How does one review a hairdryer? I had to think a minute beyond the obvious. So I set out some pretty simple criteria. Comparing it to my $9.99 Revlon bare-bones hair dryer from Walmart is my strategy.
There's two things I figured needed to be addressed:
1. Is there any discernible difference between my $10 hair dryer and this $50 one?
2. Is the difference (if any) justify the additional expense, especially in this economy?
To preface my review, note that I have average hair in average condition, with no curls and no extra time for primping.
Here's the results, and the reasons behind the 5 star rating I gave this Frieda hair dryer:
1. Looks: the Frieda dryer looks like a BMW, silver with a blue/purple trim and is slick and aerodynamic. Feels solid but not too heavy. My cheapie feels cheap, is overly light plastic. But what do looks matter beyond performance?
2. Performance: I don't know the volts of the Revlon dryer, and didn't realize how awful it was until I compared. The cheapie sounds like a high pitched "tin" whine and didn't feel all that powerful. The Frieda has obviously more power, but is not as noisy. Still loud, but more of a hum than a whine. The barrel is longer on the Frieda but that doesn't seem to matter. The Frieda came with three attachments: a diffuser for scrunching or curls, and two sort of "aiming" attachments to shoot directly at a portion of hair.
The Frieda also has a cool shot setting that my cheapie lacks, and I used it to lock in volume that really made a difference. With the cool shot and a shot of hair spray immediately before I released the hair spray, the curl stayed well enough I didn't need my curling iron. And three hours later the curl was still there.
There are three heat settings (only two on my cheapie) which was nice because I could dry my little boy's hair with LOW and he didn't get annoyed.
3. Timing: The Frieda dried my hair faster than my old dryer by far.
4. Hair: I don't know what the ions mean in the Frieda, but my hair was fluffier and softer. Strangely so. Enough so that someone even commented on it, thinking I had a new haircut. Very full and natural, and with the cold shots to the roots it looked like I had more hair than I do.
5. Misc: I think it's odd that the Frieda doesn't have a retractable cord. When I bought my last hair dryer, almost all the models for sale across varying price ranges all had a retractable cord. This doesn't, and maybe it's not a big deal (possibly just something to break). But it does have a neat little strap that allows you to tie up the cord when not in use.
It comes with a little metal key chain/fob thing that says "Frieda". Do they seriously think I want a key chain to remind me of my hair dryer? Also, the instructions state that I'm free to use any hair products I wish for cleaning and styling my hair (I assume as opposed to Frieda products only). Really? For real? I didn't need to be told that...duh.
6. Wish list: Given all the bells and whistles on this model, a carrying case would have been cool. Sure, few hair dryers come with one, but for $50, a case for travel would have really clinched the sale if I were purchasing.
So, the results: Is it worth $50? Yes, I believe it is. It exceeded my expectations, but if I went back in time to when I purchased my Revlon cheapie, I couldn't have afforded it so wouldn't have bought it, even with the 5star rating. So if you can afford it, great...you won't be disappointed. IF food on the table is an issue, go cheap. Also, after doing some research online, there are many Ion dryers that are MUCH more expensive than this, so if that's what you are looking for, I think this would please you at a savings.
I hope you find this review helpful!
The John Frieda JF1 Full Volume Hair Dryer is one heck of a hair dryer. It is both powerful and hot and helps to take a few minutes out your morning routine. While it has many of the same features and attachments of other hair dryers it does offer salon style performance.
Notes-
Heats up very quickly
Long cord probably 8-10 feet which allows you a little freedom from your outlet
3 speeds and three heat settings
The back screen lifts up so that you can clean the dryer motor
It is a bit heavy, which is the reason for removing one star
Nice look to the dryer it certainly does not look or feel cheap
Three attachments including a diffuser and two concentrators
1875 watts (watch to make sure you do not trip your circuit breaker)
Final Verdict This is a well-built machine that will likely last you for many years. What some of the features are quite common this is still a hair dryer that should be seriously considered by anyone looking to make a purchase.
4 1/2 Stars
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This is my first review, I'm usually too lazy to leave one. This hairdryer, however, deserves a good review and it should be more well known.
My hair is relatively thin, fine, and very stubborn to dry. If I'm sitting and do not brush my hair at all when it's wet, it would probably stay that way for an hour or more(two if my hair is long), and it would still 'feel' wet. It's very annoying when I just want to shower before work in the morning and not leave the house with wet hair, so I was on the lookout for a good dryer that dries fast. The cheap 9.99 one I got at Target that lasted 4 years finally died, but it worked well. I thought any hairdryer would be better than that one because it was cheap. After trying many highly rated hairdryers on Amazon, that was sadly not the case.
I finally tried this one, already disheartened when I ordered it and not expecting a lot because of the previously mentioned highly rated hairdryers. However, this one is amazing. The cool, warm, and hot settings are just that, and the low fan isn't too low(I only dry my hair on low because I don't want to damage it). I hated those other dryers because the low was too low and the high was way too high. This one is like the Goldilocks of hairdyers. The 'low' fan is a bit stronger than you would find on most hairdryers, but personally I find this to be a pro rather than a con.
