If you are confused about the keywords of choosing the hair dryer, then perhaps it would be helpful to define some terms for you of the beauty trend of haircare - Fastest, Lightest and Quietest. There’s an array of options when it comes to blow dryers, for traditional hair dryers, ionic, ceramic, and a combination of ionic and ceramic hair dryers at the forefront. Each dryer promotes different benefits, making it important to find a dryer that will meet your specific needs and expectations. A good dryer should allow you to dry your hair quickly, while preserving the health and integrity of your hair. It should also have more than one heat and power setting, come with a concentrator attachment and a cooling temperature.
There are a handful of important terms you'll need to familiarize yourself with before diving into product selections. The most important are attachments, heat and speed settings, wattage, cord length, and ionic technology. The importance of each will vary based on your hair type and lifestyle. More on all these deciding features below: Attachments: Attachments like diffusers and concentrators can be added or removed from hair dryers to help to achieve specific looks.
Diffusers: If you've never seen a diffuser attachment before, it might look a little intimidating. They come in all different shapes, but the most common is a flat-vented diffuser. It kind of looks like a saucer with prongs poking out. When attached to the nozzle of the blow dryer, the diffuser creates dispersed airflow, which is super important for people with curly hair. A less concentrated airflow helps to keep the hair's wave pattern intact. “Use diffusers on medium heat to avoid creating frizz,” says Grand. “And try adding conditioner instead of mousse or gel to your curls prior to applying heat. This will help add definition and moisture, leaving hair feeling soft and frizz-free.”
Concentrators: Concentrators are essentially the exact opposite of diffusers. They also attach to the blow dryer's nozzle but have a flat, narrow opening and create super-targeted airflow. This is an ideal tool to pair with a round brush if you're looking to achieve a salon-level blowout at home. Because concentrators work by heating small sections of hair at a time, it's a good idea to have your hair partially dry before using this attachment to avoid heat damage.
Heat and speed settings: Different hair types will require different levels of heat and speed. For example, people with curly hair, fine hair, or damaged hair should almost always use a lower heat and speed, whereas people with coarse or thick hair will likely need a higher speed and heat setting. Also, don't underestimate the power of that mysterious cool shot button. Hair sets as it cools, so by blasting hair with cold air, you can lock your style in place.
Ionic: Time for a quick science lesson: Ionic hair dryers work by transferring negative ions to the hair. Negative ions attract the positive ions in water. This causes water molecules to divide into smaller particles that either evaporate or penetrate the hair shaft (hello, moisture). Overall, this results in a shorter drying time, and a short drying time means healthier hair that's frizz-free. Win, win! Cord length: Cord length may not be the first thing you consider when looking for a hair dryer, but it also shouldn't be forgotten. Most hair dryers feature a cord that is at least a few feet in length. But be sure to consider how far your desired outlet is from a mirror. Do you need a hairdryer with an extra-long cord to comfortably move the dryer all around the head and still see yourself?
Wattage: A hair dyer's wattage relates to the power of its motor. Simply put, dyers with a high wattage will dry wet hair faster. A base wattage to look for is 1,500 watts or higher. Those with thick hair will want to look for something closer to 1,800 or 2,000. Low wattage hair dryers typically have a lower price point, but keep in mind that you’ll also need to replace them more often. “Hair dryers with a wattage of 1,800 to 3,000 will not burn out as fast,” says Grand. “They also allow for a more proportional amount of wind to the heat ratio, so you are not blistering your hair with just heat.”
Text : North Wan / Post on 13 November, 2020
