10 Best Brushes for Fine Hair of 2019

Which Types of Brushes Can You Choose from?

There are as many types of brushes for fine hair as there are types of all-purpose brushes.

Manual brushes for fine hair are traditional. They are like the normal brushes women use, except they’re gentler and easier on the hair.

Curling iron brushes for fine hair are a blend of curling irons and round brushes. They’re designed to help women style their fine hair without the risk of damage that normal curling iron brushes can cause.

Hot air brushes for fine hair are brushes that blow hot air from vents behind the bristles. These are of two types – paddle and round. Paddle hot air brushes are best used for straightening hairs while drying them and round hot airbrushes can be used to curl or straighten hairs while drying them.

How Are Brushes For Fine Hair Different From Generic Brushes?

Brushes for fine hair need to be gentler than all-purpose brushes to be able to cope with the delicate nature of fine, thin hair.

In the case of manual brushes, this means specialized bristles. Boar bristles are widely considered to be the best option for women with fine hair. These bristles are organically similar to human hair. This allows them to coat the hairs with oils taken from the scalp.

This gives fine hair more protection, makes it appear shinier and improves its longevity. Boar bristles have the secondary purpose of massaging the scalp as well. This facilitates circulation in the scalp and results in the oil glands producing more oil.

Further, boar bristle brushes for fine hair also tend to have padding at the base of the brush. Since boar bristles are expected to reach the scalp, padding helps keep the hairs safe as they go through the brush.

In the case of curling iron brushes for fine hair, power is the most important element. Since excessive heat can damage fine and thin hairs, traditional curling irons aren’t recommended to women with such hair types. On the other hand, curling iron brushes with low power ratings take away the risk of heat-related damage and make styling accessible.

Power output is also a criterion for hot air brushes for fine hair. In the case of round hot air brushes for fine hair, though, the barrel dimensions are also important. It is only the thinner barrels that are more suitable for fine-haired women. Needless to say, protective technologies like ionization help greatly too.

10 Best Brushes for Fine Hair Comparison Table

Top 3 Manual Brush for Fine Hair: Detailed Reviews

1. Beauty by Earth Boar Bristle Hair Brush

Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0

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When it comes to manual brushes for fine hair, you can’t look beyond boar bristle brushes. Unfortunately, boar bristle brushes are usually quite pricey. Some of them are known to cost hundreds of dollars. This Boar Bristle Hair Brush from Beauty by Earth, however, is not one of those.

This is one of the most affordable boar bristle hair brushes you’ll find in the market. Its cost isn’t even its best virtue. Its effectiveness is what it is lauded most for by its users. The combination of its cost and usefulness is the reason why this boar bristle brush is such a worthy, affordable option.

It is good at what it does. Staying regular with your brushing routine with this brush will see your hair become more vibrant and shinier over time. Further, its massaging action on your scalp will not only have you closing your eyes in pleasure but also encourage more oil production by your scalp.

As good as this brush is, it doesn’t boast of 100% boar bristles. If it did that, though, it would not only be irresistible but also very expensive. Instead, this brush offers a mix of synthetic nylon pins and boar bristles.

The nylon bristles, while undesirable, do help detangle hair as they’re stronger than the boar bristles. They also make this brush suitable for all hair types, even though it remains particularly useful for women with fine hair. Further, the nylon bristles make this brush good for wet hair too.

Like all manual brushes, this one is very light as well. It weighs only about 0.25 pounds which is virtually negligible. Part of the reason for its lightweight nature is that it is made up of bamboo. There are no artificial materials in its construction, making it a very environment-friendly device.

Although it is quite light, it is still a little on the bulkier side. This may keep you from popping it into your handbag or, for that matter, even your suitcase. The biggest flaw of this brush is its durability. It doesn’t last long at all.

Within a few months, you’ll see the boar bristles coming out. This can happen even earlier if you clean it too briskly and too often. The worst bit is that this is something that you may be forced into since cleaning this brush is very difficult.

Who’s it for: If you want one of the cheapest options for a boar bristle hair brush for fine hair, then you must consider this one.

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2. Desert Breeze Distributing PW1 Natural Hair Brush

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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Boar bristle brushes are status symbols as much as tools. The really good ones can be traced back hundreds of years. More importantly, the really good ones are handcrafted. This product meets those criteria.

This handcrafted boar bristle hair brush comes straight from Germany and has a history of more than 100 years. Further, it is made by using boar bristles sourced from the Tibetan highlands where they’re cut from specific boar species raised on small farms.

Also, it is manufactured with only first cut boar bristles. First cut boar bristles are firmer than normal. However, they’re still incredibly soft and flexible which is why the PW1 model is specifically recommended for women with thin, fine, and short hair.

