In a world full of $600 hair tools (hi, Dyson Airwrap), $1,200 exercise bikes, and $8,000 handbags, how do we know what’s a money grab and which are truly worth the investment? With so many choices, discerning what’s worth the splurge can be challenging. But at The Everygirl, our editors are all about saving money (saving for the next trip, anyone?), so when we decide to make a big purchase, it better live up to its price tag. After much consideration, we’re confident about one thing: the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is absolutely worth the investment.

Why are we so sure? After testing the Dyson Supersonic for over a year, we’ve come to appreciate its impressive performance, and how it works for a variety of hair types. Whether you’re wondering how it compares to other high-end tools or if it’s the best hair dryer for frizz control, we’ve got you covered. From the Dyson hair dryer’s performance versus regular dryers to understanding if it’s really worth the buzz, we’re breaking down everything you need to know.

In this review, we’ll also share how to make the most of your Dyson hair dryer—whether you have fine, straight hair or thick, curly locks—based on the experiences of two of our editors, each with very different hair types. If you’re still debating whether the Dyson Supersonic is right for you, keep reading to see why we believe this high-end hair dryer truly stands out in a market flooded with options—and why it may just be the best investment for achieving salon-quality hair at home.

About the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

Consider this the hair dryer of the future. The Dyson Supersonic claims to increase smoothness and shine while decreasing frizz and nix your drying time and all the breakage you might associate with blow drying. The Dyson V9 motor uses their patented Air Multiplier technology, which produces lots of air at a controlled rate to dry your hair faster. On the damage front, the Dyson dryer actually measures the heat coming out of the dryer 40 times a second to regulate and control how hot the tool gets to prevent the damage we’ve come to expect with hot tools. Less damage makes the hair shinier and smoother—when you use the tool and over time. And if you’re worried about frizz, don’t be: The dryer uses negative ions to reduce static in the air and keep your hair smooth all day long. 

The Dyson Supersonic has three speeds (low, medium, high) and four temperature settings, including a cold shot. It also comes with three attachments: a diffuser and two nozzles (one for smoothing and one for concentrating air flow, great for blowouts and styling bangs). Dyson also launched three additional attachments since the Supersonic was released, including the Flyaway Attachment (for smoothing down flyaways), the Wide Tooth Comb Attachment (for stretching curly and coily hair), and the Gentle Air Attachment (for diffusing and controlling the heat to protect fine hair types). 

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The design is very sleek. For something with so much innovative tech, you’d expect a clunky, heavy tool that hurts to hold up for more than a few minutes—but not the Dyson Supersonic. Compared to other hair dryers, this is actually much lighter to hold, and the design is easy to maneuver around your head. The motor at the center of the device is smaller and brushless, unlike typical hair dryers, which makes it much quieter and lighter to hold. If you’re used to considering your daily blow dry an arm workout, you might have to rethink your workout routine with this. Dyson designed the dryer as an homage to their bestselling fans, hence the hole at the center that makes its design so iconic.

While you’re holding the tool, you don’t have to worry that your hand will get hot holding it or touching the attachments, which are magnetic and easy to slip on and off when you’re styling. 

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer for Thin Hair

Beth: About My Hair

My fine, thin, straight hair pretty much always looks lifeless. Without any oomph, my hair sticks flat against my head, making it look even thinner than it actually is. I haven’t bleached my hair in a year (woo!), so my hair is pretty much entirely my natural color (plus a little dimension at the ends from past highlighting). But I’m not without troubles, as without any color, my hair is extremely oily. I can go just one day in between washes, and that second-day hair looks bad. So I’m washing my hair a lot more than I ever have, and I’m doing everything I can to keep the ends moisturized and healthy.

I have a medium-length bob haircut that just brushes my shoulders and curtain bangs that are in desperate need of a trim. I’ve had curtain bangs for two years now, and I can’t imagine myself ever having a different haircut. But obviously, curtain bangs require quite a bit of styling, so I have to make sure to blow dry them in place every single day.

Beth: My Review of The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

Yes, I am a beauty editor, but I sat on trying this dryer for a long time. Based on everything you read above about my hair, I just never felt like this dryer would be worth it. My hair dries quickly (both with nothing and with a hair dryer), and I don’t have much of it. My dryer that’s a solid $200 cheaper than the Dyson will suffice—or so I thought.

The first thing I noticed about the Dyson was that it comes with everything. My other hair dryer came with just the hair dryer, so if I wanted any accessories (diffuser, concentrator, brushes, etc.), I had to order them separately, which added up.

It’s important that I style my curtain bangs every day or they’d just fall flat and straight. I use one of the concentrator nozzles (it doesn’t matter which; I’ve had the same experience using both) and the round brush that comes with the dryer to blow them out and give them lots of volume and shape. I suck with round brushes and otherwise have used the Revlon One-Step Volumizer to do my bangs since I got them because I can’t figure out how to hold a brush and a dryer at the same time, but somehow, the Dyson makes it really easy. I caught on quickly and have used this method to do my bangs for months without fail.

