We were at Costco yesterday picking up a couple of things when I wandered down a home goods aisle and spotted a bunch of hair dryers for sale.
I had to do a double take when I saw the prices. Are you kidding me? $600 for a hair dryer?
Seriously? People pay $600+ for hair dryers these days?
Did you know that?
I didn’t even know they made $489 hair dryers!!! But apparently they do.
This one was only $379.99. WHAT A DEAL!!!
I wouldn’t even pay $39.99 for a hair dryer. Am I cheap?
I have bought exactly 3 hair dryers in the last 30 years.
The first one at a thrift store for $2. It lasted about 10 years. When that one went kaput I bought one at Target for $9.99 and remember being irritated that it cost so much.
The last hairdryer I bought was online in 2024. I paid $10.97.
I have owned 2 curling irons in my adult life. I probably paid less than $10 for each of those. So that means over the course of 30 years I’ve spent less than $50 on hair “styling” tools.
Maybe I’m just getting old, but I don’t get it. Or maybe it’s just that I’d rather spend $600 on airfare or pastries.
I’m curious. Would you pay $600+ for a hair dryer? If not, how much would you pay {or did pay for the one you have now}?
~Mavis
*****
P.S. I wrote this and then couldn’t stop thinking about it so I reached out to some of my peeps and asked them to send me a picture of their hairdryer. 😉 There was only 1 fancy hair dryer {over $40} in the whole bunch.
The person with the most expensive {$350!!} hair dryer was under 30 years old. Everyone else was older.
Julie V says
I’ve seen a lot of hair dryers in thrift stores over the years. I think I still own one but, never usually use it.
Tracy says
I am in the cheap hair dryer camp. One new one for about $10 and one from a yard sale for $2 that is mainly used for defrosting the freezer.
Brianna says
I don’t personally own a hair dryer. I use to, but it died several years ago and I haven’t felt a need for one and my hair has been much healthier. I bought my teen daughter one last year because she wanted one. I did a lot of research for a low decibel hair dryer in my budget ($75), I was amazed at how big the industry is. I have a cousin who had hearing aids by mid-40 because of her work as a cosmetologist and the hair dryer noises. I ended up going to a beauty store to check hairdryers out and they had a low decible Aniekin one that would work for her. I ended up buying her the same Aniekin hairdryer off Amazon because it was on sale and half the price of the beauty store and was listed as the exact same hair dryer with specs, model, etc. The one I received was a complete dupe….came in a similar box, was loud, QR warranty/info codes didn’t work, the cord was thin, was heavier, etc. I sent it back to Amazon and they pretty much said they do their best to guarantee the authenticity of items but cannot guarantee all items. I ended up going back to the beauty store and spending the pretty penny for the hairdryer, but at least I know her hearing is actually protected, it is so quiet.
Nancy Settel says
While having a cap put on my tooth at the dentist office about 6 years ago ($2,200. for that darn cap) she was talking to her assistant when the assistant said to her oh your hair looks so nice today! No it didn’t . Anyway she said oh thanks I got this past year this new hair dryer it was $400.00 but oh so worth it. I really wanted to get up out of the chair and leave at that point but I don’t know how to put a cap on my tooth myself. I was furious. Now I know where my money went. I went home to my $39.99 hair dryer.
Sbk says
I think different people have different different priorities. You might spend what others think is a lot on other things. I can imagine someone justifying this cost against the cost of salon visits, or because their work (or own values) prioritize a particular look. It’s not my thing, but I’m sure things I spend money on would seem weird for others!
Audra says
Crazy! I have bought my last 3 or 4 hair dryers from thrift stores. Just bought one in Jan and was mad I paid $6 for it! I received at least one as a Christmas gift when I was in HS or college so when I went to buy a new one after that I thought it was ridiculously priced at probably $30 back then, so the thrift store hair dryers began.
Mr.s C. says
NO. I also wouldn’t buy a bridge in Brooklyn.
I don’t use a hair dryer. I have a $10 one in the guest bathroom.
JP says
I’ve heard the dyson hair dryers are amazing. It also depends on your hair-type: my hair, for example – if you just show it a dryer it poofs into the cowardly lion…then turn the dryer on and ooooof. If I were working a high-profile corporate job or was publicly seen professionally and regularly, 100% i’d pay $600 for a dryer that actually tamed the mess. but, i work from home with my hair in a bun 100% of the time, so nope, not for me. (like Mr.s C., my only $10 dryer is in the guest bathroom)
Mary G says
I have a basic hair dryer that I’ve had for close to 30 years. I rarely use it because I work from home and generally let my hair air dry. Maybe if I used one more often, I might get a nicer one. Maybe, but definitely not $400 or $600 nicer.
Jody says
Yikes! I too have a “cheap” one and when I have to pull it out, I am reminded that it is time for a trim.
I think that is really sad, but I am so not worried about my appearance anymore-as long as I feel good that is all that matters.