Video:Tips for Buying a Blow Dryer

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Transcript:Tips for Buying a Blow Dryer

Hi, I'm Devita Jacobs for About.com, and I'd like to give you a few tips on buying a blow dryer.

Check Blow Dryer Features

Familiarize yourself with the types of blow dryers available on the market. You can save money by researching features common to blow dryers in advance to determine which will work best for your hair. In general, dryers with wattages above 1800 watts tend to work best. Second, look for a dryer with multiple heat and speed settings, and for a cool shot button to lock hair in place after it's been styled. While the hot air softens the hair, allowing you to shape it more easily, cold air helps to set the style by closing off the cuticle. Next, make sure your dryer comes with nozzle attachments, which will concentrate the air as you blow dry. If you have curly hair, make sure you find a dryer that comes with a diffuser, or make sure that you can get a diffuser that fits your dryer.

New Blow Dryer Technology

Ceramic hair dryers use "far infrared" technology to reduce frizz while locking in the hair's natural moisture. Look for a blow dryer with a long nose which allows you to direct the heat better than a short nozzle. The hair dryer should also be lightweight. If it's less than 2 pounds, this is a great hair dryer for your hair. Make sure the hair dryer is also ionic. There are charged particles, each of which contains either a positive or negative charge. Positive charges from the common blow dryer cause the cuticle covering of the hair shaft to open, causing frizzies and a dull appearance. If you have shorter hair, you have more versatility in the type of blow dryer you can choose, because the higher heat setting will be less damaging to your hair over time.

And those are a few tips for buying a blow dryer. For more information, visit us on the web at About.com.