The hair dryer of the future can be yours right now

My mom gave me so much good advice over the years that I could literally fill volumes (if I could remember it all). But one tidbit in particular has always stuck with me, and it was “Never, ever, accept an appliance as a birthday, anniversary or any sort of gift.” I have definitely stuck to my guns with the hubs on this one, but I wonder if my mom would have changed her tune if she were here to experience perhaps the penultimate hair dryer ever known to man (and woman): The Dyson Supersonic.

The result of a $71 million investment by Dyson (yes, you read that correctly), this intelligent hair dryer has all the heat and airflow settings you’d expect—and a heck of a lot more. With more than 100 patents pending, it also measures its own temperature 20 times a second (and transmits the data to a microprocessor) to ensure it never gets even a degree hotter than you want it to, and its Air Multiplier technology creates a focused stream of high-pressure air to speed drying time and minimize heat damage.

Did I mention that its motor is one-third the weight and half the size of most other hair dryer motors? This means less arm fatigue and a lot less noise—so you might even be able to blowdry without disturbing your significant other. All of these incredibly high-tech features will set you back $399, but it helps that you also get a styling concentrator nozzle, smoothing nozzle, diffuser, storage hanger and non-slip pad for your countertop (all of which feature Heat Shield technology so they’re always cool to the touch).

I have to admit, I want one really badly—but not as a gift (unless I give a gift to myself). See, Mom… I’m still listening!