Hair & body · Loshen & Crem
Mason Pearson, La Bonne Brosse or BUR BUR: Which Brush Is Right for You?
A beautiful brush can be an easy thing to fall for. Choosing one that feels right through your hair takes a little more thought: the bristles, the size, and whether you reach for it after washing or just before leaving the house.
Mason Pearson, La Bonne Brosse and BUR BUR all have a place in the conversation. Here is how we would narrow the choice, with a closer look at the Mason Pearson models in our selection.
The short answer
Which hairbrush should you choose?
Start with what you want your brush to do. For smoothing fine hair, consider pure boar bristles. For more reach through medium or dense fine hair, look at a boar-and-nylon blend. For wet detangling, choose a tool designed for that job.
Then compare the particular model and its size. Mason Pearson B, BN and Sensitive brushes, La Bonne Brosse’s numbered brushes, and BUR BUR’s Essential and Wet Detangling brushes offer different bristles and brushing experiences.
The useful comparison
Three brands. A few meaningful differences.
Choose by the model and your routine. The details below compare the products in the Loshen & Crem assortment.
| Your priority | Mason Pearson | La Bonne Brosse | BUR BUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure-boar smoothing | B1, B2, B3 or B4; choose size for your lengths. | N.01 Shine & Care: 100% boar bristles, for fine to normal hair. | The Essential range uses boar bristles with nylon pins; it is not a pure-boar equivalent. |
| Mixed bristles for reach | BN1, BN2, BN3 and BN4 combine boar bristles with nylon; recommended for medium-textured or dense fine hair. | N.02 Care & Detangling: boar and nylon, for normal to thick hair. | Mermaid Essential: boar and nylon, for dry grooming of medium to thick hair. |
| A softer brushing feel | SB3 and SB4 use fine, softer boar bristles for very fine or thinning hair. | N.03 Gentle Scalp combines boar with extra-soft nylon. | Choose by your tolerance and hair needs; the Essential range is not a direct equivalent to Mason Pearson Sensitive. |
| Wet detangling | C2 Detangling Comb or C7 Rake Comb for extra-wide spacing. | N.04 uses flexible nylon for wet or dry hair; N.07 has longer nylon bristles at two heights for thick or curly hair. | Mermaid Wet Detangling uses flexible nylon for wet or dry hair. |
| Compact options | Pocket brushes, plus the 13 cm C5 Pocket Comb. | Small versions of the numbered brush range; check the individual model. | Mini Essential and Mini Wet Detangling versions. |
| Handle preference | Cellulose acetate on the brush models in this assortment. | Colourful acetate handles; finishes vary by model. | Beech wood handles on the Mermaid brush range. |
| Avoiding animal bristles | The listed hairbrushes contain boar bristles. The cellulose acetate combs have no bristles. | N.04 and N.07 use nylon bristles. | Wet Detangling and Mini Wet Detangling use nylon bristles; Essential models include boar. |
Pure-boar smoothing
- Mason Pearson
- B1, B2, B3 or B4; choose size for your lengths.
- La Bonne Brosse
- N.01 Shine & Care: 100% boar bristles, for fine to normal hair.
- BUR BUR
- The Essential range uses boar bristles with nylon pins; it is not a pure-boar equivalent.
Mixed bristles for reach
- Mason Pearson
- BN1, BN2, BN3 and BN4 combine boar bristles with nylon; recommended for medium-textured or dense fine hair.
- La Bonne Brosse
- N.02 Care & Detangling: boar and nylon, for normal to thick hair.
- BUR BUR
- Mermaid Essential: boar and nylon, for dry grooming of medium to thick hair.
A softer brushing feel
- Mason Pearson
- SB3 and SB4 use fine, softer boar bristles for very fine or thinning hair.
- La Bonne Brosse
- N.03 Gentle Scalp combines boar with extra-soft nylon.
- BUR BUR
- Choose by your tolerance and hair needs; the Essential range is not a direct equivalent to Mason Pearson Sensitive.
Wet detangling
- Mason Pearson
- C2 Detangling Comb or C7 Rake Comb for extra-wide spacing.
- La Bonne Brosse
- N.04 uses flexible nylon for wet or dry hair; N.07 has longer nylon bristles at two heights for thick or curly hair.
