A blow dryer is just as essential to today’s top hairstyles as having the right conditioner is. Even if you’re trying to air-dry as much as possible, a blow dryer comes in handy when you need to speed up the process a little bit.

A blow dryer can help protect your hair’s strength so long as you have the right blow dryer, and you’re using it correctly.

So how do you find the right hairdryer? We’re glad you asked. The following How-To will help you find the best blow dryer for your hair.

Picking a blow dryer

There are some very practical considerations for selecting the right blow dryer and some very technical ones. Having a little knowledge about both aspects, along with your preferences, will help you walk in and out of the store feeling confident and excited about your blow dryer choice.

Price

There’s just no way around it, price is still important for many people. Just remember that today’s blow dryers have more bells and whistles, so price shouldn’t be your biggest priority. 

Look for something that gives you the features you want while still sitting comfortably within your budget. Consider it an investment in great-looking, healthy hair.

Comfort

Another practical consideration is how the blow dryer feels when you use it. If you’re smaller, then a blow dryer with a long nozzle that’s extended even further by a diffuser might be impractical. Likewise, a blow dryer that’s too heavy might be painful and awkward.

Attachments

A good diffuser is important, but that doesn’t mean it has to come with the blow dryer. You can often buy a diffuser separately and switch it between different standard sized blow dryers. In addition to a diffuser, you might want a blow dryer with other attachments to help you direct the flow of air. A quick word on how to use attachments:

♦ Diffuser. This tool helps build volume at the roots, enhances curls, and combats frizz.

♦ Narrow. This attachment directs the stream of air to prevent frizz and flyaway, and it’s great as a finishing tool.

♦ Wide. This attachment helps dry larger areas, and it works really well on long and thick hair.

Wattage

The higher the watts, the more power the motor has. A stronger motor can mean faster drying times with less heat. But if you have thin or fine hair, you might not need that much power. If you have thick hair that takes forever to dry, invest in a high watt machine.

Heating element construction

Heating elements used to be made of plastic or metal. Today’s higher-end blow dryers use ceramic, titanium, and even infrared construction on the heating elements. Each has its own benefits. They all dampen the effects of heat damage and help create a consistent temperature.

Ceramic blow dryers have non-damaging infrared heat, which is gentler.
Titanium blow dryers are a newer entry into the market, they work much like ceramic with the same benefits, but they’re more lightweight.
Infrared dryers penetrate the shaft to dry from the inside out. 

Ions

You’ll hear about positive and negative ions with blow dryers. It’s key to note that water is positively charged. When regular blow dryers blast hot air with positive ions, it can make hair frizzy. 

Ionic blow dryers use negative ions to “attack” and scatter water from your hair. This prevents them from causing frizz, and it can speed up drying times. Tourmaline dryers work like ionic ones, but they use even more negative ions for faster results.

For most people, having an ionic or a tourmaline blow dryer is optimal, but if your hair is flat and oily, then you might want to use a traditional blow dryer to blast oil and add volume.

Adjustable heat

Even if it’s only from hot to cool, most modern blow dryers have some sort of heat adjustment setting. You want to make sure you have some control to help you dry and style without damaging your hair.

Make the most of your blow dryer

If you are serious about getting the best performance out of your blow dryer, then you need to start with the healthiest hair. Ditching your old shampoo and conditioner can actually make a huge difference when it comes to drying your hair.

Switching to Hair La Vie’s Shampoo and Conditioner gives your hair a break from harmful chemicals and thick products that can cause build-up. Instead, your hair is gently cleansed and softly nourished, so it can regain the natural strength and beauty it was meant to have. 

When your hair is at its healthiest, it is easy to dry and requires less heat. It’s a win/win all the way around.

Final thoughts

Blow dryers have become high-tech gadgets that can now do more good to your hair than harm. In fact, the best way to dry your hair is to let it air dry about 70-80% of the way and then use a blow dryer for the last bit.

A great blow dryer should be considered an investment. In the past, you could expect your blow dryer to last maybe a year at best, and you would expect it to work exactly like every other one on the market. That meant that price was the most important factor that or maybe the color.

Today, you have a lot of options to choose from, and many of them go a long way toward protecting the health and the condition of your hair. That means the better your blow dryer, the stronger your hair is.