The Bellissima Diffon Supreme diffuser hair dryer has £70 off at Boots for Black Friday and it’s beauty writer Eve Rowlands’ go to hairdryer for her curls
Those who have been blessed with textured, wavy or curly hair, whether it’s 2A or 3C, will know all too well the effort it takes to make their locks as presentable as possible in the morning. While some lucky souls can simply let their hair dry naturally, resulting in silky, frizz-free and beautifully curly tresses, many of us need a bit of assistance to achieve such a finish in the shape of a diffuser hairdryer.
With Black Friday here, I’ve stumbled upon a deal that sees my travel-friendly, lightweight and results-backed hairdryer down by £70. Now, I’ve been using the Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme hairdryer for well over a year and as someone with 2A-C curls, and I wouldn’t be without it.
For context, I have a love-hate relationship with my hair. The constant battle between finding time to style it nicely and letting it run wild and free, albeit a tad bird’s nest-like is real. It’s somewhat comforting to know I’m not alone in this, as a study by Bellissima revealed that 52% of curly-haired women fall out of love with their curls due to the upkeep they demand.
My thoughts towards my curls often oscillate between adoration – when they radiate the body, definition and volume akin to Julia Roberts’ mane in Pretty Woman (after using every Only Curls, Curlsmith and Hask product on the market) – and frustration, when they become tangled and knotty or flat and lifeless.
However, splashing out on a decent diffuser hairdryer can be a game-changer in determining how our hair behaves.
Over the years, I’ve tested a variety of diffusers, from BaByliss’ diffuser attachment (which served me well for a decade) to Curlsmith’s DeFrizzon Dryer. And Bellissima’s compact Diffon Supreme, touted as a ‘holy grail for curls’, is a seriously strong contender.
And it’s currently reduced to £79.99 from £149.99 in the Boots Black Friday sales.
Firstly, the design is sleek and surprisingly compact for a diffuser. The handle, unlike any hair-dryer I’ve owned, appears to draw inspiration from the Art Deco era with a ribbed golden coating and doesn’t conform to the typical shape of a hairdryer – it’s more box-like.
It’s lightweight and comfortable to hold with a good grip, eliminating the risk of arm cramps from holding it up and around your head.
The bowl is smaller than some dryers I’ve used too, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a negative feature. With a smaller surface area, it simply means it can concentrate on specific areas more and enhance their curliness, which is a win-win.
The power button is located at the bottom of the device, rather than the side, which is a convenient feature when you’re in the middle of styling. Additionally, there is a cool shot option as well as two speeds and three temperatures.
I must admit that my only gripe with the device is that the cold shot didn’t actually feel that chilly. It was more tepid and left me questioning whether I’d actually switched it on – I had, but it wasn’t ‘cold’ per se.
Regarding the technology and quality of the diffuser-hairdryer hybrid, the website states: “Revolutionary Supreme Curl Flow technology is at the heart of this hybrid hair diffuser. Developed by leading engineers and curl experts, the Diffon Supreme guarantees the perfect combination of airflow and temperatures.”
The manufacturer adds: “The ceramic technology and argan oil keep hair hydrated whilst drying. This allows for delicate drying that keeps curls intact.”
The heat it products is mild in comparison to some brands, whose hairdryers can be blisteringly hot. This meant it was less harmful to my hair, and the warmth was uniformly spread.
I am also consistently amazed by how rapidly it dries my hair – under 20 minutes for my entire head, which is considerably quicker than the 35 plus minutes it typically takes (the joys of thick, curly hair).
As for the results? The diffuser, featuring its 12 lengthy ‘fingers’, did an excellent job of boosting the natural shape and definition of my curls without requiring excessive handling or styling products. Another advantage of the ceramic technology and argan oil was that my curls don’t tend to frizz up, even on days when I don’t use a lot of product. It even helped keep my curls in tact during a trip to Italy this year for a wedding, where the humidity was not my friend and the heat was stifling.
The diffuser is on sale at Bellissima and Boots for the same price of £79.99 reduced from £149.99, making it an absolute treat for those with curly hair who want to maintain bouncy, hydrated, and defined curls all day long.
In other news, Curlsmith’s DeFrizzon Dryer and XXL diffuser is priced at £159 and is ideal for those with long tresses due to its large dish.
