T3 Featherweight Compact Hair Dryer

After returning the T3 Cura Luxe Hair Dryer, naturally my next choice was this Featherweight Compact Hair Dryer (mine shows model #76851), because it was the only thing available after the Cura models. T3 had already discontinued the full size Featherweight long ago. 

T3 Cura Luxe Hair Dryer

In my search for a replacement of our beloved T3 Featherweight Hair Dryer, I initially bought their hottest and latest: the Cura Luxe Hair Dryer (the one we had listed model #76843).

Actually, I wanted the standard Cura and not the Luxe. Why? Because we didn't (and still don't!) need 5 heat settings or any of the bells and whistles like the volume booster switch, auto pause sensor, lock-in cool shot, blah blah blah. What we needed was another work horse that will sustain us through another ten years of every day use. I spotted the Cura on sale on Sephora's website one morning and made a mental note to myself to buy it that night after our little guy went to bed. When I checked later that night, the sale was over :( Boo. Hiss.

T3 Featherweight Hair Dryer

True to my MO, this review for T3's original superstar the Featherweight Hair Dryer is only, ohh, a decade late ^.^" Even then, it took the purchase of a brand new Featherweight Compact earlier this month (will post later, hopefully sooner than a decade :P) for me to realize I'd never reviewed the original Featherweight both hubby and I have been using for the past 10+ years since we got it in the fall of 2009.

Let's go back to the beginning. The very first T3 hair dryer we owned was the Overnight Dryer I bought in the spring of 2008 and reviewed later that fall. It was a nifty little dryer and let me count the ways:

- Super lightweight: 12oz.!

- Travel-ready with a folding handle and dual voltage

- Fast: it dried my wet shoulder-length hair in 7 minutes--on the lowest heat and speed setting!

- Gentle: it gave my full-but-fine and heat-sensitive hair shine and softness and never any damage despite frequency of use (several times a week)

T3 Bespoke Labs Overnight Dryer

Update January 5, 2009

This time, what broke was actually my beloved hair dryer. No, I didn't break it. I just packed it in (very carefully, mind you!) my carry on, collapsing the handle the way it was supposed to for travel. By the time I open my carry on, the handle was dangling from the dryer. Yeah, let's just say lots of stuff happened (and broke) during this little trip of mine. Sigh...

So I contacted T3 asking about replacement under the 4-year warranty that came with the dryer. They said that sort of damage isn't covered under the warranty, but that they would replace my dryer anyway for an extra $50. I guess that's better than coughing up another $150?

So I wrote them back asking whether $50 is going to get me a new or a refurbished dryer. They replied, saying it'll get me a new dryer. And then they said, oh hell, we'll just waive that $50 too :D Rakiiiii!!!!

The point is: if you're going to get a dryer, spend some money and get it from T3. They sure are pleasant to deal with :)

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Original post Wednesday, October 15, 2008

So I broke my my vow to never ever blow dry my hair. Sigh. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against hair drying. Just that my hair is super sensitive to heat and one blow dry is all it takes to give me split ends. And although my hair is fine, I have LOTS of it, so it would always take for freakin' ever! I recall spending a good 30 minutes one night because I was so sleepy and couldn't wait around another 2 or so hours it usually takes for my hair to air dry (I live in a very humid environment)!

So around this past spring, I fretted for a bit, dreading the massive split ends buying this little thing from Sephora - the T3 Bespoke Labs Overnight Dryer (model #83818). The goddamn thing was really expensive, and I hate the thought of blow drying my hair, much less spending a couple hundreds on a hair dryer! But the T3 website made lots of impressive claims, so although I was still very suspicious, I bought it anyway feeling rest assured with Sephora's customer service.


***Picture from Sephora USA.

I have not regret my purchase since. In fact, I love my T3 hair dryer so much I bought another one as a going away gift for my sister who left to work in Japan in July, knowing she blow dries her hair nightly. It's dual voltage, super duper light with a handle that can be folded for easy packing, so it was a very fitting gift and I love hearing my sister gushing about it now. I myself truly appreciate the fact that the dryer is travel-ready. It's just so convenient not to have to worry about voltage and what not when it comes to a mundane thing as a hair dryer.

In addition to being travel ready, this nifty little thing have won me (and my hair) over in so many ways. First, it dries my dripping wet, then shoulder-lenth-now-long hair in 7 minutes flat! I timed it myself, so no if's and but's. Second, although I use it 4-5 times a week, I've had so few split ends I'm not sure they're the consequence of the hair dryer or the fact that my hair is a lot longer now and in need of a trimming. Third, this hair dryer leaves my hair incredibly soft, smooth, static-free, and super shiny! Since I started using Japanese Camellia oil a month ago, my hair is only softer, smoother, and even shinier, if that's possible. Wheee! Now I can truly say I finally have the hair I've always wanted. Love it!!!

If you have long hair, you travel, and you're looking for a hair dryer, I would wholeheartedly recommend investing in this little baby from T3. And if you do invest, buy from an authorized dealer of T3 products - purchases from an unauthorized dealer will void the dryer's 4-year warranty. Check out T3's official website for a list of authorized dealers. Sephora is one, or just buy it directly from T3! After the purchase and you're sure the dryer is a keeper, don't forget to register it through the T3 website to activate the warranty. There is a 60-days (I think...) limit for warranty registration, or you'll loose your warranty!