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If you've invested in extensions, your brush is the tool that touches them most. The wrong one snags attachment points, creates tension at the root and roughs up the hair. The right one keeps them smooth, shiny and tangle-free for longer.
Here's what to look for in a brush for hair extensions.
What an extension brush needs to do
- Glide over attachment points without catching weft tracks, tapes or bonds
- Detangle gently so you're not pulling on your natural hair
- Smooth the hair rather than roughing up the cuticle
- Work on wet and dry hair without snapping it
1. Bristle type
Boar bristle is naturally soft and flexible. It smooths the hair and distributes your scalp's natural oils down the lengths, which adds shine.
Nylon is firmer and better at working through tangles.
On their own, each has limits: pure boar bristle can struggle with knots, and pure stiff nylon can be harsh. A blend of boar and nylon gives you both — the nylon detangles, the boar smooths. We go deeper in boar bristle vs nylon.
2. A cushioned pad
A cushioned pad flexes as you brush. Instead of forcing through a knot, the bristles give way, which means less pulling on your hair and attachment points — and it's what lets a brush work through wet hair without snapping it.
3. Nothing that catches
Run your hand over the brush. If anything feels sharp, stiff or scratchy, imagine it passing over a weft track or bond hundreds of times a week. A good extension brush should feel smooth to the touch.
4. The right size for the job
A full-size brush is best for a proper brush-out at home, when you're working through your hair in sections. A smaller brush is handy for touch-ups during the day — at the gym, at work or before you head out.
Brushes to avoid with extensions
- Stiff plastic pin brushes that snag bonds and tracks
- Very dense brushes without give, which can drag through tangles
- Round brushes for everyday brushing — they're for styling, and hair can wrap and tangle around them
- Worn-out brushes with damaged or missing bristles
Why we made the Mane Baby brush
Mane Baby was created by hairdressers who work with extensions every day. We couldn't find a brush we were happy to recommend to our clients, so we made one.
- Boar bristle + nylon blend — detangles and smooths in one stroke
- Cushioned pad — flexes through wet or dry hair
- Safe over wefts, tapes and bonds — nothing sharp enough to catch
- Two sizes, same bristle blend — the Original ($39.95) for home and the Mini ($29.95) for your bag
Get both in the Brush Duo for $59.90 — $10 less than buying them separately.
Using it the right way
Even the best brush can cause damage if you brush from the root down. Always start at the ends and work up, holding your hair above the attachment. Our step-by-step guide: how to brush hair extensions without damaging them.