Blow-dry curls with a diffuser

Drying your curls with a hairdryer with a diffuser has many benefits. Your hair dries faster and you get more curl definition. In this blog we will tell you how to best do this and what the best hair dryers for curls are.

Why use a diffuser for your curls?

A diffuser is often seen as a hair dryer. But, the diffuser is actually an attachment that you can click on to a hairdryer. You often receive most hairdryers with different attachments, of which the diffuser is one of them. You can recognize the diffuser by its round shape and protruding pins.

You apply the diffuser to your hair while drying your hair. So your hair will not be blown apart; the pins keep your curls in place and therefore maintain your definition.

Thanks to the handy pins of a diffuser, you can also lift your hair a bit for a little more volume. Try this by placing the hairdryer on your scalp and lifting the hairdryer up.

Don't you use a diffuser? Then you can experience extra frizzy hair and you can, as it were, blow out the curl pattern that you have created during styling.

Who is a diffuser suitable for?

A hair dryer with diffuser can be used with any curl type. So do you have wavy hair, curls or a coily hair type? Everyone benefits from it within your curly girl routine. It keeps your curl pattern intact and it also provides more volume (if you want!).

This is an example of a diffuser:

What are the benefits of a hairdryer for curls?

1. Faster drying time
2. Your curl definition is retained
3. You can create more volume
4. You experience less fluff

Does your hair feel harder after drying? No problem! Because this hard layer is also called a cast . You can squeeze out this hard layer with a little hair oil .

Is it safe to blow dry your hair?

A diffuser is often large and round, making it extra suitable for curly hair. The large head distributes the warm air over your hair, unlike a normal attachment that often blows out the heat through one outlet. Thanks to the even distribution, you can safely blow-dry your curls on a warm setting.

Can you also blow-dry short curly hair?

You can also blow-dry short curly hair! It doesn't matter how long or short your hair is, everyone can benefit from blow-drying with a diffuser. The advantage of shorter hair is that you often need a hairdryer with a slightly lower wattage. In other words, wattage says how quickly your hair dries. Do you have a high wattage hair dryer? Then your hair will be dry sooner than when the wattage is lower.

Tip: for short curly hair you can safely use a hairdryer with a wattage of around 700.

What techniques are there to blow-dry your curls?

You would think, you put the hairdryer in your hair and that's it. But, did you know that there are many different ways to blow-dry your hair? We explain the different techniques below.

Pixie blow dry

The very first technique we will discuss is the pixie method or also known as pixie diffuse. Pixie is originally an English name for, among other things, "small". And that is exactly what this method entails: blow-drying small sections/parts of your hair.

The advantages:

With this method you can create more volume. You use the pins to lift your hair up. In addition, you regularly hold the hairdryer in the same place, so you can blow-dry your hair so gently that you prevent frizzy hair.

The cons:

Sometimes it is quite difficult to blow-dry the middle layers, it is often a strange position because you do not lift your hair all the way up to your scalp. You can do this occasionally, but this may slightly change your curl pattern to more 'wonky' curls. In addition, some curlies with fine hair find it annoying to hold the hairdryer in one place for a long time. Do you notice irritation on your scalp? Then immediately change places with the hairdryer!

Steps for pixie blow drying:

1. Are you done styling? Then you can start blow-drying. Grab your diffuser!
2. Bring your head forward. If necessary, sit on a chair to make it a little more comfortable.
3. Set the hairdryer to a low blow setting. In terms of heat, it is useful to find out for yourself what you like. You can safely set the hairdryer to the hottest setting to shorten the drying time. Do you think this is too hot? Then set it a little lower.
4. Place the hairdryer on your scalp and hold it in place for at least 30 seconds. Can you last longer? Then hold the hairdryer in the same spot for a maximum of 3 minutes and finish your scalp. Also move your head to the left and to the right.
5. Is your scalp dry? Then work a little further down. Place the hairdryer in a specific spot in the hair and lift the hair a little bit with the pins of the diffuser. Leave the hairdryer on this spot for a while.
6. Work this way around your head, so that the hair after the scalp is also properly dry.
7. Now you have reached the lengths of your hair. Apply the hairdryer to the hair again and focus on a small area, hold the hairdryer here again and then work on to the next areas.
8. Apply the above to each section of your hair. It is important that you do not immediately lift the lengths of your hair with the hair dryer and then blow dry. You will then get a crazy curl pattern.
9. Is your hair 100% dry? Then squeeze the cast with an oil .

