We have officially entered the seventh month of quarantine. While we spent the first few months of it embracing the beauty of not wearing makeup and letting our hair run its natural course, there came the point where we became desperate to return to our regular routines. Maybe it was the yearning to return to normalcy or feel the instant boost of confidence one gets from applying a bold new mascara or seductive nude lip, but bringing glamour back into our daily routine felt imperative.
From discovering innovative at-home skincare treatments to tapping into digital crystal healings, we’ve mastered the art of at-home pampering. Our latest effort: achieving the perfect blowout from the comfort of our bathroom. While there is nothing quite like the fresh sensation of a salon blowout, industry experts have equipped us with the right tools to get us pretty close to professional-level. When trying beauty services and techniques at home, it’s all about the tools. Just as using the right hairbrush makes hair more cooperative and responsive, a high-quality hair dryer that caters to your hair type and texture will completely change your at-home blowout — for the better.
Aoife McCarthy, pro-educator at amika, says, “Choosing the right dryer for your hair can make all the difference. If your hair is fine and flat, it’s best to opt for a dryer with an ion generator that can switch between positive ions to add instant volume and negative ions that close your hair’s cuticle to smooth your hair. If you have thick, coarser hair, look for a real powerhouse dryer with maximum wattage for a faster dry.” From luxurious infrared dryers to ultralight and compact models, continue reading to discover the 16 professional-approved hair dryers to enhance your blowout.
A true cult classic, Dyson’s Supersonic hair dryer has become beauty’s best friend. Engineered for a vast range of hair types and dedicated to protecting hair from extreme heat damage, this dryer not only leaves your hair looking good but also feeling amazing. Ryan Trygstad, a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Emma Roberts, Kelly Ripa, and Laura Dern, says the Supersonic is one of his go-tos. “It’s lightweight and adds lots of shine with quick drying time,” he says. “Also, it has the best diffuser I have ever seen on a blow-dryer!”
First let’s address what exactly an ionic hair dryer is. Ionic hair dryers are predominantly charged with negative ions, which ultimately prevent hair breakage and frizziness, leaving hair with a healthy, hydrated shine. Bio Ionic’s 10x Ultralight Speed Dryer’s proprietary mixture of volcanic rock and signature Volcanic MX mineral complex produces a moisturizing heat that protects the hair’s natural moisture while also accelerating the styling process. According to renowned Australian hairstylist Kevin Murphy, “Ionic technology is only good if you have frizzy hair. If your hair is not frizzy, it’s going to lead to unwanted styling results like flat hair, and it reduces the longevity of your style if you want body and bounce. If your hair is just normal to dry or very lightly textured, you are going to get a negative result where your style never seems to hold or your hair goes flat. Be careful to understand the result you want before reaching for your ionic hair dryer.”
According to McCarthy, “When looking for a new hair dryer, there are certain features that you should consider when you invest in something you’ll often be using. First, consider the power, which will determine how fast it will take to dry your hair. Next, look at its weight. Lastly, consider the size of the dryer. One of my favorite tools is my amika Mighty Mini Dryer, which packs a lot of power — 1,100 watts — into a tiny, travel-friendly package.”
Danielle Priano, a NYC-based celebrity and editorial hairstylist whose A-list clientele includes Jennifer Lopez and Gigi Hadid, recommends the Harry Josh Ultra Light Pro Dryer, especially for at-home use. “Harry Josh is one of my go-tos because it is lightweight and doesn’t get as hot as other hair dryers,” she says. As someone with pretty fine hair who has tested a wide range of blow dryers, this one has proven to be the best, as it adds volume without damage. Expert tip: To keep fine hair healthy and strong between blowouts, use a hair mask, like Mon Shampoing’s Intense Care Mask With Coconut and Camellia Oil, a few times a week.
Nick Flores, professional hairstylist at the iconic Sally Hershberger Salon in Los Angeles, says, “I can use this blow-dryer with finer hair and I’m able to get lift and body within the hair. With others, I’ve found they can make the hair too flat, especially with the air force. With Harry Josh, it puts the movement into finer hair and smooths out coarser textures.”
For curly hair, Priano strongly recommends a dryer with a diffuser. “If you have a professional-strength blow-dryer and a diffuser, you can create the best possible blowout for all hair types,” she says. “For example, the more power and heat, the sleeker the finish when going straight. And if you have curly hair, with a diffuser you can create a frizz-less curl.” A trusted tool, DevaCurl’s DevaDryer & DevaFuser is the perfect blend of a dryer and diffuser to satisfy your curls. “If you want beautiful bouncy curls and you already have naturally curly hair, use your hands to scrunch the hair, and [use] the diffuser at the same time to lock in the curl,” Priano advises.
A true multitasker, T3’s Cura Luxe Hairdryer has become every hair professional’s must-have. Its innovative digitally-controlled heat management system allows wide airflow and a gentle airstream to dry hair expertly, evenly, and quickly. Enhanced with powerful T3 Digital IonAir technology, this dryer lives up to its name by leaving hair extremely luxurious, free of frizz and damage. “Always consider making sure the dryer isn’t too heavy for at-home use. You’ll want a model that has good airspeed control and heat-setting capabilities,” says Flores. “Also, having a concentrator and diffuser for styling is key.”
For those with thicker, coarser hair who need to tame frizz, Trygstad recommends a more powerful dryer with an air director nozzle. Enter Leandro Limited’s La Fortezza Carbon-Infused Hair Dryer, which produces millions of negative ions. According to Ursula Stephen, a celebrity hairstylist, new image beauty expert, and founder of Ursula Stephen The Salon in Brooklyn, “When investing in a blow-dryer, you should consider hair type and hair issues. For example, if you have frizzy hair, I recommend an ionic or tourmaline dryer.”
