As intimidating as the best round brushes can seem, they shouldn’t be reserved for professional stylist use. With a bit of practice, these barrel-shaped hair brushes have the power to transform one’s at-home regimen, like the thermal brushes and blow-dryer brushes that have dominated our social feeds. “Round brushes in my opinion, while tricky to get a hold of initially, are the best practice for styling your hair,” pro hairstylist Sam Draper tells Vogue. “The tension and smoothing that it achieves typically can be longer lasting than just rough drying and styling with a curling iron or flat iron”—making clear why salon blowouts last far longer than attempts in one’s bathroom.
Vogue’s Favorite Round Brushes
It’s no wonder celebrity hairstylists reach for them when working on their clients’ lengths. “Round brushes are a great tool to remove frizz, smooth hair, and add shine—you just have to use them in tandem with the right styling products,” celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos explains. “Overall, finishing off a look with a round brush can just make your blowout look even better! Round brushes are volumizing [when used correctly] and can style waves, curls, or sleek hair.”
Below, the pros break down nine of the best round brushes—along with insight on how use one like a profession and choose the one for your hair type.
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Best Overall: Drybar Full Pint Ceramic Barrel
- Why We Love It: Certainly one of the most popular options on the market, Drybar’s barrel brush works similar to a curling iron—the secret to the brand’s signature blowout you’ve received in their salons. “The ceramic core of this brush holds heat, adding volume and curl while cutting down dry time,” pro hairstylist Martina Ibrahimi previously said. Plus, the circular vents increase air flow throughout the brush, which helps you to achieve your style faster. Keep in mind though that its thin nylon bristles (which are common with most vented round brushes) can tug, so brush gently to avoid causing mechanical breakage and prioritize reparative treatments before using.
- Bristle Material: Nylon
- Barrel Material: Ceramic
- Wet or Dry: Damp hair only
- Best For: Heat styling medium to long hair, from fine to thick.
- Size: 2.25 inch