What is Nika Round Brush 32mm?

Nika Round Brush 32mm is the small brush in the NIKA round brush series: a 32 mm round brush with a vented barrel, bristles set all around the circumference, a metal collar at the base of the barrel and a textured handle with the NIKA logo and a hanging loop. At 32 mm it is the size that gets close to the scalp, which makes it the brush for short hair, fringes and every section where the shape has to start at the root.

Who it is for

• Stylists working short cuts, pixies and graduated shapes, where a larger barrel cannot follow the layers.
• Men's styling, where the work is short, close to the head and about direction rather than volume.
• Fringes and face-framing sections on any length, including long hair otherwise blow-dried with a larger brush.
• Fine hair that collapses at the roots and needs lift built exactly where it falls flat.

Key features

• 32 mm diameter: tight enough to bend a short section and to define movement that a larger barrel would simply smooth away.
• Works at the root: the small barrel sits close to the scalp, which is where lift on fine or short hair has to be created.
• Vented barrel: the openings let hot air pass through the barrel rather than around it, so the section dries from both sides and spends less time under the dryer.
• Full-circumference bristles: the section can be rotated through a complete turn while the dryer follows, which is what smooths the cuticle.
• Textured handle with hanging loop: keeps its grip when hand and hair are damp, and hangs at the station instead of rolling off the counter.
• All-black finish: consistent with the rest of the NIKA station tools.

Specifications

Results

Shape that starts at the root instead of halfway down the section, which is what makes a short cut look styled rather than only dried. On fine hair it puts volume where the head is flattest; on a fringe it sets a direction that survives the first hour. The vented barrel keeps each section under the dryer for less time, and on short hair, where every section is small, that adds up across the appointment.

How to use

1. Rough-dry to around eighty per cent first: a round brush works on damp hair, not on wet hair, which just stretches under tension.
2. Take small sections, no wider than the barrel, so the hair wraps in a single layer.
3. For root lift, place the brush under the section, lift it past ninety degrees, and dry the base before working down the length.
4. Direct the airflow along the hair from roots to ends, never against it, keeping the nozzle moving.
5. At the ends, rotate the brush a half turn and hold, then finish with cool air before releasing.
6. On a fringe, work it while it is still damp and set the direction first: a dry fringe will not be redirected without starting again.
7. Let each section cool completely before touching it: this is when the shape sets.

Tips and routine

In a full set it is the short-hair size: Nika Round Brush 53mm on long hair, Nika Round Brush 45mm on medium hair and bobs, this one on short cuts, fringes and the root work, Nika Round Brush 25mm on the perimeter and the shortest sections. Always over a heat protectant, since a small barrel brings the airflow very close to the scalp: Miracle Keratin Spray before, Shimmer Smoothing Serum on the ends after. Section with Nika Fine Toothed Comb and hold the worked sections with Nika Hair Pin Set.

FAQ

Which size for which length?

32 mm for short cuts, fringes and root lift. 25 mm for very short hair and the perimeter. 45 mm for shoulder-length and medium hair and bobs. 53 mm for long hair. Most salons keep more than one and switch during the same blow-dry rather than forcing every head onto a single barrel.

Will it leave a curl on long hair?

On long lengths a 32 mm barrel bends the hair more tightly than most blow-dries call for. Use it on long hair only for the fringe and the front sections, and switch to a larger size for the lengths.

Can it be used on wet hair?

It is not the right tool for it. Rough-dry first and start brushing when the hair is damp: wrapping soaking hair under tension stresses it and the shape will not hold anyway.

Material and care

Clear the hair out of the bristles after every client, working from the base of the barrel outwards: on a small barrel the vents block faster, and a blocked brush stops drying properly. Wash occasionally in lukewarm water with a little shampoo, rinse, and leave it to dry bristles down so water does not sit inside the barrel. Do not soak the handle, and do not leave the brush on a hot surface or clamped inside a styling iron. Replace it when bristles start to bend or break: a deformed bristle drags the section instead of guiding it. Total length, weight and material specifications are available on request from cliCHair.