Beauty Revlon Pro Collection Guide: Blowouts and Drying Like a Pro
An educational guide from the Beauty AMZ research team. No hard sell, just what you need to know.
How a hot-air volumizing brush works
A hot-air brush like the One-Step Volumizer merges two tools: a dryer that pushes heated air through vents in the brush head, and a brush whose bristles grip and tension the hair. As you pull the brush through a section, the airflow dries the hair while the bristle tension smooths the cuticle, mimicking what a stylist does holding a dryer in one hand and a round brush in the other. The oval head shape is deliberate: the curved sides let you roll the brush at the roots for lift, then glide down the lengths for smoothness. Ionic technology in the airflow helps reduce static and frizz during the pass. Because the brush maintains tension, each section needs fewer passes than freehand drying, which means less total heat exposure. The trade-off is that the tool does one style family, smooth and voluminous, rather than the full range a separate dryer and brush offer.
Rough-drying versus styling: the right order
The fastest, healthiest blowout follows a two-phase order: rough-dry first, then style. After towel-drying, use high heat and high airflow with your fingers or a vent brush to get hair from soaked to about 80 percent dry, focusing on the roots and underlayers. Only then switch to the styling phase, working in sections with the Volumizer or a round brush on medium heat. Styling soaking-wet hair wastes time and soaks each section in heat far longer than necessary, which is the top cause of heat damage in home blowouts. The 80-percent rule also gives better volume, since roots dried with lift stay lifted. If you are short on time, even five minutes of rough-drying before styling makes the finishing pass dramatically faster. Never skip heat protectant: apply it to damp hair before any heat touches it, since protectants need to be in place before the cuticle heats. Patience in the rough-dry phase is what separates salon-smooth results from frizzy ones.
Choosing heat settings by hair type
Fine hair heats through quickly, so low to medium heat is enough and high heat risks breakage and color fade. Medium hair is the most forgiving and usually styles best on medium heat. Thick or coarse hair needs medium to high heat to dry the dense interior of each section, but even then, drop to medium for the final smoothing pass. Chemically treated, bleached, or damaged hair should stay on low regardless of thickness, since processed hair conducts heat faster and breaks sooner. A reliable test is the hand check: if the airflow feels uncomfortably hot on the back of your hand, it is too hot for your hair. The cool shot is not optional decoration; cool air closes the cuticle after heat opens it, which locks in smoothness and shine. Make the cool blast the last thing each section feels. When switching between family members with different hair types, reset the dial each time rather than guessing from memory.
Technique for maximum root volume
Volume comes from the roots, so that is where technique matters most. Work in clean sections, lifting each one up and away from the scalp with the brush, and direct the airflow at the root area first before gliding down the lengths. Over-directing, pulling sections upward and slightly back as you dry, builds lift that lasts. Let each section cool in its lifted position for a few seconds before moving on, since hair sets its shape as it cools. For extra staying power, clip the crown sections up while they cool completely. Avoid loading the roots with heavy serums or oils before drying, which weigh lift down; save richer products for the mid-lengths and ends. A light volumizing mousse applied to damp roots before drying multiplies the effect of good technique. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase also preserves next-day volume better than cotton. A final blast of cool air while the hair is still lifted locks the volume in for hours.
Frizz prevention during blowouts
Frizz is mostly a moisture and cuticle problem, and blowout technique either solves or causes it. Always dry in the direction of the cuticle, pointing airflow down the hair shaft from roots to ends, never upward into the hair, which roughs the cuticle up. Keep the tool moving instead of parking heat on one spot, which creates hot-spot frizz and damage. Do not over-dry: once a section is dry, stop, since blasting already-dry hair just dehydrates it. A smoothing serum or cream on damp hair before drying seals the cuticle against humidity. In humid climates, finishing with the cool shot and a light anti-humidity spray makes the blowout survive the day. If frizz appears midday, a tiny amount of serum smoothed over the surface beats reapplying heat, which just adds damage. If you live in a humid climate, an anti-humidity finishing spray applied after the cool shot is the single best defense against midday frizz expansion.
Tool care and when to replace
Clean the air intake filter monthly, or weekly with heavy use, since a choked filter makes the motor run hot and shortens its life. On hot-air brushes, clear wrapped hair from the bristles after every session. Store tools where they cool fully before being put away, and never wrap cords tightly around the body. Replace a dryer when it starts smelling of burning, losing airflow, or taking much longer than it used to, all signs of motor or element wear. Replace a hot-air brush when bristles splay, melt, or lose grip, since worn bristles snag and reduce styling control. With basic care, a home dryer used a few times a week should last several years. Keep the receipt and register the warranty, since heating elements are the most common failure point and are usually covered. Keep the original box or a heat-resistant pouch for travel, since tossing a hot tool loose into luggage damages both the tool and your belongings.
Recommended Products
These are the products our research team rates highest in this category.
Best for: Fast at-home blowouts with root volume
Revlon Pro Collection Salon One-Step Dryer and Volumizer, 1100W
- 1100-watt dryer power built into an oval brush head
- Ionic technology helps reduce frizz and boost shine
- Three heat and two speed settings plus a cool shot
- Mixed nylon-pin and tufted bristles detangle while drying
Pros
- Cuts drying and styling time roughly in half versus a dryer plus brush
- Oval shape adds lift at the roots and smooths lengths in one pass
- Lighter than many pro-grade hot air brushes, easier on the arms
Cons
- Oval head is bulky for very short hair or tight roots
- Not ideal for adding tight curls, it straightens and smooths most
- Needs regular cleaning, since hair wraps around the bristle base
Best for: Quick everyday drying on a budget
Revlon Pro Collection Dry Max Hair Dryer
- 1875 watts for fast drying power at a drugstore price
- Titanium ceramic coating for even heat and shine
- Three heat and two speed settings for different hair types
- Cool shot button locks in styles, plus a concentrator attachment
Pros
- Dries thick hair noticeably faster than basic travel dryers
- Titanium ceramic plates of heat feel smooth and less scorching
- Concentrator nozzle helps aim airflow for sleeker finishes
Cons
- Full-size 1875W dryer runs louder than low-watt models
- Heavier than compact dryers, can tire the wrist on long hair
- No diffuser included for curly hair routines
Ready to Choose?
See our top product picks for revlon pro collection, or jump straight to the head-to-head comparison of the two most popular options.