Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus: What Most People Get Wrong

The original Revlon brush was everywhere. You couldn't open TikTok in 2020 without seeing someone in a bathroom mirror, steam rising, hair bouncing. But it had problems. It was loud—like, jet-engine-in-your-ear loud. It got terrifyingly hot. And if you had short hair? Forget it. That massive barrel was like trying to style your bangs with a soda can.

Enter the Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus Hair Dryer and Styler.

Honestly, calling it a "2.0" feels like an understatement. It's more like they actually listened to the thousands of people complaining about burnt scalps and aching wrists. They changed the barrel, the motor, and the heat settings. But even with the upgrades, people are still making the same mistakes that lead to hair breakage and "flat" blowouts.

The Barrel Shrink: Why 2.4 Inches Matters

The most obvious change is the size. The original model featured a massive 3-inch head. The Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus dropped that down to 2.4 inches.

It sounds small. It's not.

That half-inch difference is the reason you can actually get the brush to the base of your skull without burning your neck. The slimmer oval shape allows for more "flicks" at the ends. If you want that 90s supermodel curve, the smaller barrel makes it happen. On the old one, you just got "straight with a slight bend."

Ceramic, Titanium, and the Heat Myth

Marketing speak loves the word "Tourmaline." Revlon upgraded the Plus to a Ceramic Titanium Tourmaline coating. Basically, it's designed to distribute heat more evenly so you don't get those "hot spots" that melt synthetic bristles or, worse, your hair.

Here is the thing. It still gets hot.

The Plus added a Medium heat setting. This is the "Goldilocks" zone. The original only had High and Low. High was often way too hot for fine hair, and Low felt like a gentle breeze that took forty minutes to dry anything. The Medium setting on the Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus Hair Dryer and Styler maintains the airflow of the High setting but drops the temp.

Use Medium. Seriously. Your ends will thank you in six months when they aren't splitting up to your ears.

The Charcoal Factor

You'll see "charcoal-infused bristles" on the box. It sounds like a gimmick. It kinda is. The idea is that charcoal helps neutralize odors and keep second-day hair fresh. While it’s hard to prove the charcoal is doing much heavy lifting, the bristle pattern is definitely better. They used a mix of nylon pins and boar bristles that actually grip the hair.

No more hair sliding off the brush while you're trying to tension the roots.

Why Your Blowout Still Looks Flat

"I bought it and my hair is just flat and shiny." I see this comment constantly on Reddit and Ulta reviews.

Usually, it’s a technique issue. If you pull the brush down toward your shoulders, you are literally ironing the volume out of your hair. To get the lift, you have to pull up.

Think 90-degree angles.

When you're working on the top sections near your part, pull the brush straight up toward the ceiling. Hold it at the root for three seconds on the Medium or High setting, then glide. This creates "over-direction," which is the secret sauce for that salon-style lift.

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The "Detachable" Secret

The head now pops off.

This isn't just for cleaning out the inevitable hair tumbleweeds that collect in the bristles. It’s for travel. The original Revlon was a nightmare to pack; it took up half a carry-on. The Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus handle and head separate with a little switch, making it much easier to tuck into a suitcase.

Also, it makes cleaning the motor intake easier. If you don't clean the dust out of the bottom filter, the motor works harder, gets hotter, and eventually dies. Revlon claims this new motor lasts 40% longer, but that only holds true if you aren't letting it choke on hairspray residue and dust bunnies.

Avoiding the "Boiled Hair" Syndrome

This is the most important part. Do not use this tool on soaking wet hair.

You’ll hear a sizzling sound. That is the water inside your hair shaft turning to steam and exploding outward. It’s called "bubble hair" in the dermatology world. It's permanent damage.

1. Rough dry first. Use a regular hair dryer or air dry until your hair is 80% dry. It should feel damp, not wet.
2. Heat protectant is non-negotiable. I don't care if the barrel is ceramic-titanium-magic; you are putting direct heat on your strands. Use a spray like Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray or something similar.
3. Sectioning. If you try to do huge chunks of hair at once, the outside gets fried and the inside stays damp. Small sections are faster in the long run.

Is It Actually Better Than the Original?

Yes.

If you have the original and it’s still working, you don't need to sprint to the store. But if your old one is smelling like burnt electricity or you have hair shorter than shoulder length, the Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus Hair Dryer and Styler is a massive upgrade. The handle is slimmer, so your hand won't cramp up halfway through. Plus, it’s significantly quieter. It’s still a hair dryer, but you won't feel like you need earplugs.

The only people who might prefer the original are those with hair down to their waist. For them, the 3-inch barrel saves time. For everyone else, the Plus is the way to go.

Actionable Maintenance Tips

• Clean the filter weekly. Twist the bottom or use a toothbrush to get the lint out.
• Remove hair after every use. Don't let it build up; it blocks airflow.
• The Cool Shot. Once a section is dry, twist the dial to "Cool" for ten seconds. It "sets" the hydrogen bonds in your hair, meaning your volume won't fall flat the second you step outside.

Start by air-drying your hair to about 75% while you do your makeup. Then, apply a lightweight volumizing mousse to the roots and a heat protectant to the ends. Work in four main sections, starting from the bottom. By the time you get to the top, use that "pull-to-the-ceiling" technique. You’ll get that bouncy, expensive-looking finish without the $75 salon bill.