Buzz
1. Drybar Single Shot Blow-Dryer Brush saves you time on styling *and* alleviates arm fatigue, so you won't have to juggle both a round brush and a hair dryer. It’s truly a game-changer.
2. If you're seeking a more budget-friendly option, the Revlon hot air brush dries and styles your hair with much less effort compared to other methods. Simply rough dry your hair and then use the dryer brush to achieve a blowout that looks like you've been to a dry bar.
3. If you prefer a straighter look but still want to add volume, the Revlon one-step styler and dryer is a great choice.
4. A set of minimalist claw-shaped hair clips that are perfect for pinning up your hair. But! They’re also great for quickly securing sections of wet hair out of the way while you focus on styling other parts. (Not those tiny, flimsy clips!)
5. Crave Naturals Detangling Brush effortlessly glides through your hair, gently detangling without pulling or causing breakage. Tangles, prepare to be defeated.
6. An ultra-fine continuous water mister is perfect for keeping your hair damp enough for a perfect blowout. It’s also a favorite among people with naturally curly hair, who use it to refresh their curls after sleeping. Talk about versatile!
7. BondiBoost Sonic Hair Blow-Dryer offers a remarkably quiet blow-dry experience without compromising on speed, allowing you to chat or enjoy a podcast while styling. This is perfect if you're skilled with a blow dryer but can't stand the loud noise of typical models.
I recently used one of these for a blowout (FYI, I have thick, naturally curly hair) and was amazed by how efficient *and* quiet it was for a sleek blowout!
It includes both a diffuser and a concentrator, and works on straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair types.
Promising review: "Absolutely love this dryer! It’s super powerful and dries my hair so quickly!! I appreciate the adjustable temperature and airflow!! Also, it’s a great size with an easy-to-hold handle! The lockable settings were a nice touch! This dryer is also really stylish, which made me happy haha. 10/10! It's quieter than my other dryers, not silent, but definitely quieter!" —lulu18276
Get it from Sephora for $199.
8. Hair Proud Glass Hair gives your hair an intense shine after applying it and blow-drying. I personally tried it and was able to smooth my naturally curly roots with a round brush blow-dryer like I’ve never done before.
Promising review: "This did wonders for my hair! I color it, so it tends to look dull and dry, but if I spray this in before drying, my hair becomes so smooth and shiny, and the style holds all day. I love this brand!" —Em
Get it from Walmart for $8.98.
9. SexyHair Healthy Gloss N' Glow Lightweight Acidic Conditioning Rinse boosts shine by up to 23x and takes just eight seconds in the shower. That’s barely enough time to even think about anything, unlike the usual long pauses spent pondering your hair mask routine.
10. BondiBoost Prep and Protect Hair Primer goes on feeling weightless (but somehow you can still tell *where* you've applied it). And it works well with other heat protectants and styling products without making your hair feel sticky or stiff — at least until you've sprayed it down with freezing hairspray if you wanna.
I'm about halfway through a (rather large) tube of this stuff and am in love with it. I think it's my new go-to!
Promising review: "UMMMM WOW!! My hair was soooo soft after I blow-dried it and had the most beautiful volume. It was also very smooth after my blow dry (without a diffuser or anything). Usually my hair looks like Hagrid from HP when I blow-dry my it but this had me looking (almost) like Draco Malfoy instead. OK, but seriously the value is incredible and even though i got it for free, i will be repurchasing! :) Also, there is no scent and I LOVE that." —dianaericaa
Get it from Sephora for $25.
11. Dyson Airwrap multistyler is more or less the stuff of legend at this point. If you've been on the internet since the Airwrap 2018 release, you've likely seen it demonstrated over and over again. But for great reason! It really is amazing what this multitool can do.
You can read my in-depth review of the Dyson Airwrap's first model for all sorts of deets. Since the 2018 release, the company has improved upon the original and has longer tool attachments to make drying and styling even easier. TL;DR: Once you've practiced a few times, it's easy to use all the attachments and it leaves your hair looking shinier and feeling less dry than heat drying and then using flat irons or curling irons to achieve your desired look. Note that you do want to rough dry your hair a bit before going in with the attachments. It's, understandably, a huge financial undertaking but if you have the coin and put a LOT of time into heat styling your hair like I do, it can be worth it to you.
Get it from Sephora (one colorway) for $599 or Dyson (two colorways) for $499.
