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Hair dryer recommendations?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hi all! Our guest bath hair dryer is dying, so I want to take the opportunity to move our current dryer (a Sam Villa that’s about 8 years old) to the guest bath, and get us a nice new one.

I’ve been poking around the recommendations online and several keep coming up, mostly in the higher price points (hello Dyson and Harry Josh!). But I wondered if any of you have a dryer you especially love.

Bonus points for:
- lightweight
- must have various heat settings and speeds
- good for blowouts of wavy hair but gentle enough for fine hair, good at preventing frizz
- must have cool shot
- prefer to have attachments of a diffuser and concentrator

Thanks in advance for any ideas! An expensive one is not out of the question, but I read such varying reviews it gets confusing.

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

pirouette

I have the Dyson hairdryer which is good for fine hair as it doesn’t get too hot like other dryers. Also it’s very quiet and you get a diffuser with it. I also have the Dyson air wrap the actual hairdryer is pretty good and it’s easy to pack if you bring it with you travelling. I don’t really use many of the attachments except the round brush attachment. Overall if I had to choose I suppose the air wrap would be slightly better as it has a variety of attachments. However if you use a diffuser the original hairdryer is better. Neither are really fantastic but by far they are better than other hairdryers I have had over the years.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I got a KILLER hairdryer last year - the same that my hairstylist uses, and she kindly got it for me with her industry discount. You can set the heat, and it's much more gentle on hair. It blows cold air too. VERY lightweight and easy to use.

It's a gama professional:

https://www.ulta.com/p/iq-perf.....oogle!Prod

Mine is that pretty rose gold

notsaf

Veteran

The Dyson is a good as everyone says. I use the Airwrap with a diffuser attachment. It is simply the best and creating wavy/curly styles with no frizz. Major drawback for me is that it can't be used abroad without a power converter.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Angie, pirouette, and notsaf— thank you! These are really helpful. We love our Dyson vacuum and have had very good experience with their products. I’m willing to shell out a bit for a good hairdryer if it’s truly worth the $$$. We’ve had plenty of cheap ones that were ok but not great.

Eliza

Veteran

After my stylist raved about the Dyson and dried my hair with it just prior to the pandemic, I splurged on a model with multiple attachments, and a sturdy, attractive case. I admit that the polarized reviews caused some hesitation, though I saw the same situation with other spendy brands. My stylist had her pro model replaced twice under warrantee, reporting that she is diligent about cleaning out the area where dust or hair may accumulate per manufacturer. She did not find the Dyson stand very stable.

I have had good luck for these few years with low use (2x/wk). I would not call it exceptionally light-weight though and the thick cord with an attached ‘box’ adds considerably to its bulk. I don’t take it on flights, just car trips. I do like how it dries my thick hair which has body and very light waves. Not much static and a nice smoothing attachment helps. Good luck with your decision.

Roberta

Veteran

Well, I'll just muddy the waters by saying I looove my ten year old Conair IonShine. It has three heat settings and two speeds (and a cool shot). I'ts not particularly lightweight, but I have arthritis and can manage it easily. It came with a diffuser and a concentrater. It was about $20.

Minaminu

Veteran

Parlux ! it's light, has a long cord, works well for my fine hair and has various setting including cold hair for the finish.

I mostly use it when it's cold as I prefer to let my hair dry naturally with either velcro rollers or a heatless curling set (Kitsch) to give some shape.

Bijou

Veteran

Another vote for Parlux - I remember there was a similar question about a year ago and Brooklyn recommended the Parlux. I am very happy with mine and find it helps to minimise a fluffy look that my very fine hair can get from blow drying.

Anne

My stylist of 10 years used to use a Dyson, then switched more recently to a Hairbeauron blowdryer, which uses "bioprogramming." These blow dryers are pricey ($700-$1000), but I have to say, the difference is real. My hair is fine in texture, but I have a decent amount of it. The Hairbeauron de-frizzes better than anything I've encountered, including products (she has put NO product in my hair so I could see the difference because I was skeptical). I have yet to pull the trigger and buy one for home use, but my experience is that it would be worth it, especially with my middle-aged hair.

gryffin

Veteran

Janet - I have the dyson dryer and I do like it. I have fine wavy hair that I blow straight and am heavily prone to frizz. The dyson is the best true dyer that I found. Dyson has been running more sales recently. It's not a light dryer. But what I've changed to and really love is the drybar reserve dryer/brush. I do not like the drybar yellow brushes. Although I'd like a smaller brush the yellow one burned my hair and was of much lesser quality. The reserve is great! So much less frizz and shine that my husband noticed first time out. I usually partially air dry then use paddle followed by brush. It does have a dryer nozzle. Many settings and easy to use. I actually bought a second in reserve because I will freak if this breaks. I also don't use any product other than my innersense shampoo and conditioner and my hair is in great shape. So just thought I'd put that out there. I did a dryer review in the past on all my many expensive buys and thoughts in case you want to check it out.

DRYBAR Reserve 3-in-1 Interchangeable Blow Dryer

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Top Pick

5

Dylan Supersonic Hair Dryer, Iron/Fuchsia, 1200W

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Top Pick

2

Janet

(website)

Veteran

On my phone so it’s hard to respond individually but this is all great info! Not sure you’re making the decision easier but more info is good, right? Thank you!

Runcarla

Veteran

About a year ago Helena posted about the Revlon One Step Hairdryer brush. It has revolutionized my winter hair routine. (I air dry in summer.). Before I used to blow dry, then flat iron. Now I use the brush, and maybe touch up the side bangs with an iron. It takes almost no time and looks like a pro-blow out!

I’m hoping someone will come out with a smaller, lighter weight, travel friendly version.

rachylou

Veteran

I had a Chi for many years that I loved. Got it from my stylist. I had a lot of styling options with it and I’m pretty bad at hair. Sadly, I dropped and broke it. My new stylist got me a bio ionic. It’s very light and nimble but didn’t come with all the attachments. Both were/are fast drying. I’m not sure if Chi quality has held up tho, since I think they got pretty big.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I have had a Dyson for a few years and don't regret it. It dries fast and my hair has remained healthy. I only use it 2-3 times a week but I have a friend who uses hers everyday and her hair looks healthy.

mtnsofthemoon

Veteran

A little late here but I have fine curly hair which is prone to dryness and friz. I have used the Salon Tech 2800 featherweight for over a decade and love it. I wash 2x a week and blow dry my hair straight lately and it does not damage my fine locks.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, everyone! This has been very helpful!

After a bit of researching and pondering, based on your comments and some other reviews, I decided to order the Dyson. Hubs voted for that too since we are a fan of the Dyson products we already own. I’ll let you know our impressions after it arrives and we get a chance to use it.