Many stylists dub hot airbrushes as the ‘future of hairstyling. Why not? It’s simple but ingenious, especially for someone like me who has thick hair. Instead of blow-drying, then brushing separately, you can do both at the same time. You get to free one hand for better hair control.
Basically, hot air brushes work just like a hairdryer. The difference is that the dryer is integrated into the brush, so your hair dries as you comb, straighten or curl. It’s also more compact than hair dryers.
I can still remember the first time I styled with a hairdryer. I was 13, and it was a hot mess. It looks easy among salon stylists, but it’s more complicated and difficult when doing it on your own. Up to this time, it takes me a while to achieve the style I’m aiming for when using hairdryers and a separate brush.
But with hot airbrushes, I can cut styling time by up to 50%. Sure, it has a learning curve, but it’s much easier to get used to than bulky hair dryers.
Moreover, hot air brushes can come in a paddle brush style or a rounded type. Both work well, depending on your styling method. If you are straightening, a paddle hot brush will work. However, for more styling versatility, I opt for the rounded airbrush.
Contents
Benefits Of Hot Air Brushes
Are you planning to get the best hot air brush for thick hair? The following are some of the benefits that you’ll enjoy:
✔️Excellent for adding volume. If your thick hair is always weighed down, a hot air brush will add volume to it. Since it’s a brush, you can style closer to the roots. It’s an ideal tool if you want your hair to have more body and texture.
✔️Lighter than hair dryers. Personally, my arm always ends up strained when styling with hair dryers. Hot air brushes prevent this from happening, thanks to their lighter build. It’s very easy to maneuver, and I no longer have to hold a separate brush with my other hand.
✔️Better temperature control. For those with brittle hair, hot airbrushes are a great option. It has less heat than hair dryers, which is a big plus if your hair gets damaged fast. Hot air brushes don’t get as hot as high-heat hair dryers or flat irons.
✔️Ideal for traveling. If you’re always traveling, a hot airbrush is a must-have. This 2-in-1 tool allows you to style without bringing bulky equipment. I have one hot airbrush that perfectly fits in my backpack, and I can take it on my trips.
✔️Better curls. Based on my experience, I can make better curls with a hot air brush than a flat iron curler. I can only speak from experience so it can be a different case for other people. Considering that the brush has the dryer built inside, it just makes sense why it’s much easier to use for curling.
How To Choose The Best Hot Air Brush For Thick Hair
When shopping for a hot airbrush, I always consider the following tips:
Paddle Vs. Rotating Hot Air Brush
Hot air brushes come in two types: a paddle brush and a rotating brush. Both are fantastic, but I have to warn you about the rotating type.
If you’re straightening and making curly tips, I highly recommend the paddle brush. It’s also my preferred hot airbrush for beginners.
On the other hand, rotating hot airbrushes are for more prominent curls. However, since it has a rotating motion, the curls would look tousled. It also has a steeper learning curve than paddle hot airbrushes. Anyway, a little practice will go a long way here. In the end, it depends on your styling method.
Consider The Barrel Size
If you opted for a rotating or round brush, you should check the barrel size. For those with thick and long hair like me, a thicker barrel is ideal. Those with shorter hair should opt for thinner barrels so they can wrap their hair around it quickly.
In general, I prefer hot airbrushes that are at least 1.5-inch in diameter or smaller. However, if you’re aiming for volume, look for a thicker barrel, probably up to 2 inches in diameter.
Check The Bristles
The quality of the bristles is as important as the other features. Remember that the bristles are the major styling tool, so they should be durable. Make sure that the tips have a ball or any coating so it will not scrape your scalp.
Another thing you should check is the heat resistance of the bristles. Hot air brushes can still get pretty hot, and the last thing you want is a melted tool.
Also, for those with thick hair, long bristles are ideal. It will allow you to reach the roots in every glide.
Look For Multiple Heat Levels
I always swear by hot airbrushes with variable heat settings. It lets me tweak the temperature based on the style I want to achieve. Beginners who aren’t familiar with the proper heat levels can benefit from hot airbrushes with presets.
