Dyson hairdryer review

I tried the Dyson hairdryer so you don’t have to

Is the Dyson hairdryer worth the money, or nah? Read my Dyson hairdryer review to find out…

dyson hairdryer review

I’ve always been what my mum fondly – at least I think it’s “fondly”- refers to as “an ad-man’s dream,” because I only have to see something on TV once, and I will want to buy it.

Actually, I’m SO suggestible in this respect that Terry’s now taken to watching TV shows on a slight delay, so he can forward-wind the ad breaks, and hopefully minimise my exposure to them. All THAT does, though, is forces me to talk really, really fast, like, “IwantthatIwantthatIwantthatIwantthat!” It’s a very hard life he has, seriously.

Naturally then, as soon as I saw the advert for the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, I wanted it: mostly because it looked amazing, I’m not gonna lie, but also because I absolutely HATE blow-drying my hair. Hate it. So much so that I’ve recently broken the daily-washing habit of a lifetime, and have started skipping a couple of shampoos every week, purely because I just can’t be bothered with the blow-drying afterwards. Now, I realise this is a very first-world kind of problem to have, obviously, so it’s not like I cry into my coffee over it every morning, but seriously, I HATE blow-drying my ginger hair. It just seems to take such a long time, and lately my natural red hair has been incredibly tangly, too, which means I have to stop every few minutes to attack it with the Tangle Teaser and try to get all of the knots out. And I need both hands to do it, too, so I can’t even waste time on Instagram while I’m drying it: THE HUMANITY.

So, I wanted a Dyson hairdryer, but I knew there was absolutely no chance in hell of me getting one, for the simple reason that these bad boys cost £300 each, and even I can see that £300 is a lot of money for a hairdryer. Luckily, though, my friend Lindsay recently got one as a gift, and very kindly offered to let me borrow it: purely for the purposes of writing this Dyson hairdryer review, you understand. Not remotely so I could decide whether or not to buy one for myself: nuh-uh. She even packaged it up all nicely in the box it came in:

Dyson hairdryer - unboxing

First impressions? LOVE it. It’s pink, it’s as light as a feather, it comes with no less than three different attachments … and OK, two of them look pretty similar to my un-educated eye (I know most of my readers already know this, but for those of you just joining us, I am Not A Hair Person. I know absolutely nothing about red hair other than that it grows out of my head, so if you’re hoping for expert commentary here, I’m afraid that, “It’s pink!” is probably as technical as this review is going to get, unfortunately…), and one of them is a diffuser, which I’ve never really understood, but still: it might be expensive, but at least it LOOKS it, right?

Dyson supersonic hair dryer

Dyson hair dryer with diffuser attachment

Dyson hairdryer review:

The thing I liked most about this hairdryer was the magnetic attachments. You know how with regular blow dryers you have to kind of click/screw the various different attachments into place? You know how sometimes that can be a bit of a pain, and the stupid thing won’t click in, and you just KNOW it’s going to fall off and hit you on the head at some point? Yeah, you don’t have any of that here, because as soon as you get the nozzle a few centimetres away from the unit, it just effortlessly snaps into place, like magic. Or like magnets, rather. I might have done this a few times in a row, just because I found it strangely satisfying. Look, I have to take my thrills wherever I can find them these days, OK?

Now, I usually dry my hair without using any attachments at all (Because I’m not much use with styling, I use a hairdryer to rough-dry my auburn hair, and then switch to my Babyliss Big Hair or a curling iron to style it), so I tried that first, and HOLY CRAP, people, it was like a tornado blew through my bedroom and left me with a tumbleweed on top of my head. Basically, without the attachment, this dryer will blow you hair in every single direction at once, and it will dry pretty fast, but it will dry it in knots. KNOTS. So DON’T DO THAT if you have long hair: this is NOT like a regular hairdryer, and, because the motor is so powerful, you have to be quite careful about where you’re pointing it, or you’ll end up with tangles. Or, at least, I did, although, having said that, Not a Hair Person, remember? Look! Lights!

Dyson hairdryer review

Dyson hairdryer review, continued…

Another thing I really liked about this is the LED lights on the display at the back. The two buttons control speed and temperature, and, as you can see, I just have both rammed up to max, because I just don’t know any other way, really.

For my second attempt at drying my hair, then, I attached one of the two nozzles (One is for smoothing and one is for styling, apparently, but please don’t ask me to tell you which is which…), and off I went. This time, I’m pleased to report, there were no knots in my hair: in fact, I didn’t even have to stop halfway-through drying for my usual untangling session, so I’d say that it definitely gave me a smoother blow-dry than I’m used to. What’s more, it was also a much more comfortable blow-dry, in the sense that the dryer is so light that it’s really, really easy to use: I’ve honestly never thought of my current hairdryer as being particularly heavy, but it felt like a brick when I switched back to it after a few days with the Dyson, so I noticed a big difference there. As for the speed and sound, however, I’m unconvinced. I didn’t actually time myself blow-drying my hair, but it didn’t feel any quicker to me, and although it’s certainly quieter than a regular hairdryer, it’s still pretty noisy – like, I wouldn’t use it in the room if Terry was still sleeping, for instance. (Or not unless he was really annoying me, anyway…)

As for my hair, meanwhile, well, as I said, I did feel it was smoother than usual when I used this, and, something I hadn’t really anticipated, it somehow looked thicker to me, too. Now, I’ve tried pretty much everything in a bid to give my poker-straight hair some volume, and absolutely nothing has worked. This, however, did: I normally start off drying my hair by just tipping my head upside down and blasting the roots, and when I did that, I noticed much more volume, so make of that what you will.

