I’ve written guides to almost every hair-care tool out there, from blow-dryers to blow-dryer brushes. And I’ve tested enough of them to know that the right curling iron or straightener can really change your at-home styling game, but they are often investments. As much as I love my Dyson, it’s hard to ignore the fact that it costs the same as a month’s supply of groceries. Which is why it’s wise to splurge when the tools are on sale.
Right now, the best deals are to be found at the biannual Sephora’s Savings Event, which runs until November 11. Depending on your Beauty Insider status, Rouge members get 20 percent off, VIB members earn 15 percent off, and Insider members get 10 percent off with the code SAVINGS. I’ve applied the 15 percent VIB discount to all of the items below. And I’ll be updating this story with new sales as they crop up between now and the holidays. But make sure to sign up for our newsletter to find out about other worthwhile sales.
The cult favorite Airwrap in a special-edition strawberry colorway.
And if you want to save even more money, Shark’s FlexStyle is not a bad dupe for the Airwrap.
If you already have the Supersonic and want to upgrade, Dyson’s Nural hair dryer utilizes sensor technology designed to protect scalp health and reduce heat damage by lowering the temperature and power of the dryer as it gets closer to your hair and scalp.
Our best-in-class blow-dryer brush (plus a dry shampoo, detangler, frizz-control mist, and finishing spray).
A thermal brush is like a cross between a curling iron and a blow-dryer brush. It heats up but is blessedly silent and great for styling dry hair.
And if you want a more affordable option, Amika also makes one.
If you want versatility, this T3 set comes with three barrels — one inch, 1.25 inches, and 1.5 inches — and it has five adjustable heat settings to create lots of different styles on all hair types.
The Cut’s senior shopping editor, Bianca Nieves, uses this interchangeable Dry Bar curling iron to shape her natural texture. It features three different attachments, including a waver for beachy waves, a one-inch barrel for defined waves, and 1.25-inch barrel for curls.
And if you just need a waver, Amika’s gave me just-got-back-from-the-beach hair and was super-easy to use. Just clamp and go.
Instead of the traditional heat and speed settings, T3’s Featherweight StyleMax has settings for hair texture (fine, medium, coarse) as well as styling type (rough dry, smooth, diffuse, volume). The dryer then auto-adjusts the heat and speed settings for you. It has four different attachments in addition to the dryer: a styling concentrator, a drying concentrator, a diffuser, and a smoothing comb.
Or if you’re looking for a travel companion, try my favorite foldable hair dryer. T3’s Afar has dual voltage and clocks in at a little over a pound, so it fits easily in a carry-on.
If you struggle getting through a blowout without arm strain, I suggest buying Bio Ionic’s 10X Ultralight Speed Dryer, which the Cut once dubbed the fastest hair dryer of all. At under one pound, it’s also one of the most lightweight dryers available on the market.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
