Dryers Products

Choosing a hair dryer

Wattage is a rough guide to drying power; most full-size dryers fall between about 1,600 and 2,000 watts. More useful than raw power is a good range of heat and speed settings, plus a cool-shot button to set a style once it is shaped.

Ionic dryers are marketed as faster, but drying speed mostly comes from airflow and heat; what many people do notice is less static and frizz. Ceramic and tourmaline parts help spread heat more evenly. A concentrator nozzle is for smooth blowouts, and a diffuser is for drying curls without disturbing their pattern.

Faster, gentler drying

Squeeze out water with a microfiber towel or a soft T-shirt first, then rough-dry to about 80 percent before you style with a brush. Keep the dryer moving and a few inches from the hair, and use a heat protectant. Clean the lint filter on the back every few weeks so the motor does not overheat.

Matching the dryer to your hair

Fine or thin hair dries quickly and is easily overheated, so a lighter dryer with a true low-heat setting is often a better buy than the most powerful model. Thick, coarse or very long hair benefits from more airflow so you spend less time with heat on the strands. Curly and coily hair usually looks best with a diffuser on low speed. Weight matters more than most people expect: if you dry your hair every day, a dryer under about a pound and a half is easier on your arms and wrists.

Dryer care and safety

Never use a dryer near a filled sink or tub, and look for a plug with a built-in safety device, which is standard on dryers sold in the United States. Wrap the cord loosely rather than tightly around the handle, which can break the wires over time.