Shark SpeedStyle Pro 5 in 1 High-Velocity Hair Dryer

The Best Hair Dryers & Curling Tools for Every Hair Routine

Longing for flawless hair every day? Get your hands on the right gadgets, and it’s easier than ever to create salon-worthy looks from the comfort of your own home.

The only thing is, there are quite a few hair styling tools out there, and it’s not always obvious which ones you need. Should you choose an ionic or ceramic hair dryer? A curler or a waver? And which is right for your hair type - if it’s fine, thick, straight or wavy?

This guide will untangle it all so you can choose the best hair styling equipment for your hair type. To get started, let’s run through the main tools and what they do.

Get to Know the Main Hair Styling Tools

There are several kinds available, each with a different purpose and different hair benefits. You’ve almost certainly used a few of these already, but it’s handy to have a reminder of your options.

Hair dryers

Using a hair dryer is a pretty common part of most people’s haircare routine. But have you ever stopped to wonder how it actually works?

When you wash your hair, an outer layer on each strand called the cuticle lifts - think of it as a bit like the scales on a fish. Then, when you blast your hair with a dryer, the cuticles will settle back down, preventing water from getting into the core of each strand.

If you don’t dry your hair, water will be absorbed into the strands, making them stretchier and more prone to breakage. Also, when your cuticles are lifted, threads of hair are more likely to get tangled, and light will bounce off in multiple directions, leading to a duller look.

When used in the right way, hair dryers make excess moisture evaporate, protecting your tresses from damage and tangles, and leaving them glossy and smooth. But which type of dryer is best for you?

Hair Dryer Types

Ionic hair dryers

Washing your hair creates static, which is why it might look frizzy. An ionic dryer releases a stream of negative ions as it blows air, cancelling out the static and helping hair dry quicker. Suitable for all hair types, they’re best for thick or long locks, and can also dry at lower temperatures.

Ceramic hair dryers

Suitable for all hair types, ceramic dryers have a coating of ceramic material inside. This helps to distribute heat evenly, which can make them more efficient than traditional blow dryers.

Titanium hair dryers

Titanium dryers are very powerful, which means they’ll be able to dry your hair faster than a conventional one. Perfect for thick, porous or coarse hair, they blow air deeper into your locks and help remove moisture quickly.

Hair Diffusers

A diffuser is a kind of hair dryer that’s especially useful if you have naturally curly, coiled or Afro hair. The best hair dryers will come with a diffuser attachment that you just clip onto the nozzle.

They have ‘fingers’ that help spread or diffuse - as the name suggests - the flow of warm air more evenly across your locks, rather than a concentrated blast directed at one spot, which could distort the shape of your natural curls.

Hair Straighteners

To make any hair type look sleek, there’s nothing better than a straightener. The two plates heat up to around 185°C, and you then clamp them down over a section of hair and slide the tool down to straighten out.

Applying heat temporarily changes the structure of chemical bonds in your hair, meaning naturally curly or wavy hair can be made to look straight. Some straighteners even have special settings to suit those with thick, dense or tight coils.

Hair straighteners can also be used to curl and wave hair - though not quite as easily as with specialised tools.

Curling Wands

Perfect for creating anything from loose curls to tight ringlets, a curling wand also uses heat to change the natural shape of any hair type. Simply wrap a section around this curling tool, hold it in place for a few seconds, and it’ll set your locks into the desired shape.

Hair Wavers

Want to effortlessly create beautiful, uniform waves? Then a hair waver tool is the way to go. Using the same method as a hair straightener, the device clamps around your hair to style it. But here, the plates are designed in an ‘S’ shape, which moulds the strands into a wave.

After holding the tool in place for a few seconds, you shift it down to the next section of your hair and repeat as you wish. This means you get consistent-sized waves from top to bottom.

They’re a great option for anyone with straight hair or natural waves, but they unfortunately won’t work as well if you have fairly tight curls - you’d need to straighten your locks first before you use the waver.

