Friend to Friend: These Are the Only Hair Dryers That Won't Inflict More Damage
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@chadkenyon
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@chadkenyon
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@ariel_hauck
Lulu Pierre is a hair expert and founder of Boho Locs. Her top hair-dryer recommendation is this one from DevaCurl. It was specifically designed for wavy and curly hair. "I love the DevaCurl DevaDryer with the diffuser attachment," she says. "It's an ionic dryer that's perfect for natural hair because its negative ions dry hair quickly while the diffuser lets the airflow surround curls evenly. The shape of the diffuser is also great for scrunching, which helps set curl patterns without causing more frizz."
With clients such as Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lawrence, and Kamala Harris, hair expert Cory Aaron Scott knows a thing or two about the importance of a good heat tool. His go-to hair dryer is the Parlux Ionic and Ceramic Professional Hair Dryer. "I have used this every day for over a decade," he says. "It has been reliable, easy to use, and extremely lightweight. The price is very reasonable considering you'll be using it for years to come."
This T3 dryer is a favorite of beauty editors far and wide for a few different reasons. First, it has customizable heat (thanks to five heat and three speed settings), so you don't have to fry your hair in the name of an at-home blowout. Second, it has an ion generator for a smooth and shiny finish. Third, it has a wide airflow for faster drying time.
Big surprise—the Dyson hair dryer made the list. While the price tag is certainly, um, imposing, there's a reason so many people swear by this machine. It's specifically engineered to protect the hair from damage, it promotes shine and smoothness, it's super lightweight, and it comes with easy-to-change magnetic styling attachments.
This ceramic and ionic hair dryer from Revlon is a customer favorite on Amazon. That's probably because it boasts infrared heat, which can cut drying time and give hair a high-shine finish. It also doesn't hurt that it has two heat settings, a cool shot button to seal the hair and concentrator and diffuser attachments.
Speaking of Amazon favorites, this hair dryer from Remington is a best seller—probably because it was created specifically with damage protection in mind. It features ceramic, ionic, and tourmaline technology; three heat and two speed settings; and 1875 watts of power. It's also only $17 right now.
This little hair dryer is iconic, and not just because of its spritely shade of mint green. It's lightweight and compact; features eight heat, speed, and ion settings; and has a motor that lasts up to 2000 hours. Like the brand's 1.25-Inch Ceramic Flat Styling Iron ($200), which I swear by, I trust this to style my hair sans damage.
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@aysha.sowEven though the right hair dryer can make a world of difference in the health of your hair, it's not the only variable to consider. As Powell puts it, "choosing the right hair dryer is only half the battle!" You also have to consider how you're using a hair dryer and what products you're using to protect your vulnerable strands from thermal damage. If you're not using anything, then it's time to start. The pros have some suggestions.
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@justinemarjanScott recommends starting an at-home blowout by rough-drying your hair. "Rough-dry your hair as much as possible," he says. "When it comes time to smooth the hair, I always start with the hairline, taking half-inch sections, blow-drying the hair away from the face, and using lots of tension with a boar-bristle round brush. Keep taking half-inch sections until every section is smooth and shiny."
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@jeannine.roxasPowell says drying your hair in sections is the key to replicating a professional salon blowout at home. "This will help ensure even drying without causing a full head of frizz that results from the cuticles getting pushed up in different directions," she says.
Whatever you do, don't touch the nozzle of the hair dryer to your hair. Instead, always keep it a few inches away from your head. "It's really damaging having that hot material touching your damp hair," Scott adds.
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