You beauty! Mason Pearson pocket-size hairbrush

Mason Pearson is the king of British hairbrushes. I mean, this is pedigree. The cushioned classic is based on an 1885 design and is the stuff the Empire was made of. If you grow up with Mason Pearsons, you return again and again. And, wow, do they last. One of mine is a bit bald but fully functional at 20 years old. The bristle and nylon mix is the most adaptable.

They are like Norland Nannies and Barbours and Land Rovers: stodgy to some; essentially reassuring, beyond the call of duty and — quietly — terribly glamorous to others. Kind to the scalp, they brush hair to an old-fashioned, floating sheen. Excellent for both backcombing and smoothing-over, they can bash out the white left by a squirt of dry shampoo, remove last night’s Elnett and tackle a matted clump without tears.

I don’t judge women on their shoes or their cars, but a hairbrush says a lot about a person: from Tangle Teezers to radial ceramic blow-dry numbers, to combs with chewed handles, they all speak volumes as to the owner’s hopes and expectations.

Today I champion in particular the pocket-size. It’s like carrying a whole way of life in your handbag. Quite high investment for a hairbrush, but high yield. I bet Debo Devonshire used one. I bet the Queen does. And Kate Moss? Bound to.

Mason Pearson pocket-size hairbrush, £39.50, 37 Old Bond Street, W1 (020 7491 2613)