Curly hair is very easy to maintain since you just need to wash and let it dry. However, this convenience is not available every time, and as such, it is vital to have a
- T3 Cura Luxe Hair Dryer
- Conair InfinitiPRO 294NPR Hair Dryer
- NuMe Signature Blow Dryer
- DevaCurl DevaDryer & DevaFuser
- Rusk Engineering W8LESS Hair Dryer
Benefits of hair dryers for curly hair
Dryers for naturally curly hair have distinct features that make them ideal for this type of hair. These include having ceramic parts, infrared heat, multiple heat levels, and negative ions that help trap the moisture in the locks. This helps in styling curls and preventing frizzing. Regular hair blow dryers feature reduced wattage, which is not sufficient to dry thick hair. They also lack the above features that enhance the drying process.
Types of dryers for curly hair
What Makes a Good Curling Iron for Thick Hair?
Curling irons for thick hair must have a high-temperature setting (heat up to at least 400F) to hold thick hair into curls all-day if not for a few days!
The best curling irons for thick hair use an advanced ionic or infrared technology to reduce frizz and keep your hair moisturized.
What size barrel is best for thick hair?
For thick hair, a curling iron with a barrel sized 1.5 inches is the most suitable option for everyday use.
Depending on your desired hairstyle, you can section your hair into smaller or thicker sections to create both tight and loose curls.
How do you make curls last all day with thick hair?
Use a mousse and heat protectant before you blow-dry in order to give the hair more hold. Prepping with a setting spray is also great for locking in your curls. Many of them offer heat protection, too!
Ionic blow dryers
These use negative ions to dry the hair as opposed to heat. Negative ions dry the hair quicker and seal in moisture giving you bouncy, defined, and voluminous curls.
Tourmaline blow dryers
This dryer also uses negative ions to dry hair and it delivers more ions than the ionic dryer. It works best with thick curly hair. However, they are quite expensive and do not work well with thin hair.
Titanium blow dryers
This premium lightweight dyer combines great design, material, and functionality to create one of the best products for curly hair. It is however very expensive.
Ceramic blow dryers
Ceramic dryers distribute heat more evenly than dryers made from other material. This means it saves you time and energy that would have been used with other dryers. It is ideal for people with damaged and dry hair, people who dry hair regularly, and those with thin hair. Ceramic, however, is very heavy.
What to look for in a blow dryer for curly hair
To pick out the best dryer for you, you need to consider your type of hair, how often you dry your hair and the accessories you require. The most common features to look out for are:
Wattage
Wattage: thick hair requires a dryer with a high wattage to be able to add cool hair to prevent the hair from drying excessively. Ideally, most blow dryers have an average wattage of between 600 to 2000 watts with premium ones having 1875W. For curly hair, you need a dryer with a minimum of 1500 watts which will also depend on the thickness of your hair.
Cool shot button
Cool shot button: releasing a blast of cold air after drying helps you set your hair. Heat opens the hair cuticle to allow it dry and the cool air closes the shaft plumping it which locks the hair in style.
Number of heat settings
The number of heat settings: full heat is ideal for thick hair and cool heat is essential in maintaining your hair’s shine. When purchasing a dryer, it is important to choose one with multiple heat settings.
Design
Design: a comfortable functional dryer design will enhance your experience using a hairdryer. Get a light dryer since thick hair takes longer to dry so you do not want to hold on to something heavy that long. For flexibility, you can get one with a long power cord to enable you to use over a long distance.
Accessories and attachments
Accessories and attachments: quality dryers come with an array of accessories for added styling benefits. You need to buy a dryer that comes with these attachments and if they are not there, they can be purchased separately. For example, an important attachment on a dryer for thick wavy hair is the diffuser
Number of speeds
The number of speeds: medium to high speed is ideal for curly hair. This is because it takes longer to dry.
Technical support:
Technical support: since a blow dryer is a medium to long-term investment, it is key to get one that offers a great warranty. Being an everyday use product for most people, the manufacturer should guarantee quality by giving a good warranty period. Some dryers have a lifetime warranty but most feature an extended warranty of two years.
How to use a hair dryer with curly hair
Always prepare your hair
Always prepare your hair: wash your hair, rinse with cold water to ensure the hair lays flat to avoid fizzing, apply the right products, and comb before you dry your hair. It is important to use the routine that works well for your hair.
Section the hair
Section the hair: sectioning hair ensures that you apply products and blow dry your hair evenly. Getting around thick natural hair can be challenging and this can cause frizzing.
Ensure you use a diffuser
Ensure you use a diffuser: there are four reasons why a diffuser should be used on curly hair. These are:
- Preventing frizz
- It protects your curl pattern
- It’s better than using direct heat
- Speeds up drying
Use cool or warm heat setting to prevent excessive drying of the hair. The diffuser should be placed at the ends of the curls on the scalp. Take care when using it by placing it correctly since it is easily deformed by excess heat.
Use the correct dryer
Use the correct dryer: curls need a minimum of 1500 watts and too much heat causes them to over dry. Remember to also use your dryer in cool and warm temperature settings.
Ensure You Use The Right Products After Drying
Ensure you use the right products after drying: use the products that are right for your hair type and the ones that will help you achieve your desired look.
What Is The Best Hair Dryer For Curly Hair?
What Makes a Good Curling Iron for Thick Hair?
Curling irons for thick hair must have a high-temperature setting (heat up to at least 400F) to hold thick hair into curls all-day if not for a few days!
The best curling irons for thick hair use an advanced ionic or infrared technology to reduce frizz and keep your hair moisturized.
