Unless you prefer to let your hair dry naturally, it’s likely that your hair dryer is one of your styling essentials. However, if you’re in the market for a new one, you may need to do some research.
Where once there were a few basic settings, now there’s a range of models on the market that are designed for different hair lengths and types. Finding the right fit can make all the difference to how your hair looks and feels.
To help you, here’s a look at some of the different hair dryers that are available and key things to look out for.
Types of hair dryer
- Ionic
Ionic hair dryers produce negatively charges ions. These break up the positively charged water molecules in your hair and because the negative ions don’t open up the hair shafts, you’re left with smooth, sleek hair. If you need some lift, an ionic hair dryer can direct the positive ions at the root, enhancing your hair’s volume and creating a professional, salon-worthy finish.
- Ceramic
Sometimes referred to as tourmaline, the heating elements are designed to be less damaging than the standard metal elements. This is because they give out infrared heat and the heat is distributed a lot more evenly, reducing damage that can be caused by using heat for drying and styling.
Key considerations
- Wattage
Look out for higher wattage when shopping for your hair drying tools. This tells you how powerful the motor is. If you go for the top wattage, you’re getting a stronger airflow, speeding up drying times. You ideally need a balance of heat and wind. If you have a smaller wattage, you get more heat and less wind, and this can lead to ‘hot spots’ and potential hair damage.
- Weight
If you have a lot of hair or it’s very long, you’ll need to factor in drying time. Often, the more advanced hair dryers that have higher wattages are heavier and this can make drying your hair evenly tricky as you have to juggle holding a heavy appliance with moving it around to get even heat distribution. It’s worth taking the time to look for lightweight alternatives to ensure you’re comfortable when drying your hair.
Bonus features
Many of these hair dryers feature additional functions that are designed to further enhance your hairstyle. You might find that some are more suited to your hair type than others.
For instance, if your hair dryer has a cool shot button, this seals the cuticle so that your style is set. This can be especially handy for those with waves and curls as it can set the shape of the wave in place.
Adjustable heat settings are also useful. Being able to switch between lower and higher heat settings means that you can adapt to your drying needs and reduce unnecessary heat exposure.
Many hair dryers also come with a range of accessories that can be attached to the end of the tool. A diffuser is ideal for those with curls and waves as this directs the heat in a way that’s not too harsh, keeping curls intact and reducing frizz. There are also nozzles that are designed to help straighten hair and can be used to direct hair strands when blow drying.
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