Below you can see a video of pixie diffuse. Please note, there are sometimes different opinions about the settings of the hair dryer. We recommend the above, does the video indicate otherwise? Be sure to try that out to see what works best for you!

Hover method

Women who use this method often experience a cast earlier than with the previous method. This is because the hair dryer does not touch the hair. The drying time is the same as the previously mentioned method.

The advantages:

Women who use this method often experience a cast earlier than with the previous method. This is because the hairdryer does not touch the hair. The drying time is the same as the previously mentioned method.

The cons

If you have a lot of hair, the method is a little more difficult. Because it may be that not all hair dries equally quickly. So it is useful to tilt your head well to the left and right to blow-dry all parts of your hair. In addition, this method does not provide more volume. This is because you don't use the hairdryer to lift your hair, so it may be slightly flatter after drying, but often with more definition.

Steps for hover diffusing:

1. Are you done styling? Then squeeze the excess water from your hair with a microfiber towel. Then you can start blow-drying. Grab your diffuser!
2. Bring your head forward. If necessary, sit on a chair to make it a little more comfortable.
3. Set the hair dryer to a low blow setting and a warm setting. Hold the hair dryer a few centimeters from the scalp and make slow, circular movements with the hair dryer. Repeat this until it is dry.
4. Work your way down slowly, continuing to make circular movements. Also move your head to the left and to the right.
5. Is your hair fairly dry? Then bring your head upright again and also hover the sides of your head and the parts that still feel damp.
6. Repeat the above until your hair is 100% dry.
7. Is your hair dry 100% dry? Then squeeze the cast with an oil .

Below you can see a clear video on how to apply this hover method :

Hammock diffusing method

The hammock diffusing method is a slightly less known method, but a fun technique to try The advantages of this method are that you do not have to hold the hair dryer for a large part. So a lame arm while blow-drying is a thing of the past! In addition, this method ensures that your curl pattern is preserved.

The advantages:

The advantages of this method are that you do not have to hold the hair dryer for a large part. So a lame arm while blow-drying is a thing of the past! In addition, this method ensures that your curl pattern is preserved.

The cons:

Do you have thicker hair or a lot of hair? Then this method may take longer in terms of drying time. Finally, the scalp may not be dry properly, so you should always blow-dry the roots of your hair, for example with the pixie method.

Steps for the Hammock diffusing method:

1. Are you done styling? Then squeeze the excess water from your hair with a microfiber towel. Then you can start blow-drying. Grab your diffuser!
2. Bring your head forward. If necessary, sit on a chair to make it a little more comfortable. In addition, place the hairdryer on a table that is approximately the same height as your head.
3. Set the hair dryer to a low blow setting and a warm setting.
4. Then take a microfiber towel and place it in both palms. Place the towel under your hair and lift your hair upwards so that the airflow hits your hair. Make movements so that your hair dries thoroughly on all sides. Repeat this until your hair is 100% dry.
5. Is your scalp or the top of your hair still damp? Then use the pixie method to further dry your hair.
6. Is your hair 100% dry? Then squeeze the cast with an oil .

Below you can see a clear video on how to apply the hammock method:

Final tips for blow-drying your hair

1. It is important that you blow-dry your hair gently. Are you going too fast? Then you can lose your curl pattern and create frizz.
2. Start by diffusing at the scalp. Bend your head forward and place the hairdryer just short of the scalp. Make sure you make slow, rotating movements. Then bend your head to the left and to the right.
3. Preferably start on a low blowing setting. Is your hair getting quite dry or do you feel the cast in your hair? Only then set it to a hard blow setting!
4. Do you want to blow-dry your hair in a certain direction? because you have had a certain lock cut or does your hair often fall forward? Then you can use handy clips to direct your hair. You simply hold them in while blow-drying.
5. Avoid getting your hands in your hair while diffusing as much as possible. This causes fluff.

Best hair dryers for curls

When it comes to hair dryers for curls, there are different models available. When purchasing a diffuser, pay attention to the following points:

1. What is your budget?
2. What kind of model would you like to have?
3. Do you want a smaller hair dryer or can it also be a larger version?
4. How big is the diffuser nozzle?
5. Do you want a cool shot function?
6. How much wattage should the hair dryer have?
7. What technology does the hairdryer contain?

