Picture this: you step out of the shower, whip out your favorite hair spritzes and sprays and style your hair to perfection. There isn’t a struggle with your round brush (the worst) or any frizzy flyaways (also not ideal).
With the advent of the oh-so-popular blow-dryer brush, rendering your locks into a salon-approved style hasn’t been easier. And as a commerce reporter who tries a sh*t-ton of beauty products for a living (you should just see my bathroom cabinet), I have the scoop on the best of the best.
Enter the amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0. It’s available to pick up online at Sephora, is a $100 purchase that your future Instagram photoshoots will thank you for and — gasp alert – is used more than my Dyson Airwrap.
OK, before you come at me, I have a bunch of hair styling tools in a cute white bin underneath my sink that I use on rotation, including the Dyson. But, the amika brush is my go-to (and that’s saying something, as my other hair styling tools — like the GHD Helios Hair Dryer and the T3 AireBrush Duo — are more than $100).
How I tested the amika Blow-Dryer Brush
While reviewing the amika Hiar Blow Dryer Brush 2.0, here’s the checklist I ran through to compare it to some others I have used:
- Ease of use: When it’s time for me to style my hair, I don’t want it to be a production. I want to go from damp to dry on the fly, and with a tool that is just as easy to use as it is effective.
- Styling power: When using a blow-dryer brush, I look at how my hair feels as it’s being styled. Does the hair tool leave my hair dry? Frizzy? On the flip-side, does it leave my hair soft and bouncy? Smooth to the touch? These are all factors I take into consideration when reviewing.
- Lasting power: Arguably the most important factor in assessing a styling tool is how long the style will last. Can I go longer than two days without a wash, perhaps even skipping dry shampoo in the process?
I’m happy (and not at all surprised) to say that the amika Blow-Dryer Brush exceeded my expectations. After trying nearly all the brand’s products (some favorites are listed below), I initially thought the more expensive options at my disposal would be more effective. Truth be told, my hair didn’t hold its blowout they way I’d like it to with my other tools.
The Amika Blow-Dryer Brush streamlines hairstyling with 2-in-1 functionality. It’s an easy-to-use and versatile tool that combines blow-drying and styling, quickly transforming damp hair into sleek, smooth locks in one step — resulting in a professional-looking blowout from home. It’s suitable for all hair types and tames frizz while achieving salon-quality volume and shine, all at a fraction of the cost of other high-end hair-stylers.
amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0, $100
The amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 not only makes the most perfect gift for the beauty lover you know, but is impeccable for taming frizz, achieving natural-looking volume, and helping to increase the shine in your hair. Plus, it’s great for all hair types (and this is coming from someone whose hair is naturally lion-mane curly) though dries straight when styled.
After testing for months, here are some things to keep in mind
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Great bang for your buck — Amika’s Blow Dryer Brush is just as good, if not better, than tools that cost five times more
- Easy-to-use funtionality
- Fast drying
- Rectangular brush head helps section, smooth and increase hair volume
- Lightweight
- Multi-length bristles smooth hair
- Long-lasting salon-quality blowout at home
Cons
- Minimal heat settings
- Only 2 speed settings
For a hair tool you’re going to use quite frequently, $100 is a fair price point. After showering with a quality shampoo and conditioner (some of my favorites being amika’s Normcore Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Normcore Hydrating Conditioner) — along with Buff City Soap, which you have to try — I let my hair sit in a towel for 10 to 15 minutes to ensure it’s not soaking wet when preparing to style.
Something the amika Blow-Dryer Brush has that others doesn’t is an almost rectangular brush head. When preparing each section of my hair to style, I wrap each piece from end to root in an almost “folding” motion — which ensures no piece is tangled.
What’s more, you can adjust the speed at which you’re drying. I typically have mine on full blast (1) because I know it doesn’t leave my hair frizzy and (2) because I like to move on with my day. However, a minor setback is there isn’t much customizability with heat settings — though it’s certainly not a dealbreaker because my hair always looks its best.
While I haven’t personally tested the Revlon model, one of our Post Shopping editors has and she loves it. And though I appreciate the smooth feel of the T3 AireBrush Duo I reviewed last year — along with whipping out my Dyson Airwrap every now and then to make me feel like royalty — the hold of my hairstyle isn’t nearly as long as it is with my amika.
So, for $100, it’s the purchase you won’t regret. Trust us on this. All you have to do is buy it now and thank us later.
If you’re on the market for other tools, I’ve also been using the brand’s CEO 360-Degree Lightweight Powerhouse Hair Dryer ($200) and Autopilot 3-in-1 Rotating Curling Iron ($120) and love them dearly.
Best amika products to use with its Blow-Dryer Brush
Blockade Heat Defense Serum, $26
You can’t add heat to your hair without a safety-first, fresh-scented heat protectant. I love that amika’s is a serum and always leaves my hair hydrated.
Brooklyn Bombshell Spray, $25
When I say this product smells amazing and gives your hair the best blowout — I mean it. Buy this with your new blow-dryer brush (you won’t regret it).
Volume & Body Mousse, $28
I’ve never been into mousse that much, but this product transformed me. It gives your hair much volume and bounce.
Top Gloss Hair Shine Spray, $27
To finish off your look, there’s no better product than amika’s Top Gloss Hair Shine Spray. No much crunchy holds here.
Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.