Robert B. Brown
Are you someone that wants the total shaving experience? You don’t want to apply soap with your hands – you want to apply your soap and extras with a nice bristled shaving brush. Those who are “wet shavers” will want to invest in the most luxurious shaving brush possible to make their shaving experience that much better.
Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Shaving Brush
Before anything, you’ll want to know the difference between kabuki styled makeup brushes and a shaving brush – you can’t use just any. A shaving brush differs in the way that it has a handle that’s small, that is parallel to the bristles that you see on the brush. It’s not uncommon to see this style of brush used in tandem with a type of straight razor, or one that’s double-edged, but safe.
Before, it was quite common for a man to use a shaving brush, but it’s kind of been tossed out of the window in modern times. People are always on the go and don’t have time for extra accessories if using it without seems “just fine” to them.
If you’re someone that has skin irritation issues when you shave, you should invest in the best shaving brush so that you may lather the area and create an environment that’s a little less irritated. It’s also worth mentioning that using a wet method allows the hairs to come out much easier, reducing the irritation that you may see. Beyond this, you might find that your skin is softer afterwards because of the natural exfoliation of using a shaving brush.
In short, if you’re someone that has easily irritated skin, and needs a bit of solace post-shaving, then you may find yourself reaching for a shaving brush with fantastic bristles. Speaking of bristles, we’ll show you the types you may see on your shaving brush exploration journey. There are more than three types, but these three types are the top tier of shaving brushes. These include:
- Badger bristles
- Boar bristles
- Horse bristles
Synthetic hairs are okay – but not the greatest. Since their quality is lower, the brush itself may show a decline in the quality of your skin. If you’re someone who wants a wet shave that’s akin to the traditional wet shave style, then you’ll want to find a brush that’s composed of badger bristles. If you’re okay with straying a bit from the general wet-shave path, you’ll be able to know that there other suitable options. It’s worth mentioning that there are various grades of badger hair that create a slightly different shaving and post-shave experience.
Looking for top-notch badger bristles? If so, you may be spending well over $100 on this…yes, you read that correctly: $100+ (more in the ballpark of $150). It’s what’s known as “silvertip badger hair”. While it’s expensive, it IS the best type of bristle for shaving brushes, but it’s just not do-able for many men around the world.
The Different Types of Shaving Brushes
Now that we’re on the topic of high-quality bristles and the advantage of them, you should know the definitive ranking of shaving brush types by bristle hair.
Silvertip badger bristles – Noted as the best quality bristle hair known to shaving brushes, they are typically expensive and can last more than a decade with proper maintenance. Also, the softer type of hair, you may see this as a brush with black hair that has silver tips – yes, that’s real! These bristles tend to massage the face well, and create an exhilarating experience.
Super badger bristles – No, this badger isn’t a superhero, but the bristles that come from this grade tend to be really great and only a step below the Silvertip badger. While they’re still pricey, and can be just as pricey as silvertip, they can also last a decade or longer with proper care. They can also be much cheaper (up to $50 or $60 cheaper) when you find the right brush at the right store. If you want similar quality and a lower price, this one is definitely the way to go.
Best badger and pure badger – The next two, best badger and pure badger, are the lowest quality of badger bristles, and sometimes, stores try to dye these to mock the super and silvertip to scam you of your money. While they are MUCH cheaper, they are much stiffer and resemble boar hair on the skin. Those that have easily irritated skin will not want to get anything lower than this – or super badger, for that matter.
Stiff and inexpensive (under $30) quality bristles may pop up with the following on their packaging:
- Boar hair – noted as a much harder brush, they require longer soaking times in order to soften up those harsh bristles. While inexpensive, it can be quite inconvenient.
- Horse hair – depending on the quality of hair, you may find that some horse hair is on the soft end of the badger quality, while others closely resemble boar hair.
