A hairbrush is a tool with a handle and many bristles or pins used to untangle, smooth, and style hair. The bristles might be made from natural materials like boar hair, or synthetic materials like nylon or plastic. When you pull a hairbrush through your hair, the bristles grab and separate the individual strands, working out knots and distributing natural oils from your scalp down the length of your hair.

Different hairbrushes serve different purposes. A paddle brush has a wide, flat base and works well for long, straight hair. A round brush helps create curls or add volume when blow-drying. A detangling brush has flexible bristles that bend to work through snarls without pulling painfully.