How to Blow Dry Curly Hair with a Diffuser

Co-authored by Courtney Foster

Last Updated: April 30, 2021

If you have a curly or frizzy hair type, using a diffuser attachment is a great way to dry your hair without causing your curls to fall apart and look fuzzy. The diffused air gently dries your hair while keeping your curls sleek and shiny. Prep your hair with the right products to protect your curls, then finish with a serum to hold your look in place.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Prepping Your Hair

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1
Apply conditioner in the shower. This will keep your hair moisturized and help your curls stay together instead of frizzing. After you rinse out your shampoo, apply it about an inch (2.5 cm) from your roots (since your scalp's natural oils will keep your roots area conditioned) and use your fingers to comb it through to the tips.^{[1]
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- Some people with curly hair opt to wash with conditioner only, since shampoo tends to dry out curly hair. Find the routine that feels right for your hair's texture. If your hair has been dry and brittle, conditioner washing might be worth a try.
Rinsing with cool water (as cool as you can handle) is better for curly hair. It causes the hair shaft to lie flat, rather than frizzing up, resulting in sleeker curls. Taking this step will help hold your curls together when you diffuse them after showering.

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3
Gently squeeze excess water from your hair. Flip your hair upside down and use your hands to squeeze out the water rather than twisting or wringing it out. Again, this will help your curls stay pretty and bouncy. When you towel-dry your hair, the curls separate and frizz up.
- You can also gently pat or squeeze your hair with a clean t-shirt or a microfiber towel to soak up excess moisture. These will not cause frizz like a regular terrycloth towel.
4
Smooth leave-in conditioner into your hair. This is optional, but it's a great help if your hair tends to get very dry and frizzy. Rub some leave-in conditioner between your palms and gently work it through your hair, section by section, until all of your curls are covered.
- If leave-in conditioner tends to weigh your hair down, try applying it to just the ends. It’s most critical to condition your ends, since they are the part of your hair most prone to frizz. Put a little conditioner in your hand and rub your palms together, then gently scrunch the ends of your hair with your hands.
- You can also add in a curling cream or custard at this point, as it is harder to add when your hair is dry. This is a good time to add other styling products, such as mousse, gel, or styling cream, as well.
5
Get your diffuser ready. Most hair dryers come with a diffuser attachment. It looks like a wide, circular nozzle with several prongs sticking out. Attach it to your hair dryer and set the dryer to a cool or warm setting.^{[2]
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- Using a cool or warm setting, rather than a hot setting, is much better for curly hair. A hot setting will cause your hair to dry out and get brittle.
- If your dryer has a separate airflow setting, select medium or low instead of high.

Part 2

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Blowing It Dry

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1
Flip your hair upside down. Most curly-haired people know that volume at the roots is important, since curls are heavy and tend to flatten at the top of the head. To avoid this, start by flipping your head upside down. Your hair will dry in an upside-down position, and once you're finished, your roots will have much better volume.
- If keeping your head upside down gets uncomfortable, you can lean your head to one side or another instead. The important thing is not to sit upright, since gravity will cause your roots to flatten as your hair dries.
- Another option is lifting the roots with hair clips. Use claw clips to lift the roots from your head, and dry your hair with the clips in place. That way, you won't have to hold your head upside down to get volume.
Remember to use a low or medium heat setting. Hold the dryer so that the bowl-shaped diffuser is pointing to the ceiling.
Take a small handful of hair, keeping the curls intact, and coil it in the bowl of the diffuser. Just drop the hair into the diffuser; don't push it down or bunch it up. Handle your hair gently at all times.
4
Lift the diffuser until it touches your head to dry your roots. You should feel the prongs separating the hair at your scalp in order to access your roots. Hold the diffuser there for several seconds to allow your roots to get dry. Move it in a circular motion to lift the roots and make sure all the hair in the section gets dry. When the roots feel mostly dry, lower the diffuser and let your hair drop out of the bowl.^{[3]
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- Don't hold the diffuser in place for too long. You just want your hair to get about 80% dry. If you dry it too much, it will frizz up.
Take another handful from next to the first section and repeat the process. Coil your hair in the diffuser, then bring it up to your head to dry your roots. When your hair is 80% dry, lower the diffuser and let your hair loose.
Section by section, dry your roots and curls with the diffuser. Since you'll need to have your head upside down, you might want to take a few breaks. Stop when your whole head is 80-90% dry.

Part 3

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Finishing Your Look

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This will define your curls and keep them from getting frizzy. Put a little product in your hand and rub your palms together, then gently scrunch your hair with your hands to apply. There's no need to use a brush or comb; just use your fingers.
Curls tend to puff up when they're over-handled. Now that your hair is dry, just let it be for the rest of the day. Tuck your hair up under a hat or pin it into a loose bun to protect your curls.
Avoid using firm or maximum hold spray, since it tends to make curls look rigid and helmet-like. Use a light hold spray that allows your curls to move and bounce easily.

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Question

Can you use essential oils in a diffuser?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

This is a different type of diffuser. Hair diffusers should not be combined with essential oils.

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Question

How do you dry your hair without a blow dryer?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can squeeze excess moisture gently from your hair with a microfiber towel. Then, add some styling product, gently arrange your hair into the desired style with your fingers, and allow it to air dry.

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Question

Do hair diffusers really work?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, diffusers are excellent tools for drying curly hair without creating frizz. For best results, apply a styling product like a curl-enhancing gel before drying your hair with the diffuser.

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Tips

This may not work for everyone. Adjust your technique to fit you.

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As your hair gets dryer, try not to touch it with your hands or this may result in frizz.

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There are also sock diffusers; these can go on any diffuser and are good for traveling but cause a bit more frizz. To use one, hold it close to the curls and move up and down.

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