Does type/brand of hair dryer make a difference?

[ddgattina]

While lamenting that my blow-outs never achieve the shiny-swinging finish that a stylist achieves, my stylist suggested that I needed a better hairdryer-- specifically a Chi.  (She doesn't sell them, so no incentive there.)

 Anyone else find that a high-end dryer actually allowed better blow-dries than a cheapie?  Any brands/ models you can recommend?

[Kelly]

Absolutely! But you shouldn't have to spend $200+.

I have grimaced may times over the halo of frizzies I used to get until I bought a Farouk Deep Brilliance professional hair dryer dryer. I think they are normally around $150, but I got mine for around $45.

The fact that it's ionic matters not (at least I don't think so). What made the world of difference was the cap on the end, which focuses the air into a thin stream, rather than blasting hot air all over my head. Now my hair is always silky and bouncy with almost no sign of frizz.

[makeupmaven]

You can buy the "cap" aka concentrator to fit the end of most blow dryers. Maybe it would pay to try that first.

[SusieQ]

This is good to know. I always thought it was the hair products that you use when you use the hair dryer. I don't blow dry my hair anymore. It's very rare that I blow dry it. I just air dry it and if it misbehave, I put it in a bun!

[makeupmaven]

Hair products definitely make a differenc, too. I think the hotter the hair dryer, the better for styling. Not good for hair on a daily basis, though.

[Kelly]

A good brush, too. I used just a vent brush today (because it's freakishly hot out), and I ended up with more than usual frizzies. I love my big, round, boar-bristle brush.

[vortex1]

I bought a tourmaline T3 dryer for $99 on folica.com. I don't think I ever spent that much on all the hair dryers I have ever owned TOGETHER, but I gotta tell you, this was worth it! Dries much faster and it's closer to a salon type dryer.

[Tupelo]

I bought a tourmaline T3 dryer for $99 on folica.com. I don't think I ever spent that much on all the hair dryers I have ever owned TOGETHER, but I gotta tell you, this was worth it! Dries much faster and it's closer to a salon type dryer.

That's all the testimonial I need, Vortex. I'm going to invest in one. I have hair to my waist and it takes forever to dry.

[makeupmaven]

My old, inexpensive hair dryer is starting to smell like burning plastic. I'm going to get this one:

[makeupmaven]

Ooops, hit the send button too soon. It's by Paul Mitchell and it claims to dry hair up to 60% faster than other types.We'll see about that!

[ddgattina]

Ooops, hit the send button too soon. It's by Paul Mitchell and it claims to dry hair up to 60% faster than other types.We'll see about that!

Barb, let us know how it works.  In the meantime I'm going to try my next blow-out with a concentrator nozzle and see if that helps.

[DivaDebbi]

Vortex1,
I was just thinking of buying this...is this the baby travel size one or is it full size?  How many watts?
I use an ionic dryer, but a cheapie. I dry my own hair when I get it colored and I always find the professional dryers take half the time (particularly since my hair is soaking wet) and always comes out smoother and frizz free.  Time for an upgrade me thinks!

[DivaDebbi]

I just ordered the Blue Ice T Hair Dryer from Ulta.  Rave reviews, travels, great for thick hair, cuts drying time down by 40% and significantly reduces frizz.  It was $75, free shipping.  I will keep you all posted.

[ddgattina]

DivaD, let me know how you like it, because I still haven't purchased a new dryer, and I'm still wondering what to get.  A friend likes the Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium (could these names get any sillier...what next, the Nano Uranium 233?) but haven't decided to spring for it. At those prices, I shouldn't even have to raise my arms to dry my hair.

[Styyna]

I bought a tourmaline T3 dryer for $99 on folica.com. I don't think I ever spent that much on all the hair dryers I have ever owned TOGETHER, but I gotta tell you, this was worth it! Dries much faster and it's closer to a salon type dryer.

I have this dryer with a diffuser and I love it. I also managed to get a free Sedu mini curling iron for free with my last purchase from folica.com. They have some amazing sales to keep your eyes out for if you aren't in a hurry.