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  • Choosing the Right Hair Dryer

Choosing the Right Hair Dryer

Hair dryers arrive in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The problem is choosing only one to serve your styling needs. With the development of heat technology, modern hair dryers come loaded with useful features to cut drying time in half and provide convenience as well as quick, effective results with a great decrease in hair damage. Finding a good quality hair dryer that does what you want it to do can be quite challenging given the hundreds of brands and types available.

You first need to consider what you’ll be using the hair dryer for. If, for example, you only bring out the hair dryer to occasionally dry your hair for special events then you have no urgent need to buy a high quality, professional hair dryer with all the bells and whistles. A regular hair dryer will do and you’ll save money that way. If, however, you’re a hard-core hair dryer user and find it an essential tool for daily styling then you should invest in a professional product that lasts long and performs well. Plus, a professional hair dryer minimizes heat damage by drying much faster, and for someone who uses a hair dryer regularly, this can be an important factor.

Just buying any professional hair dryer won’t do the trick, you need to first discover what kind of hair dryer is suitable for which hair type. For example you won’t find much use in a hair dryer that works towards creating curls and waves when you want hair that’s silky straight, or vice versa. Here are some tips on how to choose a hair dryer according to a specific hair type.

Straight

For sleek, smooth locks you require a hair dryer that contains an ionic generator combined with tourmaline and ceramic parts to produce infrared heat. These particular elements can dramatically reduce frizz and help seal in moisture to provide a straight and silken outcome. If you want a long lasting look, use a nozzle attachment to concentrate the heat output while working on your locks with a round brush.
Hair dryers for straight styles

Curly

If bouncy, youthful and defined curls is a style you’re going for, be sure to read on. You may think that pointing a hair dryer to natural curls can end in a ‘fro result, but it’s not the case. You can use a hair dryer to enhance the natural texture of your locks by simply using a diffuser, which softens the airflow to gently dry your curls without turning them into a frizzy mass. If your hair isn’t naturally curly but you want it to look like it is, use round brushes or curlers, and choose a hair dryer that features tourmaline, ceramic or ionic technology to reduce frizz and lock in moisture.
Hair dryers for curly styles

Wavy

If you’re dying to have lush, flowing waves, fashionable flips or sexy volume (maybe all three), then you need a hair dryer that features multiple speed and heat settings along with a cool shot button. This way you’ll have more control over the styling process with the settings and an effective way to set the look with the cool shot button. If you want more volume, an ionic switch should do it, so search for a dryer that includes one. This switch allows you to turn off the ionic generator (which is usually essential when turned on for sleek, straight styles), so that you can dry your hair and produce more body at the same time.
Hair dryers for wavy styles

The Basics

You can’t buy a hair dryer with just a fleeting knowledge of what it can do for your hair. Knowing how it works, what features are available and what kind of technology involved is very important if you want a long-lasting product that can adapt to your styling needs. Here’s some useful information that should help you out.

Airflow, Heat and Technology

There’s more to a hair dryer than simply plugging in and switching on. Let’s start with wattage. This is a big part of the dryer’s airflow and power, and can also depend of your hair type. For example, hair dryers with less wattage can be ideal for short or fine hair, or if you limit your drying to bangs or small sections of hair. With thicker or longer hair, dryers with 1875 watts can perform pretty well. Here’s a very brief guide on wattage to suit hair types:

  • 1200-1500 watts: can dry thin or fine hair satisfactorily.
  • 1300-1800 watts: appropriate for medium, straight or wavy hair.
  • 1600-2000 watts: can tackle thick, curly or course hair.

    • No matter the power level, you must remember to always keep the hair dryer moving back and forth instead of letting the heat concentrate over one area and damaging it.

    Now, about heat. The best types of hair dryer on the market are the ones that use ceramic heaters or ceramic elements to distribute heat evenly over hair. If the hair dryer includes heat settings, even better, because it’s not only scorching heat that helps to dry hair, the cooler temperatures are ideal for fine hair or locks that tend to frizz up, since the airflow is gentler.

    Next let’s discuss technology, a very important part of your potential hair dryer. There are different types of technology, of course and each comes with its own set of benefits. The decision to settle for a specific one depends on your needs and personal choice.

  • Tourmaline: this is a semi-precious gemstone that’s one of the world’s best ionic and infrared generators, focusing on negatively charged sections of hair when heated. To put it simpler, the tourmaline breaks down large water droplets into much smaller ones, allowing them to evaporate quicker, drying hair faster and sealing in essential moisture. Tourmaline also greatly reduces heat damage and produces a healthy looking shine.
    • Tourmaline hair dryers

  • Ceramic: some hair dryers come with completely ceramic parts and others have elements merely coated in this material, so check before you buy. Ceramic is great for distributing even heat and reducing heat damage this way, leaving in essential moisture for healthy hair.
    • Ceramic hair dryers

