Before choosing a MAPEPE hairbrush in Japan, ask: Will you use it on wet hair, and do you want to wash the brush with water? The mixed-bristle brush and Finger Flex differ in more than their shape. Their handling and cleaning instructions can help you choose a better fit for your routine than popularity or the word “natural” alone.
I’m Irene, a Taiwan-born pharmacist qualified in Japan. This guide uses the brand’s official Japanese information; it is not a hands-on comparison or a promise of results for every hair type.
Match these two products in the store
This guide compares つやつや天然毛のミックスブラシ, the mixed-bristle brush (product code 4901604582724), with フィンガーフレックスブラシ パープル, the standard purple Finger Flex (product code 4901604577317). Mini, round, 3D and shampoo brushes are outside this comparison. Check the complete Japanese name and barcode rather than using colour alone to identify the size.
Separate wet hair, brush cleaning and blow-drying
Mixed-bristle brush
- Wet hair: this product page does not give a wet-hair routine, and explicitly says not to wet the brush body or wash it with water. If wet-hair brushing is your priority, check Finger Flex’s specific instructions first.
- Cleaning: remove trapped hair and dust, and wipe dirt away with a dry cloth.
- Blow-drying: the official uses include blow-dry styling. Keep the hairdryer at least 15 cm away and avoid prolonged heat.
Finger Flex (standard purple model)
- Wet hair: the manufacturer gives instructions for wet or badly tangled hair, using small sections and starting at the ends gently.
- Cleaning: promptly wipe dirt away with a dry cloth or wash with water. Remove moisture and dry thoroughly after washing.
- Blow-drying: towel-dry the hair, gently remove tangles, then brush through while blow-drying. Keep the dryer at least 15 cm from both hair and brush.
Using a brush on wet hair and washing the brush itself are separate questions. Do not transfer Finger Flex’s instructions to the mixed-bristle brush or assume every MAPEPE model can be cleaned the same way.
Mixed bristles: consider the styling role and dry cleaning
This model combines boar bristles with nylon pins. The brand describes uses including adding shine, taming bedhead and blow-drying straight styles. These are the manufacturer’s stated purposes, not results measured for this guide, and do not establish identical results on fine and coarse hair.
Start at the ends and gradually work on sections closer to the roots. Do not force the brush through tangles. Use moderate pressure without straining the hair or scalp. When using a hairdryer, keep it at least 15 cm away and do not apply heat for a prolonged period.
After use, remove hair and dust with a hairbrush-cleaning tool or similar implement. Wipe styling-product residue or dirt away with a dry cloth. Do not wet the body or wash it with water. Water can damage the bristles, deform the wooden handle or cause its coating to peel; water entering the air hole can also lead to mould. The hole at the top of the brush is an air hole that allows cushioning, not automatically a missing-pin defect.
The manufacturer also notes that natural bristles may initially have an animal-hair odour and may shed with use. If the brush accidentally gets wet, let it dry thoroughly. That instruction does not make water-washing permissible.
Finger Flex: dry and wet hair start differently
Finger Flex has a brush surface divided into eight flexible sections, with gaps that let air pass through. This helps identify the design, but does not guarantee a particular number of minutes saved while drying. It is not a scalp treatment or hair-growth function.
- Dry hair: the official instruction is to brush from roots to ends.
- Wet or badly tangled hair: hold a small section, start at its ends and gradually work on sections closer to the roots. Brush gently in one direction; do not brush in reverse or force the brush through knots. Wet hair tangles easily, so be especially gentle.
- With a hairdryer: towel-dry the hair and gently brush out tangles. Then pass the brush through the hair while blow-drying promptly. Keep the dryer at least 15 cm from both hair and brush. Holding it too close or applying heat for too long can deform the brush.
If the brush becomes dirty or has styling product on it, promptly wipe it with a dry cloth or wash it with water. After washing, remove moisture with a towel or similar cloth and dry it thoroughly. Store it clean in a ventilated place away from direct sunlight. Water-washable does not mean suitable for hot-water disinfection.
Precautions to keep with either brush
- Use only as a hairbrush. Do not use when the scalp has eczema or another abnormal condition.
- Use moderate pressure without straining the hair or scalp; never force your way through tangles.
- Do not apply styling products directly to the brush, or use it with hair-growth products, as these can cause deterioration.
- Avoid prolonged hairdryer heat. The manufacturer also warns against pouring hot water on the brushes: 80°C or above for the mixed brush, and 90°C or above for Finger Flex. These are prohibitions, not recommended washing temperatures. The mixed brush must not be water-washed at all.
- After use, keep the brush clean in a ventilated place away from direct sunlight and splashing water. Store out of children’s reach.
Make the decision around your routine
If you often brush after washing your hair and want a brush you can rinse, start by checking Finger Flex’s wet-hair and cleaning instructions. If you want a boar-bristle and nylon-pin styling tool and can keep it dry and clean it without water, consider the mixed-bristle brush. You do not need both just to complete a set.
Their dimensions differ too. The mixed brush is approximately W64 × D38 × H210 mm and 76 g; Finger Flex is W86 × D40 × H233 mm and 87 g. Think about grip and storage space before buying, but do not treat those figures as a hair-type suitability rating.
Official sources and image credits
Information checked on 26 October 2026 against the current Japanese official pages. Specifications and packaging can change; check the actual item and its supplied instructions when purchasing. Current specifications are not assumed to apply to older versions.
- MAPEPE: つやつや天然毛のミックスブラシ (use, cleaning, precautions and specifications)
- MAPEPE: フィンガーフレックスブラシ (use, cleaning, precautions and specifications for the standard purple model)
Product photographs and rights: Chantilly Co., Ltd., from the official product pages above, used to identify the products being discussed.
