4 best ‘smart’ hair gadgets, from curlers to blowdryers!

You want fabulous hair and you want it like, now. Enter so-called “smart” appliances, a beauty buzz phrase that’s shaping up to be a solid solution for getting us of a hairy situation

So how do these gadgets work? It’s all about simplicity, baby. “The future of beauty lies in the evolution of homecare technology and the streamlining of women’s grooming regimes,” notes Christine Ruf, Philips’ global beauty category design lead at the press launch in London – an apt locale for the tech-driven brand, really, given all the smartphone-toting alpha-women I spot striding down the streets in their taupe trenchcoats and effortlessly cool coiffures.

Want a piece of the “smart” beauty action? Here, a round-up of the hottest high-tech hair helpers:

Are you looking for …

1. An idiot-proof K-Beauty weapon?

Easy Natural Curler BHH777, $69

This intuitive clip-and-curl device is great for creating loose curls, even for novices new to hair gizmos. I tried using it with just one hand on shoulder-length hair and the results turned out just fine – a big plus for frantic workday mornings.

And if you’re a K-Beauty fan, you’ll love how easy it is to pull off Korean-style waves with your hair. “This works beautifully in creating the natural-looking Korean C-Curl while keeping hair looking smooth and silky,” says Wonsook Ko, senior marketing manager for the brand’s ASEAN personal care category. (Sidebar: The C-Curl involves lots of loose waves at the tip tapering inwards towards the chin for a feathery bob-like finish.)

Here’s how. For starters, most of the legwork has already been done for you via this appliance’s automatic clip-and-curl mechanism which, as its name suggests, is specifically designed to create the sort of soft swirls we’re gunning for here. All that’s left to do is to grab sections of hair at ear height and coil around the iron, making sure they curl inwards towards your chin. Wait for the strands to set, then release the locks and separate by running your fingers through them. Easy, breezy, K-Beautiful!

2. Salon-grade style with zero elbow grease on your end?

Procare Autocurler HPS940, $209

Hankering for hair that looks “hot” minus the heat damage? Cue this (pun alert) “cutting-edge” contraption with options for tight, medium and natural curls – all without the risk of scorching your fingers too.

All you need to do is to quite literally push a button: Select your heat setting, then insert sections of hair into the barrel. The motor will “suck” the strands in – you’ll feel no pain, promise! – and release them automatically after eight to 12 seconds, depending on your desired style. Want to blow your beauty budget on an investment piece?  Given the Autocurler’s versatility, this truly is a #TakeAllMyMoney moment!

3. A cool spin on the passe poker-straight look?

Moistureprotect Straightener HP8372, $159

Built-in heat sensors adjust the temperature of the plates of this straightener to work safely on all manner of manes – even the most frizzy and fried. The thickness of the ceramic plates are also calibrated to distribute pressure evenly across each swath of hair for a smooth, kink-free finish. Bonus: I’ve given this baby a spin IRL and can vouch for its rad results – loose, lovely locks that are an entire beauty world away from the awfully rigid rebonded strands of the nineties.

4. A trusty blow-dryer for everyone and their mother’s mother?

Moistureprotect Dryer HP8280, $185

This “intelligent” dryer comes with heat sensors that automatically reduce the temperature once it breaches a certain threshold, slashing your chances of accidentally singeing your hair. “The heat control makes this product a good choice for women who blow-dry their tresses frequently,” advises Wonsook. “This also helps to maintain the moisture within each strand for beautiful style today and healthy hair tomorrow.” Cheers to looking like shampoo ad models, everyone!