If you want to enjoy the unique beauty that comes from your 4C type of hair, you should be careful about the products you use to maintain and stylize it. Densely packed tight curls and extreme shrinkage are the main characteristics of 4C hair. It is also dry fragile hair that is prone to breakage. 4C hair is believed to be the most challenging hair type as it cannot be managed with the common wash and comb hair routine.
Blow dryers are one of the most important hair styling tools that should be picked carefully to care for 4C hair. Heat can cause damage to hair and may result in breakage, and without proper blowout, it is hard to maintain and give style to your hair. We have made research, read customer reviews, and expert opinions, and come up with these 4 best blow dryers for 4C hair.
Table of Contents
1. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Full-Size Dryer – Best Overall
BabylissPRO is a high performing 2000 watt blow dryer which is good enough heating capability for 4C hair type. It is made from titanium technology, which makes the dryer heat evenly and render better distribution of heat to your hair. It has 6 heat and speed settings that let you adjust the level of heat and speed for best and speedy drying results for dense, coarse, and super frizzy 4C hair. It features two nozzles to control the airflow and leave your hair puff and frizz-free.
BabylissPRO is a professional salon-grade hairdryer, and if budget is not an issue, it is the one you should go for to maintain and stylize 4C hair.
2. Xpoliman Blow Dryer – Best Value for Money
Xpoliman features 2000 watt power, which is a strong enough airflow for blow-drying and styling coarse and thick 4C hair. It is a budget option for above the standard 2000 watt blow dryers. The package includes a diffuser attachment to blow dry curly hair and a concentrator attachment for controlling the airflow and deliver fast styling.
Xpoliman is built with ceramic technology that lets it heat evenly and distribute a uniform amount of heat to your hair. It features 3 heat settings for flexible temperature setting and 2-speed settings which is the standard for most blow dryers.
3. Infinitipro By Conair – Best Budget Option
Infinitypro features 1875 watts maximum power which is the standard for most home blow dryers. It is built with ceramic technology which renders uniform heat distribution to your hair. The device has 3 heat and 2-speed settings which are fair enough options to adjust the temperature and airflow for the style you want to achieve. A diffuser and concentrator attachments are included to control airflow and give you frizz-free straight hair.
What we love about this blow dryer is that it has an Ion Choice feature. Turning it ‘On’ will turn the ions to give your hair smooth and shiny look, and off renders full curls and volume.
4. Remington D3190 Damage Protection Hair Dryer – People Love This One
Remington D3190 is Amazon’s Best Seller for standard 1875 watt home blow dryers. It is built with a ceramic technology that makes it perfect for even distribution of heat to your hair. It has 3 heat and 2-speed settings that let you adjust temperature and airflow to your desired level.
The package includes a concentrator and a diffuser to manage and control airflow. The dryer features a unique damage protection system that you won’t find in most similar models. It protects your hair from damage through transferring micro-conditioners and a coating technology that gives three times more protection than standard blow dryers.
How to Put Your Hands on the Best Blow Dryer for 4c Hair – Buying Guide
Blow dryers are important hair styling tools. Letting your hair dry out by itself will create frizz and unwanted volume. 4c hair is fragile and delicate hair type that requires quality and efficient blow dryer. When choosing a dryer for your type 4 hair, you need to do enough research before putting your hands on one, and there are a couple of things you should keep in mind.
Heat and Speed settings
Quality blow dryers have varied heat and speed settings that let you control the airflow performance and the temperature that will be applied to your hair. It is one important factor you should look for when you purchase a blow dryer. A dryer with only ON/OFF switch doesn’t let you know the heat level, and that could cause serious damage to your hair. Most Quality standard home blow dryers have three heat settings with high, medium, and low heating levels.
Wattage
Standard home dryers have 1875 watt which is considered enough for home use. But some experts recommend 2000 to 2400 watts for good quality drying, and if you are using your dryer frequently. Stylizing 4c hair requires frequent use of a dryer and you might need to go for entry-level professional blow dryers with 2000 to 2400 watts.
Heating Technology
Blow dryers are designed with ceramic or metal heating technologies. Ceramic dryers heat evenly and distribute the heat uniformly to your hair, while with metal dryers; there will be no uniform distribution of heat. To protect your hair from damage and to dry out your entire hair with uniform heat, you should go for ceramic blow dryers.
Lightweight and Compact
When blow-drying your hair at home, you are doing the whole process by yourself, and you will be holding the dryer for half an hour or more. Hence, you need a lightweight and compact dryer that you can carry easily, without hurting your wrist after a few minutes of use.
Attachments
A quality blow dryer should at least have concentrator and diffuser attachments to control airflow and avoid puff and frizz. A concentrator attachment focuses the airflow that comes out of the dryer to a specific section of the hair and helps for targeted drying, while the diffuser is important to eliminate frizz.
How To Blow Dry 4C Hair Step by Step
Learning how to blow dry tightly coiled, full, and thick kinky hair might not be easy. It requires a little bit of practice to master. Here is how you do it step by step.
