The haircare tools you need for lustrous locks
Bec Summer
STACK Writer
With the right tools, you can take hair days from good to glorious! From dryers and straighteners to versatile multi-stylers, today’s hair care tech is designed to protect your locks and streamline your styling. Here’s what you need to know.
At a glance
Hair dryers
Straighteners
Multi-stylers
What to look for
Remington's Advanced Coconut Therapy
A healthy, well-styled and maintained head of hair is something we all aspire to achieve, so if there’s one sector of the beauty business you can count on to be on the cutting edge of development, it’s hair care tech.
Whether you choose a dedicated dryer, straightener, curler, or a versatile all-in-one multi-styler, modern haircare tools can offer flexible and streamlined styling while safeguarding your locks from heat damage. It’s never been easier to fashion the perfect ‘do.
Dryers
When it comes to keeping your mop tip-top, that can begin with the staple of almost every domestic bathroom – the humble hair dryer.
However, there’s nothing humble about the high tech dryers available today, with many professional, salon-grade features finding their way into this ubiquitous appliance.
Choosing the right dryer largely depends upon your hair type and how you want to tame those tresses. Is your hair long, short, fine, medium or thick, and does it have a tendency to frizz? Certain dryers and attachments work better on particular hair types to achieve that salon-worthy finish.
What to look for
Ergonomic ease
A hair dryer is often used every day, and if you’re rocking a voluminous mane, you’ll probably need to hold it above your head for a lengthy period. Your new dryer should be lightweight, well balanced, comfortable to hold, and highly manoeuvrable for navigating your locks.
The heat is on
Most dryers have multiple heat settings for different hair types and shapes, and to minimise any damage from exposure to high temperatures. High heat will dry hair quickly, while a lower setting is optimal for styling and drying fine or thin hair.
A cool shot button is also a common feature for straightening curls, adding volume to fine hair, and preserving shape with a cool blast.
Say watt
A dryer’s power is another factor to consider, and is measured in wattage – the higher it is, the hotter the air. Look for a dryer with 2,000W or above for thick hair types, while 1,800W is ideal for finer locks.
Going with the flow
Dryer nozzle attachments concentrate airflow on desired areas for smoothing or building volume, and many models include two – regular and wide. And for those with curly hair, a diffuser attachment is worth considering for softer airflow and a defined, frizz-free finish.
Isn't it ionic...
Hair dryers boasting ‘ion’ tech use negative ions to counteract the positive ions present in dry or damaged hair, and neutralise static for smoother, shinier hair with reduced frizz and flyaways.
Ion tech also helps to seal the hair cuticle, locking in moisture and preventing heat damage during styling procedures like blow-drying.
Ultimately it improves your hair’s manageability by transforming its texture, making it more resilient to environmental stressors while maintaining a super-sleek and polished appearance.
Straighteners
A hair straightener is another versatile tool to add to your haircare inventory. As well as doing exactly what it says on the box, a straightener can also be used to create curls and prevent frizz, depending on your hair type and the model.
A good straightener should leave hair looking professionally styled and healthy, and free of any heat damage.
How do they work?
Hair straighteners change the structure of the hair, modifying the positive hydrogen bonds that determine its natural shape. When heated, these bonds are temporarily rearranged, thus straightening the hair.
Hot stuff
Just like hair dryers, multiple temperature settings are recommended when investing in a straightener, as well as a fast heat-up time.
Thick, curly, or coarse locks generally require high heat to straighten them, whereas thin, fine and fragile hair will benefit from the lowest setting possible.
Some straighteners have a ceramic element for super-fast heat recovery, enabling continuous use without losing heat from the plate surface.
Plate up
Plate sizes in straighteners are variable, so it pays to check that you have the right width for the job.
A 25mm plate applies less heat and adds volume to short- and medium-length hair, as well as curling and waving all lengths, while a wider 30-40mm plate suits medium to long hair.
Surfaces are also important – ceramic and tourmaline plates emit negative ions to keep your hair hydrated and shiny and are generally better for fine hair, while titanium ones heat faster and are best for thick and coarse locks.
Floating plates adjust pressure on your hair, protecting the shaft and preventing split ends, while plates with slightly rounded edges are more versatile should you wish to curl up. And models with squared-off edges are good for a dead-straight look.
There are also straighteners that don’t use hot plates at all, like the Dyson AirStrait. Instead, high-pressure airflow is used to straighten hair as it dries, directing precisely heated air evenly as you style to protect against damage.
Multi-stylers
Why clutter your beauty space or cram bathroom drawers full of multiple haircare tools when you can entrust all of your drying and styling needs to a single device?
Multi-stylers have become a must-have beauty tool for the convenience and versatility they offer, combining drying, straightening and curling, while reducing the period your hair is exposed to heat, leaving it shiny, healthy, and easy to manage.
These all-in-one devices also provide the flexibility to switch up your look, or experiment with different styles without juggling multiple appliances.
What to look for
Multi-stylers can quickly switch from hair dryer to styling and curling wand via a range of interchangeable attachments and brushes, so choose one with accessories that best suit your hair type, such as a diffuser for curls.
Look for a fast heat-up time, adjustable heat and airflow settings, plus customisable modes for more flexibility. And make sure that your new multi-styler is lightweight and portable for travelling.
What is the Coanda effect?
The popular Dyson Airwrap was the first multi-styler to use Coanda airflow, an aerodynamic wonder that deflects incoming air and named after Romanian inventor Henri Coanda, who recognised the potential of harnessing the effect for aircraft design in 1910.
But what does it mean for your hair? Coanda airflow attracts it to the surface of the styler’s brushes or barrel for more control when shaping, catching flyaways in the process and providing more effective styling at lower temperatures.
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