How to Choose the Best Hair Dryer for Curly Hair
What features should you look out for?
When looking for a good hair dryer for curly hair, it is important to consider several features. Below are the most important of these features:
HEAT AND AIR CONTROL: When choosing a hair dryer for curly hair, heat is the most important consideration. Low temperatures are less damaging to fine, delicate hair, while high temperatures help dry thicker, denser hair faster. The best hair dryers for curly hair offer a variety of heat and speed settings to choose from, and ideally the heat and air controls are independent of each other, so you can use the high temperature setting for rough drying without turning up the heat, then switch to a low speed for gentle styling.
Digital (EC) Motors: Hair health has long been top of mind in the drying industry, but modern “digital motors” (also known as EC, or electronically commutated motors) can increase airspeed with less heat, so you don’t need high wattage to get a powerful drying effect on a lower heat setting. Low heat settings are great for all hair types, but especially curly hair, which can easily become dehydrated from heat styling.
IONIC TECHNOLOGY: Many modern hair dryers use ionic technology, which creates negatively charged ions as air passes through an electric current in the heating element. These ions break up the water molecules in your hair, allowing the ionic dryer to dry your hair faster and spread moisture more evenly throughout your hair for a smooth, shiny finish. Ionic technology is popular in many heat styling tools because it heats your hair evenly for faster drying, reducing heat damage and locking in moisture for shiny, hydrated hair.
CERAMIC COATED HEATING ELEMENTS: Ceramic elements distribute heat more evenly, preventing damaging “hot spots.” They also produce infrared heat that dries hair quickly and seals the cuticle for a soft, shiny finish. The mineral tourmaline, which is also used in some heating elements, provides similar benefits.
Cable length: While not a curl-specific feature, a longer cable will make it easier to move the dryer around your head, giving you the ability to position the dryer however you like, even if you’re not right next to a power outlet.
Read next: Best Curling Wands
What else can I do to keep my curls intact when drying?
Curly hair comes with many challenges, as does styling it, so here are some tips to help you achieve the best results.
Point the hairdryer nozzle downwards: As well as drying on a low heat setting, it’s important to aim the hairdryer nozzle downwards along the hair shaft, from roots to tips, to smooth the cuticle as you dry. Textured hair is particularly prone to frizz, and frizz will occur if the cuticle is blown up in the opposite direction, so always aim the blower downwards to prevent frizz.
