A hair dryer of the type having a base which supports a rigid head receiving helmet. Means are provided in the base to supply alternatively either hot air or steam which is discharged into the interior of the helmet through perforations in the inner wall of the helmet. The motor driven blower for supplying the hot air and the steam generator are mounted within the base housing on a transversely extending metal supporting wall. Control means for the appliance permits selective alternative energization of either the steam generating means or the motor driven blower and the air heater. Simplified measuring and valving means are provided to control the insertion of measured amounts of water into the steam generator.