Mason Pearson vs Tangle Teezer: Hairbrush Comparison

Mason Pearson is an iconic hairbrush that's been around for over 100 years. Its durability and efficiency in detangling hair and creating rich, luscious, and frizz-free hair has earned it a cult following all over the world. As for Tangle Teezer, it's a much younger brand known for being multi-award-winning and beloved by hairstylists, celebrities, and anyone who loves a good hairbrush. While Mason Pearson is made of boar and nylon bristles, Tangle Teezer is made of patented two-tiered teeth that do wonders to detangle hair painlessly and effortlessly. Both hairbrushes equally have their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as a relatively big difference in price points.

I've never been a fan of hairbrushes because I was made to believe that if you have thick and curly hair, the best way to manage it is to use your fingers to detangle knots. I'm not really sure if this is really the case but I got really tired of using my hands to untangle my frizzy hair because I'd see tons of my hair on the floor afterward. Plus, it's painful and time-consuming.

And so, this started my venture into finding the best hairbrush for my thick and curly hair. I started doing research, reading reviews, and looking at online marketplaces. And from this experience, I discovered two amazing hairbrush brands that met my very needs for smoother, shinier, and tangle-free hair without ruining my curls.

These hairbrushes are the Mason Pearson boar and nylon hairbrush, and the Tangle Teezer compact detangler for thick and curly hair. Now, you might think that these hair brushes are completely on opposite sides of the spectrum, with the Mason Pearson being one of the most expensive hair brushes around, while the Tangle Teezer brushes are actually quite affordable. Well, hear me out.

I wanted something that was tried and tested, and there's no other hairbrush more iconic and longer-lasting than Mason Pearson. But, I also wanted to try out something more trendy, which is what the Tangle Teezer is all about. So without further ado, I present to you my very own review of Mason Pearson versus Tangle Teezer hairbrushes.

What Is Mason Pearson?

The Mason Pearson hairbrush is one of the most beloved hairbrushes in the world. The brand began in 1885, which means they're over 130 years old. Their hair brushes are extremely durable, with many of their customers still using their Mason Pearson hairbrush even after 30 years. All of their products are made in England and much of the work that goes into making them is still done by hand, using the original techniques patented by the company's founder, none other than Mason Pearson himself.

Okay, so now that you know a little bit about its history, let's proceed to the actual product. I have a hybrid brush that's made of boar bristle and nylon. I chose this hairbrush because I've read that this is the ultimate hybrid, offering detangling ability, plus the benefit of making hair smoother, shinier, and devoid of frizz.

Frizz has always been a problem of mine since childhood. I would rather tie my hair than let down my curls because of the frizz. I've always veered away from hair brushes because they ruined my hair and they hurt! But not with Mason Pearson. My goodness, this is heaven-sent. The first time I used it on my hair, it glided smoothly over my curls, and the best part about it? I had no breakage and strands of my hair were nowhere to be found on the floor! I felt like I had found the holy grail of hairbrushes.

I did a little research and discovered that the boar bristles create less friction and separation in the hair. And nylon also creates less static, which explains why Mason Pearson hairbrushes remove frizz.

The bristles are also secured on a rubber cushion pad that allows the bristles to flex as you brush your hair, unlike other brushes that are stiff and hard. There's also a hole on the top of the brush that lets air flow in, allowing it to move and bend as you go.

The boar bristles are also known to clean your scalp, removing dead skin cells and dandruff, as well as distributing your hair's natural oils from the roots to the tips, explaining why my hair actually looks shinier and smoother.

It's quite expensive, though, and I treat it as an investment more than anything else.

What Is Tangle Teezer?

Tangle Teezer is a brand that was launched in 2007 by Shaun P., the company's founder. He worked as a colorist for many of the world's best salons for 30 years when he had an epiphany - he wanted to create a hairbrush that detangles hair without tugging and pulling, and voila, Tangle Teezer was born.