Overall, then, I loved using this, and did feel it was a step ahead of any other hairdryer I’ve ever used. Would I pay £300 for one, though? Er, no. Because, although it did make a difference to my hair, it wasn’t £300 worth of difference, if that makes sense? For that price, I’d literally want to look like I was starring in a shampoo ad: as it was, I just looked the same way I always do, only with slightly more volume to my hair. I can’t justify dropping that much money for that kind of difference, unfortunately, but…

I still want it.

Funny how that works, isn’t it?

(Did I mention it also comes in a pink box, for a little extra cash?)

Related: Babyliss Curl Secret

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books by Amber Eve
COMMENTS
  • Ha, I know what you mean when you can’t justify spending so much money on something, but you still want it. Every girl’s dilemma. But yeah, even though I’ve heard great things about the Dyson Hairdryer… I just can’t part with my money!

    Charmaine Ng
    Architecture & Lifestyle Blog

    March 15, 2017
  • Lol! I actually have it, got it as a Christmas present. I agree it’s a *bit* different bit not £300

    March 15, 2017
  • Joey Newsome

    REPLY

    I did buy the dryer on the day it was launched and my god… I’d never go back! Every other hairdryer makes the air wet and hot, whereas Dyson’s is a dry heat. It’s not faster but it’s much more comfortable. My hair also dries straighter, sleeker and softer. Recommend!

    March 15, 2017
  • OMG I want it too! And I laughed at your comment about skipping a couple of shampoos a week because of how much you hate drying your hair – for the first time in my life, I’ve been doing the exact same thing the past few months. Anything that makes the process even a tiny bit more enjoyable then yeah, gimme. I am currently viewing the Dyson as my last option before I chop my hair off because it’s driving me crazy how long it takes to dry and it’s only guaranteed a long life until the wedding (er, weirdly, one of the reasons I’ve had long hair for most of my adult life is because I wanted long hair if I ever got married – don’t judge me). After that, it better make itself more agreeable!!

    March 15, 2017
    • Jessica Lee

      REPLY

      AH! I chopped my hair and got that supposed-to-be-stylish Kate Beckinsale look in the latest Underworld movie just after the wedding. Can’t stand the heat and the time it takes to dry, too. Unfortunately, alongside with not having that chic accent that Kate Beckinsale has, neither have I the look to pull the lob XD

      March 15, 2017
  • Haha I’m EXACTLY the same with adverts!! We very rarely watch live TV nowadays, half because everything we want to watch is ALWAYS on at the same time as everything else we want to watch, half because…I buy everything. We watched something live the other day and I “virtually” ended up changing banks 3 times, buying a new mattress, new sofa, various foodstuffs and cars – ads are dangerous things for people like us!
    I’m also the same with hair – I can grow it and I can brush it, and that’s about it. However yesterday I did a hair tutorial because I discovered something I can do XD
    This hairdryer has always looked SO pretty to me though and super fun too – I love the idea of the magic magnets and how lightweight it is…tempted!!

    March 15, 2017
  • Erin

    REPLY

    My mom and I were in NYC around Xmas and met a couple from Scotland in the luggage line at the hotel. We talked about their time in the US and they were shocked by the “medical commercials and food commercials.” Obviously, being from here I’m used to it, but it is horrifying that every other commercial is trying to convince you to use prescription medication that 90% of people don’t need and to eat Taco Bell at 11AM. I hate commercials as well, mostly because they make me hungry and I too will fall victim to the “I definitely need that thing I had no idea existed 30 seconds ago.”

    March 15, 2017
  • Rachael Dickinson

    REPLY

    I want one too!!

    Rachael xox
    http://gatsbyandglamour.blogspot.com

    March 15, 2017
  • Ooh I’ve been intrigued by product this for a while. The price tag is definitely an issue but the design is super appealing. I’m currently sat in bed with wet hair post-shower and also detest drying my hair. Anything that makes this fairly laborious task quicker may just be worth spending on!

    March 15, 2017
  • I want it too, even though I know it’s not worth the money. But, pink!
    We need to start some kind of Dyson Hairdryers Anonymous. I will start us off… My name is Nicola, and I want a dyson hairdryer even though it’s a rip off.

