We expect two things from any heat tool: One, it needs to do its job without damaging our hair. And two, it needs to be super easy to use. We don’t have time to watch and rewatch tutorials or untangle our hair when it all goes very wrong.
The latest tools to arrive at the Oprah Daily offices check both these boxes, but they also come with such smart design updates that they make us want to fling open our bathroom doors and shout to all who will listen—which is exactly what we’re doing here. From a cordless curling iron you can tote around town (and dial up to 425 degrees) to a blow-dryer that can dry and stretch coils without damaging them, four of the latest hair tools are smart, stylish, and compact time-savers that work for all hair types and textures. Here, details from our staff reviews.
Pattern Blow-Dryer
Designed specifically for curly, coily, and textured hair, this new chic, caramel-colored tool (note that even the cord got the caramel memo) is the latest launch and first heat tool from Tracee Ellis Ross’s haircare brand. Her thoughtful design draws from years of experience “figuring out ways to heat style my hair safely,” the actress and producer says. She also noted all the things that bothered her about blow-dryers, from getting way too hot to having attachments that swiveled or snapped as you used them, to make sure her version solved each.
A professional-grade engine provides quick-drying power with three heat and two speed settings. There’s a cool-shot button and an ion switch (turn it on when you want to smooth strands; keep it off for more volume). The grill at the nozzle is coated in ceramic, which helps to distribute heat evenly. And if you look very closely at the back filter, which you can remove to clean, you’ll see that it has a special pattern (a nice nod to the brand). All these attributes help to dry textured hair quickly and without damage.
But the four included attachments are what set this dryer apart: Ross based the brush attachment on the brand’s popular Shower Brush, which she uses to detangle her wet hair. Now, using this attachment, you can detangle and dry at the same time. The wide-tooth comb attachment further detangles and smoothes the hair, or can be used to perk up a style on day two or three. There’s also a diffuser, which gently cups your curls as ventilated prongs distribute air through them, and a concentrator nozzle that focuses airflow to help smooth strands.
“It usually takes me 30 minutes to blow-dry my hair. I did it in 20 with the new Pattern Blow-Dryer. It’s so easy to switch out the different attachments, and they don’t budge once they’re locked on. The wide-tooth comb attachment is genius and glided through my hair so much easier than the one I usually use. I also like how easy it is to press the cool-shot button with my finger while I’m drying so I can reduce the heat. Plus, because I have very thick hair, I often grab the barrel of the dryer to pull the comb through it—this barrel didn’t feel hot to the touch, so I could hold on to it as much as I wanted.”
—J’nelle Agee, senior producer
Watch J’nelle test out the new Pattern Blow-Dryer:
Harry Josh Pro Tools Cordless Flat Iron
Yes, there are cordless heat tools out there. The common drawback to them has been that they don’t last very long, they don’t get very hot, and they’re sized for dolls. Harry Josh, the celebrity hairstylist who counts supermodels Gisele Bündchen and Cindy Crawford as clients, has cracked the code to this cordless conundrum: He’s developed a powerful rechargeable battery that you can easily pop in and out of his full-size-tool’s handle; this thing has enough juice to keep a flat iron at 425 degrees for 35 minutes (and 15 more if you dial down to 320 degrees). The flat iron itself has top-of-the-line features: nano silver ceramic plates, beveled edges, and universal voltage so you can use it internationally. You can also buy an extra battery and a charging station (which has two docks and is a stylish way to store your tools upright as they charge).
“After the flat iron was fully charged (I highly recommend remembering to charge it before you actually need it; it takes about 90 minutes), I straightened all my very long hair without a hitch. It stayed hot and glided through my strands seamlessly, turning my coarse, kinda-wavy, kinda-not texture to pro-level smoothness. I became so accustomed to whipping this tool around without having to accommodate a big cord that there’s no looking back. And I’ve since taken my straightening sessions on the road, tossing the iron in my tote and pulling it out to smooth a rain-induced frizz halo once I arrive at the office.” —Kate Sandoval Box, beauty director
Harry Josh Pro Tools Cordless Ceramic Styling Iron
Harry Josh Pro Tools Cordless Ceramic Styling Iron
Harry Josh Pro Tools Cordless Curling Wand
Josh’s cordless technology—the same rechargeable battery that offers 40 minutes or so of high heat—fits his new one-inch clamp-less curling iron as well. The ceramic barrel heats up evenly in 90 seconds, and can be dialed up to 425 degrees or down to 320 degrees.
“I generally leave it to the pros to smooth out my thick, curly hair, but what I can do solo is a little touch-up on day three…or four or five—my blowouts are built to last! I love that this iron has a glove to keep me burn-free (I recommend using it if you are new to clamp-less irons), and the fact that it’s cordless is pretty genius. Now I can do my hair anywhere, which is perfect since there isn’t an outlet near my best mirror. I’m also into the different heat settings, as I like to be mindful of my heat use to keep my naturally curly hair intact.”
—Holly Carter, contributing lifestyle editor
Harry Josh Pro Tools Cordless Ceramic Curling Wand
Harry Josh Pro Tools Cordless Ceramic Curling Wand
Bellissima Diffon Supreme Curly Dryer
In our experience, diffuser attachments can be unwieldy beasts that require a fair bit of wrestling to get them onto a regular blow-dryer, only for them to fall off and possibly break when they hit the floor or conk you in the head as you try to move the extra-large tool around. But this new diffuser has the dryer motor built into it, making it lightweight and easy to handle. The large bowl has an argan-oil-infused ceramic coating to help distribute heat evenly, which you can adjust using the temperature settings and cool-air button; it also infuses the air with negative and positive ions to reduce frizz.
“I’ve been on a journey to define my wavy hair for quite some time now. I always air-dry because most hair dryers with diffuser attachments are clunky and heavy, making the process unenjoyable and me sweaty. But this is easy to hold and use without feeling like I’ve signed up for an arm workout, and it made my hair wavier than it’s ever been before. Plus, it actually fits on my bathroom counter without knocking things over.” —Genesis Rivas, beauty editor
Kate Sandoval Box (she/her) is the Beauty Director at Oprah Daily. She has over 18 years of experience at national women’s media brands; and, in fact, started her publishing career at O, The Oprah Magazine. She’s also held beauty editor roles at Shape, Self, Latina, and Cosmopolitan. Kate tests hundreds and hundreds of beauty products that cross her desk each year and interviews many top experts, celebrities, and indie brand founders to bring you the best in beauty. Follow her on Instagram.
