Affordable Smoothing for Fine Hair — But Can It Handle Texture?
The Revlon SmoothStay Ceramic Straightening Brush combines a rectangular heated surface, ionic ceramic bristles, and 10 digital heat settings—all for under $40. It’s positioned as a gentle styling brush for everyday smoothing, but how does it hold up against thicker textures?
👉 Looking for more options? Check out our complete guide to the best straightening brushes of 2025.
BeautiLAB Overall Score: ★★★☆☆ (3.7 / 5)
Price: $38 | Model: RVST2218 | Warranty: 4 years
Where to Buy: Amazon | Target
✨ Who It’s For / 🚫 Who Should Skip It
Best for:
- ✅ Fine to medium hair types
- ✅ Users with straight to wavy textures (1A to 2C)
- ✅ Beginners looking for safe, budget-friendly styling
- ✅ Short to medium hair lengths
- ✅ Travel users needing dual voltage and auto shut-off
Not ideal for:
- ❌ Coarse or thick textures (3B–4C)
- ❌ Precision styling near roots or layers
- ❌ Those needing high bristle tension
- ❌ People who prefer compact or lightweight tools
🔑 What Sets It Apart
- 10 digital heat settings from 250–430°F, uncommon at this price
- Rectangular ceramic brush head offers wide surface smoothing
- Soft-touch handle and ribbed exterior for better grip
- Smart memory function remembers last temp setting (though visibility is poor)
- 4-year warranty — above industry standard for budget brushes
✅ What We Like / ❌ What We Don’t Like
✅ Pros:
- Budget-friendly price with premium safety features
- Auto shut-off + dual voltage = travel ready
- Digital control and LED display
- Good smoothing on fine, frizz-prone strands
- Longer-than-average 4.5″ heated surface for faster passes
❌ Cons:
- Lacks power and grip for thick/coarse textures
- Requires multiple passes for straighter results
- Struggles to reach roots or shorter layers
- Heat memory indicator is hard to see
- A bit bulky to maneuver near the scalp
🧩 Design and Build
The Revlon SmoothStay uses a rectangular paddle brush head, measuring 4.5″ long by 1.6″ wide—larger than average, allowing you to cover more hair in one pass. The overall build is 11″ long, with a 1.4″ soft-touch handle that feels grippy and ergonomic in hand.
Weighing 11.3 oz, it’s close to average but feels slightly bulky due to the wide rectangular frame. It includes a digital LED display and simple up/down buttons, plus a smart heat memory function—though the indicator is faint and hard to read.
🪮 Bristle Technology
- 1.2″ heated ceramic teeth provide moderate smoothing power
- 1.5″ detanglers surround the hot core for scalp protection
- Cool-touch outer shield reduces burn risk during root passes
- Bristle spacing is too wide to create tension for thick hair
The brush glides easily on fine strands but fails to grip dense textures. You’ll need multiple passes on thicker or wavier hair.
🔥 Heat and Ionic Technology
- 10 heat settings from 250°F to 430°F, in 20°F increments
- Max tested temp: 415°F — suitable for smoothing but not full straightening on curls
- Ionic ceramic surface helps reduce frizz (but no ion generator)
- Auto shut-off after 60 minutes for safety
- Smart heat memory resumes the last temp used
- Handle temp: ~90°F — warm, but never uncomfortable
- Dual voltage for global use
While the surface heats quickly and evenly, bristle heat isn’t high or deep enough to flatten thick or textured strands in one pass.
💇♀️ Styling Performance
- Works well on fine, straight, or wavy hair (Types 1A to 2C)
- Requires multiple passes on thick or curly textures
- Struggles with roots, short layers, and precision areas due to paddle bulk
- Creates a natural, brushed-straight finish, not flat-ironed sleekness
- Best used on dry, detangled hair with a heat protectant
One user shared:
“Even at 430°F, I had to go over each section multiple times. It’s not for thick, wavy hair.”
