A good blowdryer is essential in my hairstyling routine, and probably yours as well. I have fine hair, but a lot of it, and every stylist who’s ever given me a blowout has told me my hair loves to retain water. Combine those two things and you’ve got the recipe for a long dry time. And we all know that more styling equals more damage, especially heat styling. So, I am always on the hunt for styling tools that cut down on damage and time without compromising on results. The new L’Oréal Professionnel Airlight Pro hair dryer checks those boxes and then some. It sold out within a month of its professional launch to salons and hairstylists, and now everyone else can get the goods too.
The Backstory
First, you may be thinking, I’ve seen an infrared blowdryer before, so how is this new? You’re not crazy. In 2022, a brand named Zuvi launched its Halo Hair Dryer using the first-of-its-kind infrared technology it created. In fact, it won our 2023 Innovation Beauty Award. However, for Zuvi to expand its reach to the right channels and thousands of salons and stylists, it could benefit from partnering with a beauty behemoth in that lane. Hence, a partnership with L’Oréal Professionnel was born.
“L’Oréal Professionnel and Zuvi started to collaborate in January 2022 to create a professional hair dryer leveraging the patented infrared technology of Zuvi,” says Mounia Tahiri, general manager, U.S. L’Oréal Professionnel. “Together, we pushed the boundaries of hair-drying technology. Zuvi’s initial innovation provided a strong foundation, and our collaboration allowed us to refine and optimize the balance of wind and heat. This created an even more powerful and efficient dryer. We brought the hairstylist professional’s expertise to this launch, co-developing with pros. It’s a true synergy of beauty and technology.”
The Benefits of This Blowdryer
What sets the AirLight Pro apart from others in this category is its unique approach to drying hair. “Instead of relying solely on conventional convection heat, which can be harsh on hair, it is augmented with infrared light,” says Tahiri. This allows it to dry hair fast without damage. When I first tried Zuvi in 2022, I loved the eco-friendly mission, technology and design, but my dry time wasn’t really impacted. With the Airlight Pro, my hair dried significantly faster. It nearly cut it in half. I set a timer, and my very-long, loves-to-retain-water hair was fully dry in 10 minutes.
That is thanks to the AirLight Pro’s technology, which Tahiri says mimics nature’s way of drying. “Think of a rainforest: After a downpour, the combination of sunlight and gentle breezes quickly dries the lush vegetation,” she explains. “We’ve replicated this process. Our infrared light, a powerful yet gentle form of infrared, works in tandem with convection technology. Its 17-blade motor generates high-speed wind, up to 130mph. The infrared light and convection heat warm the hair while the precisely engineered airflow efficiently wicks away moisture. This synergistic approach delivers fast drying, without damage, and leaves hair looking and feeling healthy.”
The dryer comes with two magnetic attachments: a diffuser and a concentrator. There’s also a complementary app, which lets you personalize your blow-dry sessions. “AirLight Pro also offers customization beyond compare,” says Tahiri. “Our app allows you to tailor the settings precisely to your hair type and desired style. Whether you have fine, thick, curly or straight hair, you can control the temperature and airflow to achieve optimal results. It’s like having a personalized stylist built into your hair dryer.”
