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Purchasing tools like hair dryers for curly hair always requires a little extra research. Curly hair can be complex, and you must be more selective to maintain its health and shape. That’s why I have created this guide to the best hair dryer for curly hair.
The best hair dryer for curly hair requires analyzing the specs of the dryer to determine what would be best for a person’s specific hair. Characteristics like motor type, heating technology, attachments, noise, and cost can impact the quality. Several hair dryer options are available on the market.
Read through this post to make the best decision when purchasing a hair dryer for your curly hair and ensuring it suits all your needs. We offer you all you need to know about hair dryers with product suggestions for your convenience.
People with straight hair can just get up and go, but curly hair is often frizzy and sometimes wild. Since curly hair requires some extra love and attention, the type of hair dryer you use can majorly impact the result of your hair after drying it.
Curls need moisture to look their best, so the best blow dryers for curly hair give you control over both heat and airflow settings.
A hair dryer’s control settings make it more user-friendly, allowing you to choose the drying, styling, and finish you desire.
If you use a hair dryer that doesn’t do a quality job, your hair might end up looking like a hot mess. I like to call it the I-touched-an-electric-fence look.
It can also create frizz and flyaways and tangle your hair. Your curls can lose their pattern and bounce, leaving you frustrated and disappointed.
There are several options on the market these days, and finding the perfect one for your needs can be tricky. There is a lot to consider when purchasing a hair dryer, and I will share the best features to look for.
The hair dryer has advanced dramatically over time. While basic versions still exist, the high-end and costly versions come with a plethora of features and can be an investment if you take care of them.
The best hair dryer for curly hair is the one that fits your specific needs. So, make sure to look at all your options before you make a decision.
Here are features to consider before purchasing a hair dryer:
Power is an important consideration when purchasing any hair dryer, but it is especially important when seeking the best one for curly hair. You want a hair dryer with sufficient power to quickly evaporate water but not so powerful that it dries out your curls and leaves them looking frizzy.
For less powerful versions intended for home usage, 1000 watts may be enough. That also depends on your curls’ length and density.
If you want a decent-quality hair dryer, look for something with a wattage of 1800 or higher. Watts measures the amount of heat generated by a blow dryer.
Most professional blow dryers have wattages over 3500. You can lean into one like that if you have thick, curly hair and are searching for a professional-style hair dryer.
Your hairdryer will be quieter, more powerful, and last longer if it has an AC motor. AC motors are heavier than DC motors, which may be essential to remember if you need to use your hair dryer for long hours.
A hairdryer uses ceramic, tourmaline, ionic technology, porcelain, and titanium to dry hair. Some utilize a mix of two or even all three technologies, and a few dryer brands use infrared heating technology.
The components within your hair dryer will impact its performance and noise. The noise produced by a hair dryer is significantly reduced if ceramic technology is used with one of the others.
Ceramic hair dryers are a great low-cost option that works well and protects your hair from damage.
Tourmaline is a beneficial mineral that helps to smooth hair by sealing the cuticle and retaining moisture. To put it another way, it helps prevent frizz and lowers the likelihood of hair damage.
Water’s ions are positively charged, so an Ionic dryer releases negatively charged ions.
That is the basis for why an Ionic dryer is much more successful at breaking up and dispersing water droplets on the hair shaft, preventing them from soaking in and causing frizz, and speeding up drying time. Ionic
Technology also makes for a quieter machine.
Porcelain is designed to distribute heat evenly. It may be applied to a dryer’s metal or plastic heating elements and other internal components to make the heat less harsh and more consistent in temperature.
Titanium is lighter than ceramic and distributes heat evenly while keeping the temperature level. It makes for a very hot dryer and speeds up the drying process.
The different attachments that can come with hair drying are a concentrator nozzle, diffuser, brush, and comb/pick.
The concentrator nozzle is excellent for directing the airflow to a specific area while drying your hair. This is especially helpful when trying to dry short hair or smooth out hair.
A diffuser helps to distribute the air more evenly while drying curly hair, preventing frizz. Some models come with built-in diffusers, while others include them as attachments. The diffuser attachment is best for curly hair because the “fingers” of air it releases are gentler than a nozzle.
Tip – to minimize flyaways, point the nozzle downward as you blow-dry your hair.
A brush attachment or styler can be used for individuals weary of brushing with one hand while blow-drying the other.
