Hair Dryer recs

[mommyatty]

I need help being an adult female again. Short version: anyone have a hair dryer they love that doesn't cost a fortune?

Long version for background (and because I'm alone and bored). I'm staying in a hotel, washed my hair tonight, and blew it dry with the hotel hair dryer. I realized my hair looks about a gazillion times better than normal, even after using cheap hotel shampoo and conditioner. I'm pretty darned sure it's because the hair dryer actually gets hot. The one I have at home had all kinds of language about how it would dry with less heat. I thought, "Hey, great! That will be healthier for my hair if I blow it dry on a lower setting, then just bump it up to style." I didn't realize the damn thing flat will not get hot. I just thought I would get excellent drying results on warm instead of hot. Nooooo. 

So anyway I need a dryer that gets hot, has some good power, and isn't too expensive. I cannot bring myself to spend three bills on a hair dryer. It's just not in me. But I have very thick hair that wants to frizz and be slightly wavy ever since pregnancy. It had been stick straight my whole life until kids, and my hair dryer's job is to make it be straight and tame again. With luck, it can do that without frying it. 

[erinshelley21]

I have a conair from CVS. It gets pretty hot and has held up for 4.5 years. Being that it was from CVS it wasn't very expensive.

What is your hair product situation? I don't have thick hair but I do have a lot of it and it's more curly than wavy after 2 pregnancies. It's always been pretty easy to style straight but I use Redken Frizzease and it makes my hair pretty smooth. It's a leave in product that you put in before you dry.

[justcheckingin73]

I have a Rusk Speed Freak and I'm pretty sure it was about $80-$100. I really like it but it's the first "expensive" hair dryer I've owned so I have nothing to compare it to in that price range. 

[mommyatty]

erinshelley21, I use both a smoothing cream and a spray for volume. I love them both. It's just the #%@&% hairdryer. I'm even more sure this morning, when I woke up to still-glossy hair.

[frozenpeas]

Dumb question--Can you check the brand of hair dryer the hotel has and get that one? Or is it the type that hangs on the wall?

[mommyatty]

frozenpeas, it's the absolute most basic Conair there is. I would like a few more features, but I think the fact that I'm jealous of the $9 dryer in a hotel is pretty darned telling! Lol!

[frozenpeas]

May 11, 2017 9:42:40 GMT -5 mommyatty said:

frozenpeas, it's the absolute most basic Conair there is. I would like a few more features, but I think the fact that I'm jealous of the $9 dryer in a hotel is pretty darned telling! Lol!

I hear you. I get excited over the cable tv & q-tips.

[oldbaylover1024]

I have a Conair MH got me for Christmas. It's okay, but...

I fully admit to being a bit of a hair product snob. I had a BaByliss and LOVED IT! I had this version and it lasted me 5 years. It's $100 on Amazon, but was worth every penny. It took zero time for my hair to dry, dried really quickly, and made my hair really shiny.

www.amazon.com/BaBylissPRO-Tourmaline-Titanium-5000-Dryer/dp/B002NGMEVC/ref=sr_1_13_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1494515176&sr=1-13&keywords=babyliss

The BaByliss hairdryers run from $30 - $200+. I guarantee you could get the $30 variety and it would rock your socks. They have a travel version, too.

ETA: I also wash and dry my hair at least 5x a week, so this dryer really earned it's keep.

[k3am]

I have this BaByliss. It sells for $60. 2,500 reviewers aren't wrong.

My sister turned me onto their blowdryers years ago - and I noticed that all the salons I go to use them also. This is my second - they have a couple different models, but this one is somewhat smaller/lighter than the others.

[indyrowergirl]

Another Babyliss vote. After reading a similar thread on parenting last year, I bought this one and have been super happy with it:
www.amazon.com/BaBylissPRO-BABNT5548-Nano-Titanium-Dryer/dp/B001T0HHDS

I also bought their dual voltage travel dryer and that thing is amazing. It folds up to the size of a soup can but works awesome. No more dealing with the dryer on the wall in the hotel. Those things suck. And no issues when I used it in Europe.
www.amazon.com/BaBylissPRO-Tourmaline-Titanium-Travel-Dryer/dp/B003QKL5YQ

[k3am]

indyrowergirl, I wanted the nano but I knew it wouldn't fit in my drawer... priorities.

[erinshelley21]

I feel like hairdryers are like wine for me. The cheaper the better. The cheaper ones have less features but they get in and get the job done. Mine has 2 settings, 2 power levels and a cool button that I don't even think I've ever used.

[2chatter]

What is the difference between ceramic, tourmaline, titanium?

I need a new dryer and have thought about asking here...and just haven't. So tell me which of the $ 50-70 Babyliss pros to pick off Amazon.... the options confuse me!

[twinmomma]

I bought mine at Walmart for around $20 and the cord retracts into it, so it doesn't get tangled everywhere. That was literally the only feature I cared about. Works fine.

[justcheckingin73]

Even though I posted about my Speed Freak, you all convinced me to get the BaByliss. About a week or so ago, my Speed Freak sparked when I started drying my hair, and I'm not sure if it's my imagination, but it seemed to not be as hot since then. So, it gives me an excuse to buy a new one

I went with the $60 black one: www.amazon.com/BaBylissPRO-Ceramix-Xtreme-Dryer-lb/dp/B000ASDGK8/ref=sr_1_12_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1494523757&sr=1-12&keywords=Babyliss&th=1

[k3am]

May 11, 2017 12:02:34 GMT -5 2chatter said:

What is the difference between ceramic, tourmaline, titanium?

