✨ Quick Take: Is It Worth It?
The Drybar The Curl Party is a heated curling round brush designed for short hair and quick touch-ups, blending the shaping control of a round brush with the polish of a curling tool. Unlike hot-air brushes, it doesn’t dry hair—its role is to add bend, volume, and soft curls to already-dry hair with less effort than a traditional iron.
While its handle and tongs keep the tool upright between sections, it lacks a true stand and is single-voltage only.
Looking for the full lineup? Check out our Drybar Curling Irons Review to compare all models side by side.
✅ Best for: Adding volume and curl to smooth, mid-length styles
❌ Skip if: You need dual voltage, ultra-tight spirals, or a built-in stand for countertop safety
✅ What We Like
- Easy way to add curl and volume to short hair
- No-slip barrel improves control during rotation
- Wide, precise digital heat range
- Comfortable handle and long swivel cord
- Safer, brush-style shaping vs. clamp irons
❌ What We Don’t Like
- No traditional safety stand or counter rest
- Single voltage limits travel use
- Not suitable for tight or long-lasting curls
- No accessories included
🔍 Key Specs: Drybar Curl Party at a Glance
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Barrel Type | Heated round brush (ceramic) |
| Barrel Length | 4.75″ |
| Cool Tip Length | 0.75″ |
| Tool Length | 13″ |
| Handle Width | 1.2″ |
| Cord Length | 9 ft swivel — longer than the 7.6-ft average, offering easier reach around large mirrors |
| Weight | 9 oz |
| Heat Settings | 25 (200–450°F, 10°F steps) |
| Max Temp Tested | 400°F |
| Handle Temp | 90°F |
| Cool Tip Temp | 100°F |
| Auto Shut-off | 60 min |
| Voltage | Single |
| Warranty | 2-Year limited |
🎯 Who Should Buy the Curl Party
This tool suits anyone who wants bouncy, polished volume without juggling dryer + iron.
✅ Fine or medium hair seeking body and smooth bends
✅ Users who like adjustable digital heat in a round-brush shape
✅ Everyday styling on shoulder to mid-back lengths
🚫 Skip It If You Have:
❌ Very coarse hair needing >400°F or strong tension
❌ Ultra-short or ultra-long hair (bristle area too small)
❌ Need for dual voltage or a solid countertop stand
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
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Drybar The Curl Party Heated Curling Round Brush – Salon Curling Wand with Long-Lasting, Shiny... | 66 Reviews | Check Price |
🧩 Design & Build
The Drybar The Curl Party takes a different approach to curling, blending elements of a curling iron and a round brush to create soft bends and volume, particularly well suited to short hair.
The tool uses a ceramic barrel, which helps distribute heat evenly and smooth the hair cuticle as you style. Ceramic heat is especially beneficial in a brush-style tool, where hair remains in contact with the barrel longer than with a traditional iron. In practice, this supports gentler heat exposure and a shinier finish, rather than sharp, set curls. This heat-behavior advantage aligns with principles outlined in Dyson’s hair science research, which emphasizes that controlled, evenly distributed heat helps preserve surface smoothness and shine during prolonged contact styling.
Instead of a solid barrel, this model features a heated round brush design. That shape is intended to lift at the roots while shaping the ends, producing loose curls, flips, and body rather than defined spirals. Because hair is guided through bristles instead of wrapped freely, the Curl Party favors controlled movement and volume over curl precision.
There is no defined barrel width and no interchangeable size options, which makes this a style-specific tool rather than a versatile curler. The outcome depends more on brush technique than barrel diameter, and results tend to be soft and airy rather than structured.
With a 4.75″ barrel length, the Curl Party stays compact and maneuverable—an advantage for short hair and face-framing pieces where precision matters. Longer hair can be styled, but the shorter heated surface may require more passes to achieve uniform shape.
The no-slip barrel finish helps hair grip gently against the brush during rotation, reducing slip while maintaining control.
Bottom line: Best for short hair and volume-driven styles, offering soft curls and lift rather than defined, long-lasting ringlets.
Compared with Drybar The Curl Party, which uses a heated round-brush design to boost volume and loose waves, the T3 CurlWrap offers a longer barrel with automated rotation, making it easier to create more uniform curls with less manual technique.
💡 Performance & Technology
The Drybar The Curl Party approaches heat performance differently from traditional curling irons, combining elements of a round brush and a heated barrel to create soft bends and volume—especially on short hair. Its 200–450 °F temperature range and 25 heat settings in 10-degree increments provide extensive adjustability, allowing users to fine-tune heat based on hair sensitivity and styling goals rather than relying on a few fixed presets.
In testing, the tool reached a max temperature of ~400 °F, placing it firmly in the mid-to-high heat category. Because hair remains in contact with the barrel longer than with a traditional iron, effective results often come from moderate settings, where heat is sufficient to shape the hair without overexposure. This is especially relevant given evidence that heating hair styling products can increase airborne chemical emissions during use.
The digital controls and clear display make temperature selection intuitive, and heat delivery remains stable once set. While the Curl Party isn’t designed for tight curls, the consistent output supports controlled lift, flips, and loose curl patterns, particularly at the roots and ends.
Thermal comfort is solid. The handle stays around 90 °F, remaining comfortable during styling, while the cool tip sits near 100 °F, allowing controlled handling without rush. This is especially helpful given the brush-style technique, where slower movement improves smoothness.
The ceramic barrel promotes even heat distribution, and ionic technology helps reduce static and flyaways, though there’s no dedicated ion generator. Overall, performance favors precision heat control and gentle, volumizing results, rather than aggressive curl-setting power.
