Author Topic: Mason-Pearson hair brushes  (Read 11536 times)

lizzzi

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Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« on: July 28, 2015, 12:02:10 PM »
So I'm a girl whose hair used to be short for a long time, and now it's getting long again...I'm back to French braids, bungees, jaw clips, the whole bit. I need a bristle hairbrush...have not used one for years, and threw out my old ones long since. I plan to have long hair for at least 20 years, and cut it myself. I don't plan to color it, either, so no more salon fees ever again. OK, the question: Mason-Pearson hairbrushes seem to be the Tesla, Cadillac, Rolls-Royce, etc. of hair brushes, for $150 or so per brush. (I know, I know.) Is this just a clown brush for consumer suckahs, or a wise BIFL purchase? The online reviews are wonderful. I am FIRE, no debts, the stash is in good shape. What do MMM'ers think?

iamlittlehedgehog

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2015, 12:09:32 PM »
Long, thick hair here and I had very little luck with the Mason-Pearson. It couldn't make it all the way though and the bristles started shedding after a year. I really like my Denman Grooming brush instead, it is substantially cheaper, gets all the way through my hair and has held up better, I've had mine for over 3 years.

http://www.folica.com/tools/hair-brushes/denman-grooming-brush-with-natural-bristle-nylon-pins

TrMama

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2015, 12:24:10 PM »
If you go to a beauty supply store (the kind of store that sells to hairdressers) you'll find a big selection of brushes and the staff can give you advice on what brush is best for your hair.

This is what I did when I needed brushes for my daughters. I got really nice brushes for $10 each (same as Walmart).

GuitarStv

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2015, 12:34:17 PM »
Said as a dude who has been using the same brush (purchased for 1.99$ by my mom) for the past 25 years . . . 150$ on a hair brush?  Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck that ridiculousness.

lizzzi

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #4 on: July 28, 2015, 12:45:38 PM »
Thanks, everybody. I just ordered one on my Amazon Prime for $13.64 that sounds like it will do the job. A wooden-handled brush partly boar/partly man-made bristles, made in Germany. So we shall see. I do tend to agree with Guitar Steve. (But if anybody does have a Mason-Pearson, chime in and let us know what you think.)

KCM5

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #5 on: July 28, 2015, 12:50:49 PM »
Not about the hairbrush, but I feel the need to share my favorite item for holding up my freakishly long hair: http://www.amazon.com/Goody-Simple-Styles-Assorted-Colors/dp/B003FVDNO6

There are off brand ones, too but I've never tried them. They're better than hairties and hold my hair in a bun all day - even through volleyball or other physical activities.

MissStache

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #6 on: July 28, 2015, 12:54:13 PM »
Not about the hairbrush, but I feel the need to share my favorite item for holding up my freakishly long hair: http://www.amazon.com/Goody-Simple-Styles-Assorted-Colors/dp/B003FVDNO6

There are off brand ones, too but I've never tried them. They're better than hairties and hold my hair in a bun all day - even through volleyball or other physical activities.

OMG YES!  These things are magic!  I still need 2 plus a few random bobby pins to tame my hair, but considering I usually need 15 bobby pins to hold up a bun all day, they are a vast improvement!

iamlittlehedgehog

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #7 on: July 28, 2015, 01:47:12 PM »
Not about the hairbrush, but I feel the need to share my favorite item for holding up my freakishly long hair: http://www.amazon.com/Goody-Simple-Styles-Assorted-Colors/dp/B003FVDNO6

There are off brand ones, too but I've never tried them. They're better than hairties and hold my hair in a bun all day - even through volleyball or other physical activities.

I love these! Perfect for work buns!

lizzzi

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #8 on: July 28, 2015, 03:15:17 PM »
The best way to make a bun, IMHO, is to do that thing where you wind it in your bungee. And if you get tired of the bun look, you can always take it out and just use the bungee as a ponytail holder. Bobby pins and hairpins tend to slide out of my hair.

If any of you have a Mason-Pearson hairbrush, please do step up to the plate and tell us if you think it's worth it. We won't let Guitar Steve bite you!     :D

PMG

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #9 on: July 28, 2015, 05:29:49 PM »
I got an Earth Therapeutics wood pin brush at tjmaxx several years ago.  It was in the $3 - $5 range.  I have very thick hair and was in the process of growing it out.  It's currently mid back.  I often comb through it with a pick when it's wet before I use the brush, but goodness I love how the brush feels on my head.