Further, the bristles are precision cut to specific lengths to ensure they reach the scalp without causing any discomfort. The body of the brush is made up of pear wood that is shaped and oiled to ensure durability. Additionally, the body bears a butterfly engraving which adds a layer of sophistication and charm to it.

Because this brush is handcrafted, it is held to a high standard. Its durability reflects that fact as it can last for years. Also, you can probably carry this brush around with you since it is neither too heavy nor bulky.

In fact, this brush has virtually no flaws. Some users do criticize it for not doing enough for their hair but we feel that that is because they had thicker hair and still chose to try this brush out.

The only flaw which we can come up with, and we’re nitpicking here, is that its bristles could’ve been longer.

Who’s it for: If you want an all-natural boar bristle hair brush but can’t handle outrageously premium prices, then this brush offers a good blend of quality and price.

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3. Mason Pearson Sensitive Boar Bristle Hair Brush

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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Mason Pearson is the name that made boar bristle hair brushes popular more than a century ago. No wonder, it is held up as the gold standard for boar bristle hair brushes. Women buy Mason Pearson as much to pamper themselves as out of need.

This Sensitive Boar Bristle Hairbrush is the softest offering from Mason Pearson. It is for extremely fine hair and sensitive scalp, which is why its bristles are amazingly soft and flexible. There is no way that this brush will cause hair breakage, irrespective of how soft, fine, thin, damaged, or brittle your hairs may be.

At the roots of the bristles, this brush has the brand’s patented pneumatic rubber cushion. This cushion molds itself to the contours of the scalp which allows it to protect the hair and ensure a gentle massage for the scalp.

This brush is handcrafted in England and craftsmanship shows in the quality of the finish and the durability of the brush. When maintained properly, Mason Pearson brushes have been known to last for decades. To help you along, the manufacturer provides a nylon cleaning brush and literature containing maintenance instructions with this boar bristle brush.

The biggest and really the only issue with this boar bristle brush is its cost. It is unbelievably expensive. In fact, it is expensive enough for many people to think that it isn’t worth the price but that depends entirely on your perspective.

Who’s it for: If you’re willing to pay for absolute quality, durability, and effectiveness, then Mason Pearson is your brand.

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Top 3 Curling Iron Brush for Fine Hair: Detailed Reviews

4. SwanMyst Curling Iron Brush

Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0

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You would think that heat based brushes wouldn’t be suitable for women with fine hair. However, they can be, provided the heat being generated isn’t excessive. The SwanMyst Curling Iron Brush is quite perfect for fine haired women.

It can not only operate at very low temperatures but also boasts of triple ceramic coating on the barrel which further takes away the risk of heat based damage.

This curling iron brush can operate at 265 degrees Fahrenheit which is significantly lower than most brushes in the market. On the higher side, it can operate at 430 degrees Fahrenheit which means that if you’re living with someone with normal or thick hair, you’ll be able to share the brush.

Further, its three ceramic coats ensure that there are no hotspots on the barrel and heat is transferred uniformly. Additionally, the barrel boasts of anti-scald bristles. This will also help prevent any heat-related damage to your scalp, your hair, or your fingers.

Speaking of the barrel, you’ll have a choice between two configurations – a 1-inch barrel and a barrel measuring 1.25 inches across. You can choose between the two on the basis of your hair length. The thicker barrel is obviously better if you have longer hair.

This device also boasts of a cool tip which will come in handy if you style your hair using both hands. You’ll also find the 360-degree swivel cord very helpful while using it. This brush will save you time too as it warms up within 30 seconds. It is also safe for forgetful users because it shuts down automatically in 60 minutes.

The device is amazingly light and comes with a handy bag which makes it very travel-friendly. What adds to its travel-friendly nature is the fact that it supports both 110V and 220V power systems.

There are literally no flaws in this curling iron brush, except maybe a helpful feature which can be seen as a hindrance by some users. This is the fact that its temperature settings lockdown after three seconds of no change.

Changing temperature settings could become cumbersome because you’ll have to unlock the switch first. Remember, this isn’t really a flaw. The feature is designed to prevent inadvertent temperature changes while you’re using the device.

Who’s it for: If you have fine hair but still want to style it, this curling iron brush will be perfect!

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5. Conair Instant Heat Styling Brush

Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0

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Conair Instant Heat Styling Brush is another curling iron brush that is designed for women with fine and thin hair. The biggest proof of this is its low power rating of only 125 watts.

Additionally, this brush boasts of a multilayer technology based on four different metals including chromium, nickel, copper, and steel. This technology keeps temperatures uniform and stable across the entire barrel.

