How to Use a Curling Brush | A Step-By-Step Routine

Most people pick up a round brush or an Airwrap-style curling brush, wrap hair around it, and hope for the best. The result is usually a frizzy, uneven mess because the technique—not the tool—is what makes curls hold. Whether you own a Dyson Airwrap or a classic heated round brush, the fundamentals are the same: section, smooth, roll, hold, and set. The exact order matters more than the tool’s price tag.

For Dyson Airwrap owners, the brand’s own user guide provides the definitive sequence. The directions below follow that official Dyson guidance closely. If you’re still deciding which curling brush to buy, our tested roundup of the best curling brushes compares the top options side by side.

What Makes A Curling Brush Different From A Curling Iron

A curling brush combines the styling of a round brush with the heat of an iron. The barrel is wrapped in bristles, so it smooths the hair cuticle as it curls—which is why curls come out shinier and less crimped than with a standard iron. The Dyson Airwrap takes this one step further: its barrels have no extreme heat and use the Coanda effect to wrap hair around the barrel using air.

Regardless of the tool, the result depends on your preparation. Start with hair that is completely dry for a classic heated brush, or about 80% dry for an Airwrap-style system. The single most common mistake is starting with soaking-wet hair, which steams and frizzes instead of setting a curl.

How To Use A Curling Brush Step By Step

The sequence below matches Dyson’s official guidance for its round volumizing brush and curling barrels, but the logic applies to any curling brush.

1. Prep the hair. Towel-dry or air-dry until hair is about 80% dry. If it’s wetter than that, use a pre-styling dryer first.
2. Section the hair. Divide your hair into defined sections using clips. Dyson says this step improves results and makes curling easier—don’t skip it. Working with sections that are too large is the other common failure point.
3. Attach the round brush or barrel. For the Airwrap’s round volumizing brush, smooth the brush through the section first, from roots to ends.
4. Roll from ends toward the roots. Hold the brush vertically, wrap the ends around the barrel, and roll upward. Keep the tension gentle but firm.
5. Hold until dry. Keep the section wrapped.
6. Use the cool shot. For 5 to 10 seconds, then release the section gently. Never pull the brush through before the hair is dry—the curl will fall apart.
7. Let curls cool completely. For a softer finish, separate curls with a wide-tooth comb.

For directional styling, rotate the barrel away from your face. Dyson also notes you can adjust the airflow direction while checking in a mirror to get the wrap started.

Curly And Coily Hair: What Changes

Dyson’s manual has specific guidance for naturally curly or coily textures. Instead of the standard round brush, it recommends the Firm smoothing brush attachment. Use it on slightly damp hair, brushing downward in small sections, moving from the ends toward the roots. This technique stretches and smooths the curl pattern rather than fighting it.

Dyson offers 30mm and 40mm curling barrels specifically so you can choose a tighter or looser curl based on the result you want. The 30mm gives a tighter, more defined curl; the 40mm gives a looser wave. This principle applies to any curling brush system—smaller barrels make tighter curls, larger barrels make softer waves.

Tips That Make The Difference

Three small habits separate a bouncy set of curls from a flat one. First, always section. Even four or five defined sections beat trying to curl a whole head of hair in two giant twists. Second, hold the section in place until it’s fully dry—pulling early is the number one way to ruin a curl. Third, never skip the cool shot. Cool air sets the hair’s shape; without it, the curl falls out within the hour.

If your curls drop quickly, the fix is usually one of these errors: hair too wet at the start, sections too thick, or no cool shot. Fix those three variables before upgrading your tool.