Drybar Buttercup Review: Testing Out Drybar’s Best-Selling Hair Dryer

I live in Florida, frequently dye my hair, and often experience dryness and frizz, so I’m always looking for the best tools and products to keep my hair happy and healthy. Which is why I was grateful to get my hands on the Drybar Buttercup Blow-Dryer and put it to the test. This best-selling hair dryer (from the popular blow out brand) features ionic technology and a powerful motor designed to dry and style hair quickly and with less frizz. And, after hearing many of my friends and family members talk about their positive experiences at Drybar, I was curious to see if this Drybar signature tool lived up to the hype. Read on for a more detailed look at my experience using the Buttercup hair dryer and my takeaways after a couple of blow drys.

Unboxing and first impressions

The Drybar Buttercup arrived at my apartment in a fairly large cardboard box. Once unpackaged, the chic and branded smaller black box containing the blow dryer was easy to open by simply pulling up its top piece which immediately revealed its contents. In addition to the vibrant yellow hair dryer (wrapped in plastic), this box contained two concentrator nozzles (a wider nozzle and a narrow nozzle), and an extra filter. A couple of booklets containing operating and safety instructions and information on the gadget’s limited warranty were also included.

When I removed the hair dryer from its plastic wrap I noticed a smell similar to that of a new car—it wasn’t unpleasant, just noticeable. However, the odor did not linger and quickly disappeared. I was impressed by its size (both the gadget itself and its cord) when compared to the blow dryer I usually use, which is about half the size. I also appreciated its elevated and luxury look which I thought was comparable to its nearly $200 price tag. Before putting this hair dryer to the test, I reviewed its instructions and a couple of the how-to videos on the Drybar website (as mentioned at the back of the instruction pamphlet).

Specifications

• Weight: 1.02 pounds
• Heat settings: Three
• Power settings: Two
• Power: 1875 Watts
• Cord length: Nine feet
• Accessories: Narrow and wide nozzles
• Warranty: Two-year limited warranty

Drybar Buttercup: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Its nine-foot power cord is suitable for at-home and salon use
• Lightweight feel, weighing just 1.2 pounds
• Aesthetically-pleasing with a vibrant yellow shell
• It contains three heat and two fan settings which can be easily toggled between to customize your hair-drying experience
• Made with ionic technology to enhance shine and reduce frizz
• Two-year limited warranty
• Dries hair quickly and effectively
• It is compatible with many hair types, including straight, curly, and wavy

Cons

• Its low-heat setting feels almost completely cool with little to no heat which may not be suitable for those looking for a little heat
• The cooling shot takes a couple of seconds to kick in which may not be as pleasant when needing to quickly cool down the scalp after applying high heat and power
• At $199, its hefty price tag may make this high-quality gadget unattainable for those with a smaller budget
• It is large and cannot be folded, which may not be suitable for those who don’t have a lot of counter or storage space available

Drybar Buttercup price

Amazon: Drybar Buttercup Blow-Dryer

Target: Drybar Buttercup Blow-Dryer

The Drybar Buttercup retails for $199, barring any special sales or promotions. Considering how quickly and effectively this blow dryer can dry hair and the fact that it includes two nozzle attachments and an additional filter, I deem it a reasonable price for its high-tech features and ease of use on a variety of hair types.

Drybar Buttercup accessories

Wide nozzle

According to the instruction booklet, the wider nozzle is best suited for drying thicker or longer hair as it passes air through a wider area to dry more hair in a shorter amount of time.

Narrow nozzle

The narrower concentrator nozzle is designed with precision in mind to polish targeted areas like bangs.

How I tested the Drybar Buttercup

To test the Drybar Buttercup and develop an adequate opinion of the product, I tested this hair dryer using both of its included nozzle accessories (wide and narrow) and on varying heat and fan settings. Before each round of testing, I washed my hair with the same shampoo and conditioner, squeezed out any excess water to dampen the hair, and brushed through it with a square wet brush. I took photos of my hair just after brushing while still damp and then after using the blow dryer. I used the timer on my phone to keep track of how long it took my hair to completely dry each time.

