Buzz
1. BondiBoost Sonic Hair Blow Dryer offers an impressively quiet blow-dry experience without compromising on speed, making it perfect for multitasking — whether you're chatting or catching up on a podcast. (Am I the only one who wishes I could finish Books That Kill while drying my hair?)
I recently tried a blowout with this dryer (FYI, my hair is naturally thick and curly), and I was amazed by how quick *and* quiet the straightening process was!
It includes a diffuser and concentrator and works well for all hair textures, including straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair.
Promising review: "I absolutely adore this dryer! It’s extremely powerful and dries my hair in no time! I love that I can adjust the temperature and airflow! Plus, it’s compact, easy to handle, and I can lock the settings — such a great feature! It also looks great, which is a bonus! 10/10! It’s quieter than my old dryers, not silent, but definitely quieter!" —lulu18276
Purchase it from Sephora for $199.
2. The Revlon hot air brush effortlessly dries and styles your hair, saving you time compared to other methods. Simply rough-dry your hair a bit, then use the dryer brush for a blowout that rivals a professional dry bar experience. Trying to manage a round brush in one hand and a blow dryer in the other is no easy feat.
3. The Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme Diffuser & Curly Hair Dryer might just be the largest at-home diffuser available, perfect for those who love their natural curls but dread the drying process. After all, sometimes you don't have all day for your hair to air dry!
4. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, this blow-dryer diffuser attachment will transform your regular dryer into a tool that delivers perfect curls, thanks to its drying vents and 360-degree airflow that ensures an even distribution. This might just change your perspective on blow drying — or at least, it might convince you to give it another try!
5. An ultra-fine continuous water mister helps refresh your hair in the morning after you've slept on it. Sure, your curls might have some frizz, but that doesn't mean they need a full wash just yet!
6. The Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray significantly reduces your heat-styling time — by up to 50%! It also helps control frizz and shields your hair from the heat. Plus, it's a major hit on TikTok.
7. The OGX Locking + Coconut Curls Air Dry Cream is an affordable and highly popular option for those who love a quick scrunch-and-go styling routine.
8. A pomade hair wax stick offers an easy way to tame flyaways and frizz when you put your hair into a ponytail or bun, buying you an extra day before needing to wash (and blow-dry) your hair.
9. The Dyson Airwrap multistyler has practically achieved legendary status by now. If you've been online since its debut in 2018, you've probably seen countless demonstrations. And for good reason! This multitool really is as amazing as it sounds.
You can read my full review of the Dyson Airwrap's initial model for all the details. Since its release in 2018, the brand has upgraded it with longer attachments, making drying and styling even easier. TL;DR: Once you've practiced a few times, using all the attachments becomes second nature, and it leaves your hair shinier and less dry than traditional heat-drying followed by flat irons or curling irons. Just a heads up, you'll want to rough-dry your hair before using the attachments. Yes, it’s a hefty investment, but if you spend a lot of time heat-styling your hair, it might be worth it for you.
Available at Sephora (one color option) or Dyson (four color choices) for $599
10. Introducing the new Dyson Airstrait — it dries *and* straightens your hair at the same time, WITHOUT using hot plates like a traditional straightener. As you might expect from Dyson’s cutting-edge technology, it relies on airflow to straighten without causing the dryness you’d get from blow-drying and flat-ironing your hair. If you've been blow-drying and then flat-ironing, this will sound like a dream come true.
My colleague Heather Braga has tested it and absolutely loves it:
"I had the chance to try the Dyson Airstrait, and WOW, what an amazing piece of tech. I’m calling it ‘tech’ instead of just a beauty tool because it’s that impressive. I had to select the language for MY STRAIGHTENER on an LCD screen... how wild is that? Anyway, the Airstrait straightens both wet and dry hair without using damaging hot plates. Instead, it uses directional airflow to smooth and straighten your hair, and honestly, the whole process feels almost magical. The only tricky part for me was realizing the copper parts (where the fan is) need to face outward to avoid blowing my hair everywhere. The fan speeds up when you clamp the Airstrait around your hair (HOW DOES IT KNOW?!), and it stops completely when you set it down (as shown in the gif). As a mom with a toddler and limited time, this thing is a lifesaver. I was able to go from wet hair, straight from the shower, to naturally straightened hair in just 10 minutes! This is a total game-changer for me, and I’m definitely adding it to my holiday wish list or, you know, getting it right now."
Available at Sephora for $499.
11. A heatless curling rod headband allows you to wrap your damp hair in it before bed, and when you remove it in the morning, you’ll have bouncy, '90s supermodel curls that look like you just stepped out of a Pepsi commercial!
12. If you're after more curly styling options, these curling rods come highly recommended by users with hair types 3b–4c. For best results, use them on damp hair!
13. This leave-in conditioner designed for both kids and adults with curly hair and sensitive scalps provides remarkable results. Its formula, packed with vitamin B5, jojoba oil, keratin, and more, hydrates and detangles, making it perfect for use on damp hair or to refresh dry curls.
14. JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Cream defines and enhances curls. But don’t just take my word for it—many reviewers with fine hair have praised it for giving them exactly what they’ve been searching for! Plus, it shields your hair from UV damage.
JVN is a hair care brand by Jonathan Van Ness (yes, the star from Queer Eye and other delightful ventures online!), dedicated to bringing change to the beauty world and honoring the individuality of each person’s beauty. Cheers to that!
Highly recommended review: "My wavy, slightly graying hair feels softer, less frizzy, and not weighed down. Perfect for my low-maintenance air-dry routine. Also, I love the packaging." —megawf
Available at Sephora or JVN for $26 (vegan, cruelty-free, and recyclable packaging).
15. John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Air Dry Waves Styling Foam is a convenient, low-effort choice for those who have a preference for certain textures in their hair products.