- Synthetic brushes – I don’t know anyone who would actually recommend a synthetic brush, as they tend to be the lowest grade and are there just to have a shaving brush. Much like synthetic wigs, synthetic bristles on brushes don’t respond well to soaking up water. Think of it this way: your toothbrush doesn’t hold water very well, and it’s not totally meant to! It’s meant to be wet and activates the toothpaste on your teeth. Now imagine lathering up with a toothbrush – eek!
While some are good, most aren’t, and present stiffness when using them in your shaving routine. Some are so stiff; it’s better to go without a brush at all in your shaving regimen. None of the following products we will be showing you include the lower grade quality of bristles, as they all include at least regular, pure badger hair – no synthetic, nothing. With that being said, check out some of the best shaving brushes on the market and their fabulous accessories.
The Best Shaving Brushes 2018
Miusco Badger Hair Shaving Wooden Brush
Want to bring the most luxurious barbershop experience to the table? Look no further than this extremely inexpensive wood shaving brush by Miusco. Boasting a ton of features, including being able to select a travel kit, you’ll be able to brush on the go, or in your home like a pro. Features include the following:
- Chrome stand for hanging the shaving brush
- Includes pure badger hair bristles
- Creates a warm and rich lather from said bristles
- Minimizes irritation because of the soft bristles
The Miusco Badger promises a lot, including the softest shaving brush experience thanks to the 100% pure badger bristles. Because of the soft experience, Miusco says that this brush will reduce irritation, a burning sensation from shaving, and even reduce the risk of pore infection from said shaving sensations. This brush also is able to open up the pores of your face by lifting, to exfoliate your skin naturally and create a soft palette post-shave. The stand that comes included is meant for hanging the brush to dry it easily, as well as aiding the brush in avoiding bacteria. You don’t want to spend all this time reducing infection risks if you’re going to sit it on the sink without protection of some sort, do you? The stand is also meant for air circulation through the soft, dense bristles, allowing the brush to dry well – minimizing the possibility of bacteria curation from a brush that’s wet too long. If you want somewhere to place your razor as well, this chrome stand acts as a pillow for both – allowing you to store them together after your tandem use.
Fento Badger Hair Shaving Brush
Next on our list is a product from Fento, that features a chrome razor stand (that holds both the brush and razor post-use), as well as an attractive and light design. Features include:
- High-quality stand that’s chrome plated, rust-proof
- Rubber non-slip sole on the bottom of the stand so that it stays put near water!
- Great for air-drying the brush and increasing air circulation – better hygiene for all!
- Pure badger bristles on the brush itself, nice warm and rich lathering experience
For those curious about size specifications, the opening of the stand for the razor is ½-inch, with the other end being open 1-inch for the brush. As you can imagine, the smaller tapered end is just about an inch, with the more robust areas of the brush being wider. The dense bristles are 100% pure badger, and allow the user to have a warm and rich lathering experience – reducing inflammation, irritation, and burning sensations post-shave. In having this, your face will look much better and cleaner, while feeling smooth and fantastic afterwards. If you’re someone who likes the lighter and less rich shades of wood, you’ll love this light wood handle that’s a bit more retro. The chrome plated stand also gives that retro vibe, and those that want stability can find it within this aesthetically pleasing stand set.
Perfecto 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush
Next on our list is a great, and best-selling product from Perfecto. Boasting a ton of reliable features and a fantastic price tag that’ll make anyone want this, you won’t have any reason to say no to buying. Features include:
- 100% Badger hair bristles
- Gentle exfoliation of skin
- Inhibits an environment for the richest lather
- Provides a true, wet shave
We mentioned that real badger hair can be quite expensive, but whereas these are not silvertip bristles, they are inexpensive. Since they are real badger hair, you’ll want to note that these typically shed for the first few uses, and you’ll want to disregard any worry. You’ll be able to exfoliate your skin in a rich, gentle lather, and provide yourself with the perfect brush for that true wet shave we’ve all dreamed about. When it does bring water to your face, you can bring moisture, and help your skin remain without irritation, sporting the most amazing feeling after you finish. If you want to up your shaving brush game, you may also want to look towards Perfecto’s “deluxe chrome razor and brush stand”. With a beautifully engineered handle, you’ll be able to shave without exhausting your hands or wrist. Speaking of the handle, while there is a shine to the finish, you’ll be happy to know that it’s constructed from real wood, creating a barbershop-like experience.
