Honestly, hair tools usually end up in the "graveyard" under the bathroom sink. You know the spot. It’s where the $200 curling irons and the fancy Italian blow dryers go to die because they’re just too much work on a Tuesday morning. But the Revlon One Step Dryer Brush is different. It’s been out for years now, survived a dozen "upgraded" versions from competitors, and still holds its spot as the most viral hair tool in history. Why? Because it’s cheap, it’s loud, and it actually works.
If you’ve ever tried to give yourself a salon-style blowout with a round brush in one hand and a heavy dryer in the other, you know the struggle. Your arms get tired. You lose your grip. You end up with a tangled mess that looks more like a bird's nest than a sleek mane. The Revlon One Step Dryer Brush basically fixes that by mashing the two tools together. It’s an oval brush that blows hot air through the bristles. Simple.
But it’s not perfect. People have strong opinions about this thing. Some say it’s a miracle; others say it fried their hair off. Let’s get into what’s actually happening under that plastic casing.
The Physics of Why It Works (and Why It Smells Like Burning Sometimes)
Most people don't realize that the Revlon One Step Dryer Brush isn't just a hairdryer. It’s a tension tool. When you pull your hair taut across the ceramic coating, the heat breaks the hydrogen bonds in your hair strands. This allows the hair to take the shape of the brush as it dries.
The heat is intense. We’re talking upwards of 200°F depending on which model you have. That’s why you might smell that "hot hair" scent if you aren't careful. It’s designed with nylon pin and tufted bristles which help with detangling, but the real magic is the airflow. Unlike a flat iron that squashes your hair flat, this keeps the volume at the root.
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Does it actually damage hair more than a standard dryer?
It depends on how you use it. If you’re taking soaking wet hair and hitting it with the "High" setting for 20 minutes, yeah, you’re going to see some split ends. Professionals like Chris Appleton have often noted that the key to any heat tool is the "damp-to-dry" ratio. You should never use this on dripping wet hair. Wait until you're about 70% or 80% dry. Then, use the brush to finish the style and add the shine.
The Evolution: Original vs. Plus vs. Root Booster
Revlon didn't just stop at the original. They saw the TikToks. They heard the complaints about the handle being too thick. So they iterated.
The Original 1.0 is the chunky one. It’s a bit like holding a massive rolling pin. If you have small hands, it’s a workout. But it has a huge surface area, which makes it fast for long hair.
Then came the One-Step Volumizer Plus (2.0). This was a response to the "it's too hot" and "it's too big" crowd. They made the motor slimmer and added a "Medium" heat setting. This was a game changer. The original only had Low and High. Low was barely a breeze, and High felt like the surface of the sun. Medium is the "Goldilocks" zone for most hair types.
They also added a detachable head. This seems small, but if you travel, it’s huge. You can actually fit it in a suitcase without taking up half the space.
What about the Root Booster?
This is the skinny sibling. It has a round 1.5-inch barrel instead of the big oval. If you have a bob or pixie cut, the standard Revlon One Step Dryer Brush is probably too big for you. You’ll just end up hitting your forehead with a hot brush. The Root Booster is for the short-haired girls or people who want tight curls rather than a smooth blowout.
Real Talk: The Learning Curve
You’ve seen the tutorials. The girl on the screen does one pass and her hair looks like a Redken commercial. That’s rarely how it goes the first time.
You need sections. If you try to brush through a giant clump of hair, the middle won't get dry and the outside will get frizzy. Clip it up. Start at the bottom. It feels tedious, but it actually saves you time because you aren't re-doing sections that stayed damp.
Pro tip: Twist the brush at the ends. If you just pull straight down, your hair will look flat. If you roll the brush outward at the tips, you get that "Rachel Green" flick that everyone wants right now.
The Safety Elephant in the Room
There was a lot of talk a few years ago about these tools "melting." Most of the time, this happened because people weren't cleaning the lint filter at the bottom. Air needs to move. If the intake at the base of the handle gets clogged with dust and hairspray, the motor overheats.
Check the bottom of your brush once a week. If it’s grey and fuzzy, clean it out.
Also, use a heat protectant. Always. It doesn't matter if it’s a $10 drugstore spray or a high-end cream. You need a barrier between that ceramic plate and your cuticle.
Comparing the Rivals: Shark vs. Dyson vs. Revlon
Is the Revlon One Step Dryer Brush better than a $500 Dyson Airwrap?
No. Obviously not.
The Dyson uses the Coanda effect—basically air magic—to wrap hair without extreme heat. The Shark FlexStyle is a beast that does everything. But here is the thing: those tools are an investment. The Revlon is usually around $40 to $60.
If you use it twice a week, the cost-per-use is pennies. For someone who just wants to look decent for a Zoom call or a dinner date, spending $500 is overkill. The Revlon gives you 90% of the result for 10% of the price.
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Who should skip this tool?
If you have extremely fragile, bleached-to-within-an-inch-of-its-life hair, maybe stick to air drying or a very low-heat blow dryer. The mechanical tension of the bristles combined with the heat can be a lot for compromised hair.
Also, if you have very tight 4C curls, this might not be your "one step" tool. You might find it works better as a stretcher before you go in with a flat iron, rather than a final styling tool. It’s great for tension drying, but it won't give that "glass hair" finish on very textured coils without some extra help.
How to Make Your Blowout Last Three Days
- Start with clean hair. If you have leftover product or oil, the heat will just "cook" it into your hair and make it feel gummy.
- Use a volumizing mousse. Apply it to the roots while your hair is damp.
- The Cool Shot. Most people ignore this. Once a section is dry, turn the dial to the "Cool" setting (if your model has it) and run it over the hair one last time. This "sets" the shape.
- Don't touch it. Let your hair cool down completely before you run your fingers through it. If you ruffle it while it’s still warm, you’re inviting frizz to the party.
- Dry Shampoo on night one. Don't wait until you're oily. Put a little dry shampoo in before you go to bed the first night. It absorbs the oil as it's produced.
Actionable Steps for Your Hair Routine
If you just bought the Revlon One Step Dryer Brush or you’ve had one sitting in your drawer, here is exactly how to use it tomorrow morning:
- Prep: Towel dry your hair well. Apply a heat protectant spray (like the Tresemmé Thermal Creations) and a bit of leave-in conditioner on the ends.
- Rough Dry: Use your regular blow dryer (or just air dry) until your hair is damp, not wet. It should feel like a piece of laundry that’s been in the dryer for 5 minutes.
- Section: Divide your hair into at least four sections: Top, left side, right side, and back.
- Style: Use the "Medium" setting if you have the 2.0, or "High" if you have the original (but move quickly!). Place the brush under the section at the root and pull slowly toward the ends.
- Maintenance: Once you’re done, use a pair of scissors or a comb to pull the hair out of the bristles. Don't let it build up.
The Revlon One Step Dryer Brush isn't some high-tech miracle from the future. It’s a simple, effective tool that leveled the playing field for people who aren't professional stylists. Treat it with a little respect—don't overheat your strands and keep the filter clean—and it’ll probably be the best $50 you ever spend on your vanity.