Why Buy The Dyson Supersonic?

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You gotta hand it to the Dyson marketing team. The collective beauty world lost its goddamn mind not once, but two times, in anticipation of the release of the brand's Supersonic hair dryer. At press time, the dryer is currently sitting unattended on a table at Glossier HQ (though, within sight of the editorial team) and no one has walked by it without stopping, gazing, and sticking their fingers through it.

Suffice it to say there are a lot of questions about this Jen Atkin-piloted spaceship-cum-stealth-sleek hot tool. And not just, "Do I need to spend $400 on it?" So here are the most frequently asked questions about the Dyson Supersonic that were posed in the "ask-ITG" section of our office Slack. Got more? Leave 'em below.

Why are people so excited about the Dyson Supersonic?
Probably because it's $400. Also because most blowdryers suck so Dyson, purveyor of really good-looking and efficient home technology, could probably blow it out of the water with this one. It's been on the market for about a week and it's already got an Allure Best Of Beauty award and Jen Atkin's support to its name.

Are people really spending $400 on a blowdryer?
It appears they are! It's currently sold out on Sephora.com. Did you buy it? Tell everyone why in the comments.

Does it work like a vacuum?
No, it does not. It is a hairdryer, not a vacuum. They are not similar.

Why is there a hole in the middle?
Because the motor and the filter are in the bottom of the handle. This is simple and genius because it's actually balanced to be used by body builders and normal people alike. No need to do shoulder raises to prep or see a chiropractor to recover afterwards.

Will my hair/finger/other body parts get stuck in the hole in the middle?
No! We tried.

How much does it weigh?
Not very much! 1.4 lbs, compared to the 3.2 lbs of ghd Air Professional Performance Hairdryer we've previously endorsed.

Is it dual voltage?
No.

Can I drop it in the bathtub?
At the Supersonic demonstration in New York, Team Dyson dunked the Supersonic in a tub of water without consequence. Of course, you should avoid taking any electronic good into the bath with you—but in the event that you are an extremely clumsy person, or Gwen Stefani trying to kill her boyfriend, everything is going to be OK.

Can you tell me other blowdrying facts about the Dyson that I didn't know I needed to care about?
Sure can.
- The Dyson negatively charges the air it blows in order to reduce static.
- Sensors check the heat of the air 20 times every second so that you don't burn your scalp. This seems...excessive.
- The Dyson is super quiet, but not because it isn't powerful. It's because the motor emits a sound at a frequency that's inaudible to humans. Like those mosquito ringtones, but useful.

What else comes in the box?
Two attachments that magnetically connect to the dryer (with protection built in so you don't burn yourself removing them). One is a narrow nozzle for smooth styles and one is a diffuser. There's also a no-slip mat in there to keep your dryer from falling off the bathroom counter if you put it down while styling. If you didn't know you needed that, now you do.

Does ITG have a verdict?
It's light, it's quiet, and it's very efficient. But if you're not good at blowdrying your hair now, this will not make you any better at blowdrying your hair. But it will make practicing your craft less terrible. Buy it to be one step closer to Jen Atkin. Kardashian affiliation not included.

The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer photographed by Tom Newton.

More hair tools and how to best wield them: read ITG's guide to hair brushes here.