Smooths More Hair in One Pass — But Is It Strong Enough for Texture?
The Revlon Salon One-Step Straight & Shine is a rectangular ceramic straightening brush with extra-long heated bristles, 10 digital heat settings, and ionic ceramic technology. It’s designed to offer more coverage and faster smoothing—especially for medium to long hair. But how does it hold up on thicker strands?
👉 Looking for more options? Check out our complete guide to the best straightening brushes of 2025.
✨ Who It’s For / 🚫 Who Should Skip It
Best for:
- ✅ Straight, wavy, or loose curls (1A to 2C)
- ✅ Medium to long hair looking for faster smoothing
- ✅ Budget-conscious users seeking digital heat control
- ✅ Those needing longer bristles for better scalp access
- ✅ Travel users who want dual voltage + auto shut-off
Not ideal for:
- ❌ 3B to 4C textures needing stronger bristle tension
- ❌ Short hairstyles or bang styling
- ❌ Those expecting flat iron–level straightness
- ❌ Users sensitive to slightly heavier tools
🔑 What Sets It Apart
- Extra-long 2.2″ heated bristles reach deeper into thick or long hair
- 4.55″ × 1.6″ heated area offers one of the widest smoothing surfaces
- 10 digital heat settings from 250–430°F with memory recall
- 4-year warranty, unmatched at this price point
- Soft-touch handle + ribbed grip improves comfort
✅ What We Like / ❌ What We Don’t Like
✅ Pros:
- Longest heated bristles we tested — great for volume and long sections
- Smooths quickly on medium-thickness hair
- Dual voltage + auto shut-off for safe, travel-friendly use
- Good frizz control with ceramic ionic coating
- Affordable and widely available under $50
❌ Cons:
- Can feel bulky near roots or short layers
- Doesn’t generate enough tension for thick, curly hair
- LED memory light is too faint to read clearly
- Requires multiple passes on coarse strands
- Not as precise for detail styling
🧩 Design and Build
The brush features a rectangular paddle design, measuring 4.55″ long by 1.6″ wide — the longest heated area in the Revlon lineup. Its overall length is 11″ with a 1.4″ soft-touch handle and ribbed texture for better grip.
At 11.6 oz, it’s slightly heavier than average, but well-balanced. The digital interface includes up/down temperature buttons and a smart memory feature, though the indicator light is dim and easy to miss.
🪮 Bristle Technology
- 2.2″ heated ceramic teeth — among the longest we’ve tested
- 2″ detanglers act as outer shields to guide and protect strands
- Cool-touch bristles reduce risk of scalp burns
- No bristle tension system — best for light smoothing, not grip-heavy pressing
Its long bristles help spread and smooth hair evenly, but the tool struggles to press through dense textures on its own.
🔥 Heat and Ionic Technology
- 10 temperature settings from 250°F to 430°F, in 20°F increments
- Tested max temp: ~410°F — good for wavy/curly hair, but not ultra-coily
- Ceramic-coated surface + ionic tech reduce frizz and static
- Smart heat memory recalls your last used setting
- Handle temp: ~95°F — tolerable but warm after extended use
- Auto shut-off after 60 minutes
- Dual voltage for global travel use
Though it lacks an active ion generator, the ceramic coating delivers consistent frizz control with gentle, even heat.
💇♀️ Styling Performance
- Ideal for daily smoothing and refreshes on fine to medium hair
- Works best on longer styles due to wider brush head
- Not ideal for tight curls (3C–4C) or root-to-tip pressing
- Takes multiple passes on thicker sections, but still faster than many budget brushes
- Results in a soft-straight finish with volume, not flat or pin-straight
One tester noted:
“It’s great for second-day smoothing, but I had to go over some spots 3–4 times on my thick hair.”
🛡️ Comfort and Safety
- Soft-feel handle + ribbed grip improves control
- Handle width: 1.4″ — comfortable, even in smaller hands
- Weight: 11.6 oz — slightly heavy but manageable
- Cool-touch outer bristles and safe bristle spacing
- Auto shut-off (60 min) and dual voltage add peace of mind
- 6-ft cord could be longer, but it’s flexible and swivels easily
🔍 Performance Breakdown
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Power | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Gets hot enough for smoothing, not heavy pressing |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Wide paddle, comfortable grip, minor visibility issue |
| Styling Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Long bristles + wide head = fewer passes |
| Frizz Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Smooths flyaways well with ceramic ionic surface |
| Versatility | ⭐⭐⭐☆ (3/5) | Great for long hair, less so for short styles |
| Travel-Friendly | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Dual voltage + shut-off, slightly bulky |
📣 User Experiences
Users with longer or finer hair types are generally satisfied with the results:
“This brush smoothed my hair way faster than my old one.”
“Love how it doesn’t fry my ends—just softens and de-puffs.”
“My go-to for second-day refreshes!”
However, users with thicker or coily hair mentioned:
“Didn’t straighten as much as I’d hoped, even at 430°F.”
“Hard to use at the roots or on my layers.”
“Great price, but not enough tension for my curls.”
💬 FAQ
Q: Is this better for long or short hair?
A: Better for long or medium styles. It’s bulky for short layers or bangs.
Q: Can it be used on curly hair?
A: It softens waves and loose curls, but lacks power for tightly coiled hair.
Q: Is it safe to travel with?
A: Yes—dual voltage + 60-min shut-off make it ideal for travel.
Q: Is the display readable?
A: Some users find the heat memory light hard to see, especially in bright rooms.
🔄 How It Compares🔄 How It Compares
| Feature | Revlon One-Step Straight & Shine | Revlon SmoothStay | Remington Shine Therapy |
| Temp Settings | 10 (250–430°F) | 10 (250–430°F) | 3 (300/375/450°F) |
| Max Temp (Tested) | 410°F | 415°F | ~440°F |
| Heated Surface Size | 4.55” x 1.6” | 4.5” x 1.6” | 4.6” x 2.2” |
| Bristle Design | 2.2″ heated / 2″ detanglers | 1.2″ heated / 1.5″ detanglers | 1.2″ hot / 2″ cool |
| Ionic Tech | ✅ Ceramic ionic | ✅ Ceramic ionic | ❌ None |
| Auto Shut-Off | ✅ Yes (60 mins) | ✅ Yes (60 mins) | ✅ Yes (60 mins) |
| Dual Voltage | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Display & Memory | ✅ Yes (faint indicator) | ✅ Yes (faint indicator) | ✅ Basic digital |
| Price | ~$40 | ~$38 | ~$33 |
Summary: Remington offers the widest and hottest brush in this group, best for speed and simplicity.
Revlon One-Step has the longest bristles and most heat control
SmoothStay balances lightweight use and frizz control for daily styling.
🏁 Final Verdict
The Revlon One-Step Straight & Shine delivers on its promise of gentle, wide-coverage smoothing at an affordable price. It’s best for users with straight to wavy hair who want to minimize frizz and save time—without the intensity of a flat iron. While not ideal for coily or very thick textures, it’s one of the most comfortable and reliable budget options for longer hair.
Buy if: You want an affordable, digital brush for smoothing long hair quickly.
Skip if: You need root access, strong grip, or are styling tight curls or coils.
Final Score: ★★★★☆ (4.0 / 5)
A great brush for everyday smoothing on long, fine to medium hair—especially at this price.
