Author: Jenna White | San Francisco Hairstylist
August 24th, 2022
August 24th, 2022
A diffuser is an attachment for your blowdryer that many people end up losing or throwing away because they have no idea what it is or how to use it. Its job is to spread out and soften the force of the air flowing from your blowdryer, a technique that works best when you want to shape your hair into a curly (as opposed to straight) texture. With a diffuser, the heat from your blowdryer gently surrounds each curl to help dry and shape it. The other attachment you may see come with your blowdryer is called a concentrator, which strengthens the force of the air flowing from your blowdryer by condensing the amount of space it has to escape through. This tool works best for straightening your hair. In this post we'll focus on how to use a diffuser, plus other options for styling curly hair.
Basic Process for Diffusing Curly Hair
In general, to style your hair using a diffuser on curly, voluminous hair, you would follow the steps below. For alternative styling methods on different curl patterns you can check out the "How-to Styling Videos" below.
- While your hair is still wet, apply product (see "Recommended Products" below).
- Using a towel/microfiber/t-shirt scrunch as much water out as possible AFTER putting products in (you can skip this step if you have let your hair air dry a bit before starting to style with the diffuser).
- If frizz is a problem for you hair type, start styling immediately while the hair is still wet. If frizz is less of a problem for you, you can let your hair air dry a bit before styling. With either approach, start diffusing around the root area towards the top of your head. With your head flipped upside down, hover the diffuser around 5 - 10 inches away from your scalp. Move to new sections slowly (see "Diffuser Styling Technique" below).
- When the root area around the crown of your head is mostly dry, start flipping your head from side-to-side and hovering the diffuser around the sides and back of your head, still focusing on your root area.
- When the root area of the sides and back of your head is dry, start focusing on your ends by "cupping" them into the end of the diffuser. Continue moving from section to section slowly to avoid creating frizz. Leaving your ends damp and allowing them to air dry is also an option.
Products, Technique & Terms
There are two things that will make or break the result of your diffused hair style (1) the products you use and (2) your styling technique. I break both down for you below, plus give a guide on common vocabulary used in the industry and in this post.
There are two things that will make or break the result of your diffused hair style (1) the products you use and (2) your styling technique. I break both down for you below, plus give a guide on common vocabulary used in the industry and in this post.
(1) Recommended Products |
Oil-based Products Use oil-based products when you want to reduce your hair's natural volume (people with thicker hair often feel that too much volume appears "puffy"). Use the product before styling or to detangle your hair when it's still wet. Often these products will be labeled as a:
Hold Products Use hold products when you want to add some control/definition to the shape of your curls. Most curly styles will need to be set with a hold product before being diffused. However, these products will also add volume, so make sure to apply equal amounts of an oil-based product if you want to avoid additional volume. Alternatively, to circumvent adding volume you can try applying the product on your ends only, and keeping your head right-side up while styling.
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(2) Diffuser Styling Technique |
Consider the following when you approach diffusing your hair to avoid unwanted frizz.
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Common Terms |
Hover Diffusing Holding the diffuser a few inches from your hair and avoiding touching the hair with it. Pineapple or Loose Pineapple A diffusing technique were a hair tie is used to loosely group curls on top of your head in a way that resembles pineapple leaves. A diffuser is then used to cup the hair and set the shape until it is around 80 - 90% dry, after which allowing the hair to air dry the rest of the way helps create volume. Universal Dryer Attachment A diffuser attachment that can be purchased separately when your blowdryer does not come with one. The term "universal" means that it will fit on the end of most blowdryers. Sock Diffuser A sock-shaped blowdryer tool used to diffuse the air flow from your blowdryer. It's an alternative to a diffuser attachment. Getting Hair 100% Dry No moisture is present in the hair. Getting Hair 80 - 90% Dry Your hair is dry enough that your natural hair color is apparent, but patches of the hair are still damp. Getting Hair 50% Dry Your hair is dry enough that your hair color starts to become apparent, but the majority of your strands are still wet. |
How-to Styling Videos
Below are tips from YouTubers on how to style hair textures that range from wavy to tightly coiled. If your hair is on the straighter side, you can still try some of the techniques in these videos. You may not end up with the same result, but you'll get more texture and volume if that is the goal.
If You Have Wavy Hair
Diffuser Do’s And Don'ts For Perfect Waves, YouTuber Brad Mondo
Zendaya’s Wavy Curly Hair Tutorial, a tutorial by Zendaya shared by beautysalon
If You Have Curly Hair
4 CURLY HAIR DIFFUSING MISTAKES THAT EVERYONE MAKES + HOW TO FIX THEM, YouTuber Manes by Mell
3 OF THE BEST WAYS TO DIFFUSE CURLY HAIR (for definition, volume or elongation), YouTuber Manes by Mell
CURLY HAIR STYLING MISTAKES TO AVOID + TIPS FOR VOLUME AND DEFINITION (AIR-DRY), YouTuber Manes by Mell
Causes of Wet Frizz & Webbing + How to Fix It!, YouTuber Gena Marie
How to Diffuse Curly Hair Without Frizz for Beginners, YouTuber Gena Marie
If You Have Tightly Coiled Curly Hair
How I Diffuse for Definition AND Stretched Curls | My Wash & Go Routine (natural hair shrinkage), YouTuber Jewellianna Palencia
How I achieve my curly hair! Products and tools!, Deeper Than Hair TV
How to Use a Diffuser on Short Natural Hair | Updated Wash + Go Routine Post Big Chop, YouTuber Aisha Beau
"Refreshing" Curly Styles Without Washing
You can refresh your curls the next day by spraying your hair down with water, reapplying product and then diffusing again. The videos below share some additional ways to refresh curls between washes.
HOW I REFRESH MY CURLY HAIR WITH NO HEAT OR FRIZZ, YouTuber Manes By Mell
How To: Style, Diffuse, Refresh Curly Hair, Natasha Camile
Alternative Ways to Style Curly Hair Without a Diffuser
Alternatives to styling with a diffuser involve setting the hair into shape while it's still wet. Examples of wet set techniques include braids, Bantu knots, rollers and rods. Any style that results from these methods can likely also be paired with a diffuser for finishing and/or refreshes. Try searching "heatless styling" and "overnight styling" on YouTube for ideas.
Wet set methods are dried in one of two ways (1) waiting for the hair to air dry (this can be done while you're sleeping) or (2) by sitting under a dryer (for example, a bonnet dryer attachment or a hood dryer). Many people are used to going to the salon to leverage method #2, but there are options that can be used at home for this technique as well. It's a faster way to set the hair, and often results in a smoother style compared to air drying.
The major differences when styling via wet set when compared to diffusing are:
Some videos to check out on wet styling methods are:
I Tried a WET WRAP on My KINKY CURLY NATURAL for STRAIGHT HAIR with NO HEAT?, YouTuber Finally Amber (this video is a “fail”, but there’s a lot to learn from it)
Heatless Flexi Rods + Night/Morning Routine, YouTuber Natasha Camile
Alternatives to styling with a diffuser involve setting the hair into shape while it's still wet. Examples of wet set techniques include braids, Bantu knots, rollers and rods. Any style that results from these methods can likely also be paired with a diffuser for finishing and/or refreshes. Try searching "heatless styling" and "overnight styling" on YouTube for ideas.
Wet set methods are dried in one of two ways (1) waiting for the hair to air dry (this can be done while you're sleeping) or (2) by sitting under a dryer (for example, a bonnet dryer attachment or a hood dryer). Many people are used to going to the salon to leverage method #2, but there are options that can be used at home for this technique as well. It's a faster way to set the hair, and often results in a smoother style compared to air drying.
The major differences when styling via wet set when compared to diffusing are:
- More product is needed
- The tool/technique sets the shape
- The curl pattern can't be altered while it dries
- Without heat, the process will take longer to complete (can be up to 8 hours when air drying)
- The finished style needs to be 100% dry
Some videos to check out on wet styling methods are:
I Tried a WET WRAP on My KINKY CURLY NATURAL for STRAIGHT HAIR with NO HEAT?, YouTuber Finally Amber (this video is a “fail”, but there’s a lot to learn from it)
Heatless Flexi Rods + Night/Morning Routine, YouTuber Natasha Camile
