In haircare terms, I'm a real cliché. I chucked out my old hairdryer in the 90s hoping for a more 'natural' look, jacked that all in in the noughties when I first discovered GHDs, and now I'm bored of the poker-straight look again I'm turning back to the trusty old blowdryer.
But today's machines are nothing like the hefty, frizz-producing monstrosities of yesteryear: I've just started using one that's completely changed my style, overall look and daily routine: it's the Babyliss Pro I-Storm.
Read on over the jump for my verdict
Like I said, I'd become a bit phobic of hairdryers in my youth, believing them to be the root of all frizz, damage and evil as far as my hair was concerned. Two many hours spent being intermittently bumped on head as my Mum enthusiastically tried (and failed) to prove otherwise had seen me jettison the evil roaring dragon (the hairdryer, not my Mum - who is in fact to be thanked for the purchase of the I-Storm so I should go easy on her now) into a nearby skip at the first opportunity.
But as soon as I saw the magic words 'ionic' and 'ceramic' on the I-Storm's box, I was reassured. These were both words I associated with silky-smooth hair, so my faith in finding a hairdryer that worked for me was restored.
Did it work? Well, the real beauty of the I-Storm is its breathtaking speed. If you've got shoulder length hair, you can have your tresses completely dried in ten minutes if it's a rough, quick-as-possible effect you're after. If you're wanting to focus on styling your 'do' it'll of course take a little longer than that on the dryer's slower setting. But the unit soon heats up and the airflow can reach temperatures of up to 105ºC. You can monitor the temperature on a digital display, and control it at the push of a button.
I'm still figuring out the art of air-styling my hair, and really need a professional to get it looking lovely with a blow-dryer. But the I-Storm is relatively lightweight, making it easier to fiddle about with roller brushes and tongs. So far I've managed to blow dry it straight (a first time for me) and curly with a round brush - and that's with under two weeks' practice. I suspect that the I-Storm and I are going to become firm friends!
Babyliss Pro I-Storm is £39.99 at Direct Salon Supplies