I’m going to be completely honest: my bathroom cabinet is a graveyard for hair tools that promised me the world and delivered... well, frizz. We’ve all been there. You see a viral video, you buy the thing, and suddenly you’re standing in front of the mirror with a sore arm and hair that looks like you stuck your finger in an electrical outlet. But lately, everyone is talking about the Mane It's Giving Body Large Hot Thermal Round Brush, and for once, the hype isn't just marketing fluff. It’s actually kinda genius.
Jen Atkin, the stylist who basically shaped the hair of every celebrity you follow on Instagram, launched Mane with a specific vibe in mind. It’s not about $600 tech that requires a PhD to operate. It’s about tools that actually work for people who aren't professional stylists. The "It's Giving Body" brush is exactly what it sounds like. It is a 2-inch (50mm) thermal brush designed to give you that bouncy, 90s supermodel blowout without the coordination struggle of holding a blow dryer in one hand and a round brush in the other.
What makes this thermal brush different from a hot air brush?
This is the biggest point of confusion I see online. People see a round brush that plugs in and they assume it blows air. It doesn't. This is a thermal brush.
Think of it more like a curling iron in the shape of a round brush. The barrel heats up, but there’s no wind involved. This is a massive distinction because hot air brushes—while great for some—can often be loud, tangly, and sometimes don't get hot enough to actually "set" a style. With the Mane It's Giving Body Large Hot Thermal Round Brush, you’re working on dry hair. You air-dry or rough-dry your hair first, and then you use this to polish, flip, and volumize. It’s the "Day 2" hair savior you didn't know you needed.
The ionic technology in the ceramic barrel is what handles the frizz. If you have those stubborn flyaways near your part or that weird cowlick in the back, this thing smooths them out in one pass. It’s fast. Like, "I have a Zoom call in five minutes and I just woke up" fast.
Let's talk about the specs (the nerdy stuff)
It heats up to 430°F (221°C), which is plenty for even the thickest hair types. But it also has adjustable heat settings. This is crucial. If you have bleached or fine hair, please, for the love of all things holy, do not crank it to the max. Keep it around 300-350°F. The 2-inch barrel is definitely on the larger side. It’s built for "big hair." If you have a pixie cut, this isn't for you. But for bobs, lobs, and long layers? It’s perfect.
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The bristles are nylon, and they have just enough tension to grab the hair without snagging. I've used some cheaper thermal brushes where the bristles feel like they’re literally melting or ripping my hair out. This feels sturdier. It has that "heft" of a high-end tool without being so heavy that your shoulder gives out halfway through your head.
Is the Mane It's Giving Body Large Hot Thermal Round Brush actually worth the shelf space?
Probably. Especially if you struggle with the "coordination" aspect of hair styling.
Most of us aren't trained to do a tension-based blowout. We end up with flat roots and frizzy ends. This tool simplifies the mechanics. You just brush through, hold for a few seconds at the ends to create a curl, or lift at the root for volume. It creates a very specific look: polished, soft, and voluminous.
It won't give you tight ringlets. It won't dry your hair from wet.
But it will make you look like you just walked out of a salon in about 15 minutes. One trick I’ve found is to use it like a "velcro roller" alternative. Wrap a section of hair around the barrel, hold it for 10 seconds, and then let it cool in your hand for a second before dropping it. The bounce is real. Honestly, it’s a game-changer for those of us with curtain bangs. Curtain bangs are notorious for being high maintenance, but two minutes with this brush and they’re perfectly swooped.
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The learning curve and the "oops" moments
No tool is perfect. One thing to watch out for with the Mane It's Giving Body Large Hot Thermal Round Brush is hair tangling if you aren't careful. Because it’s a round brush with bristles all the way around, if you wrap your hair too many times or use sections that are too thick, you can get stuck.
Always start with smaller sections than you think you need. Also, make sure your hair is 100% dry. Using a thermal brush on damp hair is a recipe for steam-frying your strands, which sounds—and is—terrifying.
- Heat protectant is non-negotiable. Even though the ceramic barrel is "gentle," you’re still putting direct heat on your hair. Use a lightweight spray.
- Sectioning is your friend. Use clips. It feels like an extra step, but it actually makes the process faster.
- Clean the bristles. Just like a regular brush, hair builds up in there. Pull it out so the heat distribution stays even.
Comparing it to the "big names" in the industry
You’re likely wondering how this stacks up against the Amika Blowout Babe or the ghd Rise.
The Amika brush is a classic, but many users find the Mane version to have a slightly more ergonomic handle and a more modern aesthetic. The ghd Rise is significantly more expensive. While the Rise has "predictive technology" to monitor heat, the Mane tool offers manual temperature control, which some people (myself included) actually prefer. I like knowing exactly how much heat I’m putting on my hair.
Mane as a brand is also positioned at a slightly more accessible price point than the ultra-luxury brands, but it doesn't feel "cheap." It feels like a tool designed by someone who has spent thousands of hours backstage at fashion week.
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Final verdict on the "It's Giving Body" vibe
If you want flat, pin-straight hair, don't buy this. Buy a flat iron.
If you want 90s volume, flicked-out ends, and a smooth finish that looks like you put in way more effort than you actually did, then the Mane It's Giving Body Large Hot Thermal Round Brush is a solid investment. It’s particularly great for "refreshing" hair on the third day of a blowout when things have started to go a bit limp.
It’s basically a confidence boost in a box. There’s something about having hair with "body" that just makes you feel more put-together, even if you’re wearing sweatpants. It’s the "clean girl" aesthetic but with a lot more volume.
How to get the best results tonight
- Prep: Wash your hair and apply a volumizing mousse. Rough-dry it completely until it looks a bit wild and messy.
- Section: Divide your hair into three layers: bottom, middle, and top/crown.
- Style: Start at the bottom. Take 2-inch sections and glide the thermal brush from root to tip, rolling it inward or outward at the ends.
- The Crown: This is the most important part. Pull the sections at the very top of your head straight up toward the ceiling and roll the brush down to the scalp. Let it sit for a few seconds. This creates that "lift" that lasts all day.
- Finish: Don't touch it until the hair has cooled down. Then, flip your head over, shake it out, and use a tiny bit of hair oil on the very ends.
Stop overthinking your hair routine. Most of us don't need ten different tools; we just need one that actually does what it says on the box. This one definitely does.