The Long Hair Community

Impatient26 · March 3rd, 2003, 12:58 PM

I'm just wondering do all you ladies think an expensive brush is worth it and I'm talking $30 and up for expensive. What about a less expensive brush can you get a brush for $10 that will work as well as one you brought for $30? Also what type brush do you prefer in the BB range? A completely wooden brush? A pneumatic cushion with a wooden handle? Or all Plastic with a pneumatic cushion? What about brush head shape do you prefer a rectangular brush head? an oval? or perhaps the club style? I am trying to find a bbb that will work well on my hair that is capable of penetrating more than the top layer and one that doesn't have lots of bristles everywhere just some tufts. I have hair that is 2a/f/ii/iii/ 28 inches or something like that. So what brush do you think is the best for this type of hair? Please specify brand and where to obtain one if you can. Thank you for taking the time to read this post and reply. Take care enjoy your hair.

Cowgal · March 3rd, 2003, 01:14 PM

Don't hit me but.... I like both!

Yes, I think the JP brush I bought was worth the money- definately. It's great! I tried to go the cheap route, but the cheap BBB's (like under $5) would wear out within a month AND they cause splits AND they don't penetrate that hair AND they STINK when the get wet. :shock: Ewwww....

So, anyhow... from what you described, I think you would like a JP or a Mason Pearson, they're built with the same idea in mind although I've never personally tried a MP. They're usually up for sale on ebay...

But, I like both styles you've mentioned. I have a soft BBB (phillips brand that you can get at Sallys- mine is #440) with a wooden base and it's rectangular shaped. That one is perfect for brushing oils through the hair and also for smoothing hair into an updo.

The JP is sooooooo heavenly on the scalp. It's good for fluffing the hair up and detangling if you like detangling with a brush. It's a good stimulating brush for the scalp. While I use the Phillips more on the length.

The JP and the Mason Pearson are made to last a lifetime- so it's an investment and not something you replace each year. We easily spend $10 on a leave in or shampoo..... why should we use a $2 brush? They snag hair and dull it- a good brush is worth it. Same with combs- I love my Speert and Kent combs. There aren't any seams or snaggies to rip my hair.

**Teacherbear** · March 3rd, 2003, 02:50 PM

I'm not sure I can answer ALL of your questions, but

I MUCH prefer my more expensive bbbs to the cheapos. I currently own: an all bbb MP - extra large, MP popular mix, GM bbb. They ALL are better than any drugstore bbb.

There is an option, even to JP brushes. Denman makes an all BBB. I'm not sure what it cost (esp in comparison to JP), but it IS cheaper than an MP.

I think I prefer the pneumatic pad better than the all wood (GMs is wooden based).

HTH

Anne · March 3rd, 2003, 03:22 PM

My husband bought a Kent for me but I hardly use it except on my scalp. It's not my favorite brush. I think it depends on what you like. Price doesn't matter all that much in my opinion.

Grace · March 3rd, 2003, 04:31 PM

I own both cheap and expensive BBB, however the cheap ones cost $20-30 and the expensive ones were $60-100, so I'm not sure if my thoughts will help. I also have hair that must be similar to yours, 2a/F/iii 31.5 inches long.

I have a cheap BBB that I love--it has extremely soft bristles and polishes my hair just perfectly, but it doesn't begin to penetrate at my scalp. I use it for finishing my hairdo's, not for brushing. It is made of solid wood with a pnuematic base and will last a lifetime. I bought it several years ago, but it doesn't have any name for me to identify it for you.

I bought another cheapo for my daughter and within a month the "sturdy-looking" handle was breaking. IT doesn't brush as well either as my cheapo or my wonderful MPs. That is a waste of money, imho.

I own 2 MP brushes. One is a mixed popular, recommended by the salon owner for my long thick hair. While I do like how it penetrates at my scalp, I do not like how it breaks off my hair. I also have a 100% MPBBB that penetrates at my scalp, not as deeply as the mixed though and it doesn't hurt my hair. Both of these brushes will last a lifetime. In fact, my daughter's girlfriend is using MP BBB that her mother used over 25 years ago. It still looks and works like new!

I use my 100%BBB MP for brushing my scalp and to distribute the natural oils. I don't use the mixed MP any more at all on my hair, but my husband loves it on his (short) hair, so at least it is being used.
hth

Tresses · March 3rd, 2003, 05:56 PM

I have a JP Prestige (all BBB) and love it. I had a Conair Professional BBB that I paid about $10 for and it gave me split ends. I would recommend spending the extra money on a good brush, especially if your hair is fine.