Beth: Results

And next thing I knew, I had become a simp for all things Dyson. While other hair dryers can definitely dry my hair quickly, the Dyson is in a league of its own. The first time I used it, I timed my drying time on my phone. The result? 1:40:11. Less than two minutes to dry my whole head. Yes, my hair is short and fine, but it takes more time to make a cup of instant coffee. That alone immediately made the Dyson worth the cash to me. I am often running late, but I never worry if I have enough time to blow dry now. I always have two minutes.

Whenever I use blow dryers, my hair feels fried. No matter what I do, my ends get crunchy and my hair looks frizzy. With this dryer, I almost forgot to even say this because it has completed transformed how my hair feels after blow drying. I used to dread blow drying my hair, and if I wanted my hair to look good, I’d bake in extra time to air dry. Now? I look forward to blow drying my hair because I know it’ll always look and feel healthy and smooth.

But far and wide, what made this hair dryer worth it for me is how much volume it added to my hair. Like I’ve said, I have fine, thin, straight hair—what on Earth do I need a splurgey hair dryer for? I’ve discovered that on my hair type, the Dyson Supersonic is a dream for creating lots of big volume (and I mean big). I use the round brush that comes with the dryer (which is perfect for curtain bangs, I must add) and one of the concentrator nozzles to style my bangs and add a little volume to my roots. Otherwise, I rough dry without any attachments, and my hair always looks like I just stepped off a movie set.

Beth: Is the Dyson Hair Dryer Worth It for Thin Hair?

A resounding yes, yes, yes. I never imagined a $400 hunk of plastic would have such a hold on me, but I don’t care. Since I got my Dyson hair dryer, I offloaded my old dryers to my mom and friends because I refuse to use anything else. My hair has never been better, and while good health, no bleach, and lots of Olaplex are what I have to thank for my hair’s health, the Dyson is what’s making it look good.

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer for Curly Hair

Garri: About My Hair

Let me take you back about 10 years. I was 18, just starting college, and deciding who I wanted to be for the rest of my life (I can’t be alone in thinking that college was going to be the start of a whole new me). Part of that decision-making process was finally figuring out what exactly I was going to do with my hair.

My hair is very curly—a mixture of 3b and 3c curls—and I spent most of my puberty years straightening it by any means necessary. At 18, I decided enough was enough and set out to finally learn a thing or two about caring for my curls. Fast forward to now, and I’ve got my hair care down to a science. I know exactly what products to use, how to style it, how to sleep with it (I could write an entire book about sleeping with curly hair), and how to keep it healthy. The result? I have extremely long (don’t let that shrinkage fool you), healthy curls. There’s only one aspect of my hair that I could do without: the insanely long drying process. That’s where the Dyson hair dryer comes in.

Garri: The Dyson Supersonic Performance vs Regular Dryers

I spent years using whatever cheap blow dryer and diffuser attachment Ulta had available, and they were always just fine. They weren’t amazing, but they did dry my hair (even if it took over an hour) just fine. When the Dyson hair dryer came out, I knew I had to get it—I just couldn’t stomach the price. So instead of just biting the bullet and buying the hair dryer every YouTuber and their mother seemed to use, I struggled with my cheap option and, more often than not, just opted for air drying to save my arms from the pain that came with holding a diffuser to my head for hours each week.

When I finally purchased the Dyson, I was immediately blown away (LOL). It’s sleek, lightweight compared to the behemoths I used to use, and so easy to navigate. Of all the hair dryers I’ve used, the Dyson is truly unmatched. The heat controls are the most precise I’ve ever seen and the technology ensures that even on a higher heat setting, I’m not doing too much damage to my hair. With the Dyson, I actually look forward to this part of my routine rather than dread and avoid it altogether.

Garri: Is the Dyson Hair Dryer Worth It for Curly Hair?

The only regret I have with the Dyson is that I didn’t buy it sooner. Yes, it’s an investment, but it’s made my hair routine so much easier. What used to be an hour or more of drying with other dryers is only about 30 minutes with the Dyson. The time-saving aspect alone makes it so worth it. But a major part of my journey to healthy hair has also been avoiding heat damage as much as possible. With the Dyson, I know I’m protecting my hair from damage while still getting it dry in a flash. There’s no longer the need to sacrifice my hair health for the sake of not walking around with wet hair all day, and I love that for me.