    March 15, 2017
  • My extreme hate for drying my hair has lead to my dependence on dry shampoo. If I leave it to dry itself, it takes all day (but with amazing waves) or if I blow dry it, it takes ages and looks frizzy :'(

    March 15, 2017
  • Chiarina

    REPLY

    I have been wanting this hairdryer since it was launched… and I can well imagine it being better but not THAT much better than a regular hairdryer. Thanks for confirming that… Even though I too still want it. Sigh. I’ll join Nicola’s Dyson Hairdryers Anonymous.
    Hi, my name is Chiarina and I too want a dyson hairdryer even though I can’t imagine it’s actually worth that money…

    March 16, 2017
  • Myra

    REPLY

    I’m also an ad man’s dream – have to have whatever they are advertising, although that has been tempered the last couple of years due to impecuniary reasons, which is reason enough for me not to buy the hairdryer, never mind the fact the my hair is two inches long and dries in ten minutes itself. I bought the first ever Dyson vacuum and am still using it, as well as the heater/cooler. But never again – Dyson has moved its production to Malaysia!
    One product I think is ridiculous is the spray before you poo in public places – I would have to be very ill to do this anyway.

    March 16, 2017
  • Natalie

    REPLY

    Cool! I’m not a hair person, either. As a matter of fact, I just let my hair air dry. I have no styling ability whatsoever.

    March 16, 2017
  • Tina

    REPLY

    In my opinion its no where near worth £299.00 at all .. Ok its light its quieter than most but the finishing that you’re meant to get just doesnt happen .. Its just another hyped up trendy got to have product that doesnt do exactly what it says on the box .. The short holding area means your hand covers the air vent so you have to hold it higher & listen to the noise if your hand blocks it .. All in all looks wise its a 9 for me I guess but for performance & value for money a little 3 … Thats even after using it after my Brazilian straightening treatment !

    March 16, 2017
  • Sharon

    REPLY

    I keep pointing this dryer out to my boyfriend every time we’re in Boots. I want it but am I heck buying it myself. On a volumising point, I changed last week to Aveda volume shampoo and conditioner as well as changing to their heat protector and I can’t tell you the difference it’s made to my hair. Granted my style is a short bob but the hair is fine and although there’s lots of it, it never seems full. Now I don’t need to use a dry shampoo, or similar, to give my hair a boost once it’s styled and the condition has vastly improved. It was a bit dry before with colouring and heat and I’m so impressed.

    March 16, 2017
  • Brenda

    REPLY

    Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post! I have been wanting to try this hairdryer but I am waiting until the price comes down (like that’s ever going to happen!!) . The last time I bought a hairdryer, we were on holidays and the VRBO that we stayed in did NOT have a hairdryer! So frustrating! I ended up paying waaaay too much for a Chi brand hairdryer, but I really needed it for the holiday and I thought that it was a “salon professional” brand so it would last forever… sadly not so. The diffuser is so difficult to get on and off that the nozzle (plastic) has cracked and I am sure it will fall off at any moment. This hairdryer hasn’t performed any better, in fact has lasted less longer than any cheap drugstore brand hairdryer I have ever purchased. So now I am leery. Very leery of spending lots of cash on a hairdryer that may not last very long…. HOWEVER!… I have two Dyson vacuums that I absolutely LOVE! They are well made and they have lasted a long time. They are maintenance free and suck better than any other vacuum I have ever used… money well spent, in my opinion!

    Which brings me to my question: While the Dyson is “Light as a Feather”, does it feel substantial enough that it will last for a long time? Does it feel like it has been constructed out of quality materials? The magnetized attachments excite me — you won’t have to wrestle the thing down to get its parts on and off.

    I wouldn’t mind shelling out the cash if it is the last hairdryer that I will ever have to buy…. but I thought that about the last one I bought and I barely got two years out of it!!!

    March 16, 2017
  • Amber, sometimes I feel like you’re living my life. I’ve became really quite lax with my hair recently and ceased the habit of a lifetime of washing it every day and it really is down to how much I HATE blow drying my hair (I convince myself I’m doing it for the ‘health’ of my hair and laying off the heat styling but it’s all lies!)

    I have been looking at buying this hairdryer but also cannot justify the amount of money it currently costs, though when and if I do buy it, selfish as this sounds, I’m glad I read your post to see any potential mistake I could make with the hurricane setting it appears to have. I have a high tolerance for pain however for me the worst kind of pain is brushing tugs and teasing knots from my hair!

    Hannah x

    March 16, 2017
  • Just came across your blog and this post did make me laugh! I agree hair is not my thing either – and for £300 I’m not worth it!

    March 30, 2017
  • As a girl with curly hair, I’ll tell you- the diffuser is your best friend! It’s made for curly hair, helping to define and add volume to your curls. I didn’t know what a diffuser was until another curly-headed friend introduced me to it a few years back. Game changer. Needless to say, I’ve been dying to use the Dyson hairdryer and their diffuser.

    August 24, 2017
  • My stylist used this on me recently when I had my hair cut and I loved it! I’m with you though, I don’t know if I could justify spending £300 on it!!!
    Chantelle x
    The Girl In The Tartan Scarf

    September 17, 2017
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