Anything that cuts our getting ready time in half is a welcomed addition to our beauty routine and we’re guessing you feel the same. If that’s the case, and you don’t have either a hair dryer brush or a hair straightening brush in your beauty tools arsenal, you need to remedy that asap.
You see, a good drying hot brush will literally revolutionise your at-home blow-dry because let’s face it, unless you’re a hairdressing pro, the whole round brush and hairdryer technique is a little hard to master (and nobody wants arm-ache on a Monday morning). And a straightening brush, the other type of heated brush, is one of the easiest tools for a sleek finish.
There are loads of hot brushes on the market though and they offer different finishes and work for a variety of textures – some suiting specific hair types more than others. So, if you’re a little confused where to spend and whether you need a blow-dry hot brush or a straightening brush, this guide is here to make life easy...
What’s the difference between a hair dryer brush and a straightening brush?
Hair drying hot brushes use hot air to dry and style the hair, combining the impact of a blow dryer and hair brush – the technique you've undoubtably seen your stylist use in the salon. Some are round, which help with creating a fuller, voluminous finish, while some are shaped like a paddle brush which creates a smooth and sleek finish.
Straightening hot brushes on the other hand, are more like a combination of a hair straightener and brush, with heated plates or bristles to straighten as it combs through the hair.
The functionality of the brush you choose is important to note as it determines at what point in your routine you can use it. Some blow-dry brushes are fine to use from damp but to use a straightening hot brush your hair needs to be completely dry, like when you use a straightener (we hope!).
How to use a hair drying hot brush
Prepping your hair before using a hot brush is the same as the you need for a traditional blow-dry. Wash and condition your hair well so you remove all lingering product build up and then re-hydrate. And then – this is the crucial part – you need to add in a good heat protection spray to prevent thermal damage.
The typical blow-dry brush works across hair textures but is amazing for a big, bouncy blow-dry on finer hair types as the air flow helps to keep a bit of texture as it dries. “The results of a blow-dry brush on any hair type are similar to that of using a blow-dryer and large brush on that hair," advises amika Global Ambassador Naeemah LaFond. “The main point of difference is not the finish, but the convenience and the ease of use — you will no longer have to struggle with a dryer and a brush at the same time. Manoeuvring two tools especially when blow drying curlier hair types can be exhausting when doing it yourself at home.”
On thicker and coily hair, this type of brush helps to create a smooth foundation if you are straightening your hair but your hair will be full and fluffy after use. On fine or straighter hair types, these brushes can work wonders when it comes to volume, as they are mostly used to lift roots whilst drying the strands - giving a bouncier finish to the hair.
You can use one of these on damp (not wet) or dry hair. For the best finish, split your hair into a few sections – the thicker your hair the smaller the sections – and brush through slowly, easing upwards to help prevent snagging. Rolling the brush will create those big curls, and holding the hair for a few moments wrapped around the brush will give a lasting style. Finish with a spritz of your choice. For my coily hair I love a light oil but if you have finer hair, you might prefer a texture spray.
Intrigued? These are our favourites:
The best hot brushes to try now
The holy grail of multi-tasking hair tools, Dyson's Airwrap likely needs little introduction. The latest model features three hot brush attachments out of the generous six it comes with, and you'll get clever tools for creating beachy waves and tighter curls too. Yes, it's an investment, but it'll be the last hair styling tool you ever purchase.
Revlon Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumiser
This is the one doing the rounds on social media – and we can indeed confirm it's worth the hype (especially while it's almost half-price). A very clever piece of kit, it combines the blow-drying power of an ionic hairdryer with the styling prowess of a ceramic hot tool, meaning you can go from wet to perfectly styled in one smooth move. It's foolproof, brilliantly effective, and ridiculously good value. Need we say more?
BaByliss Air Style 1000
BaByliss makes some of our favourite styling tools, and the Air Style is absolutely one of them. This super multi-functional hot brush comes with attachments to help you achieve a big, bouncy blow-dry, super-sleek lengths and even tight, defined curls. Oh, you want it half-price? Go on, then.
Here, not only do the expertly designed bristles aim to capture more hair than your average hot brush, but they also feature cooling tips, so you don’t end up with scorched fingers (ideal for those with shorter ends). Even at lower temps, this brush leaves strands with a mirror-shine finish, while the rounded barrel creates curls and waves quickly, no matter how skilled you are in the styling department.
How to use a hair straightening brush
These brushes are so good for a quick sleek finish on straight or wavy hair. For the best finish, wash and dry your hair with a blast of your fave hairdryer. Now, if you have straight-ish or wavy hair you can pretty much use these hot brushes like a regular paddle brush, working through from root to tip to smooth. If you have curly or coily hair take sections, detangle with a wide tooth comb first and easy through from the tip so you prevent kinks and don’t get the brush stuck on any knots.
Now repeat after me, I will not use a straightening brush on wet hair. You have to promise us this. If you value your beautiful hair even a little bit you have to let your hair dry completely before using this type of brush otherwise you risk causing serious damage to your strands.
Straightening brushes are a great addition to your beauty toolbox and can truly make hair wash day a breeze. There are loads on the market now, and the prices vary wildly, so save yourself the research and head straight for one of the Cosmo team's tried-and-tested faves.
The best straightening brushes to try now
Guys, seriously, if you haven't seen the viral Tiktoks surrounding the GHD Glide, where have you been? The biggest and best investment anyone with unruly hair can make, this powerful hot brush swishes through frizz and tames kinks in a single pass. It's as effective as a pair of straighteners with half of the effort. Worth it.
The one that started the trend, the Dafni straightening hot brush remains a solid investment. The 3-D bristle structure means it covers more surface area than your usual heated brush, so makes light work of whipping through long and thick hair.
Drew Barrymore's own beauty line makes some stand-out hair tools at prices that we really can't complain about. A great investment, this ceramic straightening brush has four heat settings, an extra-long cable – more important than it sounds – and automatically shuts off to save you running back to check when you're already late for work (it's not just us, right?)
Amika Polished Perfection Straightening Brush
With a customisable temperature that reaches a max of 230 degrees, Amika's straightening brush is one of the most powerful on the market. It's brilliant on all hair types, but those with extra coarse or curly hair should definitely give it a go.
Roberta Schroeder is the Senior Ecommerce Editor at Harper's Bazaar, ELLE and Esquire, overseeing shopping strategy and content across fashion, beauty, and travel. Roberta has reported on everything from market-leading skincare brands to the world’s most iconic fashion pieces, while also regularly updating a range of shopping guides, including LED masks, heritage cashmere brands and niche new dress brands to know.
Roberta has more than 15 years' experience in the luxury sector, spanning editorial consultancy, trend forecasting and journalism. Over the years, she has worked for global brands including Farfetch, Chanel, and Vogue.
When not testing beauty products, trialling trends and curating content that spotlights the very best in fashion and beauty, Roberta can usually be found trawling resale sites and vintage stores for a long-coveted designer find. Follow Roberta on Instagram at @roberta__schroeder
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
