| The common presumption is that the hair dryer | | | | |
| is the arch enemy of every woman's hairdo. | | | | Standard Retail: |
| Using a dryer too much can be a source of | | | | |
| dull, frizzy hair, static, and even split | | | | - Often has only one power setting, sometimes |
| ends. Follow our ultimate guide and you'll | | | | more |
| soon make peace with your hair dryer - and | | | | |
| your hair! The first step is ensuring you get | | | | - Often has no cold air setting or limited |
| your hands on a quality dryer, but not all | | | | heat settings |
| dryers are built the same. | | | | |
| | | | - Will not sustain long hours of every day |
| What different kinds of hair dryer's are | | | | use |
| available? | | | | |
| | | | Regardless of which model you choose, make |
| 1. Brush hair dryer | | | | sure that your hair dryer has at least the |
| | | | following specifications: |
| Combines drying and a brush for easy hair | | | | |
| styling. Warm air flows through the brush, so | | | | - Wattage of about 1,600 |
| while brushing your hair, you also warm it to | | | | |
| the style you want it in one easy step. | | | | - Light weight |
| | | | |
| 2. Handheld hair dryers | | | | - Features different heat and power settings |
| | | | |
| The most common type of hair dryers used to | | | | - Auto shut off |
| dry one's hair with a brush or other styling | | | | |
| aids. | | | | - Nozzle to direct better heat flow |
| | | | |
| 3. Bonnet hair dryer | | | | - Cool air setting to set hair into place |
| | | | |
| This works by putting on a helmet like in the | | | | - Removable filter |
| oldtime salons. These dryers are used with | | | | |
| hair that is set in curlers or conditioning | | | | Blow dry your hair like a pro: |
| hair treatments and can be operated | | | | |
| hands-free. Today, they come in portable and | | | | 1. Shampoo and condition your hair well. |
| light versions with heat settings that can be | | | | |
| adjusted. | | | | 2. Dry your hair by wrapping it with a towel |
| | | | and squeezing off excess water. Never rub |
| 4. Wall mounted | | | | your hair with a towel as this can cause |
| | | | split ends. |
| They are similar to the handheld hair dryers | | | | |
| but come in a wall mounting design for | | | | 3. Comb your hair carefully making sure that |
| safety, eliminating electrical shocks in wet | | | | you comb all the knots and tangles out. |
| bathrooms, as they can be mounted to a wall | | | | |
| within one's reach but off of the countertop. | | | | 4. Face the mirror. |
| Usually they are a lot smaller than the | | | | |
| handheld units and may not have a lot of | | | | 5. Apply and massage onto hair any styling |
| features. | | | | product that you have chosen. |
| | | | |
| 5. Ionic hair dryers | | | | 6. If you want added volume. Bend your head |
| | | | down, brush hair downwards while drying the |
| This has a fitted ion generator that releases | | | | hair. After which you can then go back to |
| negatively charged ions which penetrates each | | | | your normal position, and continue drying |
| hair and hydrates it from the inside reducing | | | | your hair in sections. |
| static charge that can cause frizzy hair. | | | | |
| This results in smooth and glossy hair that | | | | 7. If you have long hair, use a clip to |
| rests flatly. | | | | separate hair into sections, drying the |
| | | | bottom sections first. |
| 6. Professional hair dryers | | | | |
| | | | 8. Starting at the back, dry the hair section |
| These are durable compared to retail hair | | | | in the nape of your neck first. |
| dryers and offer many features such as ion | | | | |
| and infrared heating technology. This also | | | | 9. Directing airflow from the root of the |
| means they are more complex, having a variety | | | | hair to the end, work your way up at the back |
| of speed and heat settings. A professional | | | | of your head. Drying from the roots to the |
| hair dryer can handle long hours of | | | | ends will prevent the hair cuticle from |
| professional use in beauty salons. | | | | wearing out so as not to give your hair a |
| | | | dull look. |
| Professional hair dryer versus standard hair | | | | |
| dryer: What's the difference? | | | | 10. Keep on drying the hair until you reach |
| | | | the crown of your hair. |
| Professional: | | | | |
| | | | 11. After the back, blow dry the sides and |
| - Has several power settings, or a dial that | | | | the front of your hair into sections. To |
| goes from off to full power for maximum | | | | create a style and body, hold the dryer on |
| control | | | | the curling brush for a couple of seconds and |
| | | | remove the heat. Leave the brush in place |
| - Has a full range of heat settings | | | | until it cools, then take it off. |
| | | | |
| - Designed to tolerate frequent use | | | | 12. When hair is completely dry, brush and |
| | | | style as you desire. |
| - Come with an AC adaptor motor which | | | | |
| provides the dryer with extended life | | | | Prevent split ends! Here's how: |
| | | | |
| - Often designed with a narrow barrel nozzle | | | | - Towel dry the hair first |
| that, along with the AC motor, deliver a | | | | |
| faster flow of air. | | | | - To protect your hair, use thermal hair |
| | | | products or leave on conditioners every time |
| - True cold setting that actually cools air, | | | | you blow dry your hair |
| not just takes | | | | |
| | | | - Point the airflow down to the hair shaft to |
| - Gentler to the hair because they have lower | | | | smoothen the cuticles |
| wattage output | | | | |
| | | | - Do not hold the dryer too near to the |
| - Less energy needed = less electric bill! | | | | scalp. |