Thanks to advances in beauty technology, achieving a salon-level blowdry at home has never been easier — and there’s one tool we can thank for that: the hot brush.
From Shark to ghd, beauty brands have been churning these tools out like they’re going out of fashion. Some use hot air, mimicking the effects of a professional blowdry, while others feature clever ceramic plates to smooth, wave or curl hair better than your trusty tongs and straighteners. But with so many hot brushes on the market, one question remains: how exactly do you use them?
We asked hairstylists to break it down. Here’s everything you need to know about using a hot brush, plus the ones that deserve a spot in your hair styling arsenal.
How do you use a hot brush?
Mastering your hot brush depends on the type you have (scroll down for some recommendations) and the results you want. Some are designed for simple blow-drying (enhancing layers and styling curtain bangs), while others can straighten or even curl your hair.
A universal rule of thumb: if your hot brush features airflow (much like a hairdryer) it’s best to use it on hair that’s about 80% dry so your style holds. Caspar Finch, a hair stylist at Hershesons, says that one of the biggest mistakes he sees is people using hot brushes on soaking wet hair. “Always remove most of the water beforehand,” he advises.
If your brush doesn’t have airflow (like a ceramic heated brush) you’ll want to use it on fully dry hair. “A hot brush on damp hair cooks the cuticle — never do it,” says Deborah Cuccuru, a hair stylist at Neil Moodie Studio, a luxe, eco-conscious hair salon in Spitalfields, London.
Regardless of the type of hot brush, Deborah recommends detangling your hair first with a wide-toothed comb or a soft brush, so that the hot brush can glide without snagging, and being generous with heat protectant spray to shield your strands from damage. “For finer hair, consider a lightweight spray. For thick and coarse hair, choose a cream or serum that gives the hair slip,” she says. Caspar loves Hershesons' Almost Everything Cream. Good prep makes the hair more responsive to heat, adds Deborah.
How to use a hot brush for volume
For maximum volume, Deborah suggests sectioning your hair (starting underneath, clipping the rest up) and using the brush on small sections. Taking larger pieces will only lead to frizz and no hold, she says. “Smaller sections equals a smoother finish and more control,” Deborah adds. Caspar agrees: “Taking sections that are too large prevents you from creating tension, which is essential for maximum effectiveness and hold.”
Deborah continues, “Always lift from the root, directing the hair upwards, and hold the brush at the root for two to three seconds before rolling through the rest of the lengths.” She recommends slow, controlled passes rather than fast brushing, which she says only creates frizz and flyaways.
Her ultimate tips? “Avoid brushing too much at the ends, or you’ll collapse the volume you created,” says Deborah. “To lock in shape and ensure your volume lasts, use the cool shot after each pass if your hot brush has one.” If not, Deborah says it’s fine to hold the section of hair in your hand for a few seconds.
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How to use a hot brush to style layers
Layers are only high maintenance if you don’t have a hot brush to hand. You can use one with airflow or a ceramic barrel to smooth and define them, but Deborah emphasises the importance of sectioning your hair to make sure you catch every layer for a sleek, smooth finish. For a rounded, polished look, she likes to curve the ends slightly under. If you want a swishy effect, alternate by curving some ends under and others outwards for a flicky, ’90s vibe.
Layers have a tendency to puff up at the ends when freshly washed, so Deborah likes to prep them: “Dry ends always frizz with heat, so add a tiny bit of hair serum before styling the ends,” she says.
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How to use a hot brush to straighten hair
Caspar says that hot brushes are great for straightening: “All hair types can benefit from using a hot brush, but thicker, frizzier hair will notice maximum benefits when it comes to smoothing and control,” he says. Hot brushes not only make blow-drying simpler and faster, but Caspar also notes that they can reduce strain on your arms and shoulders compared with conventional blow-drying using a separate brush and hairdryer.
When styling from 80% dry, try a flat hot brush like the BaByliss Air Power Smooth (more on this game-changing tool in the roundup below). For dry hair, ghd’s Glide Hot Brush uses ceramic ioniser technology rather than air to create a sleek finish.
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For very curly or coily hair (3C to 4C), Deborah recommends a blowdryer brush — one that uses airflow — instead of a ceramic hot brush, as it’s easier to use and helps stretch the hair into a straighter shape.
