Dryers, stylers become necessities.(hair care and grooming appliances)

NEW YORK -- Small hair care and grooming appliances have soared in popularity, primarily because they enable consumers to achieve trendy styles at home instead of in salons.

During 2005's first quarter hair care and grooming appliances accounted for about 52.3% of the overall unit volume--55.2 million--in personal care small appliances, according to consumer statistics from NPD Group Inc.'s Houseworld databases.

Within the personal care small appliance category, hair care dryers have become particularly widely used. The NPD information shows that consumers a