He patented a technology that involved two-tiered plastic teeth that painlessly detangled hair while also making your locks smoother and shinier. The result is a compact and ergonomic hairbrush that is proudly award-winning. In fact, the Tangle Teezer original hairbrush has won about 25 awards, which include an Allure Best Beauty award.

What makes the hairbrush so great is that the patented teeth formation bends and flexes through the hair without locking into tangles. This action minimizes breakage while adding shine and controlling frizz.

I bought the Detangler for thick and curly hair, which is made of two-tiered firm-flex teeth. These are longer and stronger compared to the Original Tangle Teezer Detangler and designed especially for thicker and curly hair. When you look at the teeth, you’ll discover that the teeth are actually varied in height. The longer teeth detangle knots while the shorter teeth cleanse the scalp and make your hair smoother.

I love how compact it is, I can put it in my bag and carry it around, and they come in many different fun colors to choose from.

Pros and Cons

While these hairbrushes are one of the best in the market, they do come with things that I don't really like about them. Here are some pros and cons for each product.

Pros of the Mason Pearson Hairbrush

• Made of boar and nylon bristles considered to be the ultimate hybrid in hairbrushes.
• Mostly handmade with patented technology.
• Distributes oil from the roots to the tips.
• Cleanses hair and works as a scalp stimulator encouraging circulation.
• Incredibly durable, with some users still using it 20 to 30 years from the date of purchase.

Cons of the Mason Pearson Hairbrush

• Expensive. It is one of the most expensive hairbrushes on the market. It's more of an investment rather than an impulse buy.
• Can only be used on dry hair.

Pros of the Tangle Teezer Detangle Hairbrush

• Compact and comes in a wide array of colors.
• Patented two-tiered teeth technology that detangles and smooths hair.
• Detangles hair without breakage.
• Detangles hair without pain.
• Can be used on both wet and dry hair.

Cons of the Tangle Teezer Detangle Hairbrush

• Doesn't have an actual handle. The ergonomic design strains my wrist after a while.
• The compact size is too small for my long and thick hair.

Mason Pearson Versus Tangle Teezer

I wanted to give a short comparison between the two, based on my own experience using these hairbrushes. When it comes to durability and long-term use, I can't see myself using the Tangle Teezer 10 years forward. But with the Mason Pearson, I can say that the material is more durable and the paddle brush or handle is much easier on the hands and wrist compared to the ergonomic handle on the Tangle Teezer.

In terms of detangling hair, both are equally as great, but I love how the Tangle Teezer can be used when I'm in the shower. I love putting on conditioner and brushing my hair with it. Whereas the Mason Pearson can only be used when your hair is completely dry.

While both hairbrushes successfully detangle hair and make my thick and frizzy hair smooth and shiny, I have been using the Mason Pearson hairbrush more often. This is because of the handle and the bigger area it covers when I brush. The Tangle Teezer is too small and covers a very small amount of my hair. And my wrists hurt after a while since my hair is quite thick and long.

In terms of price, Mason Pearson hairbrushes are quite expensive. I probably won't be buying another one for the rest of my life, while the Tangle Teezer is something that I can buy more of, as well as give to friends and family as gifts.

The Bottom Line

The Mason Pearson hairbrush is an investment that lasts for many decades of use. I love how easy it is to use on my hair, how it cleanses my scalp, and how it distributes the oil from the roots of my hair to the tip. My hair is bouncier, shinier, frizz-free, and smoother. I am in love with this hairbrush and I will be using it for a very long time.

The Tangle Teezer hairbrush is also a great tool. I use it in the shower just after I apply conditioner and detangle my hair with it. It's affordable, compact, and trendy with all the prints and colors you can choose from.

Overall, the Mason Pearson hairbrush is a much more durable and efficient hairbrush for cleaner, shinier, and smoother hair. But, if you want a more portable and affordable option, the Tangle Teezer hairbrush definitely fits the bill.

Rose Desrosiers

1 year ago  7 min