Hot Brushes

Want a salon-style blow dry without the price tag? A hot brush is a great way to add volume to all hair types - especially fine or straight hair. The central part of the tool blows out warm air while the teeth brush through – when you twist or slide it through your mane, it adds wonderful bounce.

Combination Hair Tools

If you prefer a different style from one day to the next, then why not invest in a combination hair tool? With multiple attachments included, they let you shape your hair in many different ways. The best multi-hair stylers usually come with…

● A hair dryer

● A diffuser

● A straightener

● Curling wands of different diameters

● Round and paddle-shaped hot brushes

They’re a great option for saving space, reducing clutter and making travel effortless - all while giving you endless styling possibilities.

Which Hair Styling Tools Do You Need for Your Hair?

Some hair tools are more suitable for certain hair types than others, so we’re breaking it down to help you pick the right gadgets for you.

The Best Hair Tools for Straight Hair

● Choose a ceramic hair dryer.

● To add more body, a hot brush will create volume and bounce.

● A curling wand or hair waver will let you experiment with shapes.

The Best Hair Tools for Wavy Hair

● Choose a ceramic hair dryer.

● Use a hair waver tool to enhance your natural waves.

● Invest in a straightener for days you want to even things out.

The Best Hair Tools for Afro Hair

● A diffuser will help with even drying.

● An ionic dryer can combat frizz.

● Ceramic straighteners will create a silky, straight style.

The Best Hair Tools for Curly Hair

● Use a diffuser to dry your hair more evenly.

● A curling wand will help mould your curls into the exact shape you want.

● Get a straightener for days you want to even things out.

The Best Hair Tools for Thick Hair

● You’ll want a more powerful hair dryer - go for a titanium model.

● A hair dryer with an ionic setting can also tackle frizz.

● A hair straightener can help to smooth and style stubborn strands.

The Best Hair Tools for Fine Hair

● Opt for an ionic hair dryer on a lower temperature setting.

● A hot brush can really help with adding volume.

The Best Hair Tools for Damaged Hair

This will depend on the underlying cause of the damage, be that bleaching, overheating or health conditions. It’s best to check with a stylist at your local salon if you’re unsure.

But if your hair is prone to breakage, or if it’s brittle and dry, choose an ionic hair dryer that can dry hair at lower temperatures. Otherwise, try to avoid using hot tools until your mane is back to full health.

Tips for Using Hair Styling Tools

When using any hair styling tool that applies heat to your locks, there are a few general ‘rules’ to remember

Always apply heat protection

Available as sprays, creams and serums, heat protection products should always be applied to your hair before using any heated tool - yes, this includes hair dryers! They add a layer of protection to your hair strands, which reduces the chances of heat-related damage.

Avoid prolonged heat

Your hair is delicate, so avoid exposing any single section to heat for more than a few seconds. A hair dryer should be kept around 15cm away from your locks, and you should keep it moving constantly - never point direct hot air at one part of your head for more than five seconds.

With curling wands, straighteners and other devices, check the instructions, but 10 seconds is usually the maximum time to apply them to one section of hair.

Use the cool blast

Most modern hair dryers have a cool blast setting. Use this after blow-drying your hair to cool it down and get rid of residual heat that might otherwise damage the proteins in your mane.

Be safe

Straighteners and curling wands get especially hot, so keep them away from children and pets. Always unplug them once you’re finished and get into the habit of taking a photo of them unplugged - then, when you’re out, you’ll never have that sudden fear you’ve left them on!

Complete Your Hair Styling Toolkit

Whether you simply want a top rated hair dryer for daily use, heated wands and irons for shaping and styling, or an

Whether you want a top-rated hair dryer for every day, a heated wand or iron for shaping and styling, or an all-singing, all-dancing multi-styler, you’ll find everything you need in our huge range.

Explore it here with hair tools from the biggest brands around - including Dyson, Remington, Shark, TRESemmé, ghd, BaByliss, and more - and get salon-quality looks without a trip to the salon.

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