1. Make sure your hair is freshly Shampooed
Before starting blow drying, your hair should be freshly shampooed and free from any previous product or product residues. Thoroughly detangle your hair with your fingers and a wide-toothed comb while shampooing it.
2. Deep condition your hair
Deep conditioning will give your hair elasticity and make it manageable to blow dry. It also makes it easy to detangle, soft, and moisturized. After shampooing, put your hair into sections and deep condition each section and detangle it with a comb. Rinse out the conditioner with water and your hair is now freshly washed, detangled, soft, and moisturized.
WOW Shampoo & Conditioner Set
WOW is a shampoo and conditioner set. It is Amazon’s best seller loved and top-rated by tens of thousands of customers. The shampoo is a sulfate-free clarifying shampoo formulated from Apple Cider Vinegar which is a powerful formula that clears your scalp from product and dirt build-ups and residues. It restores your hair’s natural glow.
The conditioner is basically formulated from virgin coconut and avocado oil which are considered hair superfood. The formula also includes olive oil, Almond oil, Argan oil, Vitamins E and B5. It is a hydrating conditioner for dry, damaged, or broken hair which leaves your hair soft and moisturized and being able to detangle easily.
WOW Shampoo and conditioner set is suitable for all hair types; however, coarse, dry, and coiled 4c hair will get benefited more as it needs extra moisture, hydration, and relaxation all the time.
3. Air dry for half an hour
Reduce the moisture in your hair letting it air dry for half an hour before starting blow-drying. You can also dry it with a cotton towel. Excess water makes your hair soaking wet and makes the drying process longer. It also requires more heat to dry out.
4. Apply heat protectant
Heat protectant moisturizes your hair and protects it from being damaged by heat. You can also use blow-dry creams that serve a similar purpose. Apply heat protectant or blow-dry creams evenly to your hair.
MIZANI Heat Protecting Serum
MIZANI heat protectant serum is formulated from Shea butter and anti-breakage ceramide. It is specifically formulated for higher texture type 4 hair, to give protection from a blow dryer and flat iron heat damage. It provides smooth blow-dry and makes combing a lot easier.
5. Set heat and speed settings
To prevent heat damage, set heat and speed settings to medium for most of the blow drying process. You can set high heat when drying the tips of your hair.
6. Put your hair into sections and start blow drying
Put your hair into small sections. Hold taught one section at a time and start blow drying at the end and pull it upwards to allow the blow dryer’s heat to penetrate deep into your hair. Spray water when needed to make your hair damp.
Hair Care Routine for 4c Hair Type
Haircare routines vary depending on the type of hair. 4c hair is considered the most difficult hair type as it is coarse, tightly coiled hair that is prone to breakage and damage. With the right hair care routine that your hair requires, you can reveal the unique beauty and gloomier given for it from Mother Nature.
1. Moisturize every other day
4c hair needs extra moisture than other hair types as it is dry in nature. Moisturize your hair with good moisturizing oils formulated from coconut oil, Shea butter, and olive oil. Water should be the main ingredient in your moisturizer oil; otherwise, it won’t moisturize your hair.
Moisturize your hair every other day. Put your hair into five to six sections and apply a generous amount of moisturizing oil. Work it through all over your hair. This will keep your hair healthy, shiny, and strong. It also prevents breakage, hair loss, split ends, and hair damage.
Read more Moisturizing and Sealing Low Porosity Hair – 2 Effective Methods Step By Step
2. Shampoo between 2 to 3 weeks
Keep your scalp clean with sulfate-free shampoos that are rich in organic ingredients. Limit shampooing to twice a month or space out the time of shampooing between 2 to 3 weeks. Washing it often than this will wash away its natural nutrients and oils which might lead to split ends, breakage, and hair damage.
3. Detangle regularly
Regular detangling is important for 4c hair as it is tightly coiled and cause tangles. Detangle regularly and gently with your fingers and wide-toothed comb after spraying water on your hair. Tight-toothed combs are not recommended for 4c type hair as they cause damage and breakage.
4. Steam and deep condition weekly
Hydration routine and regular moisturizing are very important for 4c hair as it dries out quicker than other hair types. Deep condition and steam your hair on a weekly basis to add the extra moisture and hydration it needs. You can also mix up your own DIY hair masks at home to moisturize and hydrate your hair. Avocado, Yogurt, Egg, Coconut and olive oil are great sources of proteins and oils.
5. Protein treatments are important
Protein is a natural element in your hair. The nutrients and oils in our hair contain up to 90% protein. Protein treatments also known as keratin treatments help maintain your hair’s natural balance of protein. They also make your hair soft, healthy, and manageable to maintain and care. Using protein treatments every two to three months is ideal for your hair type. Anything more frequent than that will do the opposite and may cause breakage and damage to your hair.
6. Limit styling
Styling requires heating and applying products; thus, excess styling causes damage to your hair. Try to maintain your styling calendar for a week or two, and focus on hairstyles that last that long.