I never paid attention at all before to different kinds of brushes.  I used the Stanley one my mom got me when I was 5 or 6 until I thought I was cool and bought a glittery one at walmart.  That glittery one fell apart in my hand some years later.  That was when I realized that it was plastic and that everything I touched was plastic!  I used just a comb for 6 months or so while I looked at brushes.  They were all ridiculously expensive for cheap pieces of plastic, some already losing bristles.  Then I found the wooden one.  The pins are held in a rubber cushion.  It had composting instructions on the package.  I thought it was a novelty that would likely fall apart quickly, but I'm at least 3 years in and I'm quite fond of it.  It's held up well.  Cleans well.  Feels so good on my scalp and in my hand.



Erica/NWEdible

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #10 on: July 28, 2015, 05:35:41 PM »
Well, FWIW.....I've had mine for 13+ years. I intend to have it until I'm so old I don't have hair anymore.

It was a gift.

It is the only hairbrush I've ever...you know...given a shit about.

KCM5

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #11 on: July 28, 2015, 08:24:38 PM »
I'm not familiar with this hair bungee. I had to google it. Are you Australian? I'm American - It looks useful! (Although I am clearly hair impaired, so I don't know if I'd be able to operate it!)

Regarding the brush - it seems like it would be a gift to be treasured or a special splurge purchase. But also clearly not necessary.

vagon

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #12 on: July 28, 2015, 09:37:07 PM »
Bought my wife one as a gift, pre-mustachianism and she absolutely loves it, she has thick, very straight hair.
Her mother had one that she has been using essentially for forever.

My view is if you are buying for yourself you could get something cheaper that would do the job. If it is in terms of gifts for a significant birthday/anniversary I dont think its unreasonable as it certainly a high quality item that will get tonnes of use.

letired

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #13 on: July 28, 2015, 09:47:52 PM »
Does anyone just ... not brush their hair? I have lots of hair that I'm growing out (a little below my shoulders at this point), but each strand is really fine, and as long as I keep it conditioned (combo regular dilute vinegar rinse and cheap conditioner), it's fine. I don't do anything really fancy with it (that requires some combing if I want it to be smooth), but it doesn't really tangle unless I fall behind on trimming the ends every few months. Soooooo.... try no brush?

AllieVaulter

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #14 on: July 28, 2015, 10:42:51 PM »
Does anyone just ... not brush their hair? I have lots of hair that I'm growing out (a little below my shoulders at this point), but each strand is really fine, and as long as I keep it conditioned (combo regular dilute vinegar rinse and cheap conditioner), it's fine. I don't do anything really fancy with it (that requires some combing if I want it to be smooth), but it doesn't really tangle unless I fall behind on trimming the ends every few months. Soooooo.... try no brush?

YES!  I was just going to post this.  I haven't brushed my hair for 8 years.  It's super thick and wavy-ish.  I finger comb it occasionally, but mostly I just shake it out in the morning before ponytailing it or rolling it into a bun.  I don't get split ends (but maybe I just don't notice them) either.  I also only wash my hair twice a week. 

I ended up giving the last brush in my house to the dog.  He doesn't like having his hair brushed, but he needs it to avoid matting.  :D

MissStache

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #15 on: July 29, 2015, 06:30:08 AM »
Does anyone just ... not brush their hair? I have lots of hair that I'm growing out (a little below my shoulders at this point), but each strand is really fine, and as long as I keep it conditioned (combo regular dilute vinegar rinse and cheap conditioner), it's fine. I don't do anything really fancy with it (that requires some combing if I want it to be smooth), but it doesn't really tangle unless I fall behind on trimming the ends every few months. Soooooo.... try no brush?

If I don't brush my hair it turns into the most godawful birds nest of tangles and mats!  Once when I was about 10, I kept lying to my mom and telling her I was brushing my hair when I was only brushing the very top layer.  I got a massive knot in it so bad we had to go to the hair dresser and have her cut it out.  It was awful, and I've been an avid brusher ever since. 


lizzzi

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #16 on: July 29, 2015, 06:36:08 AM »
For short hair, I was fine with a plastic vent brush, but for long hair I think you have to brush it with a bristle brush for the same reasons you brush your dog or your horse. But I don't think there's any need for the old "100 strokes per day" like they did in the 1800's.

partgypsy

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #17 on: July 29, 2015, 07:26:40 AM »
I ditto going to a beauty supply store and looking at their selection, or asking your hairstylist (if you have one) what they suggest. Myself, I went to a drugstore and bought a nice brush for myself (boar bristle) and it cost all of $13-15, still going strong years later and I get compliments on my hair (not long hair but thick and straight).

