The 5 Best Hair Dryers for Frizzy Hair and Hairdresser’s Tips for Smooth Blowouts

Written by Andrea Haynes

Chances are you felt the struggle of taming frizz. Maybe you fought that dry, dead winter air. You know, the kind that leaves your hair feeling like hollow straw. And it’s such a trap, isn’t it? You put in all that effort to get your hair looking good, only to throw on a beanie to cover that hay up.

Or maybe you’ve finally completed a perfect blowout, your arms are sore but you’re happy. Then, within seconds of stepping out into the summer humidity, poof! Your hair plumps up like a birthday balloon.

The frustration with frizz is a real concern for anyone wanting to maintain a certain style throughout the day. Brides come to mind right away given their styles need to last through thick and thin weather conditions, and on that special day, it needs to be for better not for worse. 

A young girl drying her frizzy hair

So what is one of the best ways to decrease frizz during styling? Starting with a solid foundation is the best place to begin. This means working with the right styling tool. Once you get this down, the rest follows including healthy, bouncy, shiny hair that lasts.

You might be wondering which tool can help fight frizz the most. It’s your blow dryer. If you want strong, healthy hair without spending hundreds on expensive side products, it’s time to throw out your old one or finally get the quality one your hair deserves.

What is Frizzy Hair and Why Do You Get It?

Frizzy hair is the result of a few different things. The most common culprit is dryness. Dry hair is the direct result of a lack of moisture which normally makes the hair supple, shiny, and even strong.

Your sebaceous glands are rooted in your scalp and produce a natural oil that acts as an elixir, coating your hair. Good natural oils, mean minimal frizz.

But as your body produces the oil it needs, there are natural and unnatural factors that strip your hair of these oils, causing dryness. A few of these factors include humid climate, harsh shampoos, hot water, bleaching, and permanent hair dyes (which lift the cuticle to deposit color molecules).

Frizz happens when you are over-styling with hot tools and not using a heat protectant EVERY time you heat style.

Finally, BAD BLOW DRYERS can be the main cause of frizzy hair. 

The Best Hair Dryers to Reduce Frizz

So if you want to give yourself an advantage over dry, frizzy hair, it’s time to look at some blow dryer brands that blow the competition away. Here is a list of brands that come highly recommended for avoiding that brittle dryness that can result in frizz.

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1. Dyson Supersonic Blow Dryer

If you were enamored with their ads, you’ll be even more in love with the actual product. This blow dryer has come along to revolutionize the hair industry and how you experience your hair. The design has been modified in a few ways that impact dryness. The motor has been placed in the handle instead of the head, keeping the weight distribution balanced. So you have more control over how close you hold the nozzle to the actual hair.

Then there’s the force of its wind power which drives the drying process. Instead of using heat that can split the cuticle, it uses the force of the wind to get it dry. The technology is innovative and new and it makes this dryer stand out when it comes to decreasing frizz with its “ceramic core.”

2. SRI Salon Dry Pro Hair Dryer

What’s special about this dryer is its use of red-light therapy or Infrared technology. Essentially what this means is that by using this type of light, you can heat/dry the hair from the inside out vs. the outside in. Blasting the hair cuticle with a regular dryer means the heat/air hits from the outside and can hurt the cuticle, which is why infrared technology is so beneficial.

It also uses ionic technology which means you get small molecules that are attracted to the charges on water molecules. When they connect, they make the water evaporate, meaning the hair will dry faster and with less damage.

3. The BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Portofino Dryer

This tiny but mighty device will leave your hair frizz-free and shiny due to its ionic technology. It sports a powerful motor to increase the dry time without compromising the integrity of your hair. This brand is trusted by professionals at large for its ability to decrease frizz and make hair look beautiful.

4. The Dyson Airwrap

The allure of the Airwrap is its detachable components that allow you to create volumized, symmetrical, frizz-free curls without getting confused while looking in the mirror. How many times have you wanted to create gorgeous waves, only to find it impossible to achieve with a regular hair dryer and round brush? The mechanics are physically complicated with normal dryers so the Dyson Airwrap gives you an advantage for silky smooth curls.

