Hair that shines, bounces and radiates vitality… if acing the perfect blowout every single morning was on your bingo card for 2024, you are in luck. Armed with the latest advances in technology, the best hair dryers are here to deliver just about every hairstyle you can dream of. On the hunt for faster drying? Precision styling? Travel-friendly sizes? Regardless of what you are looking for, there’s a hair dryer for every need, style and requirement. Need proof? Take notes from our all-in-one guide on finding the hair dryer of your dreams.
Vogue Arabia, January 2018. Photo: Adam Browning-Hill
How to style your hair with a hair dryer
- If you are new to the world of hair styling with a dryer, you might want to take a seat—covering the endless styling possibilities of adding a hair dryer to your routine might take some time.
- For those looking to get started at the very beginning, the easiest way to use a hair dryer is—as the name suggests—to dry your hair.
- After stepping out from the shower, gently wring out any excess water from your tresses with a microfiber towel.
- Once your hair starts feeling damp, it is time to flex your fingers and channel your inner hairstylist as you clip your hair into sections.
- Hold the hair dryer at a minimum distance of six inches away from your head. Run it in a linear, uniform motion over each section from the roots of your hair till the tips.
- Looking to level up? It is time that a round paddle brush entered the chat. Gently run it through your hair in sections trailed by the hair dryer for a salon-worthy blowout.
- Psst: Looking for some volume? Toss your hair upside down and run the brush at the roots to create instant volume in thin or fine hair.
How to curl hair with blow dryer
- So, you are looking for something more than subtle definition and gentle waves? It is time your blow dryer works as hard as you do.
- If you are looking for some envy-inducing curls without subjecting your hair to extreme heat, a hair dryer can be your knight in shining armor.
- To make the most of this versatile tool, you will want to get started with a clean canvas—freshly shampooed, frizz-free hair. A quick hand of heat protecting spray will ensure that your tresses are not fried alive with the blast of the hair dryer.
- You know the drill already: as with all hairstyling tools, it helps to divide and clip your hair into proportionate sections. The payoff comes in the form of giving each section all of your time and attention—and not being left with that one wonky curl at the back that stands out from the rest.
- With us so far? Good, because this is where you’ll be channeling your inner Picasso and creating your own work of art. Wrap one section of your hair around a round metal brush until it’s a few inches from your scalp and run it under the blow dryer.
- Gently release the hair from the brush in a vertical motion and repeat on all sections of the hair.
- Once done, a quick spritz of hairspray will ensure that your billboard-worthy curls are locked in place through the day.
How to use hair dryer attachments
- With a little practice, you’ll be a dab hand at the hair dryer in no time. But what about all those additional attachments and nozzles stashed with the dryer?
- The good news? You don’t need to have Jen Atkins’ number fed into your speed dial to make the most of your hair dryer.
- Each nozzle feeds into a distinct styling purpose and this guide is here to help you master them all.
- The first and most hard-working nozzle that you’ll want to make friends with is the concentrator—look for the round head with a narrow, tapered vent.
- While the purpose of the hair dryer is to blast your entire hair with air, a concentrator nozzle comes into the picture when you are looking for precision and targeted styling.
- By narrowing the scope of the airflow, it ensures individualized attention for each strand. Pick this one up when you are looking to whip up straighter and sleeker looks for a day at the office.
- You can also strap on the concentrator when looking to add volume at the base of the hair and for adding definition to waves and curls.
What does a hair dryer diffuser do?
- While concentrators are all about adding structured definition, diffusers lie at the other end of the spectrum for embracing your natural texture.
- For starters, how do you spot a diffuser? Look for the large circular attachment that often has small spikes within.
- What does it do? True to its name, it helps diffuse the airflow and distribute more evenly across the surface of your hair.
- Ready to see the difference for yourself? Once you have done the prep, lift one section of your hair and press it against the scalp with the diffuser. The spiked structure floats around the hair, keeping its natural curl pattern intact.
- The end result? Hair that dries faster with reduced frizz and flyaways. Who wants in?
How to use blow dryer without damaging hair
- For all the main character energy that a hair dryer commands in your styling kit, it helps to bear in mind that over-drying your hair or using extreme heat can cause damage.
- Sure, who wouldn’t like to slice some precious minutes off their air-drying routine on busy mornings? But efficient hairstyling shouldn’t ever come at the cost of the strength and integrity of your strands.
- Which is why, you’ll find that a few precautionary measures will go a long way in preventing heat-related damage.
- For starters, heat protectant is your first line of defence against damaged, fried strands. By forming a protective layer on the cuticle, it works on preventing excessive moisture loss as well as the impact of extreme temperatures.
- Next, you’ll want to focus on the technique. As a rule of thumb, it helps to start with a low heat setting and to gradually dial up the heat if needed. It also helps to avoid focusing on one section for too long or directing too much heat in one place. When you are almost done, switch to the cool mode to set your style and calm down any frizz or flyaways.