🛡️ Comfort and Safety
- Soft-touch handle with ribbed grip improves control
- Cool-touch bristles allow safer use at roots
- Handle temp: ~90°F during extended use
- Auto shut-off after 60 minutes
- 6-ft cord — shorter than average
- No heat lock feature, but digital buttons don’t get in the way
Overall comfort is solid, though bulkiness and cord length could affect ease of use for longer sessions.
🔍 Performance Breakdown
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Power | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Max temp 415°F; decent for a budget tool |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐☆ (3/5) | Bulky shape + dim memory light |
| Styling Speed | ⭐⭐⭐☆ (3/5) | Wide paddle helps, but low grip slows results |
| Frizz Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Ionic ceramic helps with flyaways |
| Versatility | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5) | Limited root access and tension |
| Travel-Friendly | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Dual voltage, but short cord and size may limit portability |
📣 User Experiences
Users with fine or straight hair appreciate the smooth results and simplicity:
“Tamed my frizz with no burning—love the soft handle.”
“Great for my short bob. It’s quick and safe to use.”
“The price is amazing for how many features it has.”
But many users with thicker hair types report challenges:
“It didn’t straighten my thick waves, even on high heat.”
“Hard to get close to the roots. Better for longer, flat areas.”
“Needs multiple passes. Not for 3B hair like mine.”
💬 FAQ
Q: Is it good for curly or thick hair?
A: Not really. It works best for fine, straight, or gently wavy hair.
Q: Can it be used on wet hair?
A: No—always use it on dry, detangled hair for best results.
Q: Does it shut off automatically?
A: Yes, it turns off after 60 minutes.
Q: Is it safe for travel?
A: Yes—it’s dual voltage, though the cord is only 6 ft.
🔄 How It Compares
| Feature | Revlon SmoothStay | Revlon One-Step Straight & Shine | Bed Head Smooth Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temp Settings | 10 (250–430°F) | 10 (250–430°F) | 10 (250–400°F) |
| Max Temp (Tested) | 415°F | 410°F | ~390°F |
| Heated Surface | 4.5″ × 1.6″ | 4.55″ × 1.6″ | ~3.75″ × 1.6″ (est.) |
| Ionic Tech | ✅ Ceramic ionic | ✅ Ceramic ionic | ✅ Ionic coating |
| ION Generator | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Bristle Design | 1.2″ hot / 1.5″ cool | 2.2″ hot / 2″ cool | ~1.5″ hot / 1.8″ cool (est.) |
| Auto Shut-Off | ✅ 60 mins | ✅ 60 mins | ✅ 60 mins |
| Display & Controls | ✅ Digital + memory | ✅ Digital + memory | ✅ Basic digital |
| Travel-Friendly | ✅ Dual voltage | ✅ Dual voltage | ❌ No |
| Weight | 11.3 oz | 11.6 oz | ~11 oz |
| Handle Width | 1.4″ | 1.4″ | ~1.3″ (est.) |
| Warranty | 4 years | 4 years | 2 years |
| Price | $38 | $40 | ~$50 |
Summary:
- Revlon SmoothStay is the most affordable and compact, ideal for fine to medium hair.
- Revlon One-Step Straight & Shine has the longest bristles and wider coverage, slightly more effective on longer hair.
- Bed Head Smooth Operator has a simpler interface and good smoothing power, but lacks dual voltage and higher temp range.
🏁 Final Verdict
The Revlon SmoothStay Straightening Brush is a well-rounded option for users with fine to medium hair looking for an affordable, safe, and simple tool. While it won’t perform miracles on dense or textured strands, it delivers consistent smoothing for daily use—and includes travel-ready features you’d expect in a higher-end brush.
Buy if: You want a budget-friendly brush with good features for fine or wavy hair.
Skip if: You have thick, curly, or coily textures that need more grip and heat tension.
Final Score: ★★★☆☆ (3.7 / 5)
A great entry-level tool for fine hair—but not built for high-volume texture.
