Do high-end hairdryers live up to the hype?
Back in the day, before hotel rooms offered proper hairdryers, the most you could hope for was a wall-mounted contraption with an elephant trunk that blew air with all the strength of a three-year-old extinguishing birthday candles.
Because I relied on a dryer to control my wayward waves, I’d have to lug my own, which is why I got into the habit of buying cheap, lightweight versions. What they lacked in size and finesse, they made up for in fierce heat.
Fast-forward to today and there’s been a revolution on the DIY blow-drying front, boosted by Dyson’s introduction of the Supersonic. At £329.99 a pop, it’s way pricier than any hairdryer I’ve ever considered, although it’s won heaps of awards.
Intrigued as to whether it could ever be worth shelling out that kind of money or whether I should stick to the low-cost buys, I decided to let two new-to-the-market dryers – one expensive, one budget(ish) – go head to head.
Zuvi Halo
£359, zuvilife.com
First up, the luxury model… the new Zuvi Halo (rrp £359, zuvilife.com). Instead of using very hot air, it’s based on the natural evaporation process that occurs in the sun and wind, so it uses both light (as in infrared energy) and warm air (as opposed to hot) on a fast speed to dry the hair’s surface rather than penetrate deep into the internal cortex.
During manufacture, Zuvi employed a robotic arm to ensure reproducible movements and angles across hundreds of
testing sessions. They say the Zuvi leaves hair 109 per cent more hydrated internally when compared to a traditional dryer, which means the cuticle lies flatter so hair looks shinier, and that it uses about 60 per cent less power, making it eco-friendlier.
At home, when I switched it on, not only did the mirrored halo (the bit you point at your hair) light up green but the dryer sounded different – even the dog came to investigate. It’s whooshy rather than whiney and pretty quiet. Also, when you hit the off button, it cuts out instantly – no motor wind-down. There are four settings for faster and softer drying and three attachments, including a diffuser for curlier hair.
I was pleased with the speed of drying and, while I didn’t find it perceptibly quicker than traditional fast dryers, it got the job done at a similar pace without a scorching blast. It also left my hair smooth without compromising on volume or body. So far, so good.
BaByliss Hydro-Fusion 2100 Hair Dryer
£60, babyliss.com
Drumroll, as the BaByliss Hydro-Fusion 2100 Hair Dryer (rrp £60, babyliss.com) enters the fray. In a standard shape, it’s nicely trimmed and finished for the price, not heavy like many salon-style hairdryers, and designed to deliver fast drying while encouraging a smooth, shiny finish. To achieve this, it uses what they call ‘Advanced Plasma Technology’.
What does this mean? A combination of negative and positive ions neutralise the natural charge in your hair, tightening the outer cuticle of the hair shaft, helping to eliminate frizz (just nod, I am). Ionic hairdryers in general aren’t new, but I can attest to the fact this one dried fast yet left hair feeling silky. With two speeds and three heat options, you can tailor the intensity you work with, and it also has two attachments – a concentrator nozzle and diffuser, which is pretty much all you need.
So which ones wins? Would I save or splurge? Well, if you’re after performance while looking after the pennies, the BaByliss is a sound bet, no two ways about it. But after trying the Zuvi Halo, I’d certainly be prepared to invest because the handling is so special (I know, I sound like a Top Gear presenter). It’s lightweight, compact and great to hold; well-balanced with a tactile, leather-like handle. Drying hair simply feels less of a chore. And as one who always puts off hair washing until the bitter end, it has improved my whole attitude to styling. Call it the halo effect.
This week I am mostly...
Enjoying Emma Hardie Lotus Flower Treatment Cream (£38, emmahardie.com). Actually more of a gel-cream, it boosts hydration levels and leaves a nice sheen once fully dried.
Eschewing over-applying a new skincare product to try to rush the benefits. We’re so used to immediacy in our lives, but with new regimes it takes time to see results. Patience is a virtue.
Envying anyone escaping to the sun this coming winter. I hate the darker days and long evenings, so I’m going to invest in a SAD lamp, which I hope will make me feel lighter in spirit.
Read last week's article: Follow these three simple steps for eyelash perfection