  • Ionic: Ionic technology consists of the creation of negative ions to neutralize your hair’s positive charge (which produces volume and frizz) making it sleek and smooth. Hair dryers with ionic technology give you healthy, frizz-free locks with a soft feel and fantastic shine, and no need to worry about lost moisture, because it will have been sealed in. These dryers dramatically reduce drying time and there are a few tips to make the most out of your styling process. For example, flip your hair upside down and turn off the ionic switch (if the dryer has this option) to increase volume, then flip your hair the right way up and finish off drying with the ionic switch turned on for great results.
    • Ionic hair dryers

  • Infrared: hair dryers that have this technology are able to deliver consistent, even heat to your hair, reducing the risk of drying out your locks or overheating them. With even heat, less damage will be made to your hair and the result will be one of health and shine.
    • Infrared hair dryers

    Dual Voltage

    If you’re an avid traveler and you care about how your hair looks wherever you go, then a dual voltage hair dryer should be one of the first things to pack. These hair dryers are able to convert from 110/120 V to 220/240 V with a standard adaptor, making it functional almost anywhere. If you’re packing light and don’t want to lug a full size hair dryer around, then consider a mini hair dryer to fold up and fit in any corner of your luggage without worrying about the weight. If you don’t travel that often then a regular hair dryer will do.

    Temperature Settings

    It’s not just heat you can dry your hair with, you can control what temperatures to use on your locks to obtain the best results. The best heat styling process is to start hot and move your way down the temperature settings and end with cold air to set the style. The heat evaporates excess moisture and paves the way to a great style, and the cold hair seals the hair shaft and prevents the style from falling flat, as it would if you just used hot air. Finishing with cold air also guarantees great shine and a long-lasting look. Search for a hair dryer that offers you these benefits, because being able to control the way you style is an important factor for a dramatic outcome.
    Dyers with temperature settings

    Accessories and Attachments

    Just because your hair dryer arrived a certain way in its box when purchased, doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. You can take your pick from a wide variety of accessories and extras to maximize your hair dryer’s features and make heat styling much more convenient. Read on to see how you can benefit from adding on to your heat styling tool.

  • Concentrators: use this attachment to direct the airflow onto specific sections of your hair to dry them faster. Concentrators can already arrive with the purchase of professional hair dryers but you can also find them separately if your own dryer didn’t come with one. Concentrators are great for reducing frizz and creating smooth, polished looks, just point the nozzle down and move from root to ends while drying.

  • Diffusers: wonderful for curl bearers, letting you dry your curly hair without turning it into a frizzy ‘fro. The diffuser attachment enhances your hair’s existing texture and cuts down drying time by lifting and separating, dramatically reducing frizz and flyaways. You can expect defined, bouncy curls and natural shine.

  • Dryer brush: if it’s impossible for you to manage a hair dryer and a brush at the same time, you’ll be glad of this simple, convenient alternative. The dryer brush is a dryer and brush combined! It dries and brushes at the same time, though the control you have over it can be somewhat limited being a two-in-one, but if you’re not the slightest bit keen of handling two separate tools, then it’s perfect!

    • Hair Dryer Weight

    If you’re not a weightlifter, you might feel like one when you hold up a full-size hair dryer while you style. To avoid wearing out your arm when blow drying, consider the weight factor BEFORE purchase, especially if your hair is particularly thick or long. Choose a model that’s light and won’t weigh down on your biceps, and if you travel often, consider a lightweight travel hair dryer to take along with you.
    Lightweight hair dryers

    Noise

    When hair dryers were first introduced, few people could withstand the 80 decibels of its roar, but with modern technology, the sound of a hair dryer has dimmed to practically a hum due to quieter motors, lowering the noise to 60 decibels or lower. Now you don’t have to feel guilty about breaking out the hair dryer early in the morning!

    Nozzles

    There are two nozzle types when it comes to hair dryers: nozzle and no nozzle. A nozzle allows for more control and precision over your styling since they direct the airflow on your hair. Professionals and those wanting great quality results choose to add a nozzle on the end of their hair dryers. Hair dryers without nozzles are more lightweight and manageable though, dispersing the air through a fuller blowout.

    Removable Air Filters

    To keep your hair dryer performing satisfactorily for as long as possible, proper care is required, especially when the health of your hair can be affected. Clean out your air filter often to ensure that the motor won’t be subjected to overheating, which ultimately leads to hair damage.

    Swivel Cord

    Having a swivel cord means more freedom of movement when blow drying and to prevent tangles that could lengthen the process. The swivel at the end of the handle lets the cord pivot, letting you twist and turn the hair dryer without tying yourself up in cables.

    Other Products

    There are more to hair dryers than the typically shaped ones. Here are some more products you can consider before deciding what to buy.

    Bonnet Dryers

    Also known as hood or hard hat dryers, and you may have seen them in some salons or movies. These are great for slow, gentle drying that distributes heat to all of your head, enhancing curls and dealing effectively with frizz. With these dryers you can also receive deep conditioning treatments and even find time to read a book and relax while your hair is done.

    Bonnet hair dryers

    Hair Dryer Holders

    Keeping your heat styling process organized and efficient is a sure way to obtain excellent results without obstacles. A hair dryer holder, wall mount or stand saves you space and effort when you blow dry, so have a look at heat resistant holders to protect your surfaces and countertops while keeping the styling process ultra-convenient.