This Viral $50 Blow-Dry Brush Allowed Me to Cancel My Blowout Membership

When styling my hair, I stick with what works best: a sleek yet bouncy blowout that transforms my naturally curly, frizz-prone hair. Admittedly, I'm very particular about how I like my hair styled, and it's taken me years to figure out the right technique for my hair type. A high-tension blowout executed with a blowdryer and a round brush is my go-to — it provides the smoothest, flyaway-free strands at the top, with a bouncy Victoria's Secret runway-like curl at the bottom. Chef's kiss.

I've always been, shall we say, challenged when it comes to doing my own hair, which is why I've left it up to my go-to stylist at Drybar. Recently, though, I stumbled upon the TikTok-viral Wavytalk Thermal Brush ($55), and upon witnessing the magic that ensued after a single pass on hair with a similar curl pattern to mine, I was dead set on trying it out for myself. Spoiler alert: Since using the brush, I've cancelled my Drybar membership.

About the Wavytalk Thermal Brush

What I Like About the Wavytalk Thermal Brush

There are so many reasons why I love the Wavytalk Thermal Brush — it provides a salon-lookalike blowout at home. Before using this brush, I had given up on blow drying my hair myself (my arms get too tired, it takes me upward of one hour to do my entire head, and it never ends up looking sleek and frizz-free).

With the Wavytalk Thermal Brush, though, I'm able to mimic professional results without risking arm cramps (the brush is lighter than a standard blow dryer) or prolonged heat exposure. I also appreciate that the very tip of the brush remains cool to the touch, which allows me to get a firm grip on the hair while pulling it down. Finally, the heated brush is effortless to use: Even on my 2c hair, I only have to do one to two passes per section to achieve smooth results, which ends up being less heat exposure on my hair overall and a significantly shorter styling process.

How to Use the Wavytalk Thermal Brush

I use the heated brush the same way I use any other hot tool — by starting with a heat protectant. Right now, the one I'm using is the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) 5-in-1 Styling Treatment ($33), which offers heat protection up to 450°F along with conditioning benefits. I then tie the top part of my hair off and begin with a one-inch section on the bottom. I place the brush on the top of the section toward the base of my scalp, wrap the section around the brush once, and pull with tension down toward the ends.

I like to move at a slow pace to ensure the brush has time to heat all parts of the hair. Then, once I reach the ends, I don't release right away — instead, I roll the brush in a circular motion three to four times to get a nice "flip."

What to Consider Before Trying the Wavytalk Thermal Brush

The Wavytalk Thermal Brush is definitely worth the money and worth the TikTok hype. I recommend it to people of all hair types looking to minimize heat exposure on their hair and save money on professional styling. It's also ideal for those challenged to do their hair at home (hi, that's me) because it's lightweight, isn't made with any fancy features, and only requires a few passes per section (depending on your hair type).

Due to the placement of the power button, I sometimes accidentally turn it off as I'm doing the flip at the ends. The brush also doesn't do much for shine, but I always add a shine-inducing finishing product into my hair post-styling, so that's not a deal breaker for me.

Where Is the Wavytalk Thermal Brush Available?

The Wavytalk Thermal Brush is available at Amazon and Wavytalk.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Michelle Rostamian is a Los Angeles-based beauty and wellness contributor with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She began her career as a publicist, content writer, and social media manager, representing beauty brands and industry professionals. Currently, she is a writer and editor on all things makeup, beauty, skin care, and lifestyle.