The pick attachment looks just like the name suggests. It helps to add more volume and lift. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
The short pick can be used for short hair, and the more extended pick for longer hair.
A comb attachment is used to smooth and straighten hair. I used it on my hair growing up, just before flatting it with a flat iron.
Look for a blow dryer with multiple settings for both heat and power. When drying, I always turn down my blow dryer’s heat and power controls. This keeps the temperature lower, which is best for my hair.
We don’t all need to blow dry our hair on high heat and power. The medium setting can work if you want to remove most of the moisture from your hair.
Once your hair is about 90% dry, use the lower setting to finish it or air dry it the rest of the way. This process reduces heat damage.
Bonus tip: A cool shot button will help you lock in your hairstyle after styling it with hot air.
The quietest hair dryers include Tourmaline and Ceramic technology, additional fan blades, and anti-vibration product design.
Prolonged use of hair dryers may damage your hearing. Hearing loss can be caused by continuous or routine exposure to noise over 85 decibels.
Using a quieter hair dryer will help you preserve your hearing. You’ll generally want to consider five noise levels when shopping for hair dryers.
The following are the various levels:
The best hair dryers for curly hair can be expensive, but some affordable models are available. (We’ll share our top picks further down the article).
A hairdryer is one of the most essential beauty products, and while there are always exceptions, you can feel good about spending more on one.
If you ask a professional stylist, they will tell you that a good hair dryer is worth the investment.
To put it another way, you can anticipate a hair dryer that you paid $100+ for and might last up to 10 years, while one you paid $20 for may burn out after one or two years.
The hair dryer you use will ultimately determine the result of your hairstyle and long-term hair health. Always do thorough research and read product reviews before making a purchase.
Choosing one can be challenging, but with the list below, you can find the best one for you.
Check out this list of the best hair dryers for curly hair to find the perfect one for your personal needs and budget:
Mint Professional Stealth Ionic+ Hair Dryer
MHU Ionic Low Noise Hair Dryer
Panasonic Low-Noise Ionity Hair Dryer
Shark HD113BRN Hair Blow Dryer HyperAIR Fast-Drying with IQ
Skanwen Professional Hair Dryer
A good blow dryer doesn’t have to be expensive. If you shop around at your local retail store, you may find a decent hair dryer that has most of these features.
Professional hair dryers are designed to dry the hair of a large number of people each day. You’ll be able to get a lot of usage out of it before you have to replace it, so it will last you a long time.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a hair dryer that isn’t in your budget, just make sure to get one that has a few of the features mentioned above.
Here are a few good hair dryers that are available for under $50:
Conair 1600 Watt Wall Mounted Hair Dryer with LED Light
Jinri 1875 Watt Professional Tourmaline Hair Dryer
Remington T Studio Pearl Ceramic Professional AC Hair Dryer
REVLON Infrared Heat Hair Dryer
VAVOOV Professional Ionic Hair Dryer
Conair Pro Style Bonnet Ionic Hair Dryer
CO-Z Professional Hair dryer Adjustable Hooded Stand Up Hair Bonnet Dryer
ELEGANTY Soft Bonnet Hood Hairdryer Attachment
Gold N Hot Professional Ionic Soft Bonnet Dryer
Hooded Conditioning Hair Dryer By Skin Act
TASALON Ionic Hooded Dryer – 1875W Bonnet Hair Dryer
A good hair dryer will last you a long time if you care for it and offer better results in your drying process.
Yes, because they are produced in the same way, but because of the power they generate, they may take longer to dry your hair.
You don’t need one, but it can be beneficial. Ionic technology helps to reduce frizz and static.
It is not a requirement, but it can be beneficial, especially with curly hair. A diffuser helps to distribute the air evenly so your hair is not blown around too much.
There is no one-size-fits-all. It depends on what your hair needs. Online product reviews can help determine a suitable option based on others’ experiences.
A retractable cord helps to keep your cords tidy and organized. It also prevents them from becoming tangled. But it is not essential.
A warranty on your hair dryer is a good idea because it gives you peace of mind knowing that you are covered if anything happens.
Your curly hair doesn’t have to turn into a tangled, frizzy mess. With the above guide and suggestions on the best hair dryers, you can effortlessly dry your hair while keeping your curl shape and enjoying quality results.
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