Like many, I’ve struggled with the perfect at-home blowout, only to be left with a tangled mess! Consequently, I often splurge at the salon for that flawless finish. I’ve discovered that my main setback isn’t technique but rather the wrong choice of hairbrush. Using a flat brush is not very helpful in your blow-dry pursuits. You need to invest in the perfect round brush. They come in different diameters and are best for creating volume, achieving curls or waves, and smoothing frizzy hair. With so many choices on the market, selecting the right one can be confusing. Should you choose one with natural or synthetic bristles? Is the ceramic barrel better than the titanium one? We’ve created a list of the best round brushes to help navigate the choices and keep you out of blow-dry bars.
Having the correct styling tools is not just about saving money – it’s also about efficiency. Did you know a recent study indicated that the average woman requires over 24 hours daily to complete all her tasks? A staggering 55 minutes of this is dedicated to morning preparations, with hair styling consuming a significant portion.
Not all round brushes are created equal. Here’s how to choose the best round brush for your hair type and desired style:
- Barrel Size: Smaller barrels (1 inch) are ideal for curls and short hair, while larger barrels (2 inches and up) smooth and volumize longer hair.
- Bristles: Natural boar bristles are gentle and distribute heat evenly, while nylon bristles offer more grip and control. Choose mixed bristles for the best of both worlds.
- Ceramic or Metal Barrel: Ceramic barrels heat evenly and reduce frizz, while metal barrels heat up faster for quicker drying.
How to Blow-Dry Your Hair:
Now, let’s put your best round brush to work with this blow-drying technique:
- Prep Your Hair: Apply heat protectant and detangle thoroughly. Towel-dry your hair until it’s about 80 percent dry.
- Section and Conquer: Divide your hair into manageable sections using clips.
- Brush and Blast: Place the brush at the roots of a section and direct the dryer nozzle downwards. As you dry, rotate the brush and pull it upwards, following the curve of your head.
- Repeat and Refine: Continue this process section by section, focusing on drying the roots first for maximum volume.
- Finishing Touches: Use the cool setting on your dryer to set the style and add shine. For extra volume, flip your head upside down and blast your roots for a few seconds.
Remember, the brush’s diameter can influence the resulting curl tightness or the volume attained. The smaller one is ideal for shorter hair and styling bangs. The medium-sized brush is perfect for medium-length hair, and the larger diameter is best for longer hair and creating volume or soft waves. Which is the best round brush to help tame your mane? We’ve sifted through the options and compiled the top picks for you. Dive into our list below! Let us know your favorites in the comments.
The List: Best Round Brushes, According to Beauty Experts
1. Olivia Garden NanoThermic Ceramic + Ion Round Thermal Hair Brush
This is by far the most popular and best-rated round brush and is perfect if you have long hair. Elle writes, “Because of its large barrel, this brush easily dries and straightens large sections of hair, which makes styling take a fraction of the time. For thick hair or extreme lengths, a brush this size will make blow-drying a seamless process.”
“If you have baby-fine hair, try this soft-bristled brush (soft bristles = less tension and pulling) that features a ceramic-coated barrel to help heat your hair to lock your styles in place,” according to Cosmopolitan. “Just be sure to spritz on a heat protectant first to cut down on some of the heat damage.”
2. Drybar Double Pint Large Round Ceramic Brush
Which brush is best for long-lasting curls? This one, according to Elle. “Drybar’s iteration adds intense volume due to its uncanny ability to retain heat from the blow dryer. If you want to add bouncy curls to your style but don’t want them to fall out by the night’s end, invest in this ceramic style.”
“It’s super lightweight, locks in curl and volume, and the vents on it allow air to flow freely, decreasing dry time,” according to Who What Wear. “NanoIonic technology in the barrel and bristles of this Drybar brush reduce frizz and add extra shine to medium-length or long hair.”
Heavy says, “The folks at Drybar make one of our fave professional blow dryers, so it’s no surprise that we’re also nuts about their big barrel Double Pint ceramic round brush to go with. The 2.75-inch vented ceramic barrel allows for maximum heat and tons of airflow to help you lock in a style that lasts. The bristle design gives this brush great grip and easy control, without hair blowing everywhere – a definite bonus. The ergonomic handle design features a soft grip finish. Because the overall brush weight is light, it’s great for heavy-duty salon or home use. Drybar also makes a similarly styled round brush in a 1.75-inch Half Pint barrel size, so you can choose what’s right for your length and styling desires.”