What size barrel is best for thick hair?
For thick hair, a curling iron with a barrel sized 1.5 inches is the most suitable option for everyday use.
Depending on your desired hairstyle, you can section your hair into smaller or thicker sections to create both tight and loose curls.
How do you make curls last all day with thick hair?
Use a mousse and heat protectant before you blow-dry in order to give the hair more hold. Prepping with a setting spray is also great for locking in your curls. Many of them offer heat protection, too!
T3 Cura Luxe Hair Dryer – Best Overall Dryer
Ratings on a scale of 1 to 5:
Ease of Use: 4
Durability: 5
Heat Output: 5
Price: 3
Options (settings): 5
Power: 5
This globally recognized dryer has three editorial 2018 awards under its name. These are the Oprah Magazine Spring Beauty O-wards, the Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards, and the Ebony Beauty & Grooming Award. It features 2 speed and 5 heat settings to dry hair efficiently while maintaining its shine.
This dryer is digitally controlled and has an auto-pause sensor for breaks when drying and a volume booster switch for reduced noise. It also has a filter cap, long-life motor, drying and styling concentrators, and a 9-foot cord with a cord wrap.
Pros
- Fast speeds for quicker drying
- Digitally controlled for accurate heat management
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Very expensive but this is compensated in the amazing specs
Where To Buy: Amazon
Conair Infiniti Pro 1875 Watt – Best Budget Dryer
Ratings on a scale of 1 to 5:
Ease of Use: 4
Durability: 4
Heat Output: 5
Price: 5
Options (settings): 4
Power: 5
This little grooming gadget features an excellent combination of features even with its low price. It uses ionic technology that uses negative ions to dry hair and tourmaline technology to provide infrared heat that protects your hair from damage. It features a retractable cord and comes with a diffuser for easier and better styling.
Pros
- Outstanding performance at a low price
- Adjustable settings for different styles
Cons
- Some users have reported that the mesh at the back gets loose easily so hair can end up getting into the dryer
Where To Buy: Amazon
The Rest Of The Competition
What Makes a Good Curling Iron for Thick Hair?
Curling irons for thick hair must have a high-temperature setting (heat up to at least 400F) to hold thick hair into curls all-day if not for a few days!
The best curling irons for thick hair use an advanced ionic or infrared technology to reduce frizz and keep your hair moisturized.
What size barrel is best for thick hair?
For thick hair, a curling iron with a barrel sized 1.5 inches is the most suitable option for everyday use.
Depending on your desired hairstyle, you can section your hair into smaller or thicker sections to create both tight and loose curls.
How do you make curls last all day with thick hair?
Use a mousse and heat protectant before you blow-dry in order to give the hair more hold. Prepping with a setting spray is also great for locking in your curls. Many of them offer heat protection, too!
Nume Signature Blow Dryer
Get the salon-quality result that you’ve been craving for with this must-have NuMe blow dryer.
Ratings on a scale of 1 to 5:
Ease of Use: 5
Durability: 5
Heat Output: 5
Price: 3
Options (settings): 5
Power: 5
This powerful dryer features premium specs that make it one of the top dryers in the market today. It produces infrared heat that protects your hair for longer, a ceramic grill to produce negative ions, and a cool shot button to deliver cold air. The NuMe dryer has 2-speed levels and 3 temperature settings to deliver amazing hair after every dry.
Pros
- Ideal for all hair types
- Comes with two concentrators
Cons
- Very expensive
Where To Buy: Amazon
DevaCurl Dryer & Devafuser
Created specifically for curls, this duo is a game-changer. The DevaDryer’s ionic technology helps create softer, shinier, frizz-controlled curls.
Ratings on a scale of 1 to 5:
Ease of Use: 5
Durability: 4
Heat Output: 4
Price: 4
Options (settings): 4
Power: 5
Specially designed for women with curly hair, this DevaCurl dryer features 5 prongs on the handle for easy gripping. It has 50 air vents delivering 360-degree airflow that dries hair and adds to the bounce and shape of your hair. It has three temperature settings and a cool shot button for ultimate drying.
Pros
- Gives bouncy and well-defined curls without altering their natural pattern
- Comes with a diffuser
Cons
- Is quite expensive compared to regular dryers
Where To Buy: Amazon
Rusk Engineering W8LESS Hair Dryer
Weighing less than 1 pound, the RUSK® Engineering W8less® Professional 2000 Watt Dryer is easy to hold all day, yet powerful enough for all your styling needs.
Ratings on a scale of 1 to 5:
Ease of Use: 4
Durability: 4
Heat Output: 5
Price: 5
Options (settings): 5
Power: 4
Unbelievably lightweight as suggested by its name, this highly functional dryer combines both tourmaline and ceramic technology to ensure optimum hair drying and reduced drying time. It features 2 speed and 3 heat settings to give shiny healthy hair. The dryer also has a cool shot button for the added benefits of bouncy beautiful hair.
Pros
- Tastefully designed with a cubic print finish
- Fast drying saving time and energy
Cons
- Quite pricey
Where To Buy: Amazon
Final Thoughts
All these hair dryers are good for thick natural hair but the T3 Cura Luxe Dryer carries the day as the best hair dryer for curly hair. Featuring top of the range features, this dryer combines sophistication and performance making it an excellent choice for women with curly hair. However, these great features come at a price. You will need to break the bank for this one but no worries.
The Conair Infiniti Pro 1875 Watt dryer is an amazing cheaper alternative. Do not be fooled by the low price tag to think that this dryer does not perform as compared to more expensive dryers. It features different settings levels and tourmaline technology for great performance at a great value.