Are Mason Pearson Brushes Worth the Cost?

January 20, 2008

If you've ever read more than an issue or two of a beauty magazine, you know that Mason Pearson is considered the holy grail of hair brushes. The English brand has been making brushes since 1885, and it continues to produce them by hand to this day. Their nylon and boar bristles are supposed to evenly distribute sebum from the scalp, making hair shiny and stronger.

The only catch? Well, this brush costs $170. And that, my friends, is why there is no Mason Pearson brush in my life. I'm so-so on a less expensive but still-luxurious Fekkai brush, but still, I can't stop wondering if this one would make me have shampoo-commercial hair. (For that kind of money, it'd better!) So, you tell me—do you think this brush could be worth its high price tag?

71 Comments

Lauren3423544 29 weeks 3 days

When I asked my hairstylist he said MP are great, but Denman is just as good, and only around $17 compared to $170. I have long, thick hair, but the actual strands are very fine. So far, I'm really loving my boar bristle/nylon quill combo (porcupine) brush.

2 years 5 weeks

Have had my MP brush for over 25 years and still love it. I have LOOOONG hair (donated 17 inches and still can put it up) and have tried a bunch of different brushes for travel. Always am really happy to go back to my MP when I get home.

2 years 23 weeks

Ridiculous. I am sure MP hairbrushes are great, but in my opinion they are still overpriced, you are paying a lot just for the name (like the latest bed sheets I have seen at the local store, made in China, but put Martha Stewart's name on it and voila - you can sell it for at least three times as much as nameless sheets made in China). I have a pure boar bristle brush which I have been using for 25 years now, it cost me about $10 back then, bought it in Germany.

2 years 30 weeks

Mason-Pearsons are the best! Absolutely the best. I love-love-love my hairbrush (I have the big brush that's $253 and it's worth every penny). I also have 5 of the combs. Those are nice because they are seamless...nothing to snag or split your hair. The combs make nice gifts, too. I just finished brushing 200 strokes with my Mason-Pearson hairbrush and if I don't go put it in another room soon, I'll end up picking it up and brushing some more :)

2 years 30 weeks

I've had a Mason Pearson full size brush for over 35 years and it's still in good shape. It's one of the best investments that I have ever made.

2 years 30 weeks

My parents gave me one as a gift when I was 18. At 53, I still use it everyday. That's 35 years and it is still in wonderful shape. With long, fine hair, there's nothing better than the boar/nylon combination, as it creates an incredible shine, slides through tangles, and prevents the flyaway static that is so common with fine hair. It also feels wonderful on the scalp. With such a long life, the brush works out to maybe $5 per year. Totally worth it. I ditched drugstore brushes that destroy your hair in 1975!

2 years 32 weeks

I've had mine since I was 12. I'm 34 now. It's still in perfect condition. Amazingly enough, it makes my hair less frizzy! But really. Considering how long it's lasted I think that already justifies the price

2 years 49 weeks

They've been in business since 1885? That should say something about the quality and worth of their brushes! I heard Cindy Crawford rave about it. If you think you're worth it, you'll pay. I guess that kind of thinking separates the A list from the B list people.

2 years 52 weeks

I am a 60 year old British woman and I have never used any other hair brush but The Mason Pearson. Treated well, these brushes will last for decades (I've had and still have, only three). I have long, thick, healthy hair down to my hips and most of it is still my natural brown colour. Perhaps brushing my hair every day with a Mason Pearson brush has contributed to my healthy hair. Is it worth the price? Oh yes!!!

3 years 1 week

some ppl say they love it..but why don't they write why they love it..what is so diff abt it that they like? some ppl say it lasts years..well its still not cost effective considering I get $4 brush every 5 yrs or so. I think it might create fuller looking hair based on the distance of the bristles, however is it helpful for someone who is already blessed with thick hair?? Also some ppl say it straightens hair.. how can it straighten hair?