The bristles, however, prevent this brush from being perfect for fine hair. They’re a bit too hard and this is something that may cause problems for women who have extra fine hair and super sensitive scalp. The harder bristles may cause tangling and unwanted breakage too. The bristles do have ball tips which reduce the severity of their toughness.

This brush is available in two barrel configurations. The thinner one spans 0.75 inches while the thicker one measures 1.25 inches. While both will be good for fine and thin hair, the slimmer one is better suited to very short hair.

The device is versatile as it offers 25 heat settings which can be manipulated with the help of a dial on the handle. It takes 60 seconds to heat up but it has a Turbo feature which brings this time down to 30 seconds. It also shuts down automatically in 60 minutes.

If you travel a lot, then this brush should appeal to you. It is incredibly light, weighing only 0.35 pounds. It is also a dual voltage device and can handle the American 110V and the European 220V power systems.

Usability could’ve been better, however. The brush’s cord is a bit too short and its tip can get hot preventing the use of both hands while styling. Further, it is quite difficult to clean as well.

Even so, its cost negates all its flaws as this device is very pocket-friendly. It is, in fact, one of the cheapest curling iron brushes on the market right now.

Who’s it for: If you want a curling iron brush for thin hair at the lowest price, this is the device you should get.

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6. PHOEBE Mini Travel Curling Iron Hair Brush

Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0

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Women with fine hair can use heat-based styling tools. It’s just that they need tools that can operate at lower temperatures. The PHOEBE Mini Travel Curling Iron Hair Brush meets that requirement.

In fact, it has a very impressive temperature range. The lowest temperature it can operate on is 265 degrees Fahrenheit while the maximum it can handle is 430 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is an actual range too because it doesn’t operate through temperature presets. Instead, you can choose any temperature in that range, which makes this brush suitable for all degrees of fineness and thinness. It heats up within 30 seconds which is quite impressive as well. It also shuts down automatically after 60 minutes of no use.

Another feature is temperature setting lock which kicks in after three seconds and ensures that you don’t change the temperature settings by mistake. The temperature setting lock could become annoying for impatient people as it slows down the temperature changing process.

Another reason why this brush is good for fine haired women is its ceramic tourmaline ionic technology. This combination allows this brush to be beneficial for fine hair in two ways.

It makes the barrel gentle by ensuring that the heat remains manageable and that there are no hotspots on the barrel. Further, it generates negative ions that can counter static in the hair. Without static, the problem of flyaway or frizzy hair is nullified.

It comes in two barrel configurations. While we’ve focused on the 0.75-inch barrel here, a 1.25-inch barrel is also available for those who have slightly longer hair.

The primary problem with this product is its bristles. The bristles are made up of nylon and are a bit too hard. This means that they have a tendency to tangle and pull hair which is the last thing any woman with fine hair would want.

If you possess an extra sensitive scalp then we suggest avoiding this device but if you don’t then just being careful will prevent tangles and pulls. The good bit is that the bristle temperature never rises above 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

There is a 360-degree swivel cord that can make your life easier. There is also the fact that this is a dual voltage device. This means that you can take it anywhere in the world and it will work the same for you. Its lightweight nature only helps your travel goals.

Unfortunately, cleaning this device isn’t all that easy and you may have to devote some time to that on a weekly basis.

Who’s it for: If your hair is fine but not brittle and you want an affordable, travel-friendly curling iron brush, then this is what you should pick.

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Top 2 Paddle Hot Air Brush for Fine Hair: Detailed Reviews

7. Enhanced Hair Straightener Brush by MiroPure

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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This is a paddle hot air brush that is specifically targeted at women with extra fine, extra thin, damaged, and brittle hairs. The best proof of this fact is its minimum operating temperature – 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Extra fine hair is particularly susceptible to heat but at these temperatures heat damage is nonexistent.

The maximum temperature that this device can operate on is 450 degrees Fahrenheit, making it easy for you to share it with your mother, daughter, sister, roommate, or even long-haired husband.

Between those two extremes, there are 14 other heat settings, resulting in 16 total options to choose from. The temperature lock feature prevents setting changes that may occur by mistake as well.

On top of its low operating temperature, this paddle brush also boasts of double ionic technology. Static and resultant frizz is very common in thin hairs since they don’t have the body and weight. The double ionic technology generates twice as many negative ions to counter the problem of frizzy and flyaway hair.

Further, it possesses high-density bristles that are designed to grip fine hair gently without causing any damage or breakage. It heats up within 60 seconds and shuts off automatically in 60 minutes if not in use.