5. The Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Hair Dryer

As the name implies, this hair dryer uses Ceramic and ionic technology to keep frizz at bay. The ceramic element helps to lock in moisture, so your hair stays supple. And the ionic part means the water molecules get evaporated more quickly.

The Types of Hair Dryers You Should Avoid

For those of us who have experienced the dreaded hotel room blow dryer, you know exactly what it means when a blow dryer is “bad.” Your hair is not only full of static or “fluffy” once the job is complete, but it feels dry for days after. Hotel blow dryers can be some of the worst out there to use. So be careful and make sure if the dryer in the hotel is not named brand, avoid using it.

So why does this happen? Typically, it’s because these incredibly cheap dryers do not use ionic, infrared, or ceramic technology. Instead, they use sheer heat that has an effect like sandpaper when it comes in contact with your cuticles.

You may have also noticed a faint burning smell when using a blow dryer that damages the hair. It could be related to an electrical issue, or it could be that it’s actually too hot on your hair. Either way, time to get a new dryer.

How to Protect Your Hair from Frizz and Dryness in the Blow-Drying Process

Hairdresser applying styling spray to client's hair

Naturally, blow-drying your hair with a quality tool has everything to do with the health of your hair. But to increase your chances of having a good hair day,  both products and good techniques come into play.

1. Use a quality heat protectant

There are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind with your product usage. The first is to always use a cream-based or spray-on heat protectant to keep your frizz at ease.

What’s the difference between the two? Cream-based heat protectants are going to provide full-coverage protection during the blow-dry. It’s very similar to the way a full-coverage foundation works when you apply makeup vs. a partial one. For people with highlighted hair or very damaged hair, these work best. My all-time favorite cream-based heat protectant is the “Resistance” by Kerastase. It smells divine and truly makes a difference to your hair.

But for people with relatively healthy hair who want volume, a spray heat protectant might be better. Oribe sells one that refreshes and revitalizes hair. It’s lightweight with all-natural ingredients and smells so good, that you can double it as a body spray.

2. Use a lightweight hair oil

In partnership with your heat protectant, you’ll want to use an oil with fast absorption properties. The best one on the market is the Elixir Ultime by Kerastase. This oil can be used on dry or wet hair and coats the cuticles without creating excess oil. If you’ve never used a heat protectant and oil together just before you blow-dry, get ready for a life-changing experience.

3. Use anti-frizz styling products

One more unique product that can help with frizz is the Impermeable Anti-humidity Spray by Oribe. There’s no other product like it on the market. It’s a de-frizzing agent that lasts for hours in your hair even while you face the outdoor elements. It’s one purpose? Simply defrizzes your locks and creates a barrier so that more humidity can’t enter.

4. Get a keratin treatment

Another great tip for faster blow-dry time and a decrease in frizz is to get regular Express Keratins by Keratin Complex. They are amazing at replenishing depleted keratin from the root to the tip of every single hair strand. It creates this weighted, plumped-up hair that responds better to the blow-drying process and leaves your strands frizz-free.

Step-by-Step DIY Blow Drying Techniques

There are many ways to go about blow-drying your hair, but which one is most effective in decreasing frizz? Remember, no matter how good your technique is, if your blow dryer is low quality, it will damage your hair. That’s the first thing to get right in these steps. Next is your methodology.

Follow these 2 methods for blow-drying to decrease frizz and increase volume, bounce, and shine. 

1. The Victoria’s Secret Blowout: Advanced Blow-drying technique

You’ll need Velcro rollers, a quality blow dryer, moisturizing products, clips for parting the hair, a 1 and ¼’ curling iron, and a 2” round brush.

This method gives you ultimate volume, gorgeous beach waves, and absolutely no frizz.