lizzzi

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #18 on: July 29, 2015, 09:09:12 AM »
Well, my hairstylist/salon person these days is me, myself, and I. So far so good with the hair. And when I went into our local Ulta, the girls were sweet, but had on so much makeup that they looked like geishas or kabuki dancers. (Not that there's anything wrong with that...but so totally not the look I want for my everyday, woodsy, down home, FIRE life. It scared me a little.) The staff in our local Sally's are crabby, so I avoid that place, too. Good old Amazon Prime suits me better than anything else for shopping. I'll report back to this thread when my new (economical) brush gets here, and tell you all what I think.

MsPeacock

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #19 on: July 29, 2015, 10:05:35 AM »
I have a Mason-Pearson brush that was a gift from about 20 years ago. I use it daily - no problems.

I also own a Target knock-off Mason-Pearson and a wood handled Goody brand brush and I am equally happy w/ them.

IMO - the Mason-Pearson does nothing magical and exists as an expensive cult object because they spend a lot of advertising budget on beauty editors or whoever writes those "100 best beauty products EVER" types of articles.

lbmustache

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #20 on: July 29, 2015, 02:29:26 PM »
Does anyone just ... not brush their hair? I have lots of hair that I'm growing out (a little below my shoulders at this point), but each strand is really fine, and as long as I keep it conditioned (combo regular dilute vinegar rinse and cheap conditioner), it's fine. I don't do anything really fancy with it (that requires some combing if I want it to be smooth), but it doesn't really tangle unless I fall behind on trimming the ends every few months. Soooooo.... try no brush?

If I don't brush my hair it turns into the most godawful birds nest of tangles and mats!  Once when I was about 10, I kept lying to my mom and telling her I was brushing my hair when I was only brushing the very top layer.  I got a massive knot in it so bad we had to go to the hair dresser and have her cut it out.  It was awful, and I've been an avid brusher ever since.

Yeah, this. I've tried it, and maybe it comes down to hair texture, but mine will get tangled and knotted. Once I had to cut a huge chunk out of the back of my hair because I didn't brush it for awhile.

ladydoc

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #21 on: August 02, 2015, 05:58:44 PM »
I have one. Got it as a gift when I was in high school- I had no idea it was so expensive. I will be honest- I don't notice much of a difference. I use a more traditional brush to be through my very thick hair and then usually use the MP to smooth it. It does sometimes help distribute the hair oil evenly but it's not a magic bullet.

lizzzi

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #22 on: August 02, 2015, 07:42:39 PM »
I've done a little research and it seems as if there are good quality brands available that are like M-Ps but at a fraction of the price. You should be able to get a perfectly good quality brush for $12 to $16, although you can pay more. Kent and Denman are two of these brands. I have been using my Spornette 25 Wood Handle "Porcupine Brush With Genuine Boar Bristle" Made in Germany for four days, ($13.64) and it is exactly what I needed for my longish, straight, fine hair. It distributes the oils for a bit of shine, takes out any loose hairs so they don't fall on my clothing, massages my scalp so it feels good, and gets out any tangles. I would never use it on my wet hair--for that I gently use a plastic vented brush, or I would use a wide tooth comb if I had one. I think the bottom line is that we and our hair are all different...different strokes for different folks (haha--pun)...and there are a lot of good individual choices out there. I really like my new brush, and if it doesn't hold up...well, so what...I'll just buy a new one. At that price range, I can afford it. Thanks for all the wise counsel, everyone. (Yes, I plan to get some spin pins, too.  :D  )

Peony

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #23 on: August 02, 2015, 08:07:43 PM »
I've had several Mason-Pearson brushes over the years. I was wedded to the brand for a long time (long, thick, straight hair that tangles easily) but a couple years ago in a Polish pharmacy in Brooklyn I found a knockoff that looked to be of similar quality to the M-P (sorry, it doesn't have a brand name on it so I can't say what it is) and cost about $30. I bought it and have never looked back. M-P are great brushes but cheaper and IMO equally great brushes can be had.

I'm a red panda

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #24 on: August 03, 2015, 07:57:24 AM »
Does anyone just ... not brush their hair? I have lots of hair that I'm growing out (a little below my shoulders at this point), but each strand is really fine, and as long as I keep it conditioned (combo regular dilute vinegar rinse and cheap conditioner), it's fine. I don't do anything really fancy with it (that requires some combing if I want it to be smooth), but it doesn't really tangle unless I fall behind on trimming the ends every few months. Soooooo.... try no brush?