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MEET THE AUTHOR

Garri Chaverst, Senior Managing Editor

As Senior Managing Editor of The Everygirl, Garri oversees the pitching, planning, and creation of all content. You might also find her name pop up as a contributor throughout the site, though she mostly works behind the scenes. Though comfortable writing a story on any topic at the drop of a hat, Garri shines in the pop culture sphere. If you’re looking for in-depth coverage of entertainment properties or book recommendations, she’s your girl.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Beth Gillette, Former Editor

Beth Gillette is a former editor at The Everygirl, where she specialized in beauty content and covered the latest trends in sex and relationships. Beth spent four years as part of The Everygirl’s editorial staff and is currently a beauty editor at Cosmopolitan.

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You already know that music can be good for your mental health: some songs transport you to a fond memory and create a sense of nostalgia, ballads are ideal for letting the tears flow, and some lyrics make you feel seen or understood. But according to music psychologist David M. Greenberg‘s collaboration with Spotify, certain jams are also scientifically proven to help you wake up in a better mood and sustain more energy throughout the day. Greenberg created the “perfect morning playlist” to give you a little extra (friendly) nudge to get out of bed and take on the day—no coffee, cold shower, or jarring alarm clock necessary. So, does the playlist really work? Keep reading to find out. Plus, the best songs to wake up to. Your mornings just got a little bit brighter.

Elements of an Ideal Wakeup Song:

According to Greenberg, there are three key characteristics to score the title of a perfect wake-up song:

1. It builds slowly

Typical alarm clocks (think: an old-school beeping or most alarms on the iPhone) jolt you awake, increasing your cortisol, which can impact stress throughout the day. Instead, songs that start mellow, build gradually, and feel pleasant and engaging help ease you into waking up naturally for a steady and calm wake-up instead of a cortisol-inducing one. What’s more, a study in Music Perception showed that music with a gradual tempo increase can enhance arousal levels and improve mood—all things that can help you wake up with more energy and a steadier mood. “Slowly increasing arousal makes it easier to transition from sleep to an alert state,” said Laura Devis, a researcher at MassiveMusic by Songtradr.

2. It has a strong tempo

Devis explained that the tempo of a song is key to its energizing effect on the brain, with the sweet spot falling between 100 and 130 beats per minute (Fun fact: Many songwriters consider 120 BPM to be the perfect tempo for crafting a hit—see Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Adele’s Rumour Has It). “Tempo perception engages both the brain’s auditory and motor planning systems, which helps regulate movement and alertness,” Devis said. “Listening to uptempo music, even passively (like when you’re still feeling groggy after just waking up), helps facilitate a smoother transition from sleep to wakefulness by stimulating key brain regions responsible for alertness and arousal.” Put simply, music with a strong beat can prepare your body to move and get out of bed.

Kristie Tse, a psychotherapist and founder of Uncover Mental Health Counseling, agreed: “An ideal wakeup song ignites energy and motivation, with a lively tempo that engages the senses. A song with a lively tempo and a strong beat on beats two and four can be particularly effective in waking you up because it naturally aligns with your heartbeat, creating an invigorating rhythm.” When a song synchronizes with the body’s natural rhythm, it compels you to move—quite literally out of bed.

3. The lyrics send a positive message

Along with tempo, Devis conveyed that the mood of the song has a big influence. “A good mood and positive messaging cause the brain to release more dopamine, a hormone that is associated with wakefulness,” she said. “When we’re in a good mood, we naturally feel more pumped to get out of bed—and it all comes down to the feel-good chemicals in our brains.”

Tse pointed out that both songs with positive, empowering lyrics and those that bring vivid imagery or evoke memories can stimulate the brain, triggering motivation centers and releasing dopamine. As a result, they enhance your mood significantly and help shift your mindset from slumber to readiness. “Each beat and note carries an emotional weight that often succeeds in bypassing conscious defenses, facilitating a quicker transition from a sleepy state to full alertness,” she said.

The Best Songs to Start Your Day

According to Greenberg’s research, these 10 popular songs contain all the previously mentioned elements, making them the perfect songs that stimulate your brain to release feel-good chemicals, energize you, and make you want to start your day.

1. Viva La Vida by Coldplay

2. Elevate by St. Lucia

3. Downtown by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

4. Lovely Day by Bill Withers

5. Wake Me Up by Avicii

6. Can’t Sleep Love by Pentatonix

7. Confident by Demi Lovato

8. Wake Up by Arcade Fire

9. Love Myself by Hailee Steinfeld

10. Money on My Mind by Sam Smith

To see and play the full list, click here.

Experts Consulted

LAURA DEVIS

Lauren Devis is a researcher at MassiveMusic, a division of Songtradr, where she uses her strong academic background in psychology to investigate the effectiveness of music and sound for brands. 

KRISTIE TSE, LMHC

Kristie Tse is a psychotherapist and founder of Uncover Mental Health Counseling in New York City. She has an MA in Mental Health Counseling and Advanced Certificate in LGBT Health, Education, and Social Services.

