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I've Been Natural for 4 Years—These 12 Blow-Dryers Always Keep My Curls Popping
By Maya Thomas,
2024-08-05
(Image credit: @claire_most )
Anyone with curls and coils gets it. Finding hair tools specifically designed to work with natural textures can be a daunting task, but once you land on a product that does everything you want and treats your strands with TLC, you can retire all the ones that don't to the back of your beauty cabinet. It's no wonder that some blow-dryers for tight hair textures remain a point of discourse for beauty lovers everywhere. Is there a way of knowing which blow-dryers deserve the attention they receive?
After going natural four years ago and spending my childhood years with 4c curls before the fateful day I received a relaxer, I've gotten my hands on a number of blow-dryers that have exceeded my expectations with helpful styling tools, high-tech operating systems, and ergonomic designs. Below, I'm revealing all my favorites cosigned by glowing customer reviews from Amazon, Sephora, Nordstrom, and more.
The Infinitipro Hair Dryer and Diffuser made the top of my list not only because it was designed with curls and coils in mind but also because the tool has a unique circulating airflow system to gently dry and reduces frizz. I can always count on frizz-free curls and tendrils when I use this dryer and diffuser.
Customer Review: "This is my favorite hair dryer and diffuser. It keeps my curls tight and soft. It's easy to use, the power amount is perfect, will work great for curls or if you want to round brush straighten your hair. Drying time is quick, appearance is stylish, and the heat setting are perfect."
Product Specs: 8.26 x 3.56 x 11.68 inches; 1.5 pounds
2. Gold N Hot 1875 Watt Full Size Euro Dryer
Gold N Hot
1875 Watt Full Size Euro Dryer
$43
This was one of the very first blow-dryers I remember being used on my tight curls at a salon, and I still swear by it for flawless results. Created for textured hair, this Gold N Hot dryer includes a hair pick and concentrator as well as three speed and heat setting combinations for styling versatility.
Customer Review: "This is the best blow dryer I have ever used! I have been using this blow dryer for 20 years. I have very thick, coarse, and at times hard to manage hair. This blow dryer is a miracle worker and does such a great job. I just repurchase it when needed. It lasts a super long time before needing a new one."
Product Specs: 3.65 x 20.5 x 9.55 inches; 1.63 pounds
3. Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Professional Hair Dryer
Olivia Garden
Ceramic + Ion Professional Hair Dryer
$110
If you're in the market for an ultralight blow-dryer to help with long washdays like mine, Olivia Garden's Ceramic + Ion Professional Hair Dryer will come in handy. It cuts down drying time using ceramic technology with two speeds, three heat settings, and a cool shot button.
Customer Review: "This hair dryer is a very quick at drying hair! I have thinner hair that tends to get frizzy, and my hair was so smooth and soft. The design is flawless. Easy to hold and not heavy at all! The precise ends you can add or remove make precise drying so much easier! 10/10!"
Product Specs: 15.79 x 13.15 x 5.39 inches; 3.22 pounds
One of the things I worry the most about when I travel is the lack of hair tools offered at hotels that can work with my textured hair. This blow-dryer has dual voltage (ideal for international travel), is lightweight, and features a compact design with a foldable handle that can easily be tucked away between packing cubes in my suitcase.
Customer Review: "As someone with curly hair, I've been dying to try out a diffuser that really makes my curls pop after I shower, and this blow dryer did just that! I used to never use a blow dryer but now I do after every shower."
Product Specs: 4.2 x 9.7 x 16.1 inches; 2.91 pounds
(Image credit: @claire_most )
5. T3 Featherweight StyleMax Dryer
T3
Featherweight StyleMax Dryer
$200$130
Here's a lightweight blow-dryer that includes all the styling aids a curly girl could need, including a diffuser, smoothing comb, drying concentrator, and styling concentrator. It also features automated T3 StyleMax Technology, which means you can select your hair texture and desired style for fully customizable settings.
Customer Review: "I had heard wonderful things about the Dyson dryer, but I have fine hair and read the Featherweight StyleMax was better for my hair type. I'm so glad I did my research. The Featherweight StyleMax is amazing. My hair feels softer after drying, and more than one person has commented that I look like I just came from the salon. I'm very impressed!"
Product Specs: 7.6 x 2.9 x 11.2 inches; 1.88 pounds
6. Tymo Airhype Hair Dryer
TYMO
Airhype Hair Dryer
$130
When I'm in the mood to add more volume to my hair, I reach for the Airhype Hair Dryer. It's designed to deliver volume, and when used with its provided diffuser, it creates extremely defined, frizz-free curls in minutes. It's also a compact size, dries quickly, and features four precise temperature settings to help you master your style.
