A good quality blowdryer is essential for styling unruly hair and keeping your tresses healthy. Scrimping on this essential hair care product can leave your hair begging for a bit more care.
Finding the right hair dryer for you all depends on your specific hair type. For curly or frizzy hair you need a dryer with low heat settings and special care technology, and for straight it can be a little hotter. Below we have put together a buying guide to help you make the right choice.
Noise
A noisy hair dryer can only be one thing – irritating to you and those around you. If you live with others and tend to dry your hair early in the morning or late at night, then it would be a good idea to opt for a quieter hair dryer like the Dyson Supersonic. Especially if your hair is thick and
Weight
No one wants a dead arm when they are trying to dry and style their hair. It just makes the whole process even longer and very uncomfortable. Try to keep your eyes peeled for a hair dryer that is lightweight and so you can use it without issue. This is especially important for those with long or really thick hair because otherwise drying your hair can become a painful ordeal.
Cable Length
Cable length is another important factor when buying a hair dryer. Of course it depends on your own personal needs – is your dressing table near a plug socket or do you travel a lot? Hair dryers with shorter cables are less versatile and so it might fall short when drying your hair. A hair dryer with a 2 meter cable should be enough but there are many models that have cables that are 3 meters or longer.
Power (Watts)
The higher the watts the more the heat and power that is produced from your hair dryer. This will make the hair dry faster but on the other hand it will do more damage to your hair. For most a wattage of between 1,500W and 1,800W will be totally fine and some professional hair dryers go up to 3000W. Just remember to check and to look after your hair when you use things like hair dryers – like use heat protector spray.
Styling Tools And Nozzles
Many hair dryers come with different attachments and nozzles so it is always good to decide what kind of things you want specifically for you and your hair type and style so you can get the right attachments and nozzles for you. Like if you have curly hair then it is a good idea to get a dryer with a diffuser.
The Best Hair Dryer For Your hair Type:
Straight
For those with straight hair or people who want to style it straight, look for a hair dryer that is powerful and produces a lot of heat. Blow dry from the crown of your head downwards to get that sleek look.
Curly
Notoriously difficult to style, and may be best left to air dry naturally to keep its shape. To speed up the process dry hair on a cool setting and use a diffuser for that beach hair look.
Fine/Thin
Use a concentrator to dry hair and try drying it upside down to add volume to give the effect of thick hair.
Dry/Frizzy
Again like with curly hair, try to avoid lots of heat and always blow dry your hair downwards to smooth strands and make hair sleek. A concentrator nozzle is good for this.
Features
Ionic
You may have come across this term a lot when looking into buying a new hair dryer. Ionic technology conditions hair using negatively charged ions, protecting against frizz, heat damage and static. Most professional hair dryers come with this feature so it is always good to check if this is something you are looking for.
Ceramic
As with ionic technology, you have probably seen the term ceramic technology floating around the specifications of many hair dryers these days. All this means is it helps to balance and distribute heat effectively from your hair dryer so it protects your hair from heat damage.
Concentrator Nozzles
This is usually a thin attachment that tends to come as standard with most hair dryers. It can be good to use for volume when used at the roots of your hair. But be aware that it can get pretty hot so move it often to avoid heat damage.
Cool Shot
Cool shot is a feature on the hair dryer itself whereby you can reduce the air temperature to reduce damage and set your hair after styling. Cool air sets hair better so this is a good feature to use.
Removable Filter
The filter is at the back of the hair dryer and prevents hair from getting sucked into the dryer and catches dust. It is a mesh attachment and should be cleaned regularly so airflow is not reduced which can lead to overheating and damage to hair.
Adjustable Temperature And Speed
To avoid heat damage, you may want to be able to change the fan speed (especially for fine or dry hair). It’s important to be able to alter the temperature when drying your hair, especially if you have dry or frizzy hair as cooler settings are more gentle on your hair and reduce heat damage when styling.
Dual Voltage
Good for those who travel a lot. Many travel hair dryers actually have dual or multi voltage in them already so you don’t have to worry. If you do travel a lot then it would be good to ensure you have this feature otherwise you might not be able to use your hairdryer because it is at the wrong voltage in that country.
Finding the right hair dryer can be a satisfying feeling. Knowing that you have a quality product means your hair will be healthy and the settings and features are useful for your everyday styling needs, cutting down time spend taming wild tresses.
FAQs
I Have Frizzy, Curly Hair. Can I Use A Hair Dryer?
Yes you can, but as mentioned above curly and frizzy hair is better air dried naturally. There is a chance you will be straightening it afterwards, and may be using serums or leave in conditioners to tame it a little. That being said, a hair dryer can speed up the process as long as you use it on a cooler setting to reduce over-drying hair and prevent heat damage.
Are Hair Dryers Expensive To Run?
Not particularly. They aren’t as powerful as large appliances, and there is a good chance you will only be using it for a few minutes here and there. Cooler settings could save a little bit of money though, as the fan would be spinning slower and the heat is low so less energy will be produced meaning less electricity will be used.
Can Hair Dryers Cause Severe Heat Damage To Hair?
Yes, hair dryers can produce significant heat damage to hair if used on the highest settings and every day. To avoid heat damage to your hair, invest in a good quality product and always use a heat protector spray or serum on hair. Avoid using a hair dryer on the highest setting every day to protect hair and keep it healthy.
What Is Ceramic Technology Good For?
Ceramic technology is very good for frizzy, dry and damaged hair and this includes those with curly hair. Though it is suited to damaged and dryer hair types, ceramic technology is equally effective for all hair types with good results.
What Is Ionic Technology Good For?
Its especially good for dry, frizzy and damaged hair because it protects it from further heat damage and conditions the strands. It is also good for coarse and thick hair that tends to be naturally dry.