16. COLAB Overnight Renew Dry Shampoo works its magic while you sleep, refreshing your greasy roots. This heavier-duty dry shampoo absorbs overnight, leaving you with an easier, fresher morning routine.
This dry shampoo works way harder than regular formulas. When you spray it on, it might look super white (don’t panic like I did!), but you just rub it in like any other dry shampoo before heading to bed. Waking up with fresh, grease-free roots really helps me get a head start, especially since I only wash my hair once a week. This product is so effective that it's best to use it before sleeping. If you're interested, their regular dry shampoos are great too!
Get it from Walmart for $8.48+ (available in four scents).
17. DevaCurl Dry No-Poo Moisturizing Dry Shampoo lets you focus on either your roots or mid-lengths to ends since your roots often need a little more attention. This way, you can freshen up without drying out the rest of your hair too much.
18. For my final dry shampoo recommendation: I Dew Care "Tap Secret" Mattifying Powder Shampoo tackles greasy roots without the use of an aerosol formula. I’ve been taking this on flights where I only carry on, and this little puff works wonders. On a recent trip to New Orleans, I used it to keep my blowout intact, and it kept my roots matte all day! It’s the real deal.
Customer Review: "I was in search of a dry shampoo that was convenient for travel, and this one worked perfectly. I had no issues passing it through TSA, and it was so easy to use on the go. You simply tap the puff on your scalp, then rub the powder in. I have dark hair, so dry shampoo is often visible, but I didn't have any more trouble than usual with blending this powder in. It did a fantastic job of absorbing the oil and adding volume to my hair. Though the price feels a bit steep for the amount, it has lasted longer than I expected. I'd certainly recommend it and buy again." —Teresa
Get two from Amazon for $25.60.
19. Mane Club 10-in-1 spray is applied to damp hair, covering almost every styling need for blowouts—except for the final hairspray touch. It provides a sleek, smooth blowout without cluttering your bathroom with multiple products.
20. Redken Quick Blowout Heat Protection Spray is an absolute lifesaver when your usual drying routine can't seem to give your hair that smooth, glossy finish it once had.
21. A set of six scarf scrunchies makes it easy to style your hair with one quick move while adding a chic touch—perfect for those times when you're too busy to remember when you last washed it. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed. Skip the wash and blow dry whenever you can!
22. A kitten ear headband keeps your beauty products, like cleanser and clay masks, from reaching your hairline, saving you time when you need to wash and style your hair.
23. Bread Beauty Supply Hair Mask Creamy Deep Conditioner is made with super-fruit oils (and *no* silicone) to provide lightweight hydration for 3a–4c hair, leaving your curls and coils feeling soft. Reviewers say it's great whether they blow dry or not. Who doesn't love a product that gives you options?
Bread Beauty Supply, a Black woman-owned business founded by Maeva Heim in 2020, offers products like this silicone-free conditioner. My colleague Kayla Boyd loves using it, especially for air drying (as seen in this beautiful review pic!). Here's what she had to say:
"I've recently started using Bread products and love how lightweight and easy they are to use. My hair is mixed texture and often dry from frequent dyeing. After using this deep conditioner, my hair felt so much softer. Plus, the smell is AMAZING. Definitely one of my favorite wash day products."
Promising review: "I’ve never had a better conditioner. It leaves my hair silky smooth whether I blow-dry or air-dry. I don't usually leave reviews, but I love it that much... TRY IT! LOVE!!!" —BrandyM2020
Get it from Bread Beauty Supply or Sephora for $28.
24. Kitsch Microfiber Hair Towel quickly absorbs water while you go about your day, reducing dampness in record time so you don’t have to spend extra time blow-drying. Trust me, I own three. Plus, it makes air drying much faster!
25. A Kitsch hybrid scrunchie towel helps speed up hair drying for those who can't bear the thought of balancing a wet towel or turban on their head. With this option, you can even leave the house with wet hair and still look put together.
26. Kitsch Spiral Hair Ties hold your hair back without creating the unwanted dents that typically require more frequent washing, unlike traditional elastic bands.
27. Curls Blueberry Bliss Control Jelly, enriched with organic blueberry extract and raw castor oil, is formulated for 2a–4c hair types, perfect for wash and gos, twist outs, braid outs, and roller sets. It offers numerous gorgeous styling options that don't require a blow-dryer.
28. Bomba Curls Dominican Forbidden Volumizer Oil works wonders for embracing your natural texture while moisturizing and leaving your hair with the most delightful scent. Just a little goes a long way, which is why it's my go-to vacation product when I want to skip blow-drying. Pictured here, I was in Iceland during a February trip, letting the little bit of my hair visible under my winter hat shine in its natural texture.
Bomba Curls is a business owned by a woman of color, founded by Lulu Cordero, and draws inspiration from her Afro-Dominicana heritage. The products are designed to naturally promote growth and retain length for curly-haired individuals. This special formula is enriched with pure coffee seed and castor oil to nourish your hair and scalp, while enhancing hair growth and providing a glossy finish to your strands.
Here I am, simply *existing* amidst the icy beauty of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland. When I was outdoors, I wore a bucket hat with my hood pulled over it to keep warm in the chilling temperatures. The wind was no joke either! Knowing I would need extra moisture for my skin and hair, I turned to Bomba Curls hair oil. I used it as a leave-in treatment and styling product on damp hair, allowing my natural curls to shine through. It was a brilliant decision, as it helped my curls form beautifully and provided much-needed moisture after the drying effects of the Blue Lagoon. (I had to wash my hair FOUR TIMES after that, thanks to the minerals in the water.) This oil is also a must-pack for humid, hot destinations when I choose to rock my natural curls.
Find it at Target for $21.99.
