Tangle Teezer is a British company that manufactures hair care products, most notably hairbrushes. It was founded by Shaun Pulfrey, a hairdresser, and its first product was launched in 2007. The first and signature product, a detangling hairbrush dubbed "The Original" eventually achieved cult popularity and received the Queen's Award for Innovation in 2012,[1] and International Trade in 2014,[2] as well as reaching the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 in 2013 and 2016.[3] [4]
Tangle Teezer was founded by its inventor Shaun Pulfrey, who started his career as a hair colorist in 1978. He has worked at Pierre Alexandre, Toni&Guy, Nicky Clarke, and Richard Ward salons throughout his career.
In 2003, Pulfrey began to research and develop his idea for a detangling hairbrush to create the world’s first professional detangling tool.[5] [6]
In 2005 Pulfrey remortgaged his flat in Brixton, London for six months' worth of capital (£25,000) to finance the product launch.[7]
In May 2005 Pulfrey published I Wanna Be Blonde, a book sharing his insider hair coloring tips.[8]
Pulfrey appeared on Dragons’ Den in 2007. He pitched "The Original" detangling hairbrush to Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, James Caan and Deborah Meaden. Pulfrey offered 15% of Tangle Teezer for £80,000 but was rejected. Jones labeled the brushes ‘hair-brained’, Caan said they were a ‘waste of time,’ and Bannatyne said he wanted to ‘pull [his] hair out.’ However, when the episode was aired, the Tangle Teezer website crashed due to public demand,[9] with 1,500 orders placed.
In 2008, Boots began stocking the brushes, and by 2009 sales had reached £500,000.[10]
In 2011, sales hit £2.2 million, further growing to £28.6 million in March 2016, having expanded into 70 international markets.
In July 2021, Pulfrey sold a majority stake in Tangle Teezer to Mayfair Equity Partners for approximately £70 million.[11]