  1. The first step is to apply a heat protectant, a very small amount of oil, and some volumizing mousse by Kerastase while your hair is damp. Then flip your head over and place the nozzle of your dryer near the roots. Allow the dryer to move over the entire head so the heat is distributed evenly.
  2. Stop after a few minutes or the roots feel dry, then flip your head upright again. Take your comb and part a 2” mohawk section along the top of your head. Part out the left and right sides of the head.
  3. Take a round brush and grab a small section at the front of your forehead where your bangs would be. The section should be about the width of your round brush or slightly smaller. Begin by placing the round brush at the base of your scalp behind the first section of hair with the blow dryer pushing the air at the root in the front. Move the brush and the dryer together up the length of the hair.
  4. Then detach the brush and move it back down to the base of the hair and repeat this movement until the section is dried.
  5. When the section is dry, quickly take your large Velcro roller, and starting from the ends of the hair, roll your section down to the root. Continue this along the length of the mohawk section then move to the sides of the head. For the back of the hair, simply blow dry with the round brush, no need to set it with rollers.
  6. Once you’ve set all rollers, let your hair cool off for 10-15 minutes or until it’s cool to the touch, then remove the rollers.
  7. Apply a cream heat protectant and wave your hair with your favorite curling iron.
  8. Finish with Oribe’s Impermeable Anti-humidity spray.

2. The Quick Wave Blowout Method

You’ll need a quality blow dryer, a paddle brush, moisturizing products, and a 1-2” barrel curling iron.

  1. Begin by prepping your hair with the right products according to their directions. Use a quality heat protectant, a small amount of Elixir Ultime Oil, and a volumizing agent (either a mousse or a root lift spray).
  2. Flip your head upside down and tousle it dry. Begin from the roots and use your fingers to gently stretch the hair upwards while directing the blow dryer’s heat and wind power to the area in your fingers. Do this all over your scalp.
  3. Next, flip back up and take your paddle brush, and gently stroke a section of hair from root to tip as your direct the air over it. Do this motion until all parts of the hair are dry.
  4. Then apply more heat protectant and curl your hair with your favorite curling iron using the twist and pull method, so you get an incredibly beachy effect.  
A woman with frizz-free hair and perfect blowout  wearing elegant white suits

4 Most Common Blow-Dryer Attachments and Why You Need Them

You know that feeling when you get home from the hair salon and your hair is silky, shiny, and all-around flawless? The ultimate goal is to achieve that look at home, but you need the right tools for the job!  No matter your hair type, this guide will help you choose the correct attachment to get that perfect, dazzling style.

Let’s start from the moment you get out of the shower! Your hair is clean, it’s wet, and it’s ready to be styled! Before you pick up your blow dryer, your hair needs to be 60% dry. Wet hair is prone to more damage, so towel-dry, throw in a leave-in conditioner and let the air do its thing before you get started.

Your hair is 60% dry, now what? Now it’s show time! Apply your favorite detangler and brush through your hair, starting at the bottom and working your way up to your scalp. It’s easier to work in sections, so divide your hair and use clips to keep your sections separate. Now you’re ready for your blow dryer, but which attachment will you use? Let’s dive into four blow dryer attachments and how to get the most out of them.

hair dryer with attachments

1. Blow Dryer Nozzle

The first blow dryer attachment that everyone should have in their cabinet is a classic styling nozzle. Styling nozzles fit on the end of your blow-dryer and come with your dryer when you buy it. It is used for styling purposes or to help dry hair faster.

Nozzles are the attachment that you can use to straighten hair with a brush and get that salon-feeling, blown-out hair at home. Use the nozzle to direct heat on the section you’re brushing.

The nozzle concentrates the airflow to one section of your hair rather than all over your head.  A narrow nozzle helps you style small sections by placing a round brush underneath the hair. Recommended for smoothing or straightening the hair to help you achieve that flawless smooth look.

blow-dryer nozzle

A wide nozzle allows you to work with bigger sections to achieve a faster drying time. Using the nozzle close to your roots will give you the volume you’ve been waiting for! Even if you don’t use it for styling, it can help you to dry your hair faster.

Tip: To create smooth, sleek hair styles, point the nozzle directly at the brush without touching the bristles. To prevent heat damage, keep the nozzle at least 1 inch away from the brush, and don’t stay at one spot for long.

2. Hair Diffuser Attachment

blow-dryer diffuser

This is a blow dryer attachment with all of you curly-haired beauties in mind! Diffusers are meant to retain the shape of your natural curls while getting a bouncy hairstyle.