Customer Review: "This hair dryer has cut my time to less than half! I have very long natural hair and it only takes about 8 to 10 minutes to dry it. My hair is much straighter after drying which means I only have to do one pass with my flat iron. I would highly recommend this dryer!"
Product Specs: 13.39 x 9.84 x 7.48 inches; 4.12 pounds
7. Curlsmith Hair Defrizzion Dryer XXL Diffuser
Curlsmith
Hair Defrizzion Dryer XXL Diffuser
$189
If you loved the aforementioned travel-size version of this dryer, then you'll love its full size. The Curlsmith Hair Defrizzion Dryer provides gentle and even heat and a fast drying time for curls and coils. It also includes an extra-large, eight-inch diffuser to help you set, stretch, and define natural hair textures while minimizing damage.
Customer Review: "For how big it is, it's surprisingly lightweight. I love the stand, which lets me easily set it down between sets. The high heat and high fan is still gentle enough that there isn't a lot of damage or fly-aways. I don't know that it's cut my drying time down significantly, but that could be more about my technique than anything. It's expensive but worth the cost for how well made and user friendly it is."
Product Specs: 9.8 x 4.4 x 9.8 inches; 3.4 pounds
8. Pattern The Blow Dryer
Pattern
The Blow Dryer
$189
Pattern's blow-dryer has quickly become one of my favorite hair tools since its launch earlier this year. Described by the brand as "curl-conscious," this blow-dryer includes a powerful AC motor to reduce drying time and an ion generator, plus a diffuser, brush, wide-tooth comb, and concentrator nozzle.
Customer Review: "I love this! I tried it a couple days after getting it and my hair looked amazing with the diffuser attachment, my hair hadn’t had that much volume in years. The different speeds along with the temperature options really makes it easy to accommodate to everyone’s hair needs."
Product Specs: 13.3 x 10 x 3.5 inches; 4.08 pounds
(Image credit: @daniellejinadu )
9. Shark Beauty SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher and High-Velocity Dryer for Curly & Coily Hair
Shark Beauty
SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher and High-Velocity Dryer for Curly & Coily Hair
$200
Soft, silky curls are possible with the help of Shark's SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher and High-Velocity Dryer. It features two streams of high-speed airflow that help fight frizz with no heat damage to your curls (The temperature never exceeds 230°F.) I love how its diffuser has extendable prongs that create volume for any hair length.
Customer Review: "Purchased a couple weeks ago, and absolutely love!! With naturally curly hair, I can perfect with the diffuser or can straighten with other attachments. Leaves my hair soft, silky with shine and not fried like other hair dryers!"
Product Specs: 6.5 x 1.88 x 7.91 inches; 1.66 pounds
10. Gama Professional iQ Perfetto Lightweight Hair Dryer
Gama Professional
iQ Perfetto Lightweight Hair Dryer
$300
Of all the hair tools I've tested, few can beat the lightweight feel of this one by Gama Professional. The iQ Perfetto Lightweight Hair Dryer has an ergonomic design that's easy to use on hair of all types, but it's particularly useful for tight textures. This blow-dryer is also equipped with an innovative microfilter and easy auto-clean technology to extend the motor's life cycle.
Customer Review: "Once you own this blow dryer, there is no going back. Not only is it light, but it is the most powerful and quiet dryer I've ever used—and that is a most unlikely combination. I also appreciate the self-cleaning function that ensures a long life. (No more nasty clogged filters!)"
Product Specs: 14.84 x 9.76 x 4.09 inches; 1 pound
11. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Dyson
Supersonic Hair Dryer
$430
Dyson's Supersonic Hair Dryer is one of those unique hairstyling tools that truly deliver the best results for everyone. Engineered for different hair types, this blow-dryer uses a small, powerful Dyson digital motor for fast drying time and precise styling. What's more, it has multiple speed and heat settings as well as negative ions to reduce frizz.
Customer Review: "I received my hair dryer a couple of weeks ago, and I'm sooo happy with it. Dries my hair in three minutes without the damage. Comes with different styling attachments, including the flyaways attachment. Looks and feels super-cool!"
Product Specs: 3.1 x 3.8 x 9.6 inches; 1.8 pounds
12. Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long Diffuse for Curly and Coily Hair
Dyson
Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long Diffuse for Curly and Coily Hair
$600
While the hefty price tag for this blow-dryer can be shocking to anyone who has yet to get their hands on the tool, the texture-inclusive release of the Airwrap is worth it. This version of the viral Airwrap Multi-Styler now comes with a wide-tooth comb, a round volumizing brush, and diffuser to create a variety of styles for curly and coily hair.
Customer Review: "I love my Airwrap so much. Styling time is literally a fraction of what it once was. My hair is so much healthier than when I was previously using other round brush dryers. I'm so, so happy with this purchase. Truly life changing!"
Product Specs: 11 x 2 x 2 inches; 9.26 pounds (including case)
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