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This classic styling tool is having a renaissance – here, see the best ones on the market today Auto Rotating Ceramic Hair Curler
When Dyson released its much-lauded Airwrap five years ago, we were all reminded of just how versatile the humble hot brush can be.
Before that game-changing launch, these heated styling tools had been left largely forgotten, replaced by the staple hairdryer and reliable straightener. But for those who want bouncy, salon-style lengths with minimal effort (and skill), one of the market's new, advanced hot brushes could be the best option. Acting as a hair dryer, straightener and sometimes even a curling wand, these smart devices are true multitaskers, sure to streamline your morning routine.
A good hot brush can be used to smooth and straighten hair, add volume, and even create flicks and curls. What's more, unlike hair straighteners (which should only ever be used on completely dry hair) some hot brushes can be used while your lengths are damp, meaning you can significantly cut down on styling time and create a salon-standard result. When used correctly, a hot brush can also be less damaging to your hair than other styling tools.
The traditional models look like a hair brush, with ceramic bristles that heat up and swoosh through lengths, straightening kinks and eliminating frizz in the process. For something that offers more options, consider the new school of hot air stylers. These tools use precisely directed airflow alongside a multitude of attachments – from classic brushes to curling wands - to shape and set hair into almost any style.
The best hot brush for you will largely depend on your hair length, and your go-to style. Slim brush heads with variable bristles are ideal for short hair, while longer hair will benefit from longer bristles, as they'll capture more strands with each stroke.
To seal the hair cuticle and prevent curly hair from humidity-induced frizz, a cool-shot function is a must. For those with fine hair, it’s best to keep the temperature low and opt for a styler proven to boost volume, while thick hair tends to need more heat to lock in styles all day.
While air stylers can be used on towel-dried hair, ceramic hot brushes reach a much higher temperature, so should only ever be used on completely dry hair – just like your straighteners.
Below, see the best hot brushes on the market today, according to the Bazaar beauty team.
A leader in innovation, it’s no exaggeration to say that Dyson has redesigned how we approach haircare. With six attachments to suit all hair types and styles, the Airwrap is a hot brush like no other.
There are three airflow speeds to choose from and various temperatures, including a cool shot for setting your style. The multi-directional curler delivers red-carpet results in mere seconds (trust us, it's easy to master) while the paddle and round brushes grip roots to lift and smooth. Another considered inclusion, the anti-frizz attachment runs over your finished style to eliminate those pesky flyaways. The gold standard for good reason.
We never thought we’d find anything that could rival Ghd's iconic straighteners, but then we tried the brand's Glide hot brush. Using ceramic bristles, this smart tool is designed to quickly smooth frizz and kinks, and refresh ‘second-day’ hair.
It’s lightweight, easy to use, and as with all Ghd products, the temperature is capped at 185 degrees to prevent damage. If you're after a poker-straight style, stick with the original straighteners, but for smoother lengths with bounce and volume at the root, the Glide is ideal.
Another do-it-all styling tool, Shark's recently launched (and consistently sold-out) FlexStyle replaces your hairdryer, diffuser, curler and brushes.
The hairdryer is impressively powerful (honestly, it beats every traditional dryer we've tried) and thanks to the brushless motor, it's quiet too. The two brush attachments makes light work of smoothing long and thick lengths, while the diffuser is a welcome inclusion. And the curlers? Expect salon-standard tousled texture in a matter of minutes.
This one might not be quite as aesthetically pleasing as the leading model, but it performs just as well – if not better.
The one that started it all, Revlon's classic hot brush has been enjoying a revival on Tiktok recently, with users loving the immense volume it delivers.
Used on damp hair, it'll dry lengths and set them into a bouncy, voluminous blow-dry that looks wholly professional. There are variable settings for thick and fine hair, and a cool shot to seal the deal.
To achieve the Duchess of Cambridge’s freshly blow-dried bounce, you need to inject more volume into your roots – and Ghd's Rise is up to the task.
Where the Glide focuses on smoothing and straightening, the rounded Rise grips hair right from the root, sweeping through to deliver mega volume and beautiful curled ends. It's great on shorter styles and parted fringes, too.
Thicker hair types – or anybody in a hurry – will welcome this brush’s deeper bristles, as they allow you to grab bigger sections of your hair at once.
It straightens effectively and eliminates frizz: a great option for those who simply want sleeker lengths in less time.
Taking the prize for the most convenient on-the-go styler is Babyliss: this small, portable hot brush can be used to top up your style, wherever you are. It has three heat settings, with a maximum of 180 degrees, and a single charge will give you 40 minutes of styling time. A very practical investment.
Amika's double-duty hot brush boasts both hairdryer and straightener settings, so you can take your hair from towel-dried to perfectly styled in one fell swoop.
There are three heat settings, so all hair types can use it safely, and the outermost teeth are flexible, allowing for easier grip and smoother styling.
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