Guides & advice
All guides and advice
How-tos, explainers, fixes and comparisons, newest first.
- Why a hair dryer has no earth wireWhy hair dryers do not need an earth wire: double insulation, the square-in-a-square symbol, and the 13 A fuse in a UK 3-pin plug and when it matters.Guide
- What is an ionic hair dryer and how does it work?Ionic hair dryers explained without the hype: what negative ions do, what makers claim, whether they are worth it and which premium dryers include an ion generator.Guide
- Using a UK hair dryer abroad: voltage, plugs and adaptersUsing a UK hair dryer abroad: 230 V in Europe, around 120 V in the US, plug adapters versus voltage converters, and how to check if a dryer is dual voltage.Guide
- Can you take a hair dryer on a plane?Can you take a hair dryer or styler on a plane from the UK? Hand luggage and hold rules for corded dryers, cordless stylers and gas tongs, and what to check first.Guide
- Shark FlexStyle vs SpeedStyleShark FlexStyle vs SpeedStyle Pro compared from the listings: curlers and twist hinge against a lighter dryer with Scalp Shield mode and auto-adjust tools.Comparison
- Shark FlexStyle vs FlexFusionShark FlexStyle vs FlexFusion: what the FlexFusion's heated ceramic straightening tool adds, and whether the original FlexStyle still covers your needs.Comparison
- Shark FlexStyle troubleshooting: lights, cutting out and attachmentsShark FlexStyle not working right? What the lights usually mean, why it pauses mid-style, and how to fix attachments that will not click into place.Fix
- Laifen vs Dyson SupersonicLaifen Swift Special vs Dyson Supersonic compared from the listings: 110,000 RPM motors, weight, attachments, heat control and warranty terms.Comparison
- Is the Shark FlexStyle worth it?Is the Shark FlexStyle worth buying? What it does well, where it trails the Dyson Airwrap and which FlexStyle bundle suits your hair type and length.Guide
- Is the Dyson Supersonic worth it?Is the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer worth the money? The motor, weight balance, heat control and attachments weighed against cheaper brushless dryers.Guide
- Is the Dyson Airwrap worth it?Is the Dyson Airwrap worth the money? Who gets the most from it, the learning curve, why it costs so much and how it compares with a dryer and curling wand.Guide
- Ionic vs ceramic hair dryers: what the labels meanIonic, ceramic and infrared hair dryer labels explained in plain English, what makers claim for each, and which premium dryers use which technology.Comparison
- How to use the Shark FlexStyleHow to use the Shark FlexStyle step by step: switching between dryer and wand mode, the Auto-Wrap curlers, the oval and paddle brushes, and short hair tips.How-to
- How to use a Dyson Airwrap: a beginner's guideHow to use a Dyson Airwrap step by step: prep and pre-dry, section sizes, curl direction, the cold shot and how to use each barrel and brush attachment.How-to
- How to use a hot air brush for a salon-style blow-dryHow to use a hot air brush: whether to rough-dry first, section by section technique, root volume and tips for short hair, with safety basics.How-to
- How to use a hair dryer diffuser on curly hairHow to use a hair dryer diffuser: pixie diffusing, hover drying and the low speed, low heat settings that keep curl clumps intact and cut frizz.How-to
- How to clean the Shark FlexStyle filterHow to clean the Shark FlexStyle filter: twisting off the rear filter cap, brushing out lint, how often to clean it and what to do if it still pauses.How-to
- How to clean a Dyson Supersonic filterHow to clean a Dyson Supersonic filter: removing the filter cage, clearing the mesh, and why a clogged filter makes the dryer get hot and cut out.How-to
- How to clean the Dyson Airwrap filterHow to clean the Dyson Airwrap filter: removing the filter cage, using the cleaning brush, what the filter warning light means and when to replace parts.How-to
- How to choose a hair dryer: watts, motor, weight and attachmentsHow to choose a hair dryer: a checklist of the specs that matter on a premium dryer, from motor and weight to attachments, plus the marketing terms to skip.How-to