When October hits, the temptation to hibernate beckons, soup hits differently, and leaving your apartment can feel like an Olympic-level feat. While we need to embrace moments of slowing down, sometimes they can turn into a rot, and any semblance of productivity and basic acts of self-care get neglected. If you’ve been personally victimized by autumn burnout or the winter rut, TikTok may have the solution for you. The Winter Arc is the “90 days before the end of the year where you can get ahead of the ‘New Year, new me’ crowd and hit your goals,” TikToker Jessica Agbolade explained in a video. Could the challenge be an early New Year’s resolution, giving you motivation to set healthy habits in motion for the rest of the year? Here’s everything you need to know about the Winter Arc challenge, including how to try it for yourself.

What is The Winter Arc Challenge?

Popularized by TikTok creator and life coach Carly Berges, the idea behind the Winter Arc Challenge is using the last 90 days of the year (AKA the colder, darker, and slower season) where we want to “hibernate” anyway to start new habits to recommit to your goals and go into 2025 as your best self—physically, mentally, and emotionally. TL;DR: October is the new January.

Berges explained in her video that October through December is the time when a lot of people tend to slow down, have the mentality that they’ll start come January 1, and “let their foot off the gas.” But her argument is that there are still three months left in the year to take action and identify the areas of your life that you can intentionally change to align with your best self. “The winter arc is all about just dialing TF in and getting super laser-focused on your goals, on your personal development, on your growth, so that way by the time the first of January rolls around, you are already coming out a whole other beast.”

Maybe you want to pay off your debt, change careers, or foster stronger friendships. Or, perhaps you’re looking to eat more protein, go to bed at 10 p.m., or remove toxic people from your life. The bottom line is a lot can change (for the better) in three months if you consistently show up for yourself. Here’s what Berges’ goals are by the end of the winter arc challenge: wake up at 5:30 a.m., follow a workout and meal plan, journal two times a day, finish four books, reprogram her mind to be in alignment with the version of herself she wants to become (what she refers to as “identify framework”), and be more consistent creating content. “If you’re ready to go into the new year a whole brand new, better, up-leveled version of yourself, then get to planning your Winter Arc right now,” she said.

Is It Worth Trying?

Phrases like “put your head down and grind” or “become unrecognizable in three months” typically have me throwing red flags like confetti, but I think the Winter Arc can be a positive way to jumpstart winter wellness. Ultimately, the end goal is to adopt daily habits and routines that help you become the best version of yourself and that you can stick to for not only the remainder of the year but in the long run. But sometimes we need a little push to figure out what those things are. During a time when it’s getting darker earlier, we’re spending more time indoors and we have less energy to make plans, so setting intentions for the next three months can feel more attainable and give you a framework to stay on track. If you have your sights set on sustainable, long-term lifestyle changes, the winter arc challenge can help fight the “I’ll start in January” urge and putting off prioritizing you (because we know how that goes!) and be the impetus to start implementing the habits that make you your best self now.

“If you’re ready to go into the new year a better, up-leveled version of yourself, then get to planning your Winter Arc right now.”

How to Try It

Step 1: Choose your goals wisely

The first rule of thumb when starting any kind of challenge is to make sure your goals are realistic and attainable. Otherwise, you can aim too high, burn out, and end up feeling defeated. So pick three to four goals that you can realistically commit to. Maybe you feel good about your existing fitness routine and eating habits, so look to setting financial, social, or mental health goals (because, yes, wellness extends beyond workouts and the way you fuel your body). Maybe you aim to pay off debt, develop stronger friendships, or try TikTok’s “dopamine menu.” 

Step 2: Break down your goals into daily or weekly habits 

Consistency is key to nailing the Winter Arc Challenge, so make it as easy for yourself as possible to show up every day. Take your big goal and break it down into daily and weekly tasks you can check off as you go. This keeps you accountable and gives you a little motivational boost every time you accomplish something. For example, say your goal is to develop closer relationships with female friends. Your daily goal could be texting one friend to check in, and your weekly goals may look like scheduling one coffee date with a new friend or catching up with an old one, hosting a casual get-together, or calling a long-distance friend. 

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Step 3: Remove obstacles

The last step in making your winter arc goals attainable is making sure your environment supports them. This could look like creating a daily schedule to make sure you can fit in quality time with your friends or partner. It may be joining a gym that’s closer to your work or signing up for a meal prep service to keep up with your healthy eating habits and make eating more protein a little easier. Sometimes, it’s setting boundaries with toxic people who don’t have your best interest at heart, whether at work or in your personal life. Whatever your goals may be, think about how you can reduce any obstacles that can get in the way of you checking off those small, actionable steps and hitting your goals before the new year. 

MEET THE AUTHOR

Abigail Moseman, Social Media Assistant

As the Social Media Assistant, Abi works with the Social Media Editors to ideate and create content, and build community across all of The Everygirl’s social channels. She is also a group fitness instructor at Equinox.