Your new hair extensions look great - and you'll probably want to keep them that way.
This means using the right tools to ensure they look and feel their best for as long as possible.
Along with using the right shampoo and oil, you'll also want to ensure you're using the right hair brush to seamlessly glide through your locks without damaging - or worse, pulling out - your new extensions.
However, not all brushes are created equal; some can actually damage your extensions or cause them to shed or tangle.
What should you look out for in a brush for hair extensions?
There are multiple things to consider when buying a brush for hair extensions, including the type, quality and texture of your hair and extensions. Different brushes have different features to suit your needs and preferences, so you'll want to choose a brush that ticks all the boxes for your specific hair to ensure longevity.
Before anything else, look for flexible and gentle bristles. These can detangle the hair without tugging or ripping, the latter of which can cause breakage or frizz. They can also distribute the natural oils from your scalp to the ends of your hair, keeping your strands moisturised and healthy.
You'll also want a cushioned or vented base, which can reduce static and provide airflow to the scalp and locks, preventing dryness or irritation. It also helps the brush to glide through your hair more easily and comfortably - perfect if you're brushing in a rush.
Look for a non-slip or ergonomic handle, especially if you have long or thick hair. You're also less likely to lose grip on a non-slip handle, which means less chance of dropping the brush and damaging your lengths.
Finally, keep an eye out for a heat-resistant or anti-static hairbrush to withstand styling tools and prevent frizz, which can make your extensions look dull or unnatural.
We've rounded up all of the best brushes for hair extensions.
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Denman Tangle Tamer Ultra
Widely crowned one of the best hair brushes for using on extensions, Denman’s Tangle Tamer Ultra can be used on both wet and dry hair and specialises in wigs and extensions rather than the hair that grows naturally from your head. The perfect midpoint of detangling without being overly aggressive, it works seamlessly with tough knots to restore your lengths back to looking their best.
Buy now £12.50, Amazon
Wet Brush Pro Detangler
If you have curly or frizzy hair, you’ll reap the benefits of this Wet Brush Pro Detangler brush even if you don’t have extensions. Known for being one of the best for irritated scalps that need a little more careful attention, the Wet Brush Pro Detangler slides through knots and tangles without any pulling.
If you’re brushing a child’s hair or are dealing with hair loss, this brush is also considered one of the best around.
Buy now £12.00, Amazon
Foxy Locks The Ultimate Detangler & Smoother brush
Foxy Locks is a hair extensions retailer and the brand’s The Ultimate Detangler & Smoother brush has been specifically designed as a hair extension brush to instantly detangle any knots in your extensions or natural hair.
The clever way the nylon bristles are situated allows your hair to be gently de-knotted without pulling or causing breakage, leaving your hair super smooth and ready to style.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler Fine and Fragile
Tangle Teezer’s ubiquitous handheld brushes are in the beauty arsenal of haircare enthusiasts around the world. If you’ve got hair extensions and haven’t tried one out, you’re missing out. The brand’s The Ultimate Detangler Fine and Fragile separates knots and kinks in a stress-free motion, breaking away from the classic design by featuring a handle.
It’s ideal for fine, fragile and colour-treated hair, and glides through locks while resisting tugs and snags. This brush is designed for use on wet hair, gently easing out tangles while your strands are at their most vulnerable. Two-tiered teeth ensure hair is smoothed quickly with reduced breakage, thanks to the flexible design.
Buy now £14.00, lookfantastic
The Body Shop Bamboo Hairbrush
The Body Shop’s Bamboo Hairbrush is a handbag-sized tool that’s ideal for effortless, on-the-go styling. Tuck it in your bag for smooth locks with a brush that grooms your hair while massaging your scalp. The sparser nature of the bristles means less chance of pulling or snagging, making it suitable for those freshly sealed-in extensions that need a little extra care and attention to settle in.
Buy now £7.00, The Body Shop
Lily England Detangling Brush
Another tool designed specifically with an effortless brushing experience in mind, Lily England’s Detangling Brush is made up of soft bristles, which will help prevent hair breakage and minimise hair loss. It also won’t pull your strands when it comes to brushing through the toughest knots.
Using the right brush (a detangling brush) for stubborn knots and tangle-free hair is crucial if you wish to prevent hair damage: something that’s especially true if you have thick hair, curly hair or hair extensions.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
GHD paddle brush
The larger size of this GHD paddle brush makes it one of the best options for fast and effective styling on mid to long hair. If you struggle with flyaways and hair that insists on defying gravity, this paddle brush helps to detangle longer lengths without generating static.
You can create straight-and sleek blow-dries, smooth hair into ponytails and updos - whatever you’re in the mood for today - with ease.
Buy now £260.00, GHD
Beauty Works large paddle brush
If you have extra long hair extensions, you’ll want to add this Beauty Works large paddle brush to your haircare arsenal. Its mixed bristle brush combines soft, natural bristles and nylon pins, perfect for styling all hair types and those with extensions.
The brand’s Professional Brushes are created using the finest natural boar bristles, which are renowned for polishing and maintaining hair’s condition by being able to retain moisture, lift away dirt and distribute natural oils from root to tip, whether your own or extensions.
Buy now £25.00, Beauty Works
SimplyHair Ultimate Hair Extension Brush
Another brush designed for hair extensions before anything else, this SimplyHair Ultimate Hair Extension Brush features Advanced Dual Bristle Technology. This means that its Flexi bristles glide through hair for easy detangling, while the boar bristles that surround them work to smooth the hair cuticle, enhancing shine and minimising resistance.
That gentle dual-bristle design ensures smooth gliding over hair extensions without pulling, delivering effective detangling while prioritising hair health and hair extension longevity.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
CHIARA AMBRA Bio Friendly Detangling Brush
The CHIARA AMBRA detangling brush is one of the best budget-friendly hair brushes for hair extensions around, thanks to its economical shape and unique design.
This gentle styling tangle-free brush cares for your strands and scalp and loosens knots without tugging or breakage. It has soft, flexible bristles that enable gentle combing. The brush head also helps to promote the shine of your hair by distributing the natural oils that collect at the roots.
Buy now £5.99, Amazon
Verdict
Ask anyone in the haircare industry and they'll likely recommend this Denman Tangle Tamer Ultra brush as a top choice for hair extension care - and we can’t argue with that.
