Aka how to have a good hair day, every day
They’re a tool that can make or break a hairstyle, so it’s important that the one you rely on is of the best hair dryers that money can buy.
The truth is that while most hair dryers look very similar, they weren’t all created equal, and some will be better suited to your hair type than others.
Before we continue, is it worth us going over the basics? We think so. We spoke to Ghd’s Global Ambassador, Adam Reed to ask: ‘how do you blow dry your hair properly?’
How to blow dry hair according to an expert
First thing’s first, resist the temptation to reach for the brush before you dry, as you should never brush your hair while it’s wet. Adam advises that your hair is actually 85% dry before you start styling it with your dryer.
‘Style your hair on a medium setting and only use the hotter setting for the finishing touches,’ he says. ‘Once you’re done styling, seal the hair using the cool setting for a super-smooth look.’
And, we hate to break it to you, but you’ve probably been drying your hair wrong your whole life. ‘Many women move the dryer back and forth, up and down each section of the hair, or just hold the dryer in one place – that’s wrong!’ says Adam.
‘Continually follow the brush, with the nozzle of the dryer facing in the direction of the brush.’ And the bigger the brush, the better the finish and bounce.
Best hair dryers for curly hair
ghd Air Hair Dryer, £99, Fabled
When it comes to the world of straightening, we can’t not mention ghd. They’re no doubt the first name that springs to mind when you think ‘straight hair experts’.
Ghd claim that the ‘Air’ is the ‘best blow-dry of your life’, and we’re not going to argue. Maintaining their incredible reputation for salon-worthy styling, they’ve built all of the power and ionic technology into their hair dryer to make sure you get the best results every time, alongside long-lasting healthy hair effects.
The secret to precise, sleek styling is the wide nozzle that comes with the dryer – don’t forget to angle the dryer downwards to maximise its straight styling power.
Among the miracle workers we’ve featured on our list is the ghd hair dryer, which in just a few short years has become every bit as iconic and commonplace as their best hair straightener, the classic IV gold styler.
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Best hair dryers for frizzy hair
T3 Cura Luxe Dryer, £235, Beauty Bay
The latest innovation from T3 features five heat settings, an auto-stop function and a ‘cool shot’ function for locking down your style. It’s surprisingly lightweight for such a technologically advanced tool; the digital IonAir technology helps boost shine and minimise frizz levels for much smoother hair overall. If drying your hair easily results in a frizz-bomb situation, this one is for you (plus, the black and rose gold combination is seriously Instagrammable).
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Best hair dryers with diffuser
Cloud Nine The Airshot Hair Dryer, £99, Fabled
Diffusers are popular choice for smoother hair as they distribute the air and heat evenly around your locks. It’s ultimately better than. Most hair dryer brands now have the option of buying a separate diffuser, but Cloud Nine’s Airshot dryer comes with two separate nozzles, including a big ol’ diffuser.
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Best hair dryers for fine hair
BaByliss SalonLight 2100 Hair Dryer 5568BU, £30, Debenhams
Fine hair doesn’t require as much time to dry as other hair types, but if you’ve got a lot of it it can still be a bit of a task. You need a dryer that doesn’t turn your locks into a haystack, but dries ’em quick.
Enter BaByliss SalonLight 2100 dryer, the model that puts an end to arm-aching hair drying. It’s got a lighter body and longer cable to improve the practicalities of drying and, most importantly, dries hair faster for your convenience. Because who needs hair drying slowing them up in the mornings?
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Best hair dryer for thick hair
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, £299.99, John Lewis
No doubt you’re heard all about the Dyson; it’s arguably the most famous hair dryer in the world. When the Dyson Supersonic first launched, we told you everything you need to know about it. Yes, it’s the most expensive hair dryer on the list, but it just so happens to be the smartest hair dryer on the list. If you have the money it really is worth it. Professionals, experts and beauty editors are obsessed with it. Read our full review.
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Best travel hair dryer
BaByliss Travel Pro Dryer, £40, Beauty Expert
Granted you probably care less about your hair’s appearance on holiday, where you spend most of your time looking like a pineapple with it scrunched atop your head. A girl has more important things to worry about, like soaking up the local culture or getting bronzed on the beach.
But while you’re not so focused on the actual styling of your hair, you still want it dry before you leave your Airbnb. We’re all aware of how much space hair dryers take up, but the new travel dryer from Babyliss is a smaller version without compromising on any power – so it’s just as good as taking your full-sized one.
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Whether you struggle with fine hair or frizz, damaged hair or curls, you’re now equipped with the right dryer for you.
Arm yourself with your heat protection spray and one of the best hair dryers from our round up, and you’ll never have a bad hair day again.
