By: Sarah Federico Beauty & Wellness Writer
Brag alert: We’ve nailed the at-home blowout – and we’re pretty impressed with our ability to wield a blowdryer, flat iron and curling iron (and produce near-perfect results). But this small miracle includes a post-shower routine that’s no-less-than 45 minutes in length. Truthfully, we find that this juggling act – dryer gripped in one hand with smoothing brush clutched firmly in the other – can leave us glistening in a way that a session on our Pelotons can’t. It is, without doubt, a love hate relationship. We love beautiful hair … but we hate the hoops one must jump through to achieve it.
Luckily, technology has delivered unto us a solution: the blow dryer brush. Equal parts blow dryer, curling iron and straightener, this versatile tool can smooth, add bends or impart body – all in one, short and decidedly sweat-free session.
“The best part of a hot air brush is that it cuts down on styling time,” says Zoya Ghamari, hair stylist and owner of Zoya Salon in Dallas. “It also helps you to dry and style your hair at the same time,” she adds.
This development makes our hair-loving hearts happy. But it’s as if we can close our eyes, spin around and point to the first blow dry brush we see. Nay. Because if the average tool makes the job easier, then logic follows that the best will make our post-shower routines a breeze. Hallelujah.
Here, we delve into the top-3 hair dryer brushes on the market. Some volumize, some smooth and some add bends and twists – but they ALL get you out the door, faster.
1. Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush: for volume and bounce.
This two-in-one tool – though simple in design – yields big results. A round brush plus blow dryer in-one makes it simple to achieve a smooth, shiny and bouncy blowout … all in one step.
“The results of the Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush are similar to the results of using a blow dryer and large brush on the hair,” says Naeemah LaFond, Amika Global Ambassador. “The main point of difference is not the finish, but the convenience and the ease of use. You’ll no longer have to struggle with a dryer and a brush at the same time.”
“Maneuvering two tools – especially when blow drying curlier hair types – can be exhausting when doing it yourself at home,” she adds.
2. Drybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush: for a smooth and sleek finish.
Can’t make it to a blowout bar? The Brush Crush features a heated paddle brush, which effortlessly smooths and straightens all hair types and textures. Touting ionic technology, you’ll also notice a decrease in frizz – and an uptick in shine.
Note: this is not a wet to dry brush. If you’re after a wet to try smoothing experience, try The Dry Bar Double Shot Brush (pictured above).
3. Dyson Airwrap Styler: the do-it-all tool.
This one could also be called: Budget? What budget. Because the price tag is $$$. However, this tool could potentially replace all the other tools in your arsenal, making the price-tag semi-justifiable.
Engineered for multiple hair types, The Airwrap dries and styles hair simultaneously. Featuring a host of attachments, including a pre-styling dryer, round volumizing brush, soft smoothing brush, firm smoothing brush, 1.6-inch Airwrap barrel and 1.2-inch Airwrap barrel, you can effortlessly wave, smooth or add volume to your hair.