Hot tools are appliances such as curling irons, wands, rollers and flat irons.
The demand for hot tools is rising every year. With the rising demand, comes new innovation and design. Thankfully, for some brands, the technology is finally headed in the right direction, with consumers best hair-interest at mind.
There are so many options to choose from, literally if you Google ‘Hair Curling Wand’ and click on the shopping tab you will have HUNDREDS of styles to choose from…. How do you know which ones are the right ones for you? How do you know what brands are going to keep the integrity of your hair in-tact? What are the price points and is it really worth it?
Let’s Break Down The Hot Tools
Starting at the very beginning of the Hot Tools list you have Blow Dryers. Those who are in the market for a good quality blow dryer need to know this: they are NOT all made the same. Maybe back in the 20’s when hand-held blow dryers became an actual “thing” but we have far advanced from then. Things we now know we need in a blow dryer: different speeds, different heat levels, and even different drying heads. Those who have curly hair don’t use the same dryer head as those who have straight hair. Thin hair will need a different heat level than those with dense hair. So what blow dryers cater to these things WITHOUT damaging out hair? Key word there is ‘without’, because while most blow dryers you find in Walmart might have different speeds, different heat settings and interchangeable drying heads, they will not keep your hair from getting damaged.
What separates the so called ‘drug store’ branded blow dryers from those that are a bit more pricey? The technology behind them is worth the price difference and investment. Blowing hot air through the barrel of a dryer isn’t good enough. You need ion & charged particle technology to cut down on hair static and frizz, constant measurements of air temperature because your hair will need a different temperature to dry in the winter versus the summer, precise airflow speeds to ensure a speedy blow dry without over exposing your hair to heat and damaging it, along with specific heat settings (not just the standard, high, medium and low) because not all hair has the same density, and the material the dryer is made of also makes an impact on your hair health as well. A sleek and non-bulky design is also something to be considered because who wants to spend 10 minutes holding a heavy or bulky blow dryer? No one. With all of these factors to consider, I’m going to save you the trouble of digging through google and doing the research yourself. I have compiled a list of my FAVORITE blow dryers to use and a breakdown of why they are so good.
Hot Tools: Blow Dryers from Dyson
The Dyson blow dryers are my absolute favorite and for good reason, they’re the BEST. I’m not kidding, it’s ranked as the no. 1 hair dryer brand of 2021. There are a few different models that I use between my salon for work and my home for personal use. Throughout all of their blow dryers, Dyson uses advanced heat regulating and air temperature measuring technology to keep from exposing your hair to harsh heat, this essentially keeps it from drying out and becoming brittle/damaged due to extreme heat. Their blow dryers also all use negative ions to help reduce static and frizz. The dryers are extremely light weight and compact so it makes it almost effortless to use. Four different heat settings never exceeding 212 degrees, 3 speed controls, and an option for a constant cold shot to set your hair.
The Dyson Airwrap, this is the one I personally use at home and absolutely love it. The Airwrap comes with the option for a round volumizing brush head so it mimics that of a stylist round brushing your hair as you blow dry, except it’s all in one and you get MEGA volume and shine using it. The base of this dryer is interchangeable so if you want to buy styling heads or a different bristled brush head you can. Major BONUS! It comes with an extremely long cord so you if you’re like me; you can sit in your bed and watch TV while you blow dry your hair. Hah! I love it! The one downside is that it doesn’t come with a diffusing head so it would be strictly for those who are wanting to blow dry their hair straight. Never fear curly friends, I have a recommendation for you as well! It’s the next blow dryer recommendation.
The Dyson Supersonic is the second style I use and recommend from Dyson. It has two models, there is the Professional Edition which is what I use in the salon when I’m working and there’s the regular Supersonic which is what you would use at home. The Supersonic does come with magnetic head attachments so, curly friends, who would need a diffuser can use this dryer. This one also comes with a super long cord, so whether you’re at home or working in-salon it’s got plenty of reach. It has all of the standard blow dryer features I mentioned before and is truly a great blow dryer. I highly recommend either of these for someone who has fine-thin hair. If you really care about your hair and want to keep the integrity of it in-tact, then you need to really think about investing in a good quality blow dryer and good quality hot tools. You have to take care of your hair if you want it to last.