I need a new dryer and have thought about asking here...and just haven't. So tell me which of the $ 50-70 Babyliss pros to pick off Amazon.... the options confuse me!

www.hotairbrushreviews.com/ceramic-vs-titanium-hair-dryers/

ETA:  I had no idea what the difference was until I read this today. I'm obviously not that much of an expert.

I like the one I posted above that justcheckingin73 is going to buy. It's the one our hairdresser family friend has convinced most of the folks she knows in my hometown to buy.

[2chatter]

Sold! Ceramic Babybliss pro.
Seriously, this board is a life hack.

[k3am]

2chatter, when Amazon first came out, I wondered how I shopped in store for so many years without reviews.

Now I wonder how I shopped all those years without TCF to tell me what to buy online.

[oldbaylover1024]

You will not regret it, 2chatter! I'm so jealous! [stares at her stupid (but functional) Conair dreaming of her old BaByliss Pro]

[k3am]

oldbaylover1024, maybe you'll accidentally drop that old Conair or sever the cord. You know. Accidentally.

[oldbaylover1024]

May 11, 2017 14:23:53 GMT -5 k3am said:

oldbaylover1024 , maybe you'll accidentally drop that old Conair or sever the cord. You know. Accidentally.

After the day I've had, I may accidentally throw it out my bathroom window.

You know... accidentally...

[justcheckingin73]

REVIEW: I got same day shipping on mine (thank you Amazon!) so I was able to use it this morning. I love it! It dried my hair fast and it really made it look shiny. Much better than my Speed Freak.

On a side note, I had a dream that I was using it for the first time and it was like a commercial. I was running the dryer through my hair, moving my head all around, smiling widely and it was so incredibly shiny. The reality was almost the same except I wasn't smiling so much...it's the morning after all and I'd rather be sleeping.

[k3am]

justcheckingin73, you're already a convert. I forsee you taking one trip without it where you rely on the hotel provided blowdyer. That will be the last time you do that, and you'll be willing to sacrifice just about anything in your suitcase to bring yours from home.

[justcheckingin73]

May 12, 2017 9:37:59 GMT -5 k3am said:

justcheckingin73 , you're already a convert. I forsee you taking one trip without it where you rely on the hotel provided blowdyer. That will be the last time you do that, and you'll be willing to sacrifice just about anything in your suitcase to bring yours from home.

Lol. I usually take my hair dryer with me but I do have a trip planned to Dublin soon and I may end up in a ponytail the whole time!

[indyrowergirl]

May 12, 2017 11:20:25 GMT -5 justcheckingin73 said:

May 12, 2017 9:37:59 GMT -5 k3am said:

justcheckingin73 , you're already a convert. I forsee you taking one trip without it where you rely on the hotel provided blowdyer. That will be the last time you do that, and you'll be willing to sacrifice just about anything in your suitcase to bring yours from home.

Lol. I usually take my hair dryer with me but I do have a trip planned to Dublin soon and I may end up in a ponytail the whole time!

Nooooo! Get the dual voltage travel model. Seriously. It's awesome. Here's a size comparison.


I had forgotten that I loved the dryers so much I also went back to amazon and bought the dual voltage travel flat iron. It was about $20? Combined with the $30 travel hair dryer I can now have good hair when traveling, regardless of what the hotel provides and for less space/weight than a pair of shoes.

ETA: that's a 12"x12" floor tile that they're on, to give you a better idea of the size.

[justcheckingin73]

May 12, 2017 12:31:16 GMT -5 indyrowergirl said:

May 12, 2017 11:20:25 GMT -5 justcheckingin73 said:

Lol. I usually take my hair dryer with me but I do have a trip planned to Dublin soon and I may end up in a ponytail the whole time!

Nooooo! Get the dual voltage travel model. Seriously. It's awesome. Here's a size comparison.


I had forgotten that I loved the dryers so much I also went back to amazon and bought the dual voltage travel flat iron. It was about $20? Combined with the $30 travel hair dryer I can now have good hair when traveling, regardless of what the hotel provides and for less space/weight than a pair of shoes.

I may have to try it. I haven't trusted dual voltage yet because of some stories I've heard but if it's not that expensive I may go for it. Thanks for the rec!

[indyrowergirl]

May 12, 2017 12:34:31 GMT -5 justcheckingin73 said:

May 12, 2017 12:31:16 GMT -5 indyrowergirl said:

<<snip>>.

I may have to try it. I haven't trusted dual voltage yet because of some stories I've heard but if it's not that expensive I may go for it. Thanks for the rec!

I used it in dual voltage mode in both Belgium and Ireland and had no issues in either place. Good luck with your trip!

[justcheckingin73]

May 12, 2017 12:42:13 GMT -5 indyrowergirl said:

May 12, 2017 12:34:31 GMT -5 justcheckingin73 said:

I may have to try it. I haven't trusted dual voltage yet because of some stories I've heard but if it's not that expensive I may go for it. Thanks for the rec!

I used it in dual voltage mode in both Belgium and Ireland and had no issues in either place. Good luck with your trip!

That's good to know - thanks!

[mommyatty]

I ordered mine now too. It should be here tomorrow. Yay!

[xctsclrx]

So I just looked at this thread to see what it was about and now I want a new hair dryer. I have a Conair and I like it so I'll wait until I need another. . .