Drybar’s styling tools promise salon-quality bends and waves at home. But with three options — the Wrap Party Wand, the Mixologist Interchangeable Styler, and the Curl Party Heated Round Brush — it can be tricky to pick the right one for your hair and routine.
At BeautiLAB Studio, we tested all three for heat stability, design, and styling results. Here’s how they stack up.
✨ Quick Summary
- Best for Beachy, Loose Waves → Drybar Wrap Party
- Best for Versatility & Travel → Drybar Mixologist
- Best for Blowout Volume & Soft Bends → Drybar Curl Party
🔄 Drybar Curling Tools Compared
| Model | Best For | Key Features | Buy Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrap Party Wand | Effortless, beachy waves | Reverse-taper 1.25″→1″ ceramic barrel, 25 settings, light (~8 oz) |
View on Amazon View on T3 |
| Mixologist Styler | Variety of curls & waves | 3-in-1 (wand, clamp, waver), 25 settings, storage case |
View on Amazon View on T3 |
| Curl Party Brush | Blowout volume & round bends | 1″ heated brush barrel, 25 settings, ceramic bristles |
View on Amazon View on T3 |
🧩 Design & Build: Barrel Types & Styling Goals
Wrap Party: Reverse-tapered 1.25″→1″ wand with a 5.25″ barrel. Great for beach waves and textured bends. Lightweight, non-slip ceramic keeps strands in place.
Mixologist: One handle, three barrels: 1.25″ spring iron, 1″ wand, 0.75″ triple waver. All share a 4.5″ usable length. Compact but not for very long hair.
Curl Party: 1″ fixed heated brush, 4.75″ barrel. Bristles add tension for smooth bends or bouncy blowout curls — not meant for spirals.
👉 Takeaway: Pick the Wrap Party for flowing waves, Mixologist for variety, and Curl Party for “round-brush” body.
🔥 Heat & Ionic Technology: All Ceramic, Different Focus
Wrap Party: 200–450°F (25 steps). Lab max: 380°F — steady across barrel. Best for fine–medium hair; coarse textures may need more passes.
Mixologist: Same 200–450°F range. Settings stay consistent, though high end not fully lab-tested. Good for most hair except very coarse.
Curl Party: 200–450°F range, tested to 400°F. Ceramic bristles give shine while smoothing flyaways.
👉 Takeaway: All three share a broad, adjustable range; none exceeded 400°F in lab tests, so ultra-coarse textures may need higher-output tools.
🔌 Ergonomics & Handling
- Wrap Party: ~8 oz, 13.5″ tool length, 9-ft cord. Slim handle makes long sessions easy.
- Mixologist: 9–14.8 oz depending on barrel. 13.5″ body, 9-ft cord. Heavier in waver mode.
- Curl Party: 9 oz, 13″ length, 1.2″ handle width. Stands on its tongs; no formal rest.
👉 Takeaway: Wrap Party is lightest; Mixologist balances travel and variety; Curl Party is simple and steady but not as light as Wrap.
📊 Performance Breakdown
| Model | Heat Power | Styling Range | Ease of Use | Frizz Control | Best Hair Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrap Party | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Beachy waves, flips | Very easy | Smooth finish | Fine–medium |
| Mixologist | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Waves, curls, S-bends | Quick changes, heavier waver | Good | Fine–medium |
| Curl Party | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Blowout bends, volume | Bristles steady hair | Good shine | Fine–medium |
📣 User Experiences
“Wrap Party makes perfect loose waves with no tug.”
“Mixologist means one tool for everything — love it for travel.”
“Curl Party gives my bob salon bounce in minutes.”
🏁 Final Verdict: Which Drybar Tool Should You Buy?
- Wrap Party → For beachy waves and everyday texture — light and simple.
- Mixologist → For one base + multiple looks (wand, clamp, waver).
- Curl Party → For round-brush volume and blowout curls without a dryer.
⭐ BeautiLAB Ratings:
- Wrap Party: 4.2 / 5
- Mixologist: 4.3 / 5
- Curl Party: 4.2 / 5
Bottom line:
- Want quick, undone waves? → Wrap Party
- Need versatility? → Mixologist
- Love bouncy, blowout bends? → Curl Party
Learn how we test at BeautiLAB: Our Methodology
