My Search For A New Blow Dryer

After going weeks without using a blow dryer on my hair, I now find myself using one more often. My household goods, including my hooded dryer, are in storage until I move into my new place after the new year so to get the last of the dampness out of my strands when air drying I've found myself pulling out my blow dryer.

Related read: 3 Weeks Post Relaxer: Using A New Hair Dryer

Don't get me wrong, my Gold N Hot blow dryer is pretty good. It has done what it's supposed to do and has lasted me for several years with no issues; but...it doesn't have a true cool setting or a cold shot. So I set out to Sally's and Ulta to find a one that does.

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Though I didn't buy my dryer at Ulta, the staff was awesome and very helpful. They showed me their best sellers at the low and high price ends. They also brought out their head stylist to walk me through some of the better dryers they sell.

To start off he asked me several questions to help narrow down the best options for my hair. He asked if I relaxed my hair or if it was natural and flat ironed, how often I used direct heat, and how often I was planning to use the dryer. Based on that information he walked me through some of his recommendations and provided me with the following tips:

The best type of dryer

Ionic tourmaline dryers are the best type to use. The heat they emit is less harsh and they take less time to dry the hair.

Dryers to stay away from

There are a few hair dryer brands he said to not even bother with. One brand was Revlon because they don't last long and don't quickly dry the hair.

The other brand was Conair because they have just trace amounts of ceramic that tend to burn off after a few uses.

Dryers to consider

On the lower end, Hot Tools is your best bet. They last a long time and are built well. The two he had used and said were his favorites are The Gold Touch Turbo Ionic Dryer and Ionic Anti-Static 1875 Watt Salon Dryer. They are about $45; more than I was looking to spend. Remington dryers are another decent option.

Don't buy into the hype

Dryers that tout being infused with argan oil dryers aren't worth the money. He didn't see how argan oil in a dryer can do anything for your hair. Argan oil in a flat iron yes, blow dryer no. I echo his sentiment.

Related read: My Post Christmas Hair Product Haul

Since I'm not looking to use the dryer every week and see it as a backup to air drying and my hooded dryer, I held off on purchasing at Ulta and went next door to Sally's to see what they had in stock. I ended up purchasing the Helen Of Troy Hot Shot Tools Turbo Ionic Dryer Ceramic Tourmaline dryer at Sally's on sale for $39.99. I've used it once now and so far so good. I'm hoping I made a good purchase. If it starts to fail, I'll be going back to Ulta for one of the Hot Tools dryers.

What blow dryer do you use and how often?