- How to blow-dry your hair at homeHow to blow-dry your hair: towel-dry, rough-dry, then section and smooth with a concentrator. Settings and nozzle angles, plus Dyson Supersonic tips.How-to
- How much electricity does a hair dryer use?Work out how much electricity your hair dryer uses in kWh from its watts and minutes of use, with worked examples and a calculator for your own unit rate.Guide
- How long does a hair dryer last?How long a hair dryer lasts depends on the motor, use and care. Brushed versus brushless motors, warranties from major brands and habits that shorten life.Guide
- How does the Dyson Airwrap work? The Coanda effect explainedHow the Dyson Airwrap curls hair with air: the Coanda effect, the fast digital motor, the 150°C temperature limit and what each attachment does.Guide
- Hot air brush vs straighteners: which is better for youHot air brush or straighteners? Compare finish, time, wet or dry use and heat, and find out when a multi-styler can replace your straighteners.Comparison
- Hair dryer wattage explained: does more watts mean faster drying?What hair dryer watts actually measure, why a 1,600 W digital motor can outdry a 2,400 W AC dryer, and the wattage of Dyson, Shark and ghd dryers and stylers.Guide
- Why your hair dryer trips the electricsHair dryer tripping the RCD or breaker? Learn the difference, the amps a 2000 W dryer draws on 230 V, the extension lead trap and when to call an electrician.Fix
- Hair dryer stopped working: what to checkHair dryer suddenly dead or blowing cold? Check the socket, plug fuse, cable strain, thermal cut-out and lint build-up in this order before you replace it.Fix
- Hair dryer heat and speed settings explainedWhat each heat and speed setting on a hair dryer is for, how the cold shot button works and how digital dryers control temperature to limit heat exposure.Guide
- Hair dryer attachments explained: concentrators, diffusers and smoothing nozzlesWhat concentrators, diffusers, smoothing nozzles and brush attachments do to airflow, and which attachments come in the box with premium hair dryers.Guide
- ghd hair dryer nozzle keeps falling offWhy a ghd hair dryer nozzle detaches, how to seat it properly, how to clean the contact area and when it makes sense to order a replacement nozzle from ghd.Fix
- Dyson Supersonic vs Supersonic rDyson Supersonic vs Supersonic r compared from the listings: 1,600 W ring design against the 1,700 W bent r, attachments and who each suits best.Comparison
- Dyson Supersonic vs Supersonic NuralDyson Supersonic vs Supersonic Nural compared: same 1,600 W motor format, plus scalp protect mode, attachment learning and pause detect on the Nural.Comparison
- Dyson hair dryer not turning onDyson hair dryer dead? Check the socket, the 13 A plug fuse and the filter, then try the reset steps in your manual before you contact Dyson support.Fix
- Why your Dyson hair dryer keeps cutting outA Dyson hair dryer that keeps turning off is usually protecting itself from heat. Here is how to clear the filter, check the cable and know when to call Dyson.Fix
- Dyson Airwrap vs Supersonic: styler or dryer?Dyson Airwrap vs Supersonic: a 1,300 W multi-styler that curls with air against a 1,600 W dryer built for fast drying. Which one fits your routine?Comparison
- Dyson Airwrap vs Shark FlexStyleDyson Airwrap i.d. vs Shark FlexStyle compared from the listings: attachments, weight, wattage, the twist hinge and which one suits your hair routine.Comparison
- Dyson Airwrap vs AirstraitDyson Airwrap vs Airstrait explained: a curling and smoothing multi-styler against an airflow straightener that dries and straightens wet hair at once.Comparison
- Dyson Airwrap not working: common faults and fixesDyson Airwrap not working? Checks for flashing lights, no power, cutting out and attachments not wrapping hair, before you make a warranty claim.Fix
- Dyson Airwrap id vs Airwrap Co-anda 2xDyson Airwrap i.d. vs Airwrap Co-anda 2x compared: Gen2 motor, attachments, app features and where the cheaper Airwrap Origin fits in the range.Comparison
- Can you use a Dyson Airwrap on wet or dry hair?How damp hair should be for each Airwrap attachment, why soaking wet hair will not curl, how to refresh curls on dry hair, and the same rules for Shark FlexStyle.Guide