Big, voluminous hair is returning to fashion, moving away from the slicked-back and straight looks of recent years. New hot brush technology now allows users to achieve professional volume and polish at home without the technical difficulty of a traditional round brush.
The Shift from Slicked-Back Buns to '90s Supermodel Volume
For several years, the internet's beauty aesthetic was dominated by the "clean girl" look: poker-straight lengths and tight, slicked-back buns. However, as the report notes, there is a clear pivot back toward "Sabrina-level bounce" and the sweeping curves associated with 1990s glamour. This trend reflects a broader desire for more expressive, high-volume styling that feels polished yet effortless.
This revival of the blowout is less about a specific celebrity and more about a shift in the collective mood toward maximalism. Readers are increasingly looking for ways to replicate salon-quality results without spending an hour wrestling with a hairdryer and a separate round brush, leading to the surge in popularity of all-in-one thermal tools.
The 185°C Smoothing Power of the ghd Glide+ and Other Thermal Tools
It is essential to distinguish between tools that use air and those that use heat alone. According to the guide, a traditional hot brush—like the ghd Glide+, which maintains a temperature of 185°C—is designed specifically for hair that is already dry. The ghd Glide+ uses ceramic heat and an ioniser to remove frizz while maintaining more natural movement than a standard flat iron.
For those prioritizing root lift over smoothing, the ghd Rise is the recommended choice. With its slim round barrel and short nylon bristles,the ghd Rise can get closer to the scalp, making it an ideal tool for bobs or fine hair that typically falls flat shortly after styling.
Why the Revlon One-Step Volumiser Started the Blow-Dry Brush Craze
The modern obsession with combined styling tools was largely kick-started by the Revlon One-Step Volumiser. As a viral tool, the Revlon One-Step offered an affordable entry point for women to ditch the two-handed brush-and-dryer routine, using a large oval barrel to create tension and lift simultaneously.
For those with hair extending well beyond the shoulders, the report highlights the Beauty Works version with an XXL 38mm barrel. This larger size is specifically designed to handle more hair at once and is suitable for those wearing extensions, facilitating the big, sweeping bends required for a classic '90s aesthetic.
Using the ghd Duet Blowdry to Go from Wash to Styled in One Step
For the time-poor, the ghd Duet Blowdry combines airflow with a heated elliptical barrel to dry and shape damp hair in one motion. ghd ambassador Cusick suggests that users rough-dry their hair to approximately 80 per cent first before using the tool on smaller sections to achieve a polished finish.
Similarly, the Shark Glossi blends controlled airflow with heated ceramic surfaces. The Shark Glossi is positioned as a strong alternative for those with thicker, wavy, or curly hair, as it provides the necessary tension to smooth the hair while still allowing for a curved, bouncy result rather than a flat, ironed look.
Which Hot Brushes are Truly Safe for Coily Hair and High Heat Sensitivity?
While the report suggests that wet-to-dry tools can help loosen curls into softer waves, it leaves a few critical questions unanswered. Specifically, it does not name which exact tools are safest for high-porosity or coily hair types to avoid heat damage, nor does it provide a price comparison between the luxury ghd line and the more affordable Revlon options.
Furthermore, the guide focuses heavily on the results of these tools but does not address the long-term health of the hair cuticle when using thermal brushes daily compared to traditional air-drying or low-heat methods. Users are encouraged to check manufacturer instructions and always use heat protection.
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