I don't brush my hair- but I have very very thick curly hair, and it does tangle like crazy. I use a comb with large spaces between the teeth.  I do own a hairbrush, but have stopped using it in the past 5 - 10 years.

But both the hairbrush and comb I use I've owned for more than 20 years. They each cost under $5.  I cannot imagine spending more.

Kouhri

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #25 on: September 26, 2015, 12:58:33 AM »
I have a Mason Pearson brush that I received as a gift. I love using it and it should last really well my mum has one that she's had for years. I have thick naturally straight hair and it works great for me. 
Not sure if I would want to spend that much on a brush myself but I'll definitely look after this one.

FLA

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #26 on: September 26, 2015, 03:07:42 AM »
  using the same brush (purchased for 1.99$ by my mom) for the past 25 years . . . 

I thought aww, that's sweet but then realized I am 45 and doing the same thing! 

Distshore

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #27 on: September 26, 2015, 01:40:10 PM »
I've had one that was a gift from my grandmother.  Thirty years later, it's still going strong and I love it.  I didn't know they were THAT expensive!! If I ever lose it (God forbid) I would faff around trying to find a substitute, but if I couldn't, I'd probably fork out to replace it. 

I had to strike that out.  It cannot happen.

jengod

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #28 on: September 26, 2015, 02:37:00 PM »
Thanks for this thread. I'm trying to de-plastic my life as per Beth Terry and Bea Johnson (#zerowastehome) and I think I'll ask for the Spornette for one of my Christmas presents.

lizzzi

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #29 on: September 26, 2015, 03:23:50 PM »
I'm still happy with my Spornette after using it for eight weeks. (See my earlier posting on Aug. 2.)  I use it morning and night, and also if I'm placing or replacing a jaw clip or bungee throughout the day. It is a full-sized brush, but packed just fine in my carry-on when I had to fly out-of-state to visit a relative. I clean it just by pulling the hair out of it with my fingers. I have not washed it in soap and water yet. I like that it is wood and not plastic. I'm going to pick up a wide-tooth comb to go with it, for combing out my hair when it's wet. So far so good.

FLA

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #30 on: September 26, 2015, 07:54:53 PM »

I've had one that was a gift from my grandmother. 


They are the cadillac of hair brushes, been around forever, I would keep yours for sentimental reasons but I bet it's worth something now, they probably used better materials back then

reformed spendthrift

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #31 on: September 26, 2015, 08:13:23 PM »
Years ago, I bought a Mason-Pearson hair brush because of all the hoopla around the name- got it, found it was just a regular brush that didn't even brush well, and put it in a drawer somewhere. I bought a brush from my hairdresser- around $14 and it's great.

Liz

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #32 on: September 26, 2015, 09:34:00 PM »
I have a mini MP brush, but it was a gift (thank you to my sweet friend who bought it for me)! If I ever lost it, I would first try the one from Target that is supposed to be a dupe.
« Last Edit: September 26, 2015, 09:35:40 PM by Liz »

Cheshires_Coins

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #33 on: September 28, 2015, 10:16:40 AM »
I found that with my mostly very short (pixie cut) but still reasonably thick hair, a bristle brush works wonders for smoothing it and making it look presentable. I had been using a paddle brush until I lost it while moving, and then one of those small brushes with holes through them that are meant to be used with a blow dryer (I had no idea), and only used the bristle brush because it was in my partner's bathroom cabinet and I had misplaced mine. Works wonders. I really think that getting the right type of brush to suit your hair texture as well as style is more important than brand or materials.

lizzzi

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #34 on: September 28, 2015, 03:04:04 PM »
+1

honeybbq

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #35 on: September 28, 2015, 05:28:52 PM »
I have long naturally curly hair, and I've been using the same MP brush for 20 years. I'm actually thinking about replacing it as it's starting to get a little funky.

fitfrugalfab

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Re: Mason-Pearson hair brushes
« Reply #36 on: September 29, 2015, 09:33:27 AM »
Not about the hairbrush, but I feel the need to share my favorite item for holding up my freakishly long hair: http://www.amazon.com/Goody-Simple-Styles-Assorted-Colors/dp/B003FVDNO6

There are off brand ones, too but I've never tried them. They're better than hairties and hold my hair in a bun all day - even through volleyball or other physical activities.

I've been wanting to try these. I also have freakishly long hair but I'm half Asian and my hair is on the silky side so it always comes out of my pony tail when I work out.