Many people think a hairbrush is just a hairbrush and buy the cheapest ones they can find. I used to feel that way myself. However, my hair has grown so long now (mid back length) and, while fine, takes a long time to dry and style. If I use a dollar store brush, I look like I put my finger in a light socket with the flyaways and the split ends the cheap bristles create.

I was doing some shopping at the Body Shop some months back and saw The Body Shop Paddle Brush and just had to have it. I had been using a cheap round brush which was shredding my hair and not adding the volume I had hoped.

This brush is a monster and I use it every day.

The Official Word

From the Body Shop:

Get your style in place while massaging the scalp with this essential hair tool. Best for longer styles.

The Brush

This brush is so well made. It is light wood with a black bed of plastic bristles with soft ends to protect the hair. It's a big ole brush and won't fit into a purse unless you carry a large tote or briefcase. The handle is contoured and easy to grip. My hand fits around it with room to spare. The actual bristle bed is huge. This brush is not for those with short hair or who want a curly style. This is meant for people like me - those with long hair who like a sleek straight style.

Although at first this brush seems unyielding, the bristle bed has cushioning so when you brush your hair, the bristles go through but there is some give so your head isn't hurt from the big bristle bed and so your hair doesn't break when a tangle is encountered.

My Experience

It really isn't often that I gush over brushes but I have two different brushes from the Body Shop and both are really superior to those I have bought in drugstores and even salons.

This brush is supposed to be for just dry hair but I use it when my hair is ready to be blow dried and when it is completely dry.

When my hair is ready to be blown dry, I use this brush to make my hair sleek and straight. I get no flyaways and this brush eases though my long hair in just a pass or two. Smaller brushes often don't get through my hair and I end up flipping my head forward and brushing the underneath areas of my hair. I don't do that with this brush.

Although this brush is large, it's not heavy. The wood is lightweight and my arm doesn't tire of using it while blow drying. I get a sleek, straight, shiny look when I use this brush.

When my hair is dry, this is perfect for brushing my hair through, especially if I have styling products in it that I want to brush out or if I have been in the wind and have tangles. This detangles without any snagging and, since it is so large, I only have to pass the brush through a few parts of my hair to get it all.

I don't know about you but some brushes scratch me or hurt my scalp. This one doesn't. It isn't wimpy but it does have a softer side even though it looks like something I would threaten my kids with. ("I'll get the paddle if you don't behave!" lol. Not really. My sons are 20 and 15 and have never been paddled or spanked. But this brush DOES look the paddles of old when even teachers used them on unruly students.)

Cleaning the brush is a snap. I pull any hair from it after I have used it and I use a mild soap and water to clean the bristle bed of any debris. The wood hasn't warped from the moisture of my hair or from the cleanings.

For $12.50, this one is a real winner. It doesn’t have air ventilation holes like some brushes made just for blow drying but that doesn't lengthen the time it takes to dry my hair. I find it actually dries faster when using this brush.

Buying Info

This brush is available on the Body Shop's website, through a Personal Consultant, or at most brick and mortar Body Shop stores. The price is the same whichever way you choose to buy it.

Conclusion

If you have long hair and want a quality brush that will last you for as long as you have it, this one is it. It is made very well and is lightweight even though it is large and made of wood and rubber/plastic.

Those with short hair may like this brush too. I don’t see why it would be strictly for those of us with long hair. I guess the only drawback is that it is so large that you may have more brush than hair!

If you have straight or wavy hair, try this brush. I wouldn't use it on curly hair (Any brush on curly hair would probably make it frizz, I would think) but it is great on any other type of hair.

My hair is in great shape even though I color and highlight it. While I don't totally attribute that to this brush, I do give it some of the credit. I never hear my hair breaking when I use this brush. It's such a terrible sound as you brush through your hair to hear the strands snapping! You won't with the paddle brush. It will leave your hair in great shape and very sleek.

I give this 5 stars. Even though it is meant to be used on dry hair, I use it on both wet and dry hair and am incredibly attached to it. Luckily my sons and husband are afraid of it (or maybe it is because they have short hair) so I get this one all to myself. I have many other brushes but I favor this paddle brush because it is has given me the sleekest hair I have ever had and I have had various degrees of long hair all my life.

Recommended: Yes