Anna Kimble, director of events and education at Drybar, recommends spending the most time on your roots (as they usually take the longest to dry), less time on the mid-shaft section of the hair, and the least amount of time on your ends to minimize heat damage. We also advise working in four or more sections to maximize the impact of your blow-dry. Can you explain the difference between ionic, ceramic, and tourmaline hair dryers?

Those with fine hair should avoid very high temperatures, so look for machines offering lower heat settings. The Parlux ALYON’s patented Hair Free system traps stray hairs before they enter the motor, increasing the dryer’s lifespan. It also features low profile soft-touch switches and includes two concentrator styling nozzles allowing you to style with freedom. We asked 350 women with a range of hair types, from fine to afro, to try out 65 different hair dryers. Each machine was judged on speed, ease of use, noise levels and weight. Most importantly, we also wanted to know which ones created the best finished result for every hair type. Give you — and your hair — the best experience possible whilst travelling, with a specially designed travel hair dryer, tailored to your hair type.

Ask any parent and they'll agree that drying a child's hair can be a tear-soaked, frustration-filled challenge. Cleverly, the Panasonic EH-NA67 Enrich + Family Care dryer aims to nix this with a light, ultra-gentle drying experience that prevents painful, hair-damaging hotspots. A loop at the top of the power cable that's useful for hanging a dryer out of harm's way while it cools. Power cord A diffuser is key to distributing heat slowly and evenly through curly hair, while variable heat settings and ionic technology will help to protect afro hair from breakages. A cool shot setting will set curls in place, too. How we test

Want more information on the types of dryers and hair dryer technology, or to learn why a cold shot function is so beneficial? Everything you need to know can be found in our FAQs at the end of this best hair dryer guide.Now for the best buys... How to choose a hair dryer – FAQs Drybar’s tools were specifically created to produce the ultimate blow dry, so we’re excited to see their instantly recognisable buttercup yellow hair dryer in a convenient travel size. This model uses negative ion technology to seal hair cuticles, which produces smoother, shinier-looking hair. Plus, it features an impressive wave heater, which helps to evenly distribute the heat all over the hair, making for an overall faster drying process. Our verdict Look for a long cord if you like to hold your hair dryer up to a mirror as you style. Power cords range from less than two metres to almost three metres. Never wind the cable around your hair dryer for storage, as this can damage the internal wiring and create a fire risk. Some hair dryers have a retractable cord. Removable air inlet Call it the tech takeover of beauty, call it the pink tax; whatever’s happened, hair dryer price tags have been on a steep incline for a few years now. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t find something great at a price that doesn’t require a few deep breaths before you hit "add to basket". Allow us to present the Remington Thermacare Pro 2400. This is very subjective and really depends on the professional. Well-known salons will often work with specific brands preferred by their big-name stylists, as well as those that said stylists have relationships with. That said, Dyson and ghd are both brands we see a lot in professional settings.With an incredible 2250 watts of power and a revolutionary K-Advance Plus motor, the Parlux ALYON offers a massive 84m3/h of perfectly aligned airflow. As a result, hair dries faster and also more smoothly, giving a finish that is truly unparalleled. Ionic: These dryers use negatively charged ions to break down positively charged water molecules in hair to cut down on drying time and minimize frizz. Yes, this dryer is expensive, but here’s why it’s worth it: First, if you’re not one to frequent blow-dry bars and prefer a DIY style at home, this tool will completely dry your hair three times as fast. If you are a regular salongoer, it will pay for itself after ten blowouts. With my usual dryer, it takes me 30 minutes to dry my hair from start to finish. With the Dyson, I’m done in ten — and it looks good! Generally speaking, there are three main types of hair dryers. The best hair dryer type for you will depend on the condition of your hair and how long it usually takes you to dry. Create gorgeous waves and enhance your natural curls with a diffuser or style a straight, sleek and smooth look with a concentrated nozzle. Adjustable heat and speed settings allow you to choose the perfect setting for your hair type and specific needs.

If you're thinking there's something familiar-looking about this vacuum company's first foray into the hair dryer market... you're probably not the only one. But physical and pedigree similarities aside, the Shark Style iQ Hair Dryer & Styler is no Dyson dupe. The Shark Style IQ aims to merge drying and styling together into one session through two clever attachments. One is an adjustable concentrator nozzle that you can use for both rough and focused drying with a brush, the other is a diffuser with adjustable prongs that can cradle the hair to protect and enhance curls while drying. When testing, we found these both uniquely useful for creating defined styles and leagues above the usual nozzles found in the hair dryer box. If you're looking to streamline your beauty admin, it can be tempting to go with a hair dryer with higher wattage, and while this does mean you’ll benefit from stronger airflow, and therefore a faster dry time, it can also make machines heavier and harder to wield, so something to bear in mind. Luxury blow dry bar chain Drybar also sells a range of salon-quality tools for at-home styling, many of which we’ve tried and found to be excellent (see our guide to the best hair dryer brushes for another one of our faves). Among them is the Buttercup Dryer, a reasonably light model that, despite this, still feels like a well-made, ergonomic, professional tool.

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Technology that cares for your hair's health is very beneficial, while multiple speed and heat settings, including a cool shot, are key for styling, says ghd's Global Ambassador Adam Reed. "Dry your hair on a low heat and only use the hotter setting for the finishing touches, Once you're done styling, seal the hair using the cool setting for a super smooth look." Extra attachments, like narrow nozzles or the best diffusers and comb attachments, are also pro points. Discover the latest hair dryer innovation for ultimate power and control – the new ghd helios professional hair dryer. Be empowered with faster drying and 30% more shine*, for the salon-quality blow dry you’ve always dreamed of. Featuring bespoke Aeroprecis™ technology, a combination of advanced internal aerodynamics, a longer-life brushless motor and a contoured precision nozzle, the ghd helios delivers a powerful, concentrated airflow for smoother results and precise control. To achieve a salon-worthy finish, the ghd air® hair dryer is the perfect addition to your tool kit. This professional hair dryer has a powerful 2,100W motor for faster styling, so you have more time to conquer the world. Lightweight and ergonomically balanced, this professional hair dryer is an everyday styling essential.

Standard Features: In terms of features, Michael Dueñas, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Veluer Creative, lists a cool-shot button, adjustable temperature, adjustable airflow, a large mouth nozzle, a slim mouth nozzle, and a diffuser as “must have” features.Ceramic: Contain a special ceramic coating to help distribute heat more evenly to hair while avoiding damage. There are three heat settings and two different speeds to play with here, but probably the most significant factor that we’d like to shout about is that The Buttercup is noticeably good at keeping frizz to a minimum, most likely down to its ionic technology which, in short, adds smoothness and definition. There are also two concentrated nozzles of different widths in the box, helping you create ultra-smooth styles and master how to make your blowout last longer.