12. And a more recent release: Dyson Airstrait dries *and* straightens your hair simultaneously WITHOUT hot plates like a regular straightener. As you can guess (if you're at all familiar with the Dyson brand's tech), it uses airflow to straighten without drying out. So if you've been blow drying and *then* flat ironing your hair, this'll sound like a total dream.
My colleague Heather Braga has and loves it:
"I've had the pleasure of testing out the Dyson Airstrait and, OMG, what an incredible piece of technology. Yes, I called this 'tech' instead of a beauty tool. While it is both of these things, I was amazed by the gadget-ness of it right off the bat. I literally had to select on an LCD screen what language MY STRAIGHTENER should be set to...wild. Anyways! The Airstrait has the ability to straighten both wet or dry hair — and does without the use of damaging hot plates. It uses directional airflow to smooth and straighten hair and, honestly, it is a pretty magical experience. The biggest learning curve for me was realizing the copper pieces (where the fan lives) need to face outward so you're not blowing your hair all over the place. The fan increases when you clamp the Airstrait around your hair (HOW DOES IT KNOW!?) and pauses entirely when you set it down (seen in the GIF to the left). Additionally, I have a toddler and am very limited on time. With this gadget, I was able to take my hair from directly-from-the-shower wet to natural-looking straight hair in only 10 minutes! This is going to be such a game-changer for my life!!! It's definitely worth the splurge. Add this to your holiday wish list or, you know, get it now."
Get it from Sephora for $499.
13. Redken Quick Blowout Heat Protection Spray is a complete lifesaver for those times when your usual drying routine isn't quite delivering the smooth, shiny results you used to get.
14. Hair Proud Pre-Cleanse Hair Mask featuring vitamin C revitalizes stressed hair before you even start shampooing. Apply it to dry hair, let it sit for a while, and let the biotin, amino acids, and squalane work their magic.
I've got this product in my shower, and after the week I've had, I’m ready to shout about how well it works. Just last night, I accidentally leaned into a lit candle at a bar, and the tips of my hair caught fire—seriously, it happened—but thankfully, my friend was quick enough to put it out. Still, I lost a few inches off the ends of my naturally curly (but straightened) hair. It was mortifying, yes. I panicked and worried my hair was ruined. At home, I washed my hair four times to try and get rid of the smell (it helped a bit), then used this hair mask for 15 minutes before shampooing twice. It’s super easy to rinse off, and I could immediately tell how much more moisturized my hair felt afterward. After styling with a blow dryer brush, you wouldn't even guess I had that mishap—my hair was silky and soft. This product is amazing!
Get it from Walmart for $9.98.
15. Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray works to keep frizz at bay and leaves your hair with a mirror-like shine, thanks to its powerful anti-humidity formula. Even in the worst weather. Plus, it’s designed to keep working through multiple washes. (Trust me, I’ve experienced it!)
16. Verb Ghost Oil works wonders at smoothing out frizz and flyaways. This is *hands down* the best hair oil for anyone with thick, coarse hair like mine. Reviewers with hair textures all the way up to 4c rave about it! It makes your hair not only look sleeker but feel softer, especially after the roughest blow-dry session you can imagine.
17. If you're ready to invest a bit more, Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil boasts over 36,000 5-star reviews, accompanied by some seriously glam reviewer photos to back up the hype. This lightweight styling oil not only gives your hair a glossy finish and boosts your color's vibrancy, but it also provides heat protection up to 450°F.
18. Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray cuts your heat-styling time in half — yes, you read that right, 50%! It also fights frizz and keeps your hair safe from the heat. Plus, it’s gone viral all over TikTok.
19. The Mane Club One Hit Wonder 10-in-1 Leave-In Spray is your all-in-one solution for styling. Just spritz it onto damp hair, and it takes care of nearly everything you need for a blowout, except for the final hairspray touch. It ensures a silky smooth finish without crowding your cabinet with too many products.
20. HerStyler Hair Repair Serum, enriched with nourishing argan oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E, works wonders in controlling flyaways, so you can focus on what really matters. And the best part? It’s affordable, so you don’t have to break the bank for smooth hair.
21. Honest Conditioning Spray blends argan oil, shea butter, and quinoa extract to effortlessly detangle your hair while leaving it smelling amazing, as noted by many satisfied users.
22. The satin-lined Hairbrella ensures your hair stays flawless, rain or shine. That perfect blowout you worked so hard on will stay intact all day long.
23. The Kitsch satin pillowcase feels incredibly smooth and luxurious, all while helping your blowout last longer by preserving its sleekness as you sleep, dreaming of George Russell in The Gilded Age.
