There’s nothing I love more than a bouncy blowout. However, as someone with incredibly thick, long, naturally wavy hair, this is not something I can usually do at home. Every time I visit the salon, I am obsessed with how my stylist does my blow-dry, but I can’t tell you how much money I’ve spent on hair multi-stylers, hot brushes, and hair dryers, only to try it myself and be disappointed by the results.
Even when I go on TikTok or Instagram and see women creating all these salon-worthy hairstyles with the latest tools, I know that if I try it, my hair will not look the same. Call me cynical, but I’ve fully accepted the fact that the only way for me to get that bouncy ’90s finish is to turn to a professional.
At least that was the case before I finally found the hot brush that changed everything. I’d never tried anything from Beauty Works before, but when the XXL Volume Hot Brush landed on my desk, I was immediately intrigued. This wasn’t like other hot brushes I had tried. It was larger in size and felt very sturdy, which made me think that it might be able to style my stubborn strands. Lo and behold, it did exactly that, and now I can’t stop raving about it. Want to know more? Keep on scrolling for my full review.
Beauty Works XXL Volume Hot Brush Review
Beauty Works
XXL Volume Hot Brush
Pros
- Easy to use
- Creates salon-worthy styles
- Large brush is good for thick or long hair
- Adds a shiny finish
- Comes with a chic storage bag
Cons
- Can only be used on dry hair
- Large size means hard to get right into the root
- If you have curly hair, you may have to blow-dry it straight first
The Specifications
Before showing you my results, let’s get the boring bits over with. If you’re looking for a hot brush, it’s important to check the specifications, so you know what you’re getting yourself into. First of all, this brush is designed for dry hair only. It is not a wet-to-dry hot brush, so you will need to blow-dry your hair before styling.
What I love about this particular tool is just how easy it is to use. It comes with a chic storage bag that is heat-resistant, so it can also be used as a styling mat. It has a swivel cord and a 2.8 metre cable, which is great if your plug sockets are a little further away from a mirror like mine. Don’t worry too much about accidentally leaving it on either, as it automatically shuts off after 30 minutes.
It features three simple buttons, including an on button and two buttons to adjust the temperature up and down (it ranges from 80˚C-220˚C). The LCD screen means you can see exactly when the tool reaches your desired temperature, but it also makes a beeping sound so you know when it’s ready.
Another great specification? The cool tip at the end of the brush. Sometimes I find these tools hard to glide through my hair, but the fact that I was able to hold the tip of the brush when styling made doing my hair so much easier. It has a tapered handle that has been ergonomically designed for comfort and an extra-long styling barrel (38mm, to be precise), allowing you to style larger sections of hair at a time.
The bristles definitely feel more flexible than other tools I have tried, and this brush features four ion generators to help seal in moisture and deliver a smooth, shiny finish.
How to Use
I feel like there are lots of different ways to use a hot brush, and I definitely recommend watching some videos before giving the tool a go. However, I felt like this particular tool was very intuitive, and I actually got the hang of it straight away. As mentioned, I do have naturally wavy hair, so I have to either blow-dry my hair straight or go in with a hair straightener before styling it with this brush, as otherwise my roots can still hold a curl.
My top tips would be to always use heat protectant and to brush your hair before going in with the tool. This is important as you don’t want to risk the hot brush getting stuck in any tangles! I like that flicky, ’90s kind of finish, so once my hair is straight, I take small-ish sections and run the brush through the mid-lengths to ends, curling it outwards. I find I only have to do this once or twice in order to get my desired result.
The Results
Before Using the Beauty Works XXL Volume Hot Brush
Using the Beauty Works XXL Volume Hot Brush
After Using the Beauty Works XXL Volume Hot Brush
As you can see, this tool transformed my hair and created what I believe is a salon-worthy blow dry in the comfort of my own home, in about 15 minutes flat. I am so impressed with this hair tool, and for under £100, I can easily say it’s one of the best options on the market. Not only is the larger size great for long, thick hair, but the bristles glide through the ends, creating a bouncy, voluminous finish that actually lasts.
Shop Beauty Works XXL Volume Hot Brush
Beauty Works
XXL Volume Hot Brush
Shop Styling Products
Hair by Sam Mcknight
Save the Do Heat Protection Style Starter
This heat protectant smells amazing and provides light hold.
Beauty Works
Bounce Back Volume Spray
Gisou
Honey Infused Hair Oil
I always finish things off with a few drops of this hair oil to add salon-worthy shine.
Color Wow
Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray
You can’t forget a bit of hairspray.