Abstract: A compact hair brush particularly suitable for traveling. A flat housing is provided with a plurality of rows of transversely mounted bristles. Each row of bristles is individually mounted on a pivoted bar. A longitudinal operating rod pivotally connects to each bar above the pivot point. Longitudinal movement of the bar causes a 90.degree. pivotal movement of the bars. A manually engageable portion of the rod extends out of the housing for operating the rod. After the housing is opened to expose the bristles, the rod is operated to pivot the bars and cause the bristles to stand up in vertical operating position. The brush is now ready for use. Reversely, the rod is operated to pivot the bars and cause the bristles to lie flat in the housing. This permits closing the substantially flat housing. The construction lends itself to many variations in the housing. The manually engageable rod may be positioned in various portions of the housing depending on the design used.