Perhaps the best thing about a blowout is its long-lasting benefits. You could get a perfect blowout on a Friday afternoon, and chances are it will last you the entire weekend, maybe even beyond. GHD’s Helios hair dryer is the tool to help you achieve a salon-level look from home that will maintain its volume and shine through all your Zoom meetings. Celebrity hairstylist and author Monae Everett lets us in on a professional tip: “The cool shot [setting] is important to me because it really locks in the style, reduces frizz, and allows me to work close to the scalp when time is tight without the fear of burning my clients.”
More advice from Everett: “When in doubt about your hair’s health, or when you’re struggling to get a long-lasting style, use the cool shot on high power instead of the heat on high power.”
Though Murphy is not a one-hair-dryer type of guy, he recommends Gama’s IQ Perfetto. “If I'm doing a bouncy blow-dry or something with a bit more curl to it with medium to fine hair, I want a hair dryer with a long neck so I can use the neck of the dryer to rest the hair on top so I can adjust my brushwork mid-section to get maximum root lift and extra bounce,” he explains. “If I’m working with hair I have to shape, I really need a hair dryer that is not heavy. The Gama Professional IQ is superlight, so if I’m doing brushwork for volume and bounce, it’s not too heavy in my hands and I don't feel fatigued at the end of the blow-dry. It comes with really long, concentrated nozzles that allow you to get a concentrated precision blast for root lift. If I want extra lift at the root, I use a volume spray on the mid-lengths and ends, but I’d rub a weightless volume gel into the roots. My favorite is KEVIN.MURPHY ANTI.GRAVITY — it comes in a spray and a gel.”
No matter your hair type, investing in a good blow-dryer to create a voluminous look will always be worth it. According to BELLAMI head of education and expert stylist Kat Lewis, “Investing in a good blow-dryer that has the right options for your hair is key to not compromising the health of your hair. The BELLAMI Ion Air Professional Digital Blow Dryer is a great option for all hair types because of its 30 speed and temperature options. You can stick to low heat if you have delicate strands or go hotter if you need a little extra oomph. It also comes with an attachment made specifically for scalp stimulation and massage. I am a huge proponent of a healthy scalp. Healthy scalp and healthy hair go hand in hand! I love using this on myself and on my clients.”
Balmain Paris Hair Couture’s Infrared Blow Dryer is an investment that is truly worth it for lustrous locks. Both efficient and luxurious in its design, this dryer helps maintain healthy hair while delivering a brilliant blowout. The infrared heat penetrates deep into the cortex of each strand to dry it from within, minimizing the risk of damage while simultaneously reducing the styling time. For the best results, separate your hair into sections and, using a round brush, pull your hair taut as you focus the nozzle of the dryer on the hair. Use the cool button to close the hair follicle and seal the look with a layer of shine.
Stephen’s go-to is Paul Mitchell’s Neuro Halo Touch-Screen Hair Dryer. “It’s lightweight, sleek, sexy, quiet, and powerful,” she reveals — and what more could you want? Featuring an innovative backlit touch-screen display, this cutting-edge blow-dryer has upped the game in hair care tech. Designed exclusively in collaboration with industrial designer Karim Rashid, the dryer combines innovative technology with a sleek look to revolutionize hairstyling.
A leader in the blowout world, Drybar’s Buttercup Blow Dryer is the ultimate at-home tool to replicate the Drybar salon’s famous blowouts. With ionic technology that seals the cuticle to reduce frizz while drying, it provides the shiniest, smoothest blowouts in 20% less time than most professional dryers. For best practices, says Flores, “You should always consider the right products to use for your specific hair type. I’m a big fan of rough-drying [80% to 90% of the way] to cut down dry time. Always section the hair for the best control, and use an oversized round brush to create body and movement at the very end — this is essential.”
For the ultimate sleek look, opt for Sam Villa’s Artist Series Professional Blow Dryer. Designed with an ion on/off switch, this blow-dryer allows you to control your blowout to achieve the most shine. When using this tool, be sure to activate the ions when blow-drying mid-shaft to ends to add polish and reduce flyaways. Trygstad adds that the best blow-dries start with the prep. “It’s about the right shampoo and conditioner for the type of blow-dry you are looking to achieve. For example, use a sleek, moisture-rich product for the hair when you want to achieve a shiny, smooth look.”
José Eber designed this hair dryer to bring the iconic Beverly Hills salon experience into the comfort of your own home. The Professional Ionic Hair Dryer is ultralightweight, allowing you to style in comfort while avoiding arm stiffness. Says Priano, “Depending on the look you’re going for, you need the right brush and the right blow-dryer. If you want a straight, sleek look, use a paddle brush. If you want a bouncy loose wave, use the perfect-size round brush. I recommend one of my P.S. x Danielle brushes — they are perfect for styling.”
Designed with an advanced brushless motor, FHI’s Elite Professional Series Accelerate 2200 Dryer will help you achieve your desired look faster with ultimate shine and condition but without additional heat damage. Everett also loves FHI’s Platform 1900 Nano Lite Pro. “It’s lightweight and powerful,” she says. “Also, I appreciate that these dryers come with all the attachments I need to style all hair textures: the nozzle, comb, and the diffuser for curly hair. I only choose to work with tools that I can use on all hair textures. I choose blow-dryers that come with temperature control, a cool shot, and nozzle — at a minimum. All hair textures benefit from tools that have power and temperature variations.”