Drybar Buttercup: Is it for you?

The Drybar Buttercup stands out because it is designed to be used on many hair types whether it’s wavy, curly, or straight. That said, it’s more likely than not this blow dryer can be successfully used on your hair. Since this blow dryer can dry hair in less than 10 minutes (when used on its highest heat and fan settings), it can be an especially beneficial tool if you want to dry your hair quickly and have it appear straight (and with less frizz) without using a flat iron. However, this hair dryer is priced at nearly $200, making it an investment piece. And after much testing, a purchase I consider a worthwhile one.

My experience using the Drybar Buttercup Blow-Dryer

Round one: High heat and high power (wider nozzle)

Since I’m often rushed to get out the door after taking a shower in the morning, I decided to prioritize testing this hair dryer with its wider nozzle using the high-heat and high-power setting. I was impressed by its quick drying time of nine minutes and 50 seconds. Although I knew that the high heat setting was going to be hot, I wasn’t expecting it to be so warm (as the other hair dryers I have used in the past did not feel as though they emitted air with such high heat). To counteract some of the heat on my sensitive scalp (and hair), I attempted to use the cool-shot feature. Although this cool blast did provide some relief, it took longer than I thought. Not only did this gadget dry my hair well, it also straightened and reduced some of its frizz. The only downside I encountered after using the blow dryer at these settings was that my hair physically appeared to have been dried in small sections as opposed to one flowy and smooth one.

Before:

After:

Round two: High heat and high power (narrower nozzle)

I was most satisfied with the Drybar Buttercup when I attached the narrower nozzle and applied high heat using the high-power setting. I was able to completely dry my hair in eight minutes and 37 seconds which was the quickest I’ve ever been able to dry my hair during the three rounds of testing I conducted using the Drybar Buttercup. I found the ridges on this particular nozzle more effective when gripping onto smaller strands of hair which (I think) led to a quicker and more effective hair drying experience. I was pleased with how shiny, straight, and conditioned my hair looked after drying, and my friends and family were, too. Immediately after walking out of the bathroom with my newly-dried hair, my sister noticed my hair’s straight and frizz-free appearance. Then, when I went on FaceTime with my parents, they asked what I did differently with my hair because it looked so “shiny, voluminous, and filled with body.”

Before:

After:

Round 3: Low heat and low power (narrow nozzle)

Since I have a vivid hair color and my stylist recommends avoiding applying too much heat to keep it as healthy as possible, I wanted to test the hair dryer’s low heat setting on its low power mode. It took 21 minutes and 10 seconds for my hair to completely dry. I can’t forget to mention that I did briefly (for about five seconds or so) toggle the switch to medium heat to see how noticeable the difference is between low and medium heat. I found it to be somewhat noticeable, as the low heat setting felt cold to me whereas the medium heat setting felt like low heat. My hands started to cramp from holding the dryer for so long. Although my hair did somewhat straighten upon drying, some of the front pieces by the sides of my ears did produce some waves. However, there was still a great deal of shine despite some minor frizz.

Before:

After:

Final verdict

Since I had always wanted to visit a Drybar salon and try one of their products, I was looking forward to testing this best-selling blow dryer. I found this tool dried my hair quickly and without frying it (which is especially beneficial for someone who frequently dyes their hair). Of all the settings I tested, I preferred using the narrower nozzle with high heat and high power. Despite the cool shot feature taking a few more seconds than expected, this minor drawback was not enough to drastically change the positive opinion I developed about this blow dryer during testing. I enjoyed using this hair dryer so much that I threw away my old one since I don’t see myself using another blow dryer to style my hair going forward. I like that I felt more confident with my hair styled (and without using a flat iron), and I also liked that my family and friends noticed my new appearance.