Additionally, it comes with a 360-degree swivel cord attached, a travel bag, and a heat resistant glove for convenience as well. However, you can’t really take it outside of North America since it doesn’t support the 220V power system used on other continents.

The biggest flaw of this device is its durability. It just breaks down too soon.

Who’s it for: If you want a hot air hair straightener and have extremely fine or damaged hair, then you won’t find any product better than this one.

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8. Glamfields Hair Straightener Brush

Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0

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This paddle hot air brush is good for fine hair because it treats the hairs and the scalp tenderly. It has a low power output and controls heat transfer from the brush to the hair very well.

While the maximum temperature, this brush can reach is 450 degrees Fahrenheit, its minimum temperature will be of more interest to women with fine hair. It can operate on as low as 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Between the two extremes are 10 other heat settings.

Further, the brush uses Metal Ceramic Heater (MCH) technology in combination with ionic technology. The MCH technology maintains uniform heat all over the brush while the ionic technology generates negative ions to revitalize hair and take away frizz.

The MCH technology serves another purpose too. It ensures a quick warm-up time of only 30 seconds. It also has a faster automatic shut off time than most of its competitors, turning off after only 30 minutes of lying idle. Temperature lock feature has also been provided.

The brush head is quite large and the bristles dense. However, bristles may be a bit too hard for extra fine hair. In fact, women with very sensitive scalps may find this brush to be a bit too rough.

The manufacturers have worked hard on making this device user-friendly, though. It has a 360-degree swivel cord and comes with not only a cloth bag and a heat resistant glove but also a comb. Further, this device supports American as well as European power systems i.e. 110V and 220V, respectively.

An area where the manufacturers may have forgotten to focus on is its weight. This is a heavy device that weighs nearly 2 pounds. Durability is also a concern if many of its users are to be believed. They feel the device is too delicate and prone to breaking down.

Who’s it for: If you want a dual voltage straightening brush for fine hair that you can take abroad, get this one.

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Top 2 Round Hot Air Brush for Fine Hair: Detailed Reviews

9. John Frieda Hot Air Brush

Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0

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The John Frieda Hot Air Brush isn’t specifically intended for women with fine, thin hair but it is such an accomplished product that it matches their requirement too. This is, in fact, one of the best hot air brushes in the market.

It comes in two barrel configurations – 1 inch and 1.5 inches. The slimmer one is better for women with short, fine hair. The brush is made with titanium ceramic technology that is supplemented with ionic technology.

Titanium and ceramic ensure gentle and uniform heat while the ionic technology produces enough negative ions to deal with frizz and flyaway hair. Both these qualities are tailor-made for fine-haired women since their hairs tend to be particularly delicate.

As with all round brushes, there is the risk of your hair getting tangled in the bristles. However, this will only happen to you if you don’t know how to use a round brush. Once you learn, the problem of hair being tangled and pulled disappears.

The power rating of this device is 500 watts which means that it doesn’t get too hot. The device has three heat settings i.e. warm, hot, and cool. Fine-haired women will mainly need to use the warm and cool heat settings.

This product is also designed to be very user-friendly. The brush is light, its handle is ergonomic, and it has a 360 swivel cord for maximum maneuverability. However, this isn’t a dual voltage device which means that you can’t take it to Europe or any other continent.

Who’s it for: If you prefer brands, then this brush from John Frieda is the best quality hot air brush option for your fine hair.

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10. Conair Supreme 2-in-1 Hot Air Styling Brush

Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0

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This is a hot air styling kit that comes with two round brush heads. It’s an older model but it can be a good brush for fine hair. Its brush heads measure 1 inch and 1.5 inches across. The thicker barrel is more suited to women with medium length fine hair while the slimmer barrel is appropriate for short length fine hair.

It has a power rating of only 500 watts and offers three heat settings. What this means is that, on low heat, this brush can be used on fine hair without any risks of heat damage.

This is despite the fact that the barrel of this brush is made up of aluminum. Aluminum brushes tend to get too hot too fast but only if they’re used negligently. If you stay at the lower heat setting for dry hair and only go higher if your hair is wet, you should be fine.

This brush is quite easy to use as well. It is extremely light for a round hot air brush as it weighs just over 1 pound. Its tip is designed to remain cool while in operation making it is easy to grip when using both hands.

Another usability feature is the 360-degree swivel cord. This is also a dual voltage device. This means that it can be used conveniently on any continent including Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The real draw of this brush, however, is its cost. It is quite affordable for a round hot air brush. Unfortunately, its construction quality reflects its cost. The device has a tendency to break down very early with the attachment lock being the main culprit.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for an affordable round hot air brush for fine hair but don’t want to spend too much, this is the device for you.

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