While Drybar The Curl Party focuses on texture and lift, the Bio Ionic GoldPro Wand delivers stronger, more controlled heat and a lighter wand feel, better suited for defined curls that hold longer with fewer passes.
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience: Simple and Balanced
The Drybar The Curl Party Heated Curling Round Brush is designed to feel familiar and manageable, especially for shorter hair and quick styling sessions. Its 13″ tool length sits squarely in the standard range, making it easy to maneuver around the head without feeling bulky, while the 9 oz weight keeps it balanced enough for full styling without excessive arm fatigue. The 1.2″ handle width offers a stable, secure grip that works well when rotating the brush through sections.
Touch comfort is generally solid. The 0.75″ cool tip is on the shorter side but remains usable, staying around 100°F in testing, which allows brief guidance without discomfort. The handle itself stays reasonably cool (about 90°F), supporting confident handling even at higher heat settings. The 9 ft swivel cord is longer than average, giving you plenty of freedom to move around the mirror without repositioning outlets.
Convenience features lean toward control and adjustability. The Curl Party offers digital temperature control with 25 heat settings, ranging from 200–450°F, paired with a clear LED display for easy monitoring. A 60-minute auto shut-offadds safety for distracted use. However, it’s single voltage, which limits travel flexibility, and there’s no velcro cord tieor included accessories.
One notable ergonomic compromise is the lack of a traditional counter rest or safety stand. While the brush can rest on its plastic bristle supports, users often note this feels less stable than a dedicated stand. Still, with its intuitive handling, long cord, and precise heat control, the Curl Party delivers a comfortable, salon-style experience for users who prefer brush-based curling over traditional irons.
For shorter hair or simpler styling, Drybar The Curl Party can feel bulkier to maneuver, whereas the Revlon SmoothStay is easier to handle thanks to its traditional clamp design and straightforward controls.
📊 Performance Breakdown
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Power & Consistency | ⭐⭐⭐⭐¼ (4.2) | Strong, adjustable heat across a wide range (200–450 °F). Tested peak (~400 °F) supports reliable curl shaping, though brush format diffuses heat compared to solid barrels. |
| Ease of Use & Ergonomics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐¾ (4.75) | Round-brush format is intuitive for short hair and blowout-style curls. Balanced weight (~9 oz) and clear digital controls support easy handling. |
| Styling Speed | ⭐⭐⭐¾ (3.8) | Moderate barrel length (~4.75″) limits section size. Score reflects barrel length only; timing and curl-hold data were not included. |
| Frizz & Finish Quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐¼ (4.3) | No-slip ceramic brush surface with ionic output delivers smooth curls with controlled frizz, especially for polished, bouncy finishes. |
| Versatility & Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0) | High heat adjustability allows tuning by hair texture, but fixed brush size limits curl variety compared to interchangeable systems. |
| Comfort & Safety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5) | Manageable handle (~90 °F) and cool-tip temps (~100 °F) support confident use. Finger-grip temperature wasn’t measured, slightly reducing certainty. |
| Travel-Friendliness | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.1) | Long 9 ft cord and auto shut-off aid convenience, but single voltage limits international travel flexibility. Auto shut-off flagged as missing in scoring inputs, reducing certainty slightly. |
🧮 BeautiLAB Weighted Score
Overall Performance Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐¼ / 5 (≈ 4.25 / 5)
Bottom line: A user-friendly heated curling brush that excels at smooth, bouncy curls on short hair, offering strong control and finish quality—best for at-home styling, with modest trade-offs in styling speed, versatility, and international travel readiness.
🔄 How It Compares
| Feature | Drybar The Curl Party | T3 CurlWrap | Bio Ionic GoldPro Wand | Revlon SmoothStay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Beachy volume, loose waves | Effortless curls, fine hair | Long hair, controlled wraps | Budget curls, simple use |
| Tool type | Heated round brush | Automatic rotating iron | Straight wand | Spring iron |
| Barrel size (tested) | N/A (brush) | 1″ | 1″ | 1″ |
| Barrel length | 4.75″ | 6″ | 6″ | 4.75″ |
| Heat control | 25 settings (200–450°F) | 9 settings (260–410°F) | 5 settings (270–430°F) | 10 settings (180–430°F) |
| Weight | 9 oz | 13.2 oz | 6.8 oz (lightest) | 8.3 oz |
| Grip & handling | Brush grip, no clamp | Smooth handle, automated | Slim handle, manual wrap | Traditional clamp |
| Travel ready | ❌ Single voltage, 9-ft cord | Dual voltage, 8-ft cord | Dual voltage, 9-ft cord | Dual voltage, 6-ft cord |
One-line takeaway
- 🌬 Drybar Curl Party = volume-first waves with brush styling
- 🤖 T3 CurlWrap = easiest curls with minimal technique
- 🪶 Bio Ionic GoldPro = lightest feel with controlled heat
- 💸 Revlon SmoothStay = affordable option for basic curls
📣 User Experiences & Real-World Feedback
“Gives me a salon blowout in 10 minutes.”
“Love the grip of the bristles — hair doesn’t slide.”
“Wish it had a real stand.”
💬 FAQ
Q: Does it work on color-treated hair?
A: Yes — keep settings under 350°F for safety.
Q: Can it make full curls?
A: It creates soft, round bends, not tight spirals.
Q: Is it travel-friendly?
A: Only domestically — single voltage.
🏁 Final Verdict
The Drybar The Curl Party Heated Curling Round Brush is best for short hair, bangs, and quick finishing work. It shines as a styling finisher, adding bend, lift, and polish with less coordination than a curling iron.
It won’t replace a wand or clamp iron for defined curls—but for effortless shaping and everyday touch-ups, it’s a practical, low-stress styling tool.
Learn how we test at BeautiLAB: Our Methodology
