Whether your last hair dryer died on you or you’re ready to get serious about your hair and invest in a new blow dryer, there are some tips and tricks you should know.

Your hair dryer is more than something that blows air on your head. It’s a tool that sets the stage for awesome-looking hair. It really does so much more than you ever realized, that is, if you pick the right one.

The problem is that selecting the right hair dryer can be tricky because there are so many different models, a broad range of price points and confusing features. We’re here to help you wade through that confusion and create show-stopping style that’s customized to your hair type.

Pair Your Hair with a Hair Dryer

The best way to approach selecting a hair dryer is getting to know your hair first. That will be your most accurate indicator of which blow dryer is right for you. So, let’s get started.

Thick hair: People with really thick hair have a love-hate relationship with most hair dryers. It takes forever to dry your hair and standing around with that hair dryer is tedious. But then again, if you didn’t have a blow dryer, it’d feel like it never dried.

For you, the best thing you can do is invest in a good ionic hair dryer. The technology behind an ionic hair dryer means that negative ions are blown at your hair. The water in your hair is positively charged, which means this is a faster method of drying for you and it helps smooth and tame any frizzies you might have or get from a traditional hair dryer.

Thin hair: Thin hair that doesn’t have a lot of volume or life needs a blow dryer that’s going to blast volume into hair with the appearance of thickness. You also want to stay away from high heat, as it can damage your hair and dry it out.

To get the most out of your hair, a ceramic hair dryer that regulates heat is what you need. If your hair dries super-fast, then you can skip the heat altogether and pick a cool setting to protect your fragile strands.

Curly hair: If your hair is naturally curly and you want to go with it, then you need a diffuser. The good news is, you really don’t have to get an expensive blow dryer if you religiously use your diffuser because it helps spread out the heat to avoid damage and over drying.

That said, if you have thin hair with curls, you might want to find a ceramic dryer. And for thick curly hair, use an ionic dryer.

Dull hair: Ionic hair dryers give you that natural boost you need. The negative ions are conditioning to your hair and boost the shine while eliminating frizz. You’ll love the healthy transformation of your hair.

Hair Dryer Tips

While there are even more care tips for when you have dry hair, no matter what hair dryer you pick, there are some things to keep in mind to get the most out of it.

♦ Weight. A heavy hair dryer is going to be a serious arm workout, which might sound good in theory, but you’ll quickly tire of it in practice.

♦ Heat protectant. Never dry your hair without a heat protectant.

♦ Heat setting. While your blow dryer may have super-high temperatures and crazy-fast power, this might not be the best for your hair. In fact, it rarely is. Play with the settings until you find one that works best for you.

♦ Cold blast. It’s a good idea to seal your hair cuticle with a blast of cold air at the end.

♦ Air dry. Your hair will look best and retain the most moisture if you can let it air dry or wrap it in an absorbent towel for awhile before blow drying.

Final Thoughts

Hair dryers aren’t a one size fits all tool. Different hair types can benefit from selecting a hair dryer that is designed to work specifically for that same type.

Traditional hair dryers are the least expensive of the whole lot and they can work very well if you use lower heat settings, keep them farther away from your hair, use nozzles and always use a heat protectant.

Just be sure to do a full evaluation of your hair and needs before buying a hair dryer, or at least save the receipt.

At Hair La Vie, we know beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and textures. Your beauty should be celebrated, not dictated! So we’re here celebrating the naturally beautiful you. And we hope you’ll join us. Hair La Vie products are designed specifically to empower you to great hair, naturally. Visit the Hair La Vie Shop to learn more about enhancing hair growth as well as cleansing, hydrating and protecting your hair.