I don't have to turn the temp up high in order to dry my hair quickly; the low and cool-medium setting is enough for me. I dry my hair in about 5 minutes, versus 15-20 with other hairdryers, and with much less damage. Also, for those who use this, the cold shot button feels like AC.
The design isn't too great, the buttons are exactly where you grasp the handle. That doesn't bother me too much, but it's something to note. I don't find this heavy as other reviewers have mentioned, I think it's just a matter of preference.
The hair dryer is very professional looking(to me, at least), the other ones I've tried look kind of tacky. That's not the most important aspect of a hair dryer of course, but I could see a guy with longer hair owning this and it not being something they'd feel like they have to hide in the back of a shelf somewhere.
I actually haven't tried the attachments so this might not be a helpful review in that case, but I was really impressed with just how fast and well this can dry my hair without making it look like straw. This blow dryer actually makes my hair look nice, and is the only one that will allow me to dry-and-go, no fiddling around with a straightener or hair product necessary. My hair has honestly never looked better, which is amazing since my hair breaks like mad when exposed to heat, normally.
For being a hairdryer that actually dries hair fast without killing it at the same time, this deserves 5 stars. :)
UPDATE: No offense, but I think the people complaining about the buttons aren't giving this a fair chance. I got used to it after a few uses and haven't accidentally hit a button since. So for those who are reluctant to buy this because of the bad reviews due to the buttons, they really aren't bad. I've had hair dryers with worse button placements. It's also not heavy, and this is coming from a 5"2(will not mention weight but under 120) girl who is terribly out of shape. Just being honest; it's really not heavy.
UPDATE 12/20/12: Still going on strong for 9 months now(*4/14/13, still good). Have not hit the buttons accidentally in months. I suppose maybe if you find this heavy you have to grip the handle more? Fair enough, but still not heavy to me at all. Confused by all these reviews saying otherwise. I have a desk job, get tired walking up and down stairs; I'm not a strong person. I never air dry my hair anymore, but when I recently went to get my hair cut, the stylist commented on how nice and healthy my hair was :) That's it, still highly recommend this!
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I finally replaced my old hand-me-down Conair dryer with this John Frieda dryer, and it has been like night and day!
The significant differences are:
faster drying I am pretty busy so I often find myself needing dry hair ASAP (to pick my kid up, to head outside, etc.). I haven't timed how long it takes to dry my past-shoulder length hair, but it is definitely under 5 minutes, and fast enough for me to do what I need to do.
leaves my hair in better condition I always winced at using my old hairdryer because I knew I was damaging my hair in the process. I've had chronic dry hair issues and my old dryer left my hair flying every which way. I used to dry my hair only partially to lessen the damage. This dryer hasn't erased my dry hair issues completely but my hair is noticeably softer and I don't worry the way I used to about using it on my hair.
leaves my hair better looking This was the biggest surprise of all. I have had such problems with my hair that I had simply resigned myself to the fact that my hair is hard-to-control. My hair is past shoulder length as mentioned, and layered. With my old dryer I absolutely needed to style my hair if I wanted to look presentable. I've spent so much money over the years trying out different brushes, rollers, etc. I could never simply wash, dry and go because with my old dryer my layers always ended up sticking out rather than curving in, and my hair would not hold any style without significant work. I was honestly shocked the first time I used the John Frieda dryer my hair fell into a very flattering shape after 2-3 minutes of drying. I don't use a brush, don't use any of the attachments, nothing. I just dry about 90% of the way and my hair looks great. It's too bad that a month before I found this I'd already invested in a set of steam rollers. Now I won't be needing any of those tools.
The noise level is normal for a hairdryer. I would not say it is quiet but it is not annoyingly loud. It is also quite manageable and easy to hold. I'm petite (small wrist) and I was afraid this would be a bit unwieldy, but it is lightweight enough to use without feeling at all flimpsy or cheap.
The only fault I have found so far is the positioning of the buttons, right where my hand holds the dryer. For this reason I keep accidentally switching the air from hot to cold without wanting to. But it's a minor point given all the other advantages.
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I really like this hair dryer! I have long, fine hair that tangles easily so I use the low setting. The high heat really isnt that hot but seems to dry my hair quickly. The size and weight feels good in my hand. I love the cold shot! this is the first dryer that I have owned where cold shot means cold and not just air temp. It sets my steam rollers in a second which again saves me time!
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Loved this product, though I didn't buy on Amazon. I have thick, super curly hair (picture Alicia Keys or Tia/Tamara Mowry twins) and I typically only have my hairstylist straighten/blow out my hair because it would always take me forever. I would spend more than an hour with a blow dryer and then more than an hour with the flat iron only to have mediocre results. Since I put the Easy Straight in my hair it takes me about 10 minutes to blow dry my hair and maybe 10-15 minutes to flat iron. What a life saver!!! My only complaint is that it usually only lasts in my hair about 2 months before the new growth drives me crazy....not the products fault.
