Hair Dryers & Styling Tools: specifications, types

— Hair dryer. Classic hand-held hair dryers are devices that produce an intense air flow (with or without heating). Can be used for both hair drying and styling.

— Hairdryer (wall). Stationary hair dryers are wall-mounted devices that consist of the hair dryer and a wall stand. This design offers convenience, particularly in settings like beauty salons or public pool changing rooms. The stand allows users to keep the hair dryer easily accessible and f...rees up space on countertops or other surfaces. Additionally, the stand can accommodate extra features, such as an electric shaver socket, providing added functionality and practicality.

— Hairdryer-brush. Small appliances with nozzles in the form of round combs-brushes, supplemented with holes for air supply. They have a relatively small power and are used mainly for certain types of styling.

— Styler. Classic stylers, commonly known as straighteners, use heated tongs to straighten hair. However, these stylers are versatile and not limited to straightening alone. They can be equipped with various types of nozzles to achieve specific styling effects, such as hair crimping. Additionally, there are specialized stylers designed for unique purposes, like creating braided hairstyles.

— Multi-styler. Multi-stylers are versatile hairdressing tools used for styling hair and creating a variety of hairstyles. They are composed of a heating base and interchangeable nozzles, each designed for specific hairstyling techniques. The device set may include curling irons of different sizes and shapes, straightening plates, curling nozzles, brushes for adding volume to the roots, and more. Essentially, multi-stylers are an upgraded version of stylers, offering an expanded range of complete nozzles for versatile hairstyling options.

— Curling iron. Hair curlers typically feature a round (cylindrical or conical) heating element onto which the hair is wound during use. Some models come with a clip to secure the hair tightly to the heater, while others may not have this feature. The diameter of the heating elements can vary, offering the flexibility to achieve various styling effects. Additionally, specific curling irons are also available, such as those equipped with a double heater and a clamp for enhanced styling capabilities.

— Automatic curling iron. Automated hair curlers function similarly to regular curling irons but come with a key difference: they automatically wind a strand of hair onto the heating element using a built-in motor and give a signal when the heating is complete. This feature makes them extremely user-friendly, as users don't need to manually wrap their hair around the curling iron or time the heating process. However, these devices tend to be expensive and relatively heavy, making them less convenient for self-use. Moreover, the automation is limited to standard programs and may not be suitable for creating complex or unique hairstyles.

— Brush. Outwardly, such devices most often look like combs, brushes, complemented by built-in heaters. Due to this, when combing, such devices are more effective than conventional brushes without heating, especially with thick “naughty” hair.

—Electric curlers. Curlers are small cylinders used for curling hair. They can be heated for more long-lasting styling. Electric rollers, as the name suggests, use an electric element for heating, typically built into the container where the curlers are stored. It takes approximately 10-20 minutes for them to reach the desired temperature, and the curlers themselves are made of heat-absorbing material that retains warmth for an extended period.

In addition to individual hair styling tools, there are also sets available that include two or three items, such as a "hairdryer + curling iron” combination. These sets consist of separate devices that can be used independently of each other. Purchasing such a kit is often more convenient and cost-effective compared to buying the tools separately. However, it also means relying on the manufacturer's selection of items, whereas individual tools can be chosen according to personal preference and needs.

The type of electric motor installed in the hair dryer.

This parameter is specified if the device does not use a traditional collector (brush) direct current (DC) electric motor, but more advanced motor. The options here might be:

— AC motor. Hair dryers equipped with alternating current (AC) motors use the same type of power found in regular electrical outlets. These AC motors offer several key advantages over their DC counterparts, inclu...ding enhanced reliability, durability, and excellent resistance to high loads. They can operate at full power for extended periods without overheating, often lasting for at least 5 years even under continuous use. Additionally, AC motors provide more even heating and facilitate quick adjustments to temperature settings. As a result, hair dryers with AC motors are essential tools in professional settings such as hairdressers and beauty salons. However, the main drawback of AC motors is their relatively higher cost, making them less practical for occasional home use.

— Brushless motor. A brushless electric motor, which eliminates the need for a traditional commutator and brush contacts, employs a built-in electronic circuit to control the current in the motor windings. Despite being more expensive than conventional brushed motors, they offer several advantages. These motors allow for more precise and wider range adjustments of engine speed and airflow, resulting in higher efficiency and better overall performance for the same power consumption. Moreover, the absence of moving brush components enhances their durability, leading to significantly longer service lives compared to both AC and traditional brushed motors. However, due to their higher cost, brushless models are not widely used even in the professional industry.

The ability to fold the handle of the device, making it more compact.

Almost all models with this function are hair dryers (see "Device"), for other devices it is irrelevant. In hair dryers, the handle is initially located at an angle to the body, which makes the device rather bulky and inconvenient when storing or packing with other things. When folded, the handle rotates around the attachment point and is pressed close to the body. This simplifies storage and transport anyway, but...the folding handle can be especially useful when traveling when the hair dryer has to be stowed along with other luggage. However such handles also have a disadvantage — they are less durable and reliable than solid ones, and with frequent use, the folding mechanism becomes loose.

Curling irons (see "Type") that do not have a hair clamp.

When using these devices, users need to manually hold their hair, which can add some complexity to the process. However, this manual control offers additional functionalities not available in models with a clamp. Moreover, most flat irons with this feature come with cone nozzles, which further enhances the range of creative styling techniques possible. It is ad...visable for professional stylists and experienced users with good hairstyling skills to consider such models, as they offer greater versatility and creative options.

The rated power of the device, in fact, is the power consumed by it when operating at maximum intensity.

The power of a hair dryer, particularly for hair dryers, is a crucial factor that determines the maximum intensity of the airflow and heating capabilities. When selecting a hair dryer based on this parameter, it's essential to consider the intended usage of the device. Models with a power below 1000 W may not be sufficient for proper hair drying, especially for long hair, and are m...ore suitable for styling purposes. Some of these models, particularly inexpensive ones, can provide high heat with low airflow, requiring careful use. For versatile and effective use, both at home and in professional settings, it's recommended to choose a hair dryer with at least 1800 W, preferably 2000 W and higher. Higher power allows for intense airflow, effective hair drying even at lower temperatures, and provides a wide range of temperature and speed settings. Models with intermediate power levels, ranging from 1000 to 1800 W, are more suitable for travel and on-the-go use.

For curling irons, electric curlers, and similar devices, the heating intensity and speed depend directly on the power. The manufacturer carefully selects the heater's power to achieve specific performance characteristics, such as temperature and heating intensity. When choosing such devices, it's essential to focus on practical indicators and compare different models based on power, especially if specific characteristics are not clearly stated, as seen in some inexpensive curling irons with basic functionality. In these cases, users should consider the weaker and more delicate their hair, the lower the temperature and less intense the heating should be. If unsure, it's safer to opt for a less powerful device, as it may take more time to curl hair, but it significantly reduces the risk of damaging the hair.

— Joint. In models with joint adjustment of power and “degree” of air flow, the parameters change at the touch of a button. Hair dryers usually have several fixed values of blowing intensity and air temperature.

— Separate. Separate heat and temperature controls give you more freedom of choice when using your hair dryer and styler. The parameters of the flow force and temperature for hair dryers with separate adjustm...ents change separately, which allows you to count on the optimal values of power and “degree” of blowing to avoid overdrying your hair.