How to Use a Diffuser for Curly andWavy Hair

A diffuser spreads out your dryer’s airflow, so curls can dry without being blown apart. Apply your products to wet hair, set the dryer to low speed and low to medium heat, and dry each section with minimal movement. Hold off touching your hair until it’s dry, and then scrunch out any stiffness. That is how you get defined curls with less frizz.

What you need

• A hair dryer with a diffuser attachment
• A heat protectant
• Your usual leave-in, curl cream, mousse, or gel
• A microfiber towel or a soft T-shirt

Some dryers come with a diffuser, and universal attachments can fit others. Check that yours fits the nozzle before buying one.

Step by step

1. Start with soaking-wet hair. Curls form best when hair is at its wettest. Apply products in the shower or right after.
2. Apply your products. Leave-in or cream goes first, then mousse or gel. Scrunch upward.
3. Blot gently. Scrunch with a microfiber towel or a T-shirt. Do not rub.
4. Set the dryer. Use low speed with low to medium heat. High airflow creates frizz.
5. Hover first. Hold the diffuser near your head without touching it for a few minutes. This sets the gel or mousse cast.
6. Cup your hair. Tilt your head, gather a section in the bowl of the diffuser, bring it gently toward the scalp, hold it for 30 to 60 seconds, then lower it.
7. Work around your head. Avoid moving your hair too much. Less touching means less frizz.
8. Stop at around 80 percent dry. Then let the rest air-dry, and don’t touch it until it’s fully dry.
9. Scrunch out the crunch. If you used gel, scrunch gently with a bit of oil on your hands.

Getting more root volume

• Dry with your head upside down or tilted to the side.
• Use the prongs to lift hair at the roots, moving them gently.
• Use small clips at the roots while you dry the rest.
• Flip your part to the other side as you dry, then flip it back.
• Consider your cut. A flat top may need crown layers, as in a curly shag.

Common mistakes

Too much heat. This can leave hair frizzy and dry. A low to medium setting is enough.

Too much movement. Moving the dryer around a lot acts like a fan on wet curls.

Touching it too soon. Curls are easily disturbed while they’re wet. Keep your hands off until they’re dry.

Starting with damp hair. If your hair has already started drying, it often frizzes. Add water or a little product first.

Using too little product. Bare curls will not hold. Our guide on how to fix frizzy hair has some tips on products.

Tips by curl type

Waves (2A to 2C): use a light mousse, and do not use heavy creams, since they weigh waves down.

Curls (3A to 3C): cream plus gel gives both moisture and hold. See our 3B hair guide for routines.

Coils (4A to 4C): stretch and define with a stronger product. A hooded dryer or air-drying may also work. See our 4C hair guide.

If you aren’t sure of your curl type, see the hair type chart.

If you want to skip the heat

Air-drying is fine when you have time. See how to air-dry hair for how to get good results.

Related guides

• How to Plop Curly Hair With a T-Shirt or Towel

The cut matters as much as the tool

A well-placed layer can do more than an hour of diffusing. Upload a clear photo to Hairover, get a hair analysis, and try hairstyles on your own face in Style Studio to see what your curls could do.

Preview curly shapes on your own photo with Hairover.