Hot Tools: Blow Dryers from BaByliss PRO
BaByliss PRO is another good brand that I recommend to my clients when they’re searching for a good blow dryer but not wanting to spend a ton of money. This brand has two models in particular that I have loved using; The Nano Titanium and The Ferrari. I’ve used this brand for the last 10 years in my salon before I upgraded to the Dyson dryers. BaByliss uses negative Ion Technology to reduce frizz and static, each blow dryer model has 6 heat and speed settings, a removable rear filter and uses Nano Titanium technology to better utilize heat for faster drying and less exposure to high heat.
BaByliss Nano Titanium : This is going to be your bare-bones basic model, a blow dryer that will take good care of your hair but doesn’t have a ton of bells and whistles. It has a removable stainless steel filter, evenly distributed heat & maintained constant temperature for a fast and effective dry. Long cord and lightweight. This would be a great starter blow dryer for a younger girl that way her hair is protected from a young age or great for someone who doesn’t want to spend a lot but still wants to treat their hair right!
BaByliss Volare V1 Ferrari : The Ferrari is going to be a definite step up from the Titanium dryer, it has all of the basic functions but also has extra features that make the differences worth the investment. What are the differences? The Ferrari has a Nano Titanium infused grille for superior heat distribution, tri-port ionic generator maximizes hair shine & overall health, turbo button for an instant burst of extra powerful air for high speed drying, and a true cold air feature to set your style. Again, both BaByliss dryers are great, it just depends on what you want to spend, either way you will be investing in a great dryer. Bonus is that both come with a 4 year warranty so if anything should happen you can contact the company and get it fixed or replaced.
Now that we’ve talked a good bit about blow dryers and you have an idea of where to look for quality, let’s transition into actual hot tools. I’m going to tell you right now, I have tried many different brands over the years and I know what I like and what I don’t like. What is good quality and what to not waste your money on. If I’m going to buy something I want it to last and I want good quality. Also, I don’t share things with others if I don’t personally use or recommend it. So know that all of these recommendations are from experience, I don’t get paid to tell you about these brands, I just want to.
Curling Irons: First things first, I recommend starting with a 1″ barrel. This barrel size is great for learning to curl your hair and it can be versatile in achieving both a tight curl or a bigger looser curl/wave. For example, if you wanted to achieve a more tight and formal looking curl then go with smaller sections, and for a bigger more loose curl, take a larger section and once the curl has cooled, use a pick or your fingers to gently rake the shape into a more relaxed shape.
Hot Tools: Curling Irons from T3
T3 Curling Irons: Let me first talk about the convertible base they offer. It is a complete game changer. Adding to your hot tool collection has never been easier and as clutter-free. Instead of having a 1″ barrel wand, a separate 2″ curling iron, etc. and all of the extra cords that come along with them; you have one base that attaches to multiple high quality styling heads. You don’t have to buy all of the extra attachments at once, you can order the base and let’s say one styling attachment at first, then come back and order just the attachment as you want! Easy peasy!
T3 Curl ID: A truly personalized curling iron! The reason it’s called Curl ID is due to the actual smart-touch technology it uses to heat up based directly on your specific hair needs. You input your hair dynamics like texture, color, chemical treatments etc and the wand will configure the correct temperature to treat your hair. How crazy cool is that?! It never leaves you wondering how hot you need to set your iron. The only “downside” of this iron, if you can even call it a downside, is that it only comes with a 1 1/4″ barrel and the base is not interchangeable.
Hot Tools: Flat Irons are from Hell…. in my opinion
Flat Irons: I personally hate flat irons and have not found one that I like using. So I cannot give a recommendation on this particular hot tool. I think that people get too addicted to flat hair and they mutilate their hair by overusing flat irons. Shorter hair is a different story, like pixies and short bobs. If you are going for that slick & straight look, my recommendation is to blow dry your hair straight and use a good quality finishing oil. If you have textured hair and don’t want to mess with round brushing or blow drying it straight all the time; you should look into getting a Brazilian Blowout or Smoothing Treatment from a reputable stylist who has experience offering those services. Flat irons have been known to damage both color treated and non-color treated hair by over exposing the hair strands to heat, so no matter if you use a heat protectant or keep your iron on a cooler setting, it’s just not good for the overall health of your hair. Doing an actual smoothing treatment with a trained professional is going to keep your hair healthy and it will look so much better than just flat ironing it, I promise.