- BUR BUR
- Mermaid Wet Detangling uses flexible nylon for wet or dry hair.
Compact options
- Mason Pearson
- Pocket brushes, plus the 13 cm C5 Pocket Comb.
- La Bonne Brosse
- Small versions of the numbered brush range; check the individual model.
- BUR BUR
- Mini Essential and Mini Wet Detangling versions.
Handle preference
- Mason Pearson
- Cellulose acetate on the brush models in this assortment.
- La Bonne Brosse
- Colourful acetate handles; finishes vary by model.
- BUR BUR
- Beech wood handles on the Mermaid brush range.
Avoiding animal bristles
- Mason Pearson
- The listed hairbrushes contain boar bristles. The cellulose acetate combs have no bristles.
- La Bonne Brosse
- N.04 and N.07 use nylon bristles.
- BUR BUR
- Wet Detangling and Mini Wet Detangling use nylon bristles; Essential models include boar.
Hair texture and density are different things. Fine strands can still be densely packed. If a brush skims the surface without reaching through comfortably, that is useful information when choosing the bristle arrangement.
The product edit
Three places to begin.
These are three different starting points. Let the job you need your brush to do guide the choice.
For everyday reach
Mason Pearson Handy BN3
Boar bristles and nylon work together in a manageable Handy size. A starting point for medium-textured hair or fine hair that is dense.
- A useful detail
- Dry grooming; compare the bristles and size with your hair needs.
$360.00 CAD
Explore the brush
For pure-boar smoothing
La Bonne Brosse N.01
A pure-boar option for fine to normal hair, with the colourful acetate finish that makes La Bonne Brosse so recognisable.
- A useful detail
- Choose the numbered model first, then the colour and size.
From $220.00 CAD
Explore the brush
For after washing
BUR BUR Wet Detangling
Flexible nylon bristles in a beech wood handle, designed for detangling wet or dry hair.
- A useful detail
- This is the Wet Detangling model; the Essential version contains boar bristles.
$105.00 CAD
Explore the brush01 · Start with your hair
What would you like your brush to do?
Smooth fine hair
Pure boar bristles help distribute natural oils through the lengths. Start with Handy B3 for a manageable everyday size, or Large Extra B1 for long hair.
Reach through medium or dense fine hair
Choose mixed boar-and-nylon tufts for more reach. Compare Handy BN3, Junior BN2 and Popular BN1 by size.
Keep brushing soft and gentle
For very fine or thinning hair, consider the softer boar bristles of Handy Sensitive SB3 or Pocket Sensitive SB4. Use light pressure and choose comfort over firmness.
Detangle thick curls or coils
The extra-wide teeth of the C7 Rake Comb give thick and curly hair more room. Work on wet hair in small sections when that suits your curl routine.
Detangle after washing
Start with the C2 Detangling Comb. If you prefer a brush, compare La Bonne Brosse N.04 or BUR BUR’s Wet Detangling Brush in the comparison.
Choose a child’s first brush
The CB4 Child brush has fine, one-length boar bristles and a Pocket-size shape for children aged 3–6 with fine to medium hair. An adult should guide brushing.
02 · Find your size
A little more room, or a little more control.
With Mason Pearson, the size names describe the brush format. Compare the bristles separately: a Pocket brush is not automatically softer, and Junior is the name of an adult medium-sized model.
| Size | Dimensions | Models | A useful starting point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large | 22.86 × 7.62 | B1 · BN1 | Long hair; generous coverage |
| Medium | 22.52 × 6.98 | B2 · BN2 | Medium to long hair; narrower than Large |
| Handy | 21.59 × 6.35 | B3 · BN3 · SB3 | Everyday control and medium lengths |
| About 17.1 × 5.08 | B4 · BN4 · SB4 · EB4 · CB4 | Travel, short sections and touch-ups; CB4 is the child-specific model |
Medium
Handy
Dimensions are overall length × width. EB4 is listed by the Canadian distributor at 17.2 × 5.1 cm. The CB4 Child brush uses the Pocket-size format with fine, one-length boar bristles for ages 3–6.
03 · Find your model
The Mason Pearson selection.