3 years 11 weeks

got my mason pearson brush when i was 8. still have it now when i am 14. i LOVE it

3 years 23 weeks

so worth it. i love my Mason. the only brush I will use. it doesn't hurt your head either.

3 years 29 weeks

I have just lost my 30 year old M and P brush, having left it somewhere whilst on holiday. I am really fed up because it is an old friend that I have had since I was at school. I used it every day and it was as good as new and the only thing that stopped my hair from flying all over the place. I have lots of long but fine hair and use one with a mix of nylon and boar bristle but I am definitely going to buy another. There are some good online deals and I would say they are definitely worth the money.

3 years 30 weeks

This is what breeders use on their show dogs! Man, it's a lot of money. . . it better work wonders!

3 years 32 weeks

Mine was a gift from my grandmother when i was 5 yrs old.I'm now 49 and still uses it. I've since given one to my daughter and my grandaughter will get one for christmas. We all have very thick curly hair, the curls bounce after brushing...

3 years 41 weeks

I have long, fine hair. I have owned 2 brushes and one detangler in the past 30 years. They last forever and are wonderful for your hair. I have tried to use cheaper brushes. With money tight and needing a new brush I bought 2 cheaper ones. A waste of money. I remember now why MP is all I use. I do wish they were more affordable though. A $100.00 plus is a lot to spend on a brush. But I will again unless someone can tell me about one that is just a good but less $.

bbstylist 4 years 8 weeks

As s stylist I would definitely say Mason Pearson brushes are worth the money! However, I use mine every day so it was worth the investment. If you are willing to put down up to $200 on a brush then you won't be disappointed and it does make your hair feel amazing.

Sally Says 4 years 32 weeks

My husband bought me my first Mason Pearson brush 20 years ago. He paid $50 for it back then! I still have the brush, still love it and use it every day. Since then, I've bought 2 more smaller purse-sized Mason Pearsons and got the smallest sized one as a Christmas present for my 6-year old daughter. I know she'll have it for a very long time.

ncdiva 4 years 33 weeks

Yes they are defintely worth the price. It can turn you from a regular chick to Paris Hilton sexy. I found a great site with the best prices I've seen on the web. www.bargainsalonproducts.com

snowysakurasky 4 years 51 weeks

I think my mom must have had a similar one because I had been craving this type of bruch until i got one yesterday. These feel much better than the cheap goody or metal or ceramic brushes, which are not THAT cheap anyways. I don't have the one featured but have a similar one called 'the wilhemina'. It cost me 45$ and it works great. I was willing to spend that much because my dyed hair is getting long and it tangles a lot. So this controls the tangles without making me wince. I love the feeling compared to using an all boar or all plastic brush but too bad it was kind of expensive.

sparkleluvr 5 years 17 weeks

How different can you really make brushes? I mean, isn't it the same basic design concept with the same types of materials available to use? Really how different could these brushes be from others, and if they are, why can't they make a less expensive version? Because I really doubt that there are $170 worth of materials and labor in that thing.

hilahat 5 years 17 weeks

I have one, I have had it since I was maybe 3. That's over 20ish years. Trust me it lasts.

hoya21221 5 years 17 weeks

It is a ridiculous price, but I have had mine for almost 15 years and it still makes my hair look great! Plus, my dog even chewed off the top and it still beats most other brushes!

Hautie 5 years 17 weeks

I have long natural curly hair... and my favorite brush... is the one by Paul Mitchell. That hair-brush is a god-send. I have been using them since high school. They have gotten a little harder to find in recent years... but they were designed for girls wanting to maintaining their long hair. They don't pull and tear the hair and they are fantastic to use when blowing drying. The worst possible brush for any hair... is the classic "vent" brush. Their horrible uneven bristles is what gives you split ends. One does not get split ends from over brushing their hair. You get them from cheap brushes.

tglynn 5 years 17 weeks

Reminds me of Blades of Glory

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71 Comments

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