L’Oreal has recently come out with a Steam Pod flat iron and other stylers that use steam to style your hair versus pulling your hair through two heated plates. The purpose and idea behind using steam is it’s supposed to help keep moisture in your hair strands as it straightens or styles. I haven’t personally tried this product, however, it does have good reviews and would be a better option for the health of your hair, rather than just using a normal flat iron.
Hot Tools: Wave Wands from L’ange & Bondi Boost
Wave Wands (also known as a Crimper): L’ange and Bondi Boost both have good quality Wave Wands but I like the Bondi Boost best. When you’re considering to purchase a Wave Wand; know that a smaller barrel will make a deeper, more defined crimp and a large barrel will give you morse loose “beachy” waves. A really good tip when using Wave Wands; is to make sure you are rotating the waver right-side-up and then upside down as you move down a section of hair. This will ensure that your hair isn’t going to maintain the same shape and crimp pattern all the way around your head. It’ll add volume and dimension to your hair and make it appear more whimsical rather than patterned.
Hot Tools: Hot Rollers from T3
Hot Rollers: Having not personally used them, I don’t have a recommendation for a Hot Roller set but I know that T3 as a company produces good quality products that will not harm your hair. They do offer a couple different hot roller sets that would be worth the consideration. The sizes and count vary so its easy to customize what you want to buy instead of having to buy a one-size-fits-all set. Here’s the link to check out their options!
Before you go, I have some more free advice to give to you if you care to learn about Tips for using Hot Tools on your hair. It’s important to have the right tools in your bathroom but it is just as important to know what you are doing when you want to use them. If these are tips you already aware of, wonderful, you are that much more prepared and capable to be able to get the best results out of your hair and hot tools possible. If you haven’t heard of these tips before, store them away in your memory bank for the next time you are styling your hair!
Tips for using Hot Tools on your hair:
- Hair health above everything. If you don’t have healthy hair then that needs to be your top priority so you can enjoy the benefits of styling even more!
- Make sure you’re using the correct heat setting for your hair type and thickness. Hotter temps do not mean “better curl” or “better style”, it means damaged hair which will not give you the results you want. Go with a lower temp to start with if you are unsure. The best way to know what temperature you should be styling at is to either; 1. ask your hairstylist 2. go to your web browser and search your specific hot tool and see what manufacture recommendations are for hair types.
- Always always always use a Heat protectant. I have found in my years of experience that when using heat sprays they tend to build up easily on your hair and create a tacky feel. I really prefer using Lanza keratin oil right after washing the hair because it locks in moisture to keep your hair conditioned & it protects. If you have run out of heat protectant, pick a different style for the day and leave the hot tools alone! It’s not worth risking the health of your hair that could take months if not year(s) to repair for wanting it curled, crimped or straightened for a day or two. I do sell the Keratin oil from my website, you can use the link below, we ship directly to your home so it doesn’t matter if you are local or live across the country. There are multiple bottle sizes to choose from so if you’re just wanting to try it out, I recommend going with the 1.7 or 3.4oz option. When you you come back for more (because it is THAT good) you can get the 6.2oz to make sure you don’t run out for a while.
Always remember that shampoo, conditioner, hair product & blow dryer is 90% of your styling. The hot tools are just to give it direction. If you are investing in a good quality blow dryer but using shampoo and conditioner that isn’t nourishing your hair and meeting it’s basic needs, that’s like using an expensive car wax on your vehicle but not properly cleaning your vehicle first. Better results when you start with a good healthy base.
I hope that my honest reviews on these various products help to guide you in the right direction or at least helps you make better educated purchases. If you’ve made it all the way through my blog, Thank you. Thank you so much for taking time to read through what I have to say, the information I have to give, and I hope that it has truly helped you and added value to your knowledge bank. I always want to implement quality over quantity in everything that I do, and I hope that was reflected in this blog.
Until next time friends! Stay sweet and stay blessed!
-Adrianne Argumaniz