have a long time mane with flowing curls is both a blessing and a curse. Some days, you’re the most beautiful girl in the world; others, you look like a drowned rat in a trash can. Not a day goes by that I don’t wish I had a better haircut. I just want to get up and go, or at least spend less than an hour styling it without worrying that it still looks bad when I’m done.
Unfortunately, I cannot rave about a miracle product that made my frizzy hair silky smooth. But this hair dryer accessories bonnet is a life-changing tool that makes the transition from wet to dry curls an easy-to-manage experience. It works similar to the dryers you might put at the hair salon, but it folds up to fit in a drawer, you can move it around while you use it, and it costs less than $20.
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Dried
Photo: Amazon
Like most people with curly hair, I have many styles on my head. The bottom layer is very coarse with tight curls, the top is a bit softer with nice spirals, and the top layer is a tough mess. It is also very thick and curly. After washing and styling my hair, I couldn’t completely dry my hair from the roots in less than an hour and a half, even on the highest heat setting. I hardly ever make it that long. The tops dry quickly, but the roots and middle layer stay wet forever. The end result is also often puffy and frizzy.
Some hair dryers cut my diffusing time, but nothing gives me curls like this simple tool. The bonnet has a long tube that attaches to the hair dryer. Hot air from your dryer travels up the hose and inflates the outer layer, dispersing the air evenly through the ventilation holes throughout the inside of the lid. It dries your entire head at once, greatly cutting down on time. Because the hair is kept closed, you don’t have to worry about your hair flying around causing frizz and puffiness.
Most standard hair dryers should fit the spout and have Velcro straps to tighten, but those with wider mouths, such as Dyson Ultrasound ($430) or Shark HyperAir ($200), will not. If that’s what you have, you can attach the dryer concentrator to it and then attach the hose that way. It may take longer to dry your hair, but you won’t have to buy a whole new appliance.
Amazon is full of options. I went for this $19 from the Tepenar brand, but there are some look the same. I like the shape of it, it lets my long hair fall naturally instead of being curled inwards. I’m going for the lengthening style and don’t want to add volume to my already thick hair. If you have short hair or need something wider rather than longer, yes tons of options sits on top of your head the way a standard sleeping cap does. You can also find them at your local beauty store. If you regularly condition your hair deeply, these also help to warm up the hair so that it penetrates better and hopefully gives better results.
Curly
When I put this hood on, my hair is almost dry after 30 minutes and the roots are completely dry within an hour or so. It’s the medium or low setting, as the top temperature is usually too hot for my scalp. Thinner hair will have faster results.
Me too Love that I don’t need to hold the dryer for that long. Every gym bro who can squeeze 150 pounds should try doing it while standing upright in the bathroom for an hour and staring in the mirror. It’s hard. Now I can plug in the dryer and put on my makeup, or sit at my desk and write. The first part is a bit more difficult, as an elastic band will cover your forehead, but I just left that part for last.
It looks a bit silly when inflated, as it protrudes like an appendage. A colleague commented that I look like a Twi’lek from Star Wars, with only one lek instead of two. The first time I used it, my husband went to the bathroom to show me something but completely forgot what he was doing. Instead, we just stared at each other in silence for a few seconds.
I’m not the first person to spot bonnet attachments, but I’m just a curly-haired girl who’s always about to shave her head for a few seconds out of frustration. But my curls have never looked better, so for now, the trimmers will be in the drawer.
