How to Buy Hair Dryers

For blowing out curls or adding body to straight locks, a good hair dryer is an indispensable styling tool. Netmarket offers an assortment of hair dryers-from mini travel dryers to powerful full-sized models. Read further for tips on buying a hair dryer that will let you blow-and-go in style!

Let the hot air flow

The most prominent feature shown on most hairdryers is wattage. Hairdryers are available in higher wattages than ever — up to 1875 watts of power. But high wattage means high heat, and not necessarily high airflow. And it's the airflow — not the heat — that makes all the difference when you need to dry your hair in a hurry. For that, you'll need to look for a long-life motor and a removable air intake grill and filter. The cleaner you keep the filter screen, the better the air will flow!

You can further control the airflow with the heat and air speed settings on the dryer. Most hair dryers have 2 (high/low) or 3 (high/medium/low) settings so you can get just the right amount of hot air. Many dryers also have a "cool shot" button, which allows you to direct a burst of cool air to your hair and set your style.

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Stylish attachments

For extra styling help, many hair dryers come with special attachments that fit on the end of the barrel. A diffuser is a large, cone-like attachment. It softens the airflow, giving extra fullness and body to fine hair, and allowing curly or permed hair to dry without becoming frizzy. An air concentrator has the opposite effect. It allows you to control the airflow for high-velocity spot drying. Volumizer attachments resemble long, plastic "fingers" that send air down to the roots first, for an added lift. You'll also find brush and comb attachments on some styling dryers, which may eliminate your need for hot rollers or curling irons.

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Cord considerations

Choosing the right cord can be a great advantage. For durability, look for a heavy-duty cord with "strain relief" that reinforces the cord where it meets the body of the dryer. For fewer cord tangles, look for a model with a coil cord (similar to the cord on a telephone). Some hair dryers allow you to retract the cord with the push of a button. The cord is then neatly stored away in a "cord keeper" compartment within the handle.

A few professional-style dryers have extra long, 8-foot cord. In most cases, however, a standard-length cord should be adequate. If space is tight in your bathroom, consider a wall-mounting hair dryer. You'll be able to free up counter or storage space, and you'll always know exactly where your dryer is!

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Specialty dryers

Most hair dryers on the market are basic full-size or compact handheld models. But some dryers are made to suit specific styling needs.

Travel hair dryers are extra lightweight and compact. They often have a folding handle for easy storage and portability. Most come with a protective travel pouch, and most are designed to allow for operation on international voltage.

A hood-style hair dryer (a hard dome that sits above your head) allows you to create traditional salon sets at home. Slightly more affordable than a hood dryer is a bonnet-style dryer (a plastic or fabric "shower cap" cover that fits on your head). Both hood and bonnet dryers are ideal for setting hairstyles with curlers.


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If you have any further questions about purchasing Hair Dryers, click here to Ask the Expert.