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How to use a hot brush to curl hair
Caspar says that if you want curls that last, a hot blowdry brush that uses airflow is your best bet. “Blow-drying a curl into the hair is easy,” he says. “First, take a section of hair no wider than the brush itself, nor thicker than an inch.” The trick lies in your next hand movements. He recommends smoothing the hair from root to tip by gliding the brush through, then rolling it upwards as if wrapping the hair around a roller. Let each curl cool before brushing it out gently.
You can also curl hair with a ceramic brush. The key is choosing a thin, round brush like Hershesons The Multi Tasker or ghd Rise Professional Volumising Hot Brush, which make curling effortless. If in doubt, TikTok is full of tutorials on using a ceramic hot brush for curls like these.
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How to use a hot brush to style a fringe
Whether you’re using a blowdryer brush or a hot tool without airflow, styling a fringe — especially curtain bangs — couldn’t be easier. Place the brush underneath your fringe as close to the root as possible, wrapping the hair around it while avoiding contact with your forehead. “Direct hair upward for more volume and then curve slightly under when you pull the brush through for a rounded, polished finish,” says Deborah. You may need a few passes to achieve the finish you want.
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How often should you use a hot brush?
When you’ve properly prepped your hair and nailed the right heat setting, Deborah says it’s safe to use a heated brush two to three times a week. If your hair is bleached or fine, she advises cutting back to once or twice a week to save your strands.
Another common mistake, she adds, is using the highest heat setting: “People do this ‘for speed’, but most don’t actually need to use their tool on the highest,” says Deborah. Starting low (and going slow) is key.
What is the best hot brush?
Keep scrolling for our roundup of the best hot brushes for every hair type, length and styling need.
Best for styling layers and curling: ghd Rise Professional Volumising Hot Brush
Why it's worth it: One of the most efficient hot brushes around, this won’t singe your hair thanks to its 185°C heat cap (though a heat protectant is still a good idea). It uses heated bristles to make light work of creating waves or sleek, straight strands.
If you want airflow, try the ghd Duet Blowdry 2-in-1 Hair Dryer Brush. It’s basically like a hairdryer and ceramic hot brush had a baby. Plus, the cool-tip feature keeps your fingers safe from burns.
Best for all hair types, lengths & styling: Hershesons The Multi Tasker
Why it's worth it: This is a firm favourite among beauty editors thanks to its sleek, lightweight feel. It doesn’t use hot air; instead, it enlists thermal heat from the barrel to curl, wave and smooth strands however you use it. The short bristles mean hair doesn’t get tangled — it just effortlessly slips out, no tugging required. And the shine? Unrivalled.
Best for long hair: Shark Glossi 2-in-1 Hot Tool and Air Glosser
Why it's worth it: This is the latest addition to Shark’s growing hair tool dynasty and arguably one of the best. It combines hot airflow with heated ceramic plates and both synthetic and natural bristles — the ultimate trifecta for seamless styling. The results are professional and thanks to its larger size, it’s perfect for long and thick hair.
Best for styling fringes and curtain bangs: Dyson Airwrap I.D. Multistyler
Why its worth it: There’s a reason the beauty set all swear by Airwrap devices — they’re easy to use and deliver Instagram-worthy results. Dyson’s large round volumising brush attachment is like having a professional hairstylist on hand. If you’ve never quite mastered a barrel brush and hairdryer, this is a great option. Great for styling curtain fringes… actually, all fringes.
Best for straightening hair: BaByliss Air Power Smooth
Why it's worth it: This is more of a straightening brush thanks to its shape. It blends high-speed air with ceramic smoothing plates and malleable silicone bristles, which helps it slip through hair like a hot knife through butter. So satisfying.
Best for short hair & curly and afro hair: Tymo Stylelux Thermal Ceramic Brush
Why it's worth it: This brush is a game-changer for bobs and other short hairstyles, and the five-star Amazon reviews speak for themselves. Users love that it straightens in a single pass (even on curly hair), feels lightweight in the hand and adds serious volume.
Best for thick hair: amika Blowout Babe Thermal Brush
Why it's worth it: This thermal brush skips the air in favour of a smooth ceramic barrel and nylon bristles, letting you create the ’90s blowdry of your dreams. It uses far-infrared heat, which the brand says reduces damage, while the negative ions ensure smooth, shiny hair every time.
