Hi All,
I posted on AIBU about buying a Dyson Supersonic. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2649882-aibu-to-pre-order-a-new-dyson-hairdryer
Upshot is I ordered one and it came today. Following requests on that thread I said I would post a review here, specifically how it performed vs my current Parlux (which I really rate).
So here we go......
As background I have long (bra strap length), highlighted hair. The strands are fine, but there is a lot of them so I would class my hair as thick, but not coarse. It has a tendency to dryness from being colour treated and is also wavy - but not attractively so, rather if left to dry naturally it just looks frizzy and unkempt.
I start by towel drying my hair, applying Ojon Hair Oil and then use my Parlux, without the nozzle to get it to about 90% dry before styling. This takes around 5 minutes. I then attach the nozzle and use a round brush to style and straighten. When in a rush this takes about 10 minutes, but if I'm aiming for a "great hair day" or a special occasion I spend about 15 minutes. So on an average day I'd say drying time is 15 mins in total.
This is what attempted to replicate - in the interests of a direct comparison, with the Dyson today.
So, first impressions. It looks fantastic. The dryer itself and accessories (2 nozzles, a diffuser and mat) feel and look very high quality. The dryer itself is much lighter than my Parlux - which with a 15 min drying time is a big plus. The nozzles attached by magnets, which I was a bit sceptical about - but they are very secure.
So I started by using the dryer to get to my 90% stage without any attachments as per a direct comparison with my Parlux. Goodness me - it is powerful. Shockingly so - but in a good way. I then used the smoothing nozzle to style. It's also very, quiet - I'd say over half the noise of my Parlux - you can easily have a normal conversation whilst using it.
I started at 2.06 and I kid you not, by 2.14 I was done. It had got my hair to the 90% dry stage in 3 minutes and my styling took 5.
My hair looks great - as smooth as if I had tried a "great hair day" with my Parlux in half the time. The fact that its lighter also made the whole process a lot easier on my arms.
To be honest even though I ordered one I wasn't sure if I believe the hype - especially when up against a Parlux rather than a regular hair dryer - but I can say, on my hair type a least it delivers!!!
So here's the big question - is it better then my Parlux? I can say categorically yes (again caveating my hair type and the fact I didn't use the diffuser or the Styling concentrator nozzle).
However is it 3 times as good as my Parlux? To be honest, here I am faltering a bit. It is without a doubt the best hairdryer I have used, but at more than 3 time the price is it really worth it? I think it going to depend on how much reducing your drying time is worth to you.
I do love it and if you have the cash to splash then I would recommend it - but in all honesty I would probably still have to concede that in terms of value for money the Parlux still wins, even if the Dyson is the better dryer.