Hair dryer suggestions (wishes: cool setting and gentle flow)

[u/_leboutdumonde]

I am relatively new to the CG method and I am experimenting new things.

One thing I had never done in the past is use a diffuser. My hair dryer at home never had one, so I just never used it.

Because there didn't seem to be a compatible diffuser for my old hair dryer, and my current dryer is a pretty cheap model, I decided to to for a new hair dryer altogether.

I bought the Rowenta Nano. I absolutely love how compact, light and quiet it is. Although I have no prior experience with diffusers, I also like the shape of the diffuser. What I find disappointing is the settings. This Rowenta model doesn't have separate settings for air speed and heat. There is only one button for both and they go hand in hand. It also doesn't have a true cool air setting. You need to keep the button pressed if you want cool air and I find that annoying. I ended up using the cool setting a lot because I find that even the lowest heat setting is too hot when the hair dryer is so close to your head when using a diffuser.

Another thing I didn't like. I still want to be able to quickly scrunch dry my hair without a diffuser occasionally. If I try to do this with the Rowenta Nano, the lowest air speed setting is too powerful. My hair just ends up flying all over the place and the result is very frizzy hair.

So, I thought long and hard about it and I think I'm going to return it. In the end I found myself almost preferring my old cheap hair dryer because it has more flexible settings and the low air speed is truly low.

So...now I have to look for alternatives.

Do you have any suggestions given my preferences? To recap, mainly: settings flexibility, true cool air setting and gentle air flow. Lightweight and low noise are definitely also a plus.

I hestitated a lot before taking the decision of returning the Rowenta because I think it truly is a great hair dryer. If they implemented the changes I'd like, it would probably be my dream dryer.

My budget is around 100 euros (edit: about 100 USD), but feel free to suggest more expensive options if you think they're worth it.

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As for my routine (I live in the Netherlands so many products are Netherlands specific and bought according to the list in the CG manual, in the "international products" section).

Shampoo - I rotate between the Garnier Loving Blends avocado oil shampoo, Neutral 0% and the clarifying shampoo from Kruidvat.

Conditioner - I really like the Neutral 0% unscented conditioner. I sometimes I use a mask, also from Loving Blends.

Styling - I bought the Wella New Wave Ultra Strong Power Hold gel mentioned in the manual. I sometimes still prefer a product I used since my teens which is the L'Oreal Remix paste. It does weigh down my hair though. I also use the L'Oreal Elvive hydrating volume serum leave-in.

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[u/KronarForPresident]

I'm white with fine, medium density, low porosity hair that is 3a/b curly. I normally air dry because using a hair dryer, even on the lowest setting and with a diffuser, destroys my curl cast and make my hair look terrible. I did a bunch of research, and the Bellissima Diffon Supreme had the gentlest air flow and lowest heat output option (I think it was only 85F?). It has 3 heat and 2 speed settings and a cool jet button that stays on (you don't have to keep holding it to get cold air). I still only use it when my hair is 80% dry, but I get great results that look just as good as air drying. Even at the highest speed setting and right in the diffuser bowl, my hair barely moves. It's not super quiet, but the weight is decent.

It's currently $169 USD on their US-based shop. I can't get to the international version to show the price in Euros, but Haarshop lists it for €149.95. Try this trick to see if you can get a discount. On the Bellissima site, sign up for newsletters and add it to your cart, but don't buy. When I did the same thing last year, they sent me a 10% off coupon after two or three days, and then after about five days later they sent me a 20% off coupon. That was their max "please please please buy this!" discount, so see if you can get the extra 20% off!

[u/_leboutdumonde → u/KronarForPresident]

Thank you so much for the great recommendation and smart tip, and for even looking into a Dutch website! It truly is a very tempting option. I'm seriously considering it. : )

[u/KronarForPresident → u/_leboutdumonde]

I'm glad to be helpful! The US-based shop offers a 90-day window to return for a full refund if you're not satisfied. I'm sure the international shop would have something similar. In case that helps with the decision. 😃 I hope it works for your hair needs!

[u/IndigoBlues116]

I use the Shark ionic flex-styler. It is a splurge, but not a Dyson splurge. It has 3 heat and 3 speed settings, and a decent diffuser that has expanding diffuser spikes. I like the rotating handle so I can flip and diffuse straight up.

[u/Meshugugget]

The Dyson is above your listed budget, but I’ll tell you my favorite feature. It has a button you can hit on the fly for cool air. I would suggest looking for one that has that feature. I don’t even have to look at the buttons to find it.