Open a category to compare the models. Each product page has its dimensions, bristles, care notes and current price.
Pure boar bristles
Large Extra Pure Boar Bristle Hairbrush B1
Fine-textured hair, including dense fine hair; long lengths below the shoulder blades
Small Extra Pure Boar Bristle Hairbrush B2
Fine-textured hair, including dense fine hair; medium to long lengths
Handy Pure Boar Bristle Hairbrush B3
Fine-textured hair, including dense fine hair; medium lengths
Pocket Pure Boar Bristle Hairbrush B4
Fine-textured hair, including dense fine hair; compact daily grooming and touch-ups
Pocket Extra Pure Boar Bristle Hairbrush EB4
Those seeking a firmer pure-boar brushing feel in a compact size
Boar bristles and nylon
Popular Bristle & Nylon Hairbrush BN1
Medium-textured hair or dense fine hair; long lengths
Junior Bristle & Nylon Hairbrush BN2
Medium-textured hair or dense fine hair; medium to long lengths
Handy Bristle & Nylon Hairbrush BN3
Medium-textured hair or dense fine hair; medium lengths
Pocket Bristle & Nylon Hairbrush BN4
Medium-textured hair or dense fine hair; compact daily grooming and touch-ups
Sensitive and children’s brushes
Handy Sensitive Pure Boar Bristle Hairbrush SB3
Very fine or thinning hair; scalps that prefer a softer brushing feel
Pocket Sensitive Pure Boar Bristle Hairbrush SB4
Very fine or thinning hair; scalps that prefer a softer brushing feel
Child Pure Boar Bristle Hairbrush CB4
Children aged 3–6 with fine to medium-textured hair
Everyday, styling and detangling combs
Dressing Comb C1
Long hair; everyday grooming and finishing
Detangling Comb C2
Tangle-prone hair; medium to long lengths; wet or dry detangling
Tail Comb C3
Precise partings, sectioning and polished updos
Styling Comb C4
Everyday styling; medium to long hair
Pocket Comb C5
Short to medium hair; travel and daily touch-ups
Small Cutting Comb C6
Controlled combing and sectioning while cutting or styling
Rake Comb C7
Thick hair, curls and coils
Brush care
Cleaning Brush CL
Maintaining Mason Pearson hairbrushes, particularly Pocket models sold without a cleaning brush
Hairbrush Cleaner 100 ml
Cleaning and maintaining Mason Pearson hairbrushes
Your questions
A few things you may be wondering.
Is Mason Pearson Junior a children’s brush?
Junior BN2 is the name of the medium mixed-bristle model. The CB4 Child brush is the model intended for ages 3–6 with fine to medium hair.
What is the difference between B, BN and SB models?
In this assortment, B models use pure boar bristles; BN models combine boar with nylon; SB models use finer, softer boar bristles. EB4 is the firmer Pocket Extra model, and CB4 is the child-specific brush.
Can I use these brushes on wet hair?
Choose a tool explicitly designed for wet detangling, such as Mason Pearson’s C2 Detangling Comb or C7 Rake Comb, La Bonne Brosse N.04, or BUR BUR’s Wet Detangling brush. Follow the directions for the exact model you choose.
Does every Mason Pearson brush include a cleaning brush?
The Handy, medium and large brush models in this selection include one. Most Pocket models do not. Check the product page for the exact contents; the CL Cleaning Brush is also available separately.
How do I care for a Mason Pearson hairbrush?
Remove loose hair regularly and lift debris gently with a cleaning brush. Clean with lukewarm water and a little mild soap as directed in the supplied leaflet. Avoid prolonged soaking and direct heat, keep water out of the cushion vent, and dry with the bristles facing down.
Will a brush make my hair grow?
A brush is a grooming tool. It can help smooth hair and distribute natural oils, but it is not a treatment for hair loss.
Where can I get help choosing in Canada?
The Loshen & Crem team in Edmonton can help you compare hair texture, density, brush size and your preferred routine. Tell us whether your hair is fine, medium or coarse, whether it feels dense, and whether you want dry smoothing or wet detangling.
A little guidance goes a long way.
Tell our Edmonton team about your hair texture, density and length, and how you like to brush. We can help you narrow the choice to something that feels right for your routine.
Keep exploring