Boar Bristle Brushes...

I keep hearing that a natural Boar bristle brush is the most gentle on hair and is a "must have" in order to care for your hair....especially if trying to grow it.

I went to Ulta to look at their selection and all of them are too "soft" .....like I don't think it would even brush through my hair. I blow dry my hair 3X a week on low heat to style......I need a brush that will allow me to shape my hair and smooth it....

Any input on a good brush to use? And does anyone here with thick, long  hair use a Boar bristle brush?

Thanks!

I've seen two different "varieties" of BBB's: those that have the bristles so densely packed that they don't go through anything, and those that more closely resemble any other brush, that have small tufts/sections of boar bristles, with plenty of space between the tufts, that allow the hair to actually be brushed.  I'd avoid the former.  I have one and consider it almost worthless.

And I will add that IMO, using any type of BBB is not necessary to grow your hair long.  What is most necessary to grow your hair long is gentle treatment.

Even with straight hair, I can't use a boar bristle brush--my hair is just too thick, and it feels like only the top layer is being brushed.  I did actually find a brush I love, made by conair--possibly the best brush I have found to date, and I've been questing for a while!

I've kind of gone anti-brush in the past few years. I don't find a purpose for them because wooden combs (Combmaker.com) distribute oils very well, and brushes just tended to put on unnecessary friction as Dave said. (Hi Dave!  Great sig)