Vidal Sassoon Infra Radiance Hot Air Styler

When I was a teenager I loved a beauty gadget, and, in particular, anything that would aid with the removal of the curls from my hair. A big ask, yes, but crimpers, rollers, tongs, etc, all had varying degrees of success, so I had them all.

Later in life, when curls were more acceptable (and GHDs were invented for when they weren’t), I wasn’t as taken with hair tools. I have, however, in the last few years, tired out a variety in the name of beauty journalism.

The latest to land on my desk was the Vidal Sassoon Infra Radiance Hot Air Styler, a sort of brush+dyer all-in-one. I’m aware these aren’t a new invention, and there are more than a  few on the market already,  but I admit this was the first one I had ever tried.

So, the idea with this tool is that you can dry and style your hair at the same time. Even those with the most hard to manage hair can use this, Vidal Sassoon say. It certainly intrigued me, as I use a ceramic barrel brush to dry my hair. This would effectively see me just use one tool, instead of two, therefore just using one hand.

Featuring the latest Infra Radiance and Tourmaline Ionic Technology, the Infra Radiance Hot Air Styler combines gentle infrared heat with the standard air flow through the 38mm Thermal Brush. This unique technology apparently helps to deliver more even heat, to smooth the hair cuticle and preserve its natural moisture, resulting in reduced frizz and soft, radiant results.

The infrared light emits microns at high frequencies, entering the hair shaft at deeper levels and helping to heat the hair through more evenly for kinder drying and styling.

So, does it?

I have to say that I am in two minds about this tool. It is easy to use, I will give them that. It didn’t take too long, until I got to the back of my head, and then I just wanted to blast my hair dry, and then style it after with my brush as I normally do. My hair felt quite soft after using this, and it doesn’t really get tangled up in your hair, like I thought it might. If it does, it has a big red button that you press that is supposed to release the hair from the brush. I wasn’t sure if this was working when I tried it, but I never had to pull my hair from it.

I guess the speed with which it dried my hair was the biggest plus for me, and it’s a hair tool – what’s not to love about finding something new to play with your hair with!?

I would suggest that you blast your hair a little bit before you use this, then section your hair off to make it easier, just as you would section when you blow dry with a brush and dryer.

It’s been out since September, and is a great gift for any hair fan, or beauty gadget fan you know this Christmas.

Vidal Sassoon Infra Radiance Hot Air Styler, £34.99, boots.com