This is a must-have accessory if your curly hair is fine and prone to damage. Hair diffusers have holes throughout the attachment to disperse the airflow to a wider section of hair, protecting the hair from heat damage.

You’ll want to start with a low heat setting to avoid disturbing the curl pattern. Grab a section of your hair, place it on the diffuser, and use your blow dryer in up-down motions.

You can also use the diffuser to lift the roots to create texture and add volume. The diffuser also provides gentle drying to straight hair, reduces frizz, and helps to create lift and volume.

If you find that conventional diffusers take up a lot of space in your luggage or in your bathroom, there are collapsible diffusers made of silicone that are great space savers.   

3. Blow Dryer Comb Attachment

Some hair dryer brands come with a comb attachment included but you can also buy a universal comb attachment that fits most hair dryers.

Blow dryer comb attachments are partnered with a brush to dry and prep overly curly hair for straightening. Comb attachments help detangle your hair and stretch out curls through the drying process.

blow-dryer comb attachment

You’ll work in sections, first using your brush and following with the comb attachment. Alter your motions going up, down, side to side, and under the section to avoid that flat and dull look. Using a blow dryer comb attachment is easy to use since it mimics the motions of natural brushing.

For people with straight hair, the comb attachment will create volume at the roots of normally straight hair.

4. Hair Dryer Bonnet Attachment

hair dryer bonnet

Bring your mind back to being at the salon, what’s one of the most relaxing chairs to be in after your hairdresser washes your hair? The drying station! A bonnet attachment gives you that effortless dry at home without the price tag of a plastic hair dryer you’d sit under.

As the name suggests, a bonnet attachment conveniently attaches a tube to your hair dryer that connects to a bonnet you’ll place on your head like a hat! Bonnet attachments dry your hair evenly and work for all hair types. If you have fragile hair, this is the attachment for you as it’s less damaging than direct heat attachments. You’ll simply place the bonnet on your head with all of your hair piled on the top, turn your blow dryer on, and watch it inflate!

Styling your hair at home can seem intimidating, but all it takes are the right tools! It doesn’t matter if your hair is straight, curly, wavy, or coiled, there’s a blow dryer attachment out there for you. Now it’s time to elevate your styling game!

hair dryer nozzle in use

What Type of Hair Dryers Work for Frizzy Hair

If you have been using your old hair dryer for years, you might find that it takes forever to complete drying and your hair often turns out frizzy. Low-quality blow-dryers, especially those with metallic heating parts, can get too hot and leave your hair looking dry and frazzled. These hair dryers disperse positive ions when heated, which causes the hair cuticles to lift, leading to dryness and frizz.

Your blow dryer plays a crucial role in your hair care routine, and modern blow dryers work better for frizzy hair than old models. The new generation of hair dryers is designed to cut down drying time and preserve the health and beauty of your hair. By investing in a quality appliance and learning the best drying techniques, you can minimize frizz and enjoy smooth and shiny locks.

Here’s a list of the most important features you should consider if you are in the market for a new blow dryer.

a girl drying her curly hair in the bathroom

Blow-Dryers for Frizz-Free Hair

1. Blow Dryers with Tourmaline and Ceramic Components

Ceramics in the heating element helps to distribute the heat more evenly than other materials. Ceramic components radiate non-damaging infrared heat and produce negative ions, resulting in faster drying and less heat damage to your hair. Healthy hair has properly closed cuticles that resist atmospheric humidity keeping your locks smooth and shiny.

Tourmaline is a semiprecious stone that emits negatively-charged ions when heated. When tourmaline powder is infused into the internal parts of a blow-dryer, it accelerates the drying process and seals the cuticles to eliminate static and create a smooth, frizz-free finish.

The gentlest heat is produced when tourmaline powder is combined with the ceramic heating element.

Suggested Brands: 1875w Ceramic Tourmaline Hair Dryer by JIEUSDIRECT, RUSK Engineering Super Freak Professional 2000 Watt Dryer, Asavea Vigor Hair Dryer Pro AC Motor Ionic, Ceramic Fast 1875W Blow Dryer by AsaVea.