3. Moroccanoil Ceramic Brush
This brush comes in plenty of sizes. “For those who have bangs, you’ll want to shop this ceramic brush,” according to Martha Stewart, on the 25mm size. “The small round brush is perfect for styling short styles, thanks to its ionic and ceramic properties that create small waves and add body to shorter hair. It also features a concealed sectioning tip on the handle to make it easier than ever to part your hair.”
Women’s Health states, “The ceramic barrel. on this brush is specifically designed to give hair extra shine. It’s a bit smaller than average, making it great for getting more volume at the roots.”
Rank and Style loves the 55mm version of this brush. “Perfect for medium-length hair, Moroccanoil’s 55 mm Round Brush is crafted with a ceramic barrel and ionic properties. That means faster drying time, shinier hair, and less heat damage. Bonus: This blowout brush comes with a secret sectioning tool that’s stored inside the handle.”
4. GHD Ceramic Vented Round Brush
Rank and Style calls this the best brush for flat hair. “Undoubtedly one of the best round brushes for blowouts, GHD’s Ceramic Vented Radial Brush has amassed a following for its ability to blow dry hair quickly. Designed to give your roots a lift, this brush proves that more volume does not mean less definition.”
“The 2.1-inch ceramic barrel of this brush makes it a great option for medium-length or long-length locks,” according to Who What Wear. “The brush can retain more of its heat for faster blow-drying time.”
Erinn Courtney tells Martha Stewart, “This round brush heats up fast while still being ventilated. The ventilated barrel allows air to flow through for even heat, while the semi-stiff bristles give you a super smooth and frizz-free finish.”
5. T3 Volume Round Brush
This is another brand highly lauded by experts. “Whether you’re a professional hairstylist or an everyday user, you need a brush that can walk the walk,” says Elle. “This large barrel will make styling quick and easy, without sacrificing results.” A Bloomingdale’s reviewer says: “It’s insane how easy it is to learn to get that perfect blowout look from T3’s YouTube videos, too. My hair was instantly shinier and the curls were effortless to create.”
If big volume is what you’re after, Cosmopolitan says, “You should try this large-barrel round brush from T3, which helps you get major lift at your roots and tons of volume throughout your hair.” The website adds, “The brush comes in three sizes, ranging from 2 to 2.5 to 3 inches—remember: the longer your hair, the wider you should go—and has a ceramic-coated barrel to help heat your hair as you dry, helping to lock in the volume so it doesn’t fall as quickly.”
“Thanks to the non-slip handle, there will be no hand cramps when using this blowout brush,” according to Rank and Style. “There’s a lot to love about the Volume 3.0 Round Professional Ceramic-Coated Brush—namely that using it will give you a salon-quality blowout.”
6. Oribe Medium Round Brush
This is the priciest round brush on the list. But Elle loves it saying, “This editor-approved version passes the aesthetically pleasing test with its resin handle; it is ergonomically designed, which makes it easier to grip and maneuver as you blow out your hair. The brush also features boar bristles and soft nylon pins to maximize volume and shine. There’s a larger version that’s great for looser styles on longer hair, but the medium is perfect for adding bounce to waist-length hair.”
“Not only is this round brush shockingly easy to maneuver thanks to the ergonomic handle, but the densely-packed boar bristle and nylon pin combo also gave my hair legit the bounciest, smoothest blowout ever that lasted all damn day,” writes Cosmopolitan. “And I know, I know—the price tag is high, but this bb is made to last, meaning it’ll be your go-to for years to come.”
Martha Stewart adds, “By using this round brush, those with straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair types can all reduce frizz and boost shine and volume. The boar bristles and soft nylon pins help distribute natural scalp oils while also detangling hair and keeping static to a minimum.”
7. Osensia Professional Round Brush
Elle says this is best for “fast styling.” Adding, “This barrel evenly distributes heat from a blow dryer, which means your hair will dry quicker and more evenly than before.”
“This Amazon find is a little more budget-friendly,” says Who What Wear. “It’ll work best for shorter hair types because it’s small enough to glide through and add lift.”
Heavy adds this brush “works like magic on your hair, making it look healthy, soft, and shiny…Its ergonomic handle provides a comfortable grip.”
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- Best Hair Dryers
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- Best Women’s Hairstyles In 2023
Sources:
- Elle
- Cosmopolitan
- Who What Wear
- Martha Stewart
- Us Magazine
- StyleCraze
- Heavy
- Women’s Health Magazine
- Rank and Style
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.