truly worth the blow to your wallet.
The Brush 130 Years in the Making
The brand's roots begin at the peak of the Industrial Revolution with engineer and inventor Mason Pearson. By the mid-19th century Pearson, who was designing wool processing looms at the time, met his wife Mary Avis and the pair moved to London to begin working at British Steam Brush Works, a business of general small-brush making.
At the time, all the brushes were made by hand: a time-consuming and costly process. Using his years of knowledge in the wool processing industry, Pearson invented the automatic brush-boring machine, which ultimately transformed the brush making industry and awarded him a Silver Medal at the International Inventions Exhibition in London.
In the same year, Pearson set his sights on extending his invention to work on the ‘pneumatic’ rubber-cushion hairbrush, or the type of brush that releases air when pressure is put on the bristles. It took years to hone his craft, much of which still has to be processed by hand to this day.
After Mason Pearson’s death, his wife and their children continued the family business. The basic products have barely changed since the 1920s, with products sporting their original names: Large Extra, Small Extra, Popular and Junior.
Good Hair Never Goes Out of Style
The iconic Mason Pearson hairbrush continues to be manufactured in London to this day. Raw materials such as the boar bristles have been sourced from the same trusted suppliers since 1941. The process to make one brush is long, beginning with a skilled team of technicians who hand-sort the boar bristles, removing those that don’t meet color and quality standards, and grading them for thickness and stiffness to be used in different brush models.
Simultaneously, the iconic rubber pads are hand-made by another team using the techniques Pearson patented in the 19th century. These are just two of the 18 steps it takes to create every Mason Pearson hairbrush, including six stages dedicated to hand polishing and embossing the handle with gold foil. After the final step, each hairbrush is packaged in a retro-style box that remains true to the design from the 1920s.
The Hardest Part: Picking Your Brush
Choosing the perfect Mason Pearson hairbrush can seem like a daunting task, but the decision should come down to three main factors: your hair type, hair length and personal taste.
You’ll want to start by deciding which bristles will work best for your hair type. Pure boar bristles are best for fine to normal hair, a nylon and boar blend works for normal to thick hair and nylon for thick, harder to manage hair. For example, for myself with medium, wavy hair I would choose a mix of boar and nylon bristles.
Once you’ve decided on bristles, you can choose a size: either pocket, handy, medium or large. The sizes range from the small 6.75-inch pocket brush, to a 9-inch full size version. Each size also comes in a variety of colors to suit your preferences like light wood, black, white, blue and pink.
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Are Other Brands Doing It Better?
Although Mason Pearson seems to have generated a cult following when it comes to luxury hair brushes, there are several other brands that are close behind, creating brushes that are not only high quality, but also more budget friendly.
The French have always been known for long, sexy hair, so it's no surprise one of the new, best brushes on the market is created by two French women. La Bonne Brosse’s N. 02 brush has been one of my favorite hair tools for years. The boar and nylon fibre combination gently detangles my hair and stimulates the scalp while keeping strands naturally moisturized by the keratin-abundant boar bristles.
At $198 the brush is on the pricier side, but the women in my family (myself, mom, sister) all swear by it, and the design of the brush reminds me of a cute french bon bon, and is available in a variety of vibrant shades.
Korean Skincare had its big moment, but what about Korean haircare? Hair powerhouse Bur Bur is empowering consumers with knowledge and education on hair and overall wellness to help be a catalyst for change in the industry. The brand's The Mermaid Brush is giving other boar brushes a run for their money at a palatable price point of $72.00.
Bur Bur’s Mermaid Brush is made with 100% pure, ethically sourced boar bristles and nylon pins. The brush adds luster, controls frizz, and distributes natural oils for sleek, healthy hair. The Mermaid Brush can be used on all hair types and even extensions for elegant, everyday styling.
With a sleek beech wood handle, polished and refined by hand in Korea, The Mermaid Brush is one of my favorite, more affordable, luxury hair brushes on the market.
Hair Rituel by Sisley, a subsidiary of high-end, French, beauty-brand Sisley Paris, is revolutionizing haircare with masks, shampoos and oils, but hidden among their award winning products is an amazing boar bristle brush.
The Radiance Brush, which is priced at $125, uses its supple bristles to detangle, distribute oil and massage the scalp for healthy, radiant hair. The brand boasts that regular brushing can remove scalp impurities and instantly reveal the hair’s luminosity and radiance, leaving hair soft and shiny.
The Radiance is my go-to when I am looking for a larger paddle shaped brush, perfect for when my hair is long and I want to cover more surface area than some other brushes in my arsenal. The light wood handle looks great on my dresser and overall is a wonderful mid-range option for a boar bristle brush.
Crown Affair is probably one of my favorite luxury haircare brands right now. I use the brand's hair towel and dry shampoo religiously. So it should come as no surprise that I am also a huge fan of their hair brushes.
For $98-$118 you can choose between boar, boar and nylon and wooden peg options all on a handcrafted beechwood handle that honestly looks quite similar to the super-luxurious, Mason Pearson brush.
For everyday, I recommend The Brush No. 001, made from a mix of ethically sourced boar bristles and high-quality nylon to help aid a healthy scalp and strands. The Short boar bristles distribute natural oils from the scalp throughout the strands helping eliminate oily roots and product buildup, while the longer nylon bristles gently stimulate the scalp.
Crown Affair’s brushes give Mason Pearson a run for their money–and dare I say, are probably the closest alternative to the brand's iconic hair tools.
Is Mason Pearson Worth it?
TDLR: if you decide to buy a Mason Pearson brush, you are most definitely paying for the name rather than some magical, hair-healing abilities. It is a beautiful brush, with exceptional design and an extensive history rooted in London’s 19th century, but the bristles are very similar to, if not the same as, most other boar brushes on the market.
If you are looking for a flashy brush for your vanity, or a very special gift I would recommend you go for the Mason Pearson brush, as you will most likely cherish it for a long time. If your main concern is really just upping your hair and scalp health there are other great options from brands where the cost to benefit gap is much less.