2. Frizz Fighting Hair Dryer Attachments

Styling Nozzle

A dryer for frizzy hair should come with an airflow concentrator attachment. Without the nozzle, hot air will just blow around, causing a frizzy mess. A narrow concentrator nozzle produces a faster and more concentrated airflow, resulting in a sleek and polished finish. This attachment is suitable if you want straighter, smoother hair.

young woman using blow-dryer with the nozzle
Hair Dryer Diffuser

A hair diffuser is crucial if you have curly or wavy hair. A diffuser attachment softens the airflow, keeping the blow dryer from frizzing your hair. It helps to create softer, fuller, and more defined curls.

Look for a diffuser with a concave shape and a lot of holes. The high number of holes helps to distribute the airflow more evenly and blow away the frizz.

3. Frizz Defense Technologies

Ionic Technology

Ionic conditioning technology helps to seal the hair cuticle to lock in moisture and leave your hair smooth and sleek. Ceramic parts and tourmaline coating produce negatively charged ions to neutralize positive charges for increased softness and a frizz-free finish.

Although great for combating frizz, negative ions can leave fine and straight hair limp and without volume. Some hair dryers offer an optional ionic function.

Suggested Brands: Conair 1875 Watt Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer and Revlon 1875W Smooth and Quick Blowouts Hair Dryer

SoftAire Technology

Hair dryers that are powered by SoftAire Technology generate a wide airflow enriched with negative ions to dry large sections of hair quickly and gently. This technology helps to neutralize static, reduce frizz, and increase your hair’s shine.

Suggested brand: T3 Featherweight Luxe 2I Dryer

3D Airflow Technology

3D airflow technology helps to produce evenly heated and constant airflow, letting you dry and style your hair fast with minimal heat damage. Your hair feels healthy and smooth and your style lasts longer.

Suggested brand: Remington AIR 3D Hair Dryer

Nano Technology for Smoother, Shinier Hair

Nano-heating technology draws moisture from the air to hydrate your hair as it is being dried. This technology helps close the cuticle to minimize frizz and enhance hair’s smoothness and shine.

Suggested brand: Panasonic Compact Hair Dryer with Nano Technology

4. Other Anti-Frizz Features

Multiple Heat Settings

Blow dryers with multiple heat and speed settings allow you to customize the drying speed and heat to suit your hair type. If your hair is prone to frizz, stick with the low and medium heat settings.

Cool Shot Button

A cool shot button is another must-have if your hair is prone to frizz. Using a burst of cool air helps lock in your style and keeps frizz to a minimum.

Blow-Drying Tips for Frizzy Hair

In addition to choosing a good dryer, here are some tips for drying your hair to achieve a long-lasting style and a frizz-free finish.

  1. Pat dry gently with a towel to soak up excess water; twisting and rubbing your hair with a towel can cause frizziness.
  2. Let your hair air dry until it is about 80% dry. Blow-drying dripping wet hair can cause damage and frizziness.
  3. Apply the heat protection and hair smoothing products of your choice and evenly distribute them through your hair before blow-drying. AVEDA Light Elements Smoothing Fluid protects the hair from heat, helps tame flyaways, and prevents the appearance of frizz.
  4. Using the highest heat setting may harm your hair and leave it looking frizzy. Use moderate heat to dry your locks, and finish drying with a blast of cool air to create a shiny and silky finish.
  5. Holding the dryer in one place can cause heat damage, making hair more prone to frizz. To evenly disperse the air and heat, constantly move your blow-dryer in circular motions.
  6. Point the nozzle downward when you blow-dry your hair. When the nozzle is pointed down, the airflow creates a smoother and shinier appearance, keeping the frizz at bay.
  7. Use normally sized blow-dryers whenever you can. Travel-size hair dryers don’t have enough power to dry your hair efficiently and gently.
a woman pointing a hair dryer at the camera

Benefits of Ionic Hair Dryers and their Advantages over Regular Blow-Dryers

Conventional hair dryers use a hot airflow, which is generated by the fan to evaporate water from your hair. The downside of these devices is that they emit plenty of positively charged ions that lift the hair cuticle, allowing natural moisture to escape. Hot air, combined with positive ions, can cause frizz and flyaway hair.

