Stylists and at-home users blow-drying shorter hair, bangs, or working root volume and detail sections rather than smoothing long lengths.

Suited to anyone who wants faster airflow during blow-drying without the bulk of a full-size paddle or round brush.

Its main advantage over a solid-backed brush is airflow — because the head is open rather than paneled, heat from the dryer moves through the bristles instead of around them, so hair dries faster with fewer passes. The compact size also makes it easier to control at the roots or in short, detailed sections where a full-size brush is too bulky to manage.

• Towel-dry hair to remove excess water before styling.
• Section hair and place the brush at the root.
• Direct the blow dryer at the brush and hair section, following the brush as you pull it through to the ends.
• Use at the roots and in small sections for lift and volume rather than trying to smooth full lengths in one stroke.
• Clean bristles periodically to remove product buildup and shed hair.

• Pro: the vented design lets dryer air pass through the bristles instead of being blocked by a solid brush back, cutting drying time.
• Pro: nylon ball-tipped bristles glide through hair with less snagging than uncoated bristle tips.
• Con: an all-nylon bristle brush does not distribute natural oils the way a boar-bristle brush does, so it is not a substitute for one if that's the goal.
• Con: the small head size means more sections and passes are needed to dry a full head compared to a larger vent brush.