How to buy a good hair dryer?
Ready to get started on your journey towards the hair of your dreams? The only question remaining to be asked is: what do you need to look for in a good hair dryer? Here’s what you need to know:
- First up: what hair type are we working with? Curly, thick hair requires a blast of higher power for efficient drying. Fine hair, meanwhile, can work with lower power as well.
- Next, how many heat settings do you require? A professional hair dryer should offer a minimum of three heat settings as well as different speed settings to choose from depending on your needs.
- What add-ons will you need for your styling needs? If you are hoping to walk out of the door with a head of silky smooth tresses each morning, a concentrator nozzle will be your new bestie.
- Those looking for a blow dryer for curly hair, on the other hand, will want to keep an eye out for a handy diffuser attachment.
What is the best brush hair dryer?
If you find yourself wondering “what is the best hair dryer brand?” to invest in, the answer is that there is no one-size-fits-all option. You’ll find that different brands play to different strengths. Depending on what you require from a professional hair blow dryer—do you need quick drying for hectic mornings or precision styling?—choose from our round-up below:
Dyson Supersonic™ Hair Dryer (Prussian Blue/Rich Copper)
What happens when you drop $71 million on reimagining the future of hair dryers? Dyson has the answers. The brand’s pioneering work in the world of intelligent heat control makes it a must-have for haircare enthusiasts everywhere. Forget everything you’ve ever known about clunky, cylindrical hair dryers—the Dyson hair dryer is sleeker, faster and here to deliver results. Best hair dryer with comb, you ask? The hunt ends here. Choose from an array of five different nozzles every morning—styling concentrator, diffuser, gentle air, wide tooth comb and flyaways attachment—ready to be stacked away in a cushioned storage case when done.
Buy now: Dyson Supersonic™ Hair Dryer (Prussian Blue/Rich Copper)
Revlon Salon One-Step™ Hair Dryer and Styler
On the hunt for the best hair dryer with brush? The Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer brush is here to make tangles, flyaways and frizz a thing of the past. Designed as a paddle brush, this styling tool gently runs through your day—making it smoother, sleeker and detangled all in one swoop. After all, drying and styling hair separately is so 2000-and-late. Powered by 1100 watts under the hood, the one-step dryer offers all the ease of running a brush through your hair with two heat settings to choose from and a cool shot at the end.
Buy now: Revlon Salon One-Step™ Hair Dryer and Styler
Drybar The Half Shot Small Round Blow-Dryer Brush
So, you woke up today in the mood for defined curls? Look no further than this hair brush blow dryer from Drybar. Doused in mood-enhancing sunshine hues, the 1.5-inch barrel delivers precision styling for bangs and layers. Use yours after running a detangling brush on towel-dried hair for quicker, faster drying and a sleek finish.
Buy now: Drybar The Half Shot Small Round Blow-Dryer Brush
Dryer, straightener or styler? Why choose when you can have the best of all worlds with the BaByliss hair dryer. Multi-tasking as hard as you do, this hair styling wand serves as a versatile all-in-one addition to your haircare arsenal. As a dryer, it speeds up to 123 kilometres per hour to offer fast, efficient drying. As a straightener, it serves up ceramic plates to straighten your strands as they dry. As a styler, the oval brush attachment offers up that coveted frizz-free, blowdry finish. What’s not to love?
Buy now: BaByliss Air Wand
Braun Satin Hair 3 HD 130 Style&Go Travel Dryer
Looking to take on the day with a head of bouncy blowout but don’t have the time to sit in a salon chair? A closer look at the Braun HD130 Satin Hair Dryer reviews makes it clear why it’s such a fan-favorite. Bring the salon home with a foldable design that can be stashed in your bag wherever you go. The multi-voltage system is designed to offer seamless connection with anything that a local plug can handle, regardless of which country you’re hopping off to next.
Buy now: Braun Satin Hair 3 HD 130 Style&Go Travel Dryer
Valera Vanity Performance Professional Hairdryer
So, you believe that the best hair dryers should be seen not heard? The Valera hair dryer clearly agrees—deliver faster, quieter results than ever before. Available in a range of pop colors—hot pink, purple and blue: have your pick—it also offers six different temperature and fan settings. Simply tap the cold air button when you are done to set your hairstyle into place and you’re golden. Bonus: a removable filter ensures easy, on-the-go cleaning whenever needed.
Buy now: Valera Vanity Performance Professional Hairdryer
Ikonic ME Mini Vibe Hair Dryer Emerald
Looking for on-the-go styling? Ikonic’s mini hair dryer makes for a travel-friendly companion with a foldable design. Don’t fret about having to compromise on your styling needs though—a hair dryer air concentrator nozzle can be attached to the emerald body for blowouts that require more precision and targeted airflow.
Buy now: Ikonic ME Mini Vibe Hair Dryer Emerald
