You know that feeling when a product goes so viral it’s actually annoying? That was the original Revlon hair dryer brush. Everyone and their mother had one. It was loud, it was heavy, and honestly, it got hot enough to melt lead. But then the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus dropped, and the internet did that thing where it collectively lost its mind again.
I’ve been using it. A lot.
I didn't want to like it because the original 1.0 version felt like a workout for my triceps and a death sentence for my split ends. But the Plus version is different. It’s not just a color swap or a marketing gimmick. They actually listened to the complaints about the original model, which is rare for a "budget" beauty brand.
Why the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus feels different in your hand
The first thing you notice isn’t the heat; it’s the size. The barrel on the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus is 2.4 inches. The original was a massive 3 inches. That might sound like a tiny, boring technical detail, but for anyone with hair shorter than their waist, it’s a game-changer.
Smaller barrel means more lift at the root. It means you can actually get the brush close to your scalp without feeling like you’re trying to maneuver a loaf of bread around your head. It’s slimmer. It's sleeker.
And let’s talk about the handle. They made it thinner. Thank goodness. The original felt like trying to hold a fire extinguisher while styling your hair. This one actually fits in a human hand. Plus, the motor is supposedly more durable now. Whether it lasts five years or one is still up for debate, but the ceramic titanium technology they added is designed to help with heat distribution.
Heat settings that won't fry your soul
One of the biggest gripes with the old version was the "High" setting. It was basically a blowtorch. People were literally seeing smoke.
The Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus added a Medium setting. It sounds simple, right? But having that middle ground between "barely lukewarm" and "surface of the sun" is everything. I usually start on High to get the moisture out (about 70% dry is the sweet spot) and then switch to Medium to actually style the ends. It prevents that crispy, straw-like texture that happened so often with the first generation.
There’s also a Cool setting. Use it. Seriously. If you don't hit your hair with the cool air at the very end of each section, the volume just collapses the moment you walk outside. It’s like setting spray for your hair structure.
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The brush head comes off now, and it’s about time
Storage used to be a nightmare. You had this giant, top-heavy wand that didn't fit in any drawer. The Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus has a release button. The head pops right off.
This is huge for two reasons:
- You can actually pack it in a suitcase without it taking up 40% of the space.
- It makes cleaning the hair out of the bristles way easier.
Cleaning these things is gross but necessary. Dust and hair buildup in the vents are what cause the motor to overheat and die. With the head detached, you can really get in there and keep the airflow clear. It’s basic maintenance that most people ignore until the tool starts smelling like burnt toast.
Does it actually work on all hair types?
Here is where we need some nuance. If you have pin-straight hair, this tool is your best friend. It gives you that 90s supermodel bounce in ten minutes. If you have wavy hair, it’s a one-stop shop.
But what about curly or coily hair?
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. For Type 4 hair, the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus is a fantastic tension-stretch tool. It’s not going to give you a "silk press" look on its own—you’ll still need a flat iron for that—but it cuts the drying time in half. However, the bristles are a mix of nylon pins and boar-style tufts. They can tug. If your hair is prone to breakage, you have to be incredibly gentle. You can't just rip it through.
I’ve seen some people complain that the bristles melt. That usually happens if you’re holding the tool in one spot for too long or if you aren't cleaning the lint out of the bottom filter. Airflow is everything.
Let’s talk about the "Plus" features they didn't mention
The charcoal-infused bristles are a bit of a marketing "maybe." Does charcoal in a plastic bristle really detoxify your hair? Probably not. But the bristles do seem to glide a bit better than the first version. They don't feel as stiff.
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The real "plus" is the ceramic coating. It feels smoother. My hair definitely has more shine with the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus than it did with the 1.0. It deals with frizz better, likely because the ions are actually doing their job rather than just being a buzzword on the box.
Addressing the heat damage rumors
Is it damaging? Yes. It’s a hot tool.
Anytime you put 180-degree air directly against your hair strands while pulling them with a brush, there is risk. The Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus isn't a magical "healthy" hair tool. It's a convenience tool.
To mitigate the damage, you have to use a heat protectant. Don't skip it. I personally like something with a bit of hold, like the Kenra Blow-Dry Spray or the Bumble and bumble Invisible Oil. You want something that provides a barrier.
Also, stop using it on soaking wet hair. That’s the biggest mistake I see. Your hair is weakest when it’s wet. If you start tugging at it with a motorized brush while it’s dripping, you’re going to get snap-off. Air dry or rough dry with a normal blow dryer until you’re at least 70% dry. Then bring in the Revlon.
How it stacks up against the "Fancy" competition
We have to mention the Shark FlexStyle and the Dyson Airwrap. It's the elephant in the room.
The Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus is roughly $60-$70. The Dyson is $600.
Is the Dyson better for your hair? Yes. It uses the Coanda effect to wrap hair using air, not just heat and tension. It’s much cooler and much gentler. But the Revlon gives a specific "blowout" look—that rounded, flipped-under 1990s Cindy Crawford vibe—that the Dyson actually struggles to replicate because the Revlon's bristles provide more tension.
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If you want the look of a professional salon blowout and you're on a budget, the Revlon wins. If you have a sensitive scalp or very fine, fragile hair, you might want to save up for the more expensive options.
What most people get wrong about the technique
It’s not a hairbrush. Don't use it like one.
If you just brush your hair downward with the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus, your hair will be flat and sad. You have to over-direct. Pull the hair up and away from your head.
For the top sections, I pull the hair forward toward my forehead while drying. It looks ridiculous in the mirror, but when you flip it back? Instant volume.
Also, sectioning is not optional. If you try to do huge chunks of hair, the middle won't get dry, and the outside will get fried. Use those claw clips. Do small, two-inch sections. It actually goes faster that way because each section dries in two passes rather than ten.
The verdict after half a year of use
I’ve reached for the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus more than my traditional blow dryer and round brush. It’s just easier. I don’t have the coordination to hold a heavy dryer in one hand and a round brush in the other without getting the brush stuck in my hair at least once.
It’s not perfect. It’s still loud—like, "can't hear a podcast" loud. And it still gets hot, so you have to be mindful. But the improvements they made over the original are significant. The detachable head and the Medium heat setting alone make it worth the upgrade if you’re still rocking the old, bulky 1.0 version.
Actionable steps for your first use:
- Prep is everything: Apply a high-quality heat protectant to damp hair. Don't be stingy with it.
- Rough dry first: Use a regular dryer or let your hair air dry until it’s barely damp. Putting the Revlon on soaking wet hair is a recipe for frizz and damage.
- Sectioning: Divide your hair into at least four quadrants. Use clips to keep the wet hair away from the section you’re working on.
- The "Roll and Hold": When you get to the ends, roll the brush up toward your head and hold it for 5 seconds on Medium, then hit it with the Cool shot for 5 seconds.
- Maintenance: Once a week, take the head off and remove the hair from the bristles. Use a damp cloth to wipe the barrel once it's completely cool to remove product buildup.
The Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus isn't just hype this time. It’s a genuinely improved tool that fills the gap between "I don't know how to style my hair" and "I can't afford a $500 dryer." Just watch your heat settings and don't forget the cool shot.