Boujee Blow Dryer review: we test the high-tech infrared dryer

If you're looking for a hair dryer for damaged hair, this Boujee Blow Dryer review will be of interest. Over the years I've learned that there's no magical tool or product that will erase damaged hair. My years of hot tool use have taken my once-bouncy curls and turned them into a dry, frizzy mess. What's more, despite promising claims, no one product or tool has been able to mend my split ends back together or target dryness at the root. 

So you can imagine my excitement when the Boujee Blow Dryer – a.k.a. one of the best hair dryers for expert styling at home – fell into my lap. At $159, it's not the most expensive dryer I've owned, but I still tend to hold products with a triple-digit price tag at a higher standard than more affordable dryers. And this one doesn't come without its perks – the Boujee is uniquely designed with infrared technology, which is meant to impart shine, reduce frizz, and significantly speed up drying time.

If you're curious about how the hair dryer fared with my dry, brittle, damaged locks, this Boujee Blow Dryer review reveals all about how it works.

• Boujee Beauty Boujee Blow Dryer for $159 at Boujee Beauty 

Our beauty writer's Boujee Blow Dryer review

Boujee Blow Dryer design

At first glance, this tool looks like your traditional bulky blow dryer, but if you take a closer look you'll notice that the barrel is narrower than most. I like to think of it as a modern take on a standard blow dryer – it's sleeker than what you'd find in the drugstore aisles, but not as luxurious-feeling as ultra-pricy options by CHI or T3. It's wrapped in black and features pops of rose gold accents – a romantic, welcome addition to my all-white vanity. I also like that all of the controls are black, including the cold shot button (which is often bright blue on more affordable models.)

This dryer is unique because it features infrared technology to provide hair with gentle heat. This dries hair from the inside out, versus just the outside of the hair, which can lead to frizz. I was able to see this in motion during testing. By heating from inside the hair cuticle, the Boujee minimized the risk of hot spots and burns on my hair as it offered more even heat distribution. I appreciated this because I'm already working with damaged hair, and it's reassuring to know my hair won't accumulate as much heat damage because it won't need to be exposed to heat for as long. This means it would also make one of the best hair dryers for fine hair that's particularly fragile, or weakened from coloring. 

You'll be able to see the infrared light at work with this dryer – its bright hue turns on once you select your heat and speed settings, and gets brighter as you go hotter and faster. As far as functions, the top three buttons represent the two heat settings (low and high) and the bottom three are for speed (low, medium, and high). The cool shot button is at the top. The dryer also comes with basic attachments – two concentrator nozzles for expert smoothing.

How does the Boujee Blow Dryer perform?

I have thick, coarse, curly hair that's quite frizzy, so it typically takes me a while to dry my hair. I'm really impressed with how quickly this took my sopping wet hair to completely dry – so much so that I don't feel the need to section off my hair, which helps save me time in creating a bouncy blow dry. What's more, this dryer produces charged negative ions – this is important because it helps keep the hair shaft closed for a sleeker, shinier, smoother finish. I definitely noticed this in my hair, even on my dry, string-like ends (though I still felt the need to use a styling product designed to control frizzy hair afterward near my roots).

This dryer is delightfully powerful. At 2200 watts, it packs a way bigger punch than a lot of hair dryers I've tried, making it a great alternative to the bi-weekly blowouts I'm accustomed to. The strong output of air is worth noting, and I like that the heat is actually true to its respective settings. Low provides a comfortable heat and the high is hot but not to the point where it burns my scalp. 

I usually like to do round brush curls when I'm smoothing out my hair, but I always expect them to fall flat after I sleep on them. This is one of the few dryers I've used that actually sustained my style up until I washed it – very impressive as my hair type usually doesn't hold curl well at all. This dryer isn't super loud and there's no screeching sound either, which makes it a great option for low-noise situations. As far as the attachments, they're easy to pop on and off, as is the back plate for cleaning.

What's not good about the Boujee Blow Dryer?

There's not much I don't like about this dryer, but there are a few things I would have liked to see. For one, a grip on the outside part of the handle would be nice, given its weight. The dryer is only 1.5 pounds, but the weight feels unevenly distributed, almost like there's more weight at the top, which makes holding it for long periods of time (read: when I'm blowing my hair out smooth) difficult. 

Also, the dryer wouldn't be my first choice for vacations – the mouth of the barrel gets pretty hot, which makes me nervous to throw back into my suitcase when I'm done using it. For that reason, it probably wouldn't make one of the best travel hair dryers.

Boujee Blow Dryer review: w&h verdict

If you're trying to be more mindful of how much heat hits your hair, this dryer is a good option. Thanks to its infrared technology, it certainly lives up to the claim of quicker drying time, which helps reduce heat exposure. This would be a great option for those who don't have much time to get ready in the morning, as well as for those who have chemically-treated or damaged hair. The infrared light is a cool touch that doesn't hurt to look at, either.

While I wish the dryer were more lightweight and travel-friendly, I like that the barrel is not too bulky (It'll fit into circular holders nicely, which can offer up more counter space) I also find that the price is fair given how powerful it is and how long-lasting of a style it offers.

All in all, this dryer performs well above my expectations. I like how sturdy and well-constructed it feels, along with the rose gold accents thrown in. Try this out if you, like me, are wanting to give your hair a break from hot tools (or somewhat of a break, at least)

• Boujee Blow Dryer for $159 at Boujee Beauty