The Ultimate Guide to Hairbrush Bristles

As hairdressers, you know that the right tools make all the difference! Whether you’re detangling, smoothing, or creating the perfect blowout, the type of bristles you use affects shine, control, and overall results. From natural boar bristles hair brush options to synthetic nylon or advanced Nylgard technology, each shape and bristle has its own purpose.

But what exactly are hairbrush bristles made of – and which type should you use in different situations?

Let’s dive into the world of hairbrush bristles and find the best match for every client’s needs

Olivia Gardens Silkcut round brushes with vented barrels and black bristles for professional styling and airflow.

Boar Bristles

A true classic, the boar bristles brush enhances hair’s natural beauty while maintaining hair health. Made from real boar, a natural bristle hair brush helps distribute scalp oils, adding shine and reducing frizz. This natural conditioning effect keeps hair hydrated without extra products.

These brushes offer smoothing and polishing effects, making them ideal for sleek blowouts and updos. They work best for fine to medium hair, adding volume and gloss.

Boar bristles also remove buildup, dust, and product residue from the hair. Thanks to their anti-static properties, they help close the cuticle, tame flyaways, and leave the hair naturally shiny by evenly distributing natural oils.

Olivia Garden Silkcut and Fingerbrush in action on curly hair, embodying calm sophistication for professional stylists.

Stylist using Olivia Garden Silkcut and pink fingerbrush for precision styling, highlighting top-tier salon tools in action.

Stylist expertly blow-dries sleek hair with Olivia Garden round brush; vibrant tiger wallpaper and greenery enhance chic, exotic vibe.

Our boar brushes selection

Boar bristle paddle brush for detangling, taking away the flyaways and make the hair shine:

Expert Care Oval boar nylon

Tips: this brush is also great for “cleaning” the dust and product out of the hair

Boar bristle round hair brush for blowout with maximal control on finer hair:

Essential Blowout Soft

Boar bristle brush for final touches or teasing the hair to create volume:

Expert Style Up boar bristles

Olivia Garden hairbrush with ergonomic silver handle, perfect for precision styling. Professional quality tool for modern salons.

Olivia Garden round brush showcases precision and style, ideal for modern hairdressers seeking high-quality professional tools.

Chic flat lay: Olivia Garden Silkcut brush among fashion items, inspiring hairdressers with quality styling essentials.

Nylon Bristles

Nylon bristles are a durable alternative to natural bristles. Unlike boar bristles, nylon doesn’t absorb oils, making it ideal for detangling and styling without pulling or breakage.

These bristles are made from Nylon 66, a material that has a “memory effect” and returns to its shape when heated*.

Their smooth, flexible nature makes them ideal for nearly all hair types, as the bristles gently separate strands for a smooth finish. Many soft bristle hairbrush designs for detangling use nylon bristles for a gentle but effective brushing experience.

Tips: To avoid damaging the bristles or the hair, it’s best to keep the hairdryer 1–2 cm away from the brush during use.

Olivia Gardens high-quality tools: Silkcut scissors and Fingerbrush in expert action, inspire chic salon styling.

Olivia Garden emphasizes precision and elegance with a stylist using Silkcut scissors and Fingerbrush, showcasing superior hair care tools.

Hair and makeup session with Olivia Garden tools; Silkcut and Fingerbrush in action. Radiate confidence with professional styling essentials.

Our nylon brushes selection

Nylon bristle paddle brush for detangling:

Expert Care Rectangular or Fingerbrush Double Bristles

Nylon bristle round hair brush for blowout:

Expert Blowout Shine or Expert Blowout Speed or MultiBrush

Nylon bristle brush for haircare:

Essential Style Blend

Sleek Olivia Garden Silkcut hairbrush with metal bristles; ideal for professional styling and inspiration in modern salon settings.

Olivia Garden brush with versatile, curved bristles for all hair types; ideal for professional styling and salon-quality results.

Nylgard Bristles

Nylgard bristles are an evolution of traditional nylon, offering enhanced durability, flexibility, and high heat resistance*. Unlike standard nylon, they maintain their shape under high temperatures, making them ideal for blow-drying and styling thicker hair texture like Asian or Mediterranean hair.

Nylgard is a patented nylon material developed specifically for professional use. It offers superior grip and glide, reduces frizz and static, and provides long-lasting performance. Its resilience ensures your brush lasts longer – even with intense daily salon use.

If this is the brush, you want to go for perfect blowout – make sure to get your hands on the Expert Blowout Heat!

oliviagarden-expertblowoutheat-hairdresser

Hairstylist transforms long brown hair using Olivia Garden Silkcut brush and Expert Blowout Heat dryer, showcasing professional styling tools.

Olivia Garden Silkcut heat brush: copper barrel, innovative design; ideal for stylists seeking high-quality, professional blowouts.

Boar + Nylon Bristles Combo

A boar and nylon bristle brush merges the best of both worlds. This combination works well for most hair types as boar bristles distribute natural hair oils for shine and frizz reduction, while nylon bristles enhance detangling and structure, allowing the brush to move smoothly through hair.

Ideal for hairdressers looking to detangle and smooth in one go, this type of brush is great for detangling, sleek styles, and frizz control. Tools like the Fingerbrush is a must-have for professionals needing versatility and control.

Hairstylist using Olivia Gardens Silkcut comb on wavy brown hair, showcasing professional precision and high-quality tools.

Olivia Garden at Hamburg Hair Festival: Expert braiding and styling with high-quality Silkcut shears, Fingerbrush; inspiring creativity.

Olivia Garden branding highlights the professional styling with Silkcut scissors and Fingerbrush for sleek, chic hair design.

Our boar & nylon brushes selection

Boar & nylon bristle hair brush for detangling painlessly and make the hair shine:

Fingerbrush boar & nylon

Boar & nylon bristle paddle brush for updos/ponytails:

Expert Care Oval boar & nylon

Boar & nylon hair brush for final touches:

Expert Style Up boar & nylon

Olivia Garden Fingerbrushes in pastel tones on a stand; ergonomic, vented designs for high-quality, professional styling.

Olivia Garden Silkcut: Eco-friendly, sleek black design. Designed for precision and sustainability, inspiring premium hair care.

*Heat & Bristle Care: What You Need to Know

As essential as it is to choose the right bristle type, it’s just as important to know how to care for them—especially when heat comes into play.

Each bristle type has a maximum temperature it can withstand before it begins to lose its effectiveness. Exceeding this limit can lead to bristle deformation, reduced grip, or even long-term damage to both the brush and your client’s hair.

Here are our recommendations:

Straight nylon bristles: up to 230°C

Wavy nylon bristles (used for finer hair): up to 210°C

Nylgard bristles: up to 290°C

If you go beyond these limits, the bristles may bend, melt slightly, or lose their natural flexibility and structure. That results in less styling control, a shortened brush lifespan, and potential heat damage to the hair.
To avoid this, always keep your hairdryer at least 1–2 cm away from the brush and avoid concentrated heat exposure on one section for too long.

Knowing the heat resistance of your tool isn’t just about durability—it’s also about ensuring your client walks away with healthy, shiny hair every single time.

Conclusion

Choosing the Right Bristle for the Right Job

Whether you need a boar bristle round brush for smoothing, a soft bristle hairbrush for detangling, or a heat-resistant tool like a Nylgard brush, Olivia Garden has the perfect solution.

As a leader in ceramic and bristle technology for years now, we’re proud to offer tools that support both creativity and hair health.

Ready to find your match? Make sure to have a look at our store locator!
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Happy Styling!