Mason Pearson hairbrushes rarely go on sale, but if you know where to look, you can score one for half the price — at Costco, of all places. We first published this intel in our roundup of the best holiday gifting tips last winter, but ever since then, stock has gone in and out. I’d always wanted one from the 130-year-old British heritage brand but after hemming and hawing over spending three figures (even with the discount) on such an everyday item, I missed the window. My patience was rewarded though, because after checking back regularly over the last few months, I finally got my hands on what the Strategist deems the best hairbrush for 48 percent off the normal retail price.
I got the bristle-and-nylon “Popular BN1” style in the brand’s signature dark “ruby.” It’s the largest of the hairbrushes and recommended for long hair, retailing for $240 at places like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s. I paid $127. It comes with eight rings of boar bristle and nylon tufts, a combination that helps distribute your hair’s natural oils, detangle, and stimulate the scalp. I’ve only had it for a day, but I’m already in love with how it gives me that tingly feeling when I pull it through my thick hair.
In addition to the BN1, there are currently six other in-stock Mason Pearsons on costco.com, including the medium “Junior BN2” and the smaller “Handy BN3,” both of which have the mixture of bristle and nylon tufts, and two “Pocket” styles, one with “sensitive” boar bristles (SB4) and another in regular boar bristles (B4). (The names and sizes can admittedly be a little bit confusing, but Mason Pearson has a helpful buying guide and size chart you can refer to here.) All of these are nearly 50 percent off the retail price, if you can believe it. The only catch is that you’ll need a Costco membership to actually purchase the brushes, so if you’re not signed up, be sure to hit up a friend or family member soon, because once these brushes are gone, they’re gone, at least for a little bit. “While supplies last,” warns Costco.
Is it nuts to spend over $100 on a hairbrush? Maybe. But when I posted it to my Instagram stories, a bunch of friends commented that they’ve had their same Mason Pearsons since they were kids. One person has had hers for 15 years, and another for 30. So, yes, they might be worth the money.
This medium-size brush with both bristle and nylon tufts normally costs $195 …
… While the smaller Handy usually goes for $175.
Strategist writer Dominique Paradiso calls this boar-bristle pocket model her “until death do us part” brush. It normally sells for $140. (I kind of love this non-traditional baby blue color and think it would make a great gift for a child.)
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