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RevAir hair dryer review

This $400 hair dryer is the only tool that actually straightens my thick, coily hair

On the left: The RevAir hair dryer on a pink background. On the right: A person with coily hair smiling at her phone in one hand while using the RevAir dryer on her hair with the other. Credit: Reviewed / RevAir

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  1. Product image of RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer

    RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer

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Natural hair is in, as evidenced by Megan Thee Stallion's #HotGirlHairJourney, Khloe Kardashian's rare curly hair photo, and Cardi B's DIY 'Hair Day' IG highlight tutorials. The influx of hair products created in recent years has encouraged women and men of all ethnicities to embrace their natural tresses. Seeing this, I felt inspired.

For five years, I've been “natural,” meaning I don’t chemically alter my hair texture, which I consider 4c-type coils (i.e., the tightest curl pattern of all hair types). My hair is also thick—a quality that's a curse to me but a blessing to most—resulting in an arm workout just to put it into a ponytail. That in mind, my go-to routine consisted of paying a couple hundred dollars to have a stylist hide my hair under weaves or wigs for a few weeks of not needing to style it. This allowed me to avoid using copious amounts of Eco Style gel and She is Bomb Edge Control—along with effort and time—just to put it into a bun.

When wash day (yes, a whole day) came around, a pang of dread arrived with it because, as an adult, I had no clue how to properly wash and blow-dry my natural hair—that is, until RevAir changed the game for me.

Scrolling through my Instagram feed, I saw an ad displaying a jaw-dropping before-and-after video of someone’s naturally coily hair getting blown completely straight in just a few seconds. I clicked on the ad and was introduced to the RevAir Reverse-Air Hair Dryer. The reviews I found from YouTube and TikTok creators were surprisingly consistent: This $400 hair dryer blew them away (literally). Of course, I had to see what all the hype was about as a self-proclaimed product junkie who's tried it all.

What is the RevAir?

The RevAir hair dryer on a pink background.
Credit: Reviewed / RevAir

The RevAir hair dryer stretches and dries natural hair.

RevAir boasts its invention of "the world's first and only reverse-air dryer" that dries, stretches, and smoothes all hair types, from curl type 1a to 4c. What makes this device standout from the pack is its drying mechanism: This “reverse dryer” acts like a vacuum in that you insert a section of your hair into a tube-like attachment and the airstream pulls the hair toward the device, stretching and drying strands.

Created in 2018, the RevAir reverse hair dryer claims to use less heat than typical hair dryers and flat irons, making it a less-damaging alternative to competitors, meaning it shouldn't alter the natural curl pattern or health of your hair. It also claims to dry hair three times faster than traditional dryers and cut styling time in half. Lastly, the RevAir boasts versatility, allowing you to use it on your natural strands and on extensions, braids, locks, and wigs. I tried the second version of this dryer since the initial launch, and the newer version is said to be smaller, quieter, and faster than its predecessor, though I can’t speak on the differences.

The RevAir has two main settings: temperature (high, low, and no-heat) and tension (0 through 7 with 7 being the highest tension level of airflow). You can find the dryer at the brand’s website or on Amazon in a bundle that includes the base dryer, hose, wand, a detachable wand rest, and extra accessories like hair clips, for around $400.

What I like about the RevAir hair dryer

No skills required

My favorite thing about this dryer is that you don’t have to be a professional or know much about hairstyling to get salon-like results. The first time I used the dryer, it worked just as it claimed to, drying and straightening my entire head in about 30 minutes. With most other dryers I’ve used, like the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium dryer, I needed to learn specific techniques like the "chase method" (using a brush to stretch the hair while blow-drying it) or buy additional attachments to add onto the dryer to get these results.

Once my hair was freshly washed and sectioned, I inserted my hair in the wand and turned it to a low temperature setting knowing I could always raise the heat if needed. According to the manual, the low setting temperature ranges between 140°F to 158°F. After following the instructions to put the device together and use it, which I found simple, I was well on my way to stretched, blown-out hair in no time.

No burning hair

I always went to a professional to wash and blow-dry my hair because I wanted to maintain its length and health. When I used this dryer with a heat protectant from Design Essentials’ natural collection as directed, I didn’t notice any burning smell or see excessive hair shedding like I have with the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer, another dryer I’ve turned to.

Faster than other dryers

My hair is thick, so it takes professionals a reasonable amount of time and effort to tame it. The last stylist who washed and dried my hair gave me a great blowout but was embarrassingly drenched in sweat after having the dryer on for what felt like forever. Using the RevAir dryer, my damp hair was fully dry in about 30 minutes—compared to the 60 minutes I typically spend using another dryer. RevAir recommends users leave the dryer on each 3-inch section of hair for 30 to 90 seconds. Even at the max time of 90 seconds per section, I saved a lot of time.

What I dislike about the RevAir hair dryer

Not as portable as most dryers

I was overwhelmed when I received the package in the mail because a lot of pieces and accessories come with this dryer. It felt more like a professional device than a dryer for everyday consumers, which scared me away from using it for a while. The entire kit includes a “weekender" bag, which you can also buy separately, but the RevAir isn’t as portable as typical dryers that can fit in your carry-on or even a large purse. I want to bring this dryer with me on quick getaways, but realistically, it’s too much for me to pack.

The price—expensive much?

I think it’s safe to say most people would prefer not to purchase a dryer that costs as much as a TV or car payment. I followed the RevAir page for over a year before I decided to splurge and spend the $400. If RevAir could find a way to make a mini version for half the price, that would be exciting and appeal to more people, myself included.

Should you try the RevAir?

The author's hair before (left) and after (right) using the RevAir against a pink background.
Credit: Reviewed / Philtrina Farquharson

The author's hair before (left) and after (right).

If you are like me and have tried every hair dryer out there and nothing works to stretch your coily hair after washing, the RevAir is the answer. I think it’s worth it, even if you have to skip a few salon visits to save up for the splurge.

The result I get with the RevAir also allows me to try new styles, like twist outs, flexi-rod sets, and updo’s that I couldn’t do before in the comfort of my home. If you’re like me and lean on professionals to attain your favorite hairstyles, you may even find that you save money in the long-run thanks to less trips to the salon for a blowout or extension installation. And once you have the hair tool, I’m confident you’ll see what I mean about it blowing everyone away.

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