This Hot Brush Priced Under £100 Gave Me My Shiniest, Bounciest, Most-Praised Blowout Ever.

      As someone who has experimented with numerous hot brushes, hair multi-stylers, hair dryers, and straighteners, I have gathered quite a bit of knowledge about them. These tools are excellent investments if you appreciate the look of a professional blow-dry and wish to transition your hair from wet to dry and styled in a single session. However, with many brands now offering their own versions, selecting the best one for your hair can be challenging. If you're considering the Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 (£95), read on for my candid review and images.

      **Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 Specifications**

      - 3 heat/speed settings (66ºC / 88ºC / 110ºC) to enhance volume and smoothness for different hair types

      - Tourmaline-coated barrel produces negative ions and infrared heat to smooth hair

      - Large oval barrel provides volume at the roots and throughout the hair length and allows for drying and styling larger sections at once

      - Nylon ball-tip bristles detangle and smooth, while the shorter bristles contribute to bounce, shine, and polish

      - Lightweight design (380g)

      - 3m cord with 360° swivel for convenient styling

      **Pros**

      - Creates bouncy blowouts

      - Lightweight

      - 3 heat and temperature settings

      - Easy to operate

      - Adds volume and bounce

      - Moves through hair without tangling

      **Cons**

      - May not be smoothing enough for coarse hair

      - Better suited for layered, medium to short hair

      - Some users have reported that the tool stopped working after about a year

      **Using The Hot Brush**

      As part of my hot brush testing routine, I towel-dried my hair after washing and gave it a quick blast with a hairdryer at the roots to eliminate excess moisture, aiming for about 70-80% dryness. My initial impression of the hot brush was its lightweight feel. Weighing just 380g (less than a can of tomatoes), it eliminates the risk of experiencing arm fatigue while styling.

      The large oval brush can accommodate a significant amount of hair (ideal for long or thick hair, allowing for quicker drying and styling) while the combination of nylon and shorter bristles effectively detangles, smooths, and polishes as you twist it through your hair. I was particularly impressed with how smoothly it glided through my hair without snagging. To use a hot brush, you should twist and gently pull the barrel through each section a couple of times to dry and shape the hair.

      The heat and speed settings are thoughtfully designed. With three heat options and different speed settings, it allows for customization based on your hair type. I started with the highest speed and heat to dry my hair, then switched to a slower speed with lower heat to shape and set my layers. Overall, it took roughly 20-25 minutes for the hot brush to dry and fully style my hair. I loved the volume, shape, and bounce it added, especially around the shorter layers framing my face. However, I didn’t observe significant changes in terms of shape for the longer parts of my hair, focusing more on shine and smoothness. For long or heavy hair, I recommend using a curling wand for better long-lasting hold.

      The bounce endured throughout the day, and my hair maintained some shape into the next day (my recommendation is to sleep with your hair loosely twisted in a bun using a silk scrunchie). Nevertheless, you might want to refresh a few sections for better shape.

      **The Verdict**

      In conclusion, I believe this hot brush is an excellent choice. It provided the bounce and volume reminiscent of a salon blow-dry, leaving my hair feeling silky and smooth. I am particularly fond of its lightweight design—it’s the lightest one I’ve tried. My hair is thick, slightly wavy, and holds curls well, so I managed to enjoy a full day’s worth of styling with bounce and shine still noticeable the next day. If your hair is finer, you may want to use a good hair mousse for added hold. Amika claims this hot brush works with all hair types; while I can't confirm that personally, I can say that the brush head provides solid tension, aiding in straightening curly hair for a blown-out effect. For a super-sleek finish, you might consider straightening your hair first and then using this hot brush on dry hair.

      If I had a minor complaint, it would be that it could improve its smoothing capabilities on the coarser hair around my crown, as I noticed some frizz post-styling, but a bit of hair serum rectified that. After reading feedback, it seems some users encountered issues with the original Amika hot brush, which stopped functioning after about a year. However, it appears Amika has improved this with the 2.0 model, designed to enhance the tool's longevity (and at nearly