Hair Dryers with Ionic Technology

Ionic hair dryers release negative ions that help reduce static electricity and close hair cuticles. Blow-dryers with ionic technology provide faster drying, prevent heat damage, and make hair smooth and glossy.  

Ionic Generator

Newer-model hair dryers have a built-in ion generator that produces negative ions, making the drying process faster and gentler for your hair. Negatively charged ions neutralize static caused by positive ions and tame flyaway hair. Negative ions also help seal in moisture and flatten the cuticle, making hair smooth and shiny.

young woman using an ionic dryer to dry her hair

Other Ion-Producing Components

Some internal components such as ceramic heaters and tourmaline beads also contribute to the production of negative ions and maximize the positive effects of an ionic generator. Tourmaline is a semiprecious stone that can emit negative ions and far-infrared rays.

Tourmaline powder is infused into the heating unit and other internal parts of a hairdryer to make the drying process gentler. Tourmaline components increase the production of negative ions which, in turn, reduce drying time and ensure smooth and shiny hair.

Hair dryers that use both tourmaline-infused components and an ionic generator provide the best results for most types of hair.

Young woman in bath towel drying hair

What are the Benefits of Ionic Blow Dryers

  • Decreased drying time: Thick, long hair would normally take forever to dry. An ionic dryer breaks down water particles in the hair, causing water to evaporate faster, hence accelerating the drying process. Using an ionic hair dryer can cut the drying time in half.
  • Less heat damage: Hair dryers with ionic technology are very gentle on your hair. This type of hair dryer uses less heat to dry hair than a standard blow dryer. Since drying time is decreased, it is less likely that hot airflow will cause damage to your hair.
  • Less frizz: If your hair is prone to static, the negative ions will neutralize the static charges and minimize flyaways. Ionic technology also helps tighten the cuticles, creating a smooth, shiny, and frizz-free finish. Ionic dryers also help reduce the hair’s surface tension, leaving your strands less prone to tangles.
  • Softer hair: Negative ions help lock in moisture, making your hair feel softer and more luxurious than an ordinary hair dryer would. It is easier to style your hair and create a smooth finish.
  • Comfortable to use: Being light-weighted, ionic blow dryers can be handled with ease. They are less likely to cause discomfort in your shoulders or make your arms tired. Smaller units are easy to carry when traveling.
  • Longer Lifespan: Ionic hair dryers are more durable and have a longer lifespan than conventional hair dryers. Quality units may be more expensive than standard blow dryers, but there are good chances that they will be worth the investment because of the benefits they can provide to their users.
Do ionic hair dryers work? Blow dry comparison: ions on VS ions off

Related Article

How Do Ionic Blow-Dryers Work for Different Hair Types

Asian woman blow drying hair with an ionic dryer

Your hair type determines which hair dryer is best for your needs.

Thick hair: Ionic hair dryers work great for thick hair because they allow you to dry your hair fast. The best Ionic dryers have customizable ionic settings to meet your drying and styling needs. Turbo ionic switch is suitable for thick/coarse hair as it offers faster drying and frizz reduction.

Frizzy hair: Ionic hair dryers are ideal for reducing frizz. They close the cuticle and lock in moisture, making the hair more resistant to frizz.

Flyaway hair: An ionic hair dryer seals the cuticle to help you achieve silky hair, free of flyaways.

Long hair: It takes a long time for people with long hair to blow dry their hair using regular hair dryers. An ionic hair dryer helps decrease the drying time.

Curly hair: Ionic blow dryers are suitable for curly hair because they help lock in moisture and achieve silky, frizz-free curls.

Fine hair: For fine, thin hair, it is not recommended to use the turbo ionic switch, as it can leave fine hair limp and tired-looking.

Quality ionic hair dryers that are available for a reasonable price: CHI Rocket Hair Dryer, Conair INFINITI PRO 1875- Watt Ion Choice Hair Dryer, and Hot Tools Pro Signature Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer.

young woman blowdrying her hair in the bathroom