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