My favourite hair tool now has a travel version and I can't wait to use it on my next trip

I have very curly, thick hair, and had been avoiding hairtdryers altogether for years because they only seemed to make my hair frizzy.

I found that the combination of heat and too much airflow also left my curls looking far less defined, so letting my hair dry naturally felt like the safer option.

That changed, however, when I discovered the Bellissima Diffon. Unlike a traditional hairdryer with a separate diffuser attachment, it is a 2-in-1 tool specifically designed around curly hair, with the diffuser built into the dryer itself. It became one of those hair tools that made me wonder why it had taken so long for something like this to be created, and why I’d gone so long without having one myself.

I now use it pretty much every other day when I wash my hair. The only time I haven’t used it since I got it back in May was when I went on holiday or had a weekend away, simply because it was too big to pack.

So when I heard Bellissima had launched a travel-friendly version, I immediately wanted to know more. The new Bellissima Italia Diffon Worldwide takes the same basic idea, makes it more compact and travel-sized and adds an feature for anyone wanting to take it overseas: dual voltage.

At £79.99, it is designed to work in all countries with a standard travel adapter, meaning I can finally take the curly hair dryer I already love with me when I travel.

What I like about the Bellissima Italia Diffon Worldwide

The biggest selling point for me is obviously the dual-voltage capability and the smaller size. I was disappointed that the original Diffon, though great for home use, was too bulky or unsuitable for international travel. I really missed it during my week-long trip to Crete earlier this year.

The Diffon Worldwide has been designed specifically to solve that problem. It is lightweight, has an ergonomic easy-hold handle and combines the dryer and diffuser in one tool, so there is no separate attachment taking up extra space in my luggage. Bellissima says it can be used around the world with a standard travel adapter.

The dual voltage capabilities are also really impressive as we know that just because an item is small enough to take to different countries with you doesn’t mean it is safe to be used outside of the UK, but the Diffon Worldwide has been specifically designed for that so it can be used with complete peace of mind. It makes me want to book another holiday just to put it to the proper test.

The smaller size doesn’t impact the performance either. The Curl Booster System combines a perforated grid with 12 long fingers, designed to gently dry curls while helping enhance their shape and elasticity. It is also designed to distribute airflow rather than blasting one section of hair, which is exactly what I want when trying to keep my curls intact.

It also has Bellissima's Ceramic and Argan Oil technology to help protect hair while drying and provide an anti-frizz and anti-dryness effect. I am pleased by the inclusion of a professional 2.2m cord as we also all know that the plug sockets in hotel rooms are not always in the most convenient of places.

What I don’t like about the Bellissima Italia Diffon Worldwide

There’s nothing not to like about this as much, but the biggest thing I would consider before buying is whether you actually need a travel version. If you rarely travel abroad, the dual-voltage technology is unlikely to be enough reason on its own to spend £79.99. But, even if you travel enough in the UK its compact size is attractive enough to make this worth buying.

It is also worth remembering that you still need a suitable travel adapter for the country you are visiting. The Worldwide name does not mean you can simply plug it straight into every international socket.

And while the compact design is a huge improvement for travelling, it is worth noting that it is still quite a substantial size - approximately 13.5 cm (width) × 19 cm (height) × 13.5 cm (depth) - so this is still something you have to make proper space for in your suitcase or overnight bag.

My Verdict

For me, this is the version of the Diffon I have been waiting for. I already know how much easier life is for me now I have a hair tool designed around curls. The idea of being able to put the Diffon Worldwide into my suitcase and have the same curl-friendly styling routine no matter where in the world I am is very exciting.

At £79.99, it is a considering purchase, but one that is worth it to me. After finally finding a diffuser that made me stop avoiding drying my thick curly hair, I am very happy that I can now take that solution on holiday with me too. I just need to decide where I am going to take it first.

• Please note that delivery charges may apply.