I Don’t Usually Expect Hot Brushes to Work on My Curly Hair, But This One Has Blown Me Away

After over 12 years in the beauty industry—as a journalist, facialist, consultant and head of beauty buying at Liberty London—I’ve seen the industry from every angle. I’ve tested thousands of products, negotiated with global brands and spent years figuring out what’s worth the hype (and what’s not). Now, I’m thrilled to bring that perspective to Who What Wear UK in a new monthly column where I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the beauty products I genuinely rate, especially the ones that fly under the radar.

Let’s be honest: beauty is oversaturated. There’s always a new launch, a viral trend and a "must-use" ingredient competing for your attention. But what actually deserves your time, your money and a spot on your top shelf? That’s what I’m here to tell you.

After more than a decade of either writing about products to consulting on global brands and leading buying strategy at Liberty London, I’ve seen firsthand how the right beauty product can change everything. The right moisturiser can shift your skin. The right lipstick can lift your whole mood. And the right hair tool? It can make you feel instantly more put together, even on the kind of day where everything else feels a bit off.

But I’ll be honest: I’ve often felt hair tools aren’t made for people like me. I’m a mixed-race woman with natural, curly hair. My hair is fine, but I have a lot of it and doesn’t respond the same way to styling tools as looser or finer hair types might. Many of the hot brushes on the market use hot hair technology to be used on dry hair, which is a big no-no. They glide right past the root without making real contact or struggle to generate enough tension to create a polished look.

However, the GHD Rise Hot Brush (£179) has been doing the rounds on TikTok, which got my attention. A ceramic hair styler that’s sleek, cylindrical and designed to give root lift and volume. I was intrigued, but was it built for long, already-smooth hair? Read on for my honest review.

GHD Rise Review

I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s become one of the best hair tools I own. Let’s start with the obvious: it works. Really well. The barrel is 32mm wide, which is large enough to add bounce, but small enough to grip shorter sections and get right into the root or a fringe.

The nylon bristles don’t tug or snag, and unlike many hot tools, it doesn’t flatten or fry the hair. It operates at the same temperature as GHD’s hair straighteners—185°C—which is the brand’s sweet spot for delivering results without excessive heat damage. A good heat protector is still very much advised!

But what really surprised me was how versatile it is. You can use it to boost volume at the root, add bend and movement at the ends, or smooth out any creases or bedhead from overnight. It’s ideal for refreshing second- or third-day hair, and it’s incredibly easy to manoeuvre once you’ve had a go. It’s not quite a plug-and-play tool—it took me a few tries to get the angles right—but once I found my rhythm, I could style my whole head in under 15 minutes.

The results? Think smooth, swishy, salon-finish hair that still has life and movement. It gave my hair lift around the crown, softened the ends of my layers and made everything look more intentional. Importantly, it worked just as well on my natural hair as it did on my extensions—no snagging, no frizz, no weird puffiness at the root. I’ve also been testing it during a London heatwave to really put it through its paces. It’s rare that a hair tool works across hair textures, but this one genuinely impressed me.

For research purposes, I’ve used it on a few friends with different hair types: my best friend with finer, shoulder-length hair loved the root lift it gave her fringe. Another friend with thick, wavy hair found it helped smooth her ends and added volume without losing shape. It’s one of those rare tools that doesn’t try to force one result on everyone—it lets you decide the finish.

And while I wouldn’t go so far as to say it replaces a professional blow-dry (some things are sacred), I would say it’s the perfect between-appointments tool. In the current economic climate, that matters. We’re all being a little more mindful about where we spend, and there’s something empowering about being able to create a glossy, face-framing style from the comfort of your own home.

Because here’s the thing: tools like the GHD Rise are about more than aesthetics. They give you time back. They save you money. And they remind you that yes, you can do this yourself. In my experience, when finances get tighter, hair tool sales actually go up. Why? Because many of us would rather invest in something that gives us salon-adjacent results from home than spend £50+ a week on blow-dries. This brush is a reflection of that shift. It’s luxe, yes, priced at £179, but when you compare it to five salon visits or one luxury hair appointment, it suddenly feels like a justifiable (even savvy) spend.

How to Use It

After initial help from TikTok tutorials, I’ve tried a plethora of techniques, which all yield different results. I can bump the ends for a flicky blow-dry look or create much more volume like a bouncy blowout.

My hair is naturally curly, and I’ve currently got a few rows of extensions which are a smoother texture. I either start on clean, freshly blow-dried hair or day two or three hair, which I’ve found keeps results lasting longer. I part my hair into sections and brush each smaller section of hair thoroughly to avoid tangles—brushing is important!

For root lift, I hold the brush upside down and glide my hair downwards with slight tension. For smoother ends, I use a slow downward stroke. Heat protectant is a must, and I’ve been finishing with a touch of hair oil and a light hairspray for additional hold. I love that the finish isn’t too “done”; it gives my hair shape and smoothness without looking stiff or overly styled.

The Verdict

The GHD Rise has earned a permanent spot in my beauty rotation. It’s quick, easy to use and, most importantly, it works. Whether you’re trying to extend a salon blow-dry, refresh your style midweek, or simply want to feel a little more polished in five minutes flat, this is the tool I’d recommend. It’s not a gimmick, and it’s not just for fine hair either. It’s the kind of under-the-radar hero that quietly transforms your routine—and those are the best kind, aren’t they?

Shop Now:

Shop More Hair Products: