One of the most requested questions I get on my Tiktok is how to diffuse curly hair. The main complaint I kept seeing getting frizzy hair when they diffuse. I have perfected my diffusing skills (I used to sit under a hooded dryer) and now I am hooked on diffusing my curly hair. I have been getting consistent results and diffusing cuts my drying time significantly.
Why you should diffuse curly hair.
Air drying has been the drying choice of curlies for years. We were told this was the healthiest way to dry our hair since using heat could damage our cuticle. We have since learned that this is a myth and air drying actually can cause more damage than heat. Plus, it can take several hours for our hair to dry naturally.
Why would you diffuse curly hair? Using the diffuse attachment on your blowdryer does two things: 1) it disperses the heat so that it doesn’t disturb the curl and 2) since it is indirect heat, it won’t damage your hair.
What is a diffuser?
A diffuser is an attachment designed for waves and curls. It disperses the airflow of a blow dryer. The heat becomes more gentle on your hair so that it keeps your curls intact. Also, using heat helps your hair to absorb your products better as well as dry smoother.
How To Diffuse Curly Hair
Diffusing your hair doesn’t have to be hard, nor do you need to be an expert. Just follow these easy tips and have patience. Practice makes perfect. I didn’t get it right the first time, but I get better at diffusing my thick, 3C curls each time.
1. Prep your curls with your products.
We recommend our Moisturizing Hair Pudding and Get Set Hair Jelly combo. The Moisturizing Hair Pudding helps your curls to retain moisture without weighing your hair down. Our Get Set Hair Jelly is the perfect gel for all curl types, for super defined, frizz-free results without the crunch. You want your hair to be completely saturated with your products.
2. Choose the best heat and air settings for your hair.
If your hair is fine and/or thin, then you’ll want to keep the heat setting on med-to-low. If you have thick and/or dense hair, then you can go up to the high heat. Depending on what stage you’re in on the drying will determine your airflow setting. For example, I like to start on the high heat and high airflow as I hover my dryer over my hair. As I move closer to my scalp, I’ll turn the airflow and heat settings down.
3. Start on the outside of your hair and move in as you diffuse your curly hair.
Hover your dryer over your hair for elongated curls. Move the dryer up and down a few inches from your hair. Don’t keep the dryer on one section for too long.
4. Getting the roots dry.
Once the outside of your hair feels dry, then you can work your diffuser to dry the roots and inside of your hair. Move slowly, trying not to move your hair too much.
5. Flip your head upside down
As your hair is drying, now is a good time to flip your head upside down. Work your dryer on the ends and roots. You can move your hair around to get the diffuser into parts of your hair that are still damp.
Common mistakes to avoid when you diffuse curly hair.
As you become an expert in diffusing your curly hair, there are some mistakes you want to avoid. These were also the common mistakes I was making when I first started diffusing.
- You're not applying enough product. Saturate your hair with your products. And sections that don’t have enough products will be poofy and frizzy.
- Stop moving your hair so much. I used to flip my hair this way and that when I would diffuse my curly hair. I was actually breaking up the curl clumps and causing more frizz.
- Don’t start the bottom when you diffuse curly hair. This will give you shrinkage which is something most of us curlies avoid.