What To Look For
Different hair textures require different heat styling tools. If you have thick or curly hair, you need a blow dryer with the proper features to transform textured hair into a smooth, sleek 'do. Look for hair dryers with ionic technology, which regulates the dryer's molecular output, helping protect and smooth strands. Check that the blow dryer also has ceramic technology, which blows out a strong, even flow of heated air to facilitate hair straightening.
Common Pitfalls
Avoid basic blow dryers that lack speed and heat settings, as these are essential hair straightening tools. Thick, textured tresses require the highest heat settings, and a cool setting can be used to lock a straight style into place. You should also stay away from dryers with wattages below 1,875, the minimum that should be used to straighten textured hair. The higher the wattage, the quicker the drying and straightening process will be.
Where To Buy
Blow dryers with straightening capabilities can be found in drugstores such as CVS or Walgreens as well as on popular retail sites including Amazon.com or Hairproducts.com. You can also buy quality straightening dryers at specialized beauty shops or hair salons. For a good deal on the latest dryer models, ask your hairstylist if you can purchase a dryer from her at a discount, since salons often get supplies at wholesale prices.
Cost
The best straightening blow dryers tend to cost upward of $40, and some run as high as $150. Though higher-end blow dryers tend to have the most features, you can often find a midrange dryer that will do the job just as well. On the lower-priced end of the spectrum, the Conair 208 Tourmaline Ceramic Ionic Styler is priced around $35 in retail stores and around $30 on Amazon.com. A pricier professional model such as the Super Solano by Solano costs about $99 in stores and around $74 on Amazon.com.
Accessories
Quality straightening blow dryers generally come with a nozzle attachment such as a pick or diffuser. These attachments can be integral to creating a smooth, straight look more quickly with a targeted air stream that helps you dry one section at a time. When pointed downward above the head, a dryer nozzle can also help nix frizzy flyaway hairs by lessening airflow friction.
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