RedButterfly · March 3rd, 2003, 06:40 PM

I believe that the Mason Pearson brushes are worth every penny. They truly feel unique - like a gentle scalp massage. I have both the MP popular and MP pure bristle. I also have a handmade Kent brush with a wooden base that is very good.

Of course, you can also buy good brushes for less money. I have a $9 Philips pure boar bristle with a wooden base. It is very gentle. I also have a $12 Ambassador pure boar bristle with a wooden base that has a stiffer bristle that is very invigorating yet gentle.

Hope this helps.

Rachel · March 3rd, 2003, 06:46 PM

Would anyone happen to have a pic of these better brushes that you're talking about? (or, know a website where I can see one...)

Thanks,

Rachel

Madeleine · March 4th, 2003, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachel

Would anyone happen to have a pic of these better brushes that you're talking about? (or, know a website where I can see one...

http://www.jean-pierre-creations.com/
http://www.mason-pearson.com/

KT · March 4th, 2003, 12:22 AM

I love my MP - I think it is worth every penny. I also have a Kent, and whilst it maybe isn't quite so good as the MP, it was also a lot less $$$ and is still far superior to any cheap drug store brush I have tried.

I've tried several cheap plastic vent brushes, and a couple of wooden-based BBB (one solid based, one with a cushion), and none of them were any good.

As for wooden/plastic, and solid/cushioned, I like them both, they do different things for me. The MP stimulates and cleans my scalp and hair, and fluffs it up a bit. The Kent smooths my hair, spreads oils and leaves it sleek and shiny. It depends on what you want from your brush I suppose.

Impatient26 · March 4th, 2003, 09:50 AM

For the better care they give your hair it's better to buy a higher price brush. However a MP is a little beyond the budget right now. So perhaps a JP or a nice Ambassador would be good. I think a pnuematic cushion is better for some reason on my hair and pure bristles no nylon mixes. And since MP is so worth it and they have pnuematic cushions as Jp's do I guess pnuematic cushions work. And I have also seen pure BBB denman so maybe one of those I don't know

. Guess I'll just have to look and see. All well thanks everyone for posting. Anyone else want to join in on this topic? Oh and in case anyone is curious why I just don't use a wide tooth comb for my hair is because combs don't like my hair. I've tried a lot of them and none treat my hair gently they all tear out my hair it seems. And yes I'm very gentle at combing and have quality combs but they don't suit my hair so a brush is the tool of choice. So perhaps I'll raise my budget to MP level or just get a JP since I have the money for one.
Take care
and enjoy your hair.

Rachel · March 4th, 2003, 10:00 AM

I just checked out the websites you posted, since I've never heard of these brushes before. I was actually kind of surprised to see what they looked like.. I've had brushes that looked similar to these before, and didn't like them at all.

I found they didn't get through my hair very well - seemed to just brush the top layer, and not get through at all.

Was that just the result of trying a cheaper version of these brushes, or do you others seem to have the problem of these type of brushes not getting all the way through your hair? Currenly, my brush has longer bristles (probably plastic or nylon, nothing special) with the little balls on the tips.

Rachel

Cowgal · March 4th, 2003, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachel

I just checked out the websites you posted, since I've never heard of these brushes before. I was actually kind of surprised to see what they looked like.. I've had brushes that looked similar to these before, and didn't like them at all.

I found they didn't get through my hair very well - seemed to just brush the top layer, and not get through at all.

Was that just the result of trying a cheaper version of these brushes, or do you others seem to have the problem of these type of brushes not getting all the way through your hair? Currenly, my brush has longer bristles (probably plastic or nylon, nothing special) with the little balls on the tips.

Rachel

Rachel- my BBB penetrates my hair. It's sooooooooooooo wonderful. There are cheaper BBB's on the rubber pads and they don't work- too many dense bristles, bristles too soft..... but the JP is perfect. I wish I had more of them, but... must... control.... oneself.... augh..... CC..... #... handy.....

Rachel · March 4th, 2003, 10:15 AM

Ok, thanks - mind letting me know if you have the cushioned hairbrushes, or the round styling brush?

How do you find these brushes deal with static hair? That's a big problem of mine... prolly due to the plastic I use now, but it's worse with the similar looking brushes I used to have.

Does that make sense?

Rachel

Sheba · March 4th, 2003, 01:56 PM

Just weighing in...

I've tried all kinds of brushes, but I won't let ANYTHING touch my hair now than my MP Popular brush... it's nicknamed the "Cadillac of Brushes" and for good reason. It's hard to believe that an expensive brush could be all that much better than a cheaper one (been there, thought that once, too) but it's true.

You will never regret putting down the extra bucks for an MP... and you can take that to the bank!!

HTH, sheba