Perfecto 100% Original Pure Badger Shaving Brush
If you don’t want the dark and masculine look for your shaving brush, you may want to check out this next one by Perfecto: which is actually an Amazon Choice. While the first is a best seller, this version of the shaving brush proves to be that much better. Features include:
- 100% pure badger hair bristles
- Made for exfoliating the skin with ease
- Allows water to meet the face and moisturize, perfect for that traditional wet shave
- Fits perfectly in the Deluxe Chrome Razor and Brush stand – sold separately
Featuring a real wooden handle with a smooth and shiny finish, you’ll be able to look like a retro barber while feeling fantastic. Utilizing 100% pure badger bristles on this brush, you’ll be able to get that gentle exfoliation on your skin for that wonderful post-shave feeling. You won’t have to deal with any more irritation, burning shaving sensations post-shave, and your face may feel like a baby’s bottom afterwards. The bristles on the brush create a rich lather that moisturizes the face and helps remove any dead skin of sorts. Beyond this, you’ll be provided with that true wet shave you’ve always desired. Never miss a beat again when you shave with this Perfecto brush – an Amazon Choice. The only thing that kind of “stinks” about this product, is that it doesn’t come with the perfect deluxe chrome stand. While not a huge drawback, as you receive everything you need just by using this brush, you’ll want to purchase one sometime in the near future to further encourage a clean environment on your face or bush. You don’t want to accumulate a ton of bacteria on the bristles, only to put them on your face and increase the risk of infection!
Parker Safety Razor 100% Silvertip Badger Bristle Brush
Last on our list is a genuine silvertip badger bristle brush that includes a brush stand. Features of this (slightly more expensive) soft brush include:
- Handmade for exceptional quality – dark, masculine handle
- Dense and soft badger bristles – 100% silvertip
- Creates a fabulous and luxurious lather in tandem with your ream
- Comes with a drip stand for proper storage and safe drying
If you want to make sure your brush is drying properly to eliminate the possibility of bacteria build-up, you’ll not only want this product for the stand, but for the genuine silvertip badger bristles that come equipped. Handmade to perfection and boasting a dark, sleek, and masculine handle, you’ll be able to feel like you’re in a traditional barbershop receiving a fabulous facial treatment. The high bristle density encourages water retention – and quickly, allowing you to reap many benefits that range from moisturizing your face with water from these bristles to a reduced time lathering since the bristle count encourages faster soaking. While the price may be high for some people, being silvertip, this is actually a fantastic price point. You may go even further and purchase facial creams and a chrome plated stand to ensure that you’ll be able to place your tandem razor on this, as well, encouraging a reduction in bacteria found on your razor and your brush.
The Top Recommendation
If you’re new to the world of luxurious manscaping, you probably have had way too much information thrown at you in this one article. Want a simple recommendation? You’ve got it! Being a best seller at a very attractive price, there’s no way you can pass up on the Miusco Badger Hair Shaving Wooden Brush – inexpensive, attractive, and creating the perfect shaving environment. The Miusco is definitely the best shaving brush for the money.
Tips to Know Before Buying the Best Shaving Brushes
It’s worth mentioning that shaving brushes require less soaking time, and those that are the highest of quality require the least soaking time because of their high-quality bristles. Those that are lower quality will ultimately need to be soaked for longer periods of time. If you feel like you have to soak yours too long, you may have gotten ripped off. The reason for the shorter soaking time is because when the bristles are high-quality and lather well, they soak up much easier. Bristles that don’t soak up well at all, typically don’t lather as well either.
You should also make sure that the razor you’re buying is of equal quality (if not better) than the brush your using. Depending on the bristles, you’ll want to use this tandem to create a luxurious experience.
