Beauty Volumizer Plus vs Original: Which Revlon Tool Wins Here
The Volumizer Plus and the improved-motor original look similar but differ where it counts. The Plus brings a slimmer head, extra heat setting and detachable dryer. The original brings a lower price and proven reliability. This comparison lays out every difference.
| Factor | Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS Blow Drye | Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer and |
|---|---|---|
| Head Size | Slimmer 2.4 inch oval head | Wider 2.8 inch oval head |
| Heat Settings | Four settings plus detachable dryer | Three settings, fixed head |
| Technology | Ceramic titanium tourmaline, 50% less heat | Ionic ceramic coating, even heat |
| Price | Higher premium price | Lower budget friendly price |
| Best For | Speed and shine seekers | Budget buyers and casual stylers |
Our Verdict
Choose the Volumizer Plus for the fastest, shiniest blowouts and extra styling control. Choose the improved-motor original to save money with nearly identical results. Both are excellent one-step stylers for most hair types.
The 80% Rule: Rough-Drying Before You Style With a Hot Air Brush
The single biggest mistake with hot air brushes like the Volumizer Plus is starting to style soaking wet hair. The 80% rule says: remove roughly 80% of the water with rough drying before you begin the styling passes, and the difference in results is dramatic. Rough drying means using the tool on high heat with fast, loose passes, no sectioning, no tension, just moving the brush through the hair to blast out bulk water. On medium-length hair this takes three to five minutes with the Volumizer Plus. You know you have hit 80% when the hair feels damp but not wet, it no longer drips, and it clumps less. Only then do you switch to styling mode: smaller sections, slower passes, the brush held with tension at the roots and curved through the ends. Styling soaking wet hair with a hot air brush takes twice as long, exposes the hair to far more heat, and produces a frizzier finish, because the tool is fighting water instead of shaping hair. The Plus model's slimmer head actually makes the rough-dry phase faster than the original, since the smaller barrel moves through hair with less drag. For very thick hair, consider rough-drying with a regular dryer first and using the Volumizer Plus purely as the styler, which cuts heat exposure on the lengths. The detachable dryer head on the Plus is meant for exactly this two-phase approach. Buyers who want a dedicated rough-dry tool before styling should browse our main hair dryer buyer guide for full-size dryer options.
Keeping Your Volumizer Alive: Cleaning and Care
Hot air brushes die from neglect more than from defects, and the Volumizer Plus has specific needs. Hair wraps around the bristles and the barrel with every use, and that trapped hair does three bad things: it blocks airflow, it bakes onto the barrel and creates hot spots, and it drags through your hair on the next use, causing frizz. Clean the bristles after every two or three uses by running a wide-tooth comb through them to lift the wrapped hair, then wipe the barrel with a dry cloth once it is fully cool. Never wipe a hot barrel with a damp cloth, the thermal shock can damage the ceramic coating. The air intake at the base of the handle collects lint and dust, and a blocked intake is the main reason these tools start smelling hot or losing power. Check the intake monthly and clear it with a dry cotton swab. The detachable head on the Plus model is a maintenance advantage, you can clean the dryer base and the brush head separately, and you should detach it for storage so the joint does not collect product residue. Warning signs that mean service or replacement: a rattling sound from the motor, heat that cycles on and off unpredictably, or bristles that have melted or bent, bent bristles snag hair and cannot be straightened. With basic cleaning, a Volumizer typically lasts two to four years of regular use. For shoppers comparing motor durability across brands, our BaByliss Pro Rapido guide covers what pro-grade motors offer in lifespan.
Using a Hot Air Brush on Short Hair and Pixie Cuts
Hot air brushes are marketed for medium to long hair, but they work on short hair and pixies with a technique adjustment. The oval head of the Volumizer Plus is large relative to a pixie, so the key is to use the edges of the brush rather than the full barrel. For a pixie, work in small sections and use the outer bristles to lift at the roots, rolling the brush slightly as you go to create volume and direction. The concentrator-like airflow near the base of the head is hot enough to burn the scalp at short lengths, so keep the tool moving constantly and never park it against the scalp. Short hair dries fast, which is both an advantage and a risk: two to three passes per section is usually enough, and extra passes just add heat damage without improving the style. For bobs and lobs, the Volumizer Plus shines, the oval head is the right scale, and you can create the curved-under ends or flipped-out ends by rotating the brush at the ends of each section. The Plus model's slimmer 2.4-inch head is genuinely better for shorter styles than the original's wider head, it fits under shorter layers without pushing them flat. One caution for very short hair: the bristles can catch on closely cropped sides, so use the tool only on the longer top sections and let the sides air dry. Buyers with pixies who find the oval head unwieldy should consider a smaller round-brush dryer, and our air styler picks include more compact options.
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