April 11, 2025, 8:43 am | Read time: 4 minutes
The Tangle Teezer is one of the best-known and most popular hairbrushes! In this article, STYLEBOOK reveals who is behind the product and which hair types the brushes are suitable for.
Conditioner, shampoo, oil, mask — there’s a lot that goes into a nourishing hair routine. But there is one important gadget that should not be overlooked: the right hairbrush. The so-called Tangle Teezer is probably one of the best-known brushes on the market. Essentially, its name means hair tangle untangler — and that was exactly the aim of founder and inventor Shaun Pulfrey. STYLEBOOK explains what makes it so special and how a failure led to its breakthrough.
Overview
The History of the Tangle Teezer
The story of the Tangle Teezer begins with Shaun Pulfrey, who trained as a hair colorist. His vision: a hairbrush that detangles hair effortlessly, without frustration or damage. Pulfrey took this idea to the show Dragon’s Den UK — the British version of The Lion’s Den — in 2007. However, nobody there recognized the potential, and Pulfrey remained without investment. In fact, the appearance was a downright disaster. Words like “inane” and “waste of time” were uttered.
But even though no one invested, the show brought Pulfrey and his Tangle Teezer the attention they needed. You can now buy it in almost every drugstore — all over the world. In 2024, the BIC Group announced that it had acquired the hairbrush brand — for around 200 million euros. According to a press release, the company has more than doubled in the past four years, with sales amounting to over 70 million euros.
What Makes the Hairbrush So Special
Hairbrushes usually all have a similar look: brush head and handle. The Tangle Teezer was, therefore, visually striking right from the start. The handle was completely omitted — instead, the hairbrush had something of a horse brush, only without the extra handle. It also came in bright, eye-catching colors — also rather atypical for a classic hairbrush.
Tangle Teezer uses a special brushing technology so that hair can be detangled without tugging. The bristles are rounded and flexible and come in different lengths. The short bristles smooth the outer layer of the hair and provide shine, while the long ones detangle the hair, remove knots, and are also designed to reduce hair breakage.
The Tangle Teezer range not only includes hairbrushes but also other products, such as a detangling spray. There are also special Tangle Teezer brushes for pets.
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Which Tangle Teezer for Which Hair Texture?
There are now many different Tangle Teezer hairbrushes — they differ in colors, shapes, and patterns. But not only that, they are also designed for different hair textures.
The Original
The first Tangle Teezer is the Original, the classic hairbrush. “The Original” is suitable for straight to wavy hair and can detangle both wet and dry hair. The short brushes smooth the outer cuticle, while the long ones detangle the hair.
The Original Thick & Curly
The classic Tangle Teezer is also available in a version that is especially for curly hair. According to the company, it was developed to detangle thick, curly, textured, and afro hair. Unlike the original, the brushes are longer and stronger.
The Original Fine & Fragile
There is not only a version for curly and thick hair but also for fine and fragile hair. The brushes of the “Fine & Fragile” version are 30 percent softer than those of the classic version and, therefore, particularly gentle on the hair.
The Ultimate Detangler
However, there is now not only the compact Tangle Teezer but also a version with a handle, just like classic hairbrushes. According to the company, the “Ultimate Detangler” was deliberately developed for use on wet hair and in the shower. The handle ensures that the brush does not slip out of the hand. However, the brush technology is the same as that used in the classic model. Here, too, there are different models — for fine or curly hair.