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