The best hair dryers for curls have a large diffuser with protruding pins. You can also pay attention to the different settings of a hair dryer. But the latter often comes with a price tag. Would you like a hairdryer with a cold setting and different heat settings? Then you often go to a slightly higher price range.

You can also look at the technology and engine. Most hairdryers today contain ceramic technology. This technology is even better at drying your hair more evenly and often spreads negative ions, making your hair more shiny and frizz-free.

There are many hairdryers available for curly hair. We have deliberately kept our range small because there are a few hair dryers that we consider the best for curly hair.

Ceramic technology

Did you read that the hair dryer contains ceramic technology ? This means that this hair dryer is extra suitable for anyone with fine, damaged or dyed hair. The ceramic technology distributes the warm air from the hairdryer even better and therefore provides better protection for your hair.

Diffuser motor

Hair dryers can differ in motor. Below we explain the most common ones.

DC Motor

A DC motor is a variant that is used in many hair dryers. These hair dryers have a great speed and blowing force, but also make a little more noise. A DC motor has a shorter lifespan than an AC motor. Furthermore, a DC motor is lighter.

A DC motor is suitable if you use your hair dryer about 2 to 3 times a week. So do you want a hair dryer for your home and do you have a smaller budget? Then a hair dryer with a DC motor is a good choice.

AC Motor

AC motors have a long lifespan, they are of better quality than a DC motor. However, they are often slightly heavier than other engines. They are of very high quality, which often means a higher purchase price compared to a DC motor or a digital motor.

AC motors are very suitable for frequent use of a hair dryer and for anyone who has a slightly wider budget.

Digital engine

A digital motor is one of the newest motors in the diffuser world. They make little noise and are very light. There are few diffusers equipped with a digital motor.

A digital motor is suitable for frequent use of a hair dryer and for anyone who has a wide budget.

Wattage of the hair dryer

Every hair dryer has a wattage . The higher the wattage, the faster your hair will basically dry. Do you have a thicker head of curls? Then it is advisable to choose a hairdryer with a higher wattage. Do you have fine to medium thick hair? Then diffusers with a lower wattage will also suffice.

What types of diffusers are there?

Diffusers can be divided into two types of categories . There are hair dryers with a diffuser that you have to click on and there are diffusers and hair dryers in one (so you don't have to click them on).

These are popular hair dryers for curls

1. Dyson Super Sonic

The Dyson Super Sonic has been the hairdryer for curly hair for a long time. The Dyson is known for its high quality thanks to the excellent material. It is a stable hair dryer that is often used by curl hairdressers.

1. CHI 1875 Compact Hair Dryer

This hairdryer has a high wattage, a large diffuser head and different heat settings. It is especially suitable for long and thick hair, but can also be used for anyone who has finer or shorter hair and the ceramic technology.

The CHI Compact Hair Dryer is the new sister of the CHI Lava. We have included this in the range as an alternative to the CHI Lava. The big difference between the hair dryers is the wattage. The higher the wattage, the faster your hair dries. We recommend a higher wattage if you have thicker hair, for example, because then the wattage can make a big difference in the drying time. Do you have finer or medium hair? Then a hairdryer with a lower wattage will also suffice. Another big difference compared to the CHI Lava: The size of the hair dryer. The compact (as the name suggests) really fits better in the hand for certain curlies. In addition, the Compact contains protruding pins at the diffuser nozzle, and it is also a bit larger than the CHI Lava.

2. Bellisma My Pro Diffon Ceramic

This is a high-quality hairdryer that is often referred to as an entry-level model. This is partly due to the price (74.95 euros). This hair dryer has half the wattage than the previous version. This means that it is extra suitable for anyone with short to medium long hair. Do you have long and thick hair? Then the drying time may be longer than a hairdryer with a higher wattage. Finally, this hair dryer also has ceramic technology and is super easy to take with you when traveling!

And then we have the other variant of the Bellissima hair dryer. The ceramic variant. This is a hair dryer with ceramic technology, just like the CHI hair dryers. This is better for damaged and/or dyed hair and for anyone who wants their hair to be even better protected when blow-drying. Just like the Diffon hair dryer, this hair dryer also has a beautiful small model that is wonderfully handy. The wattage is the same as the Diffon variant, so this also counts: if you have longer and thicker hair and you want a shorter drying time, a hair dryer with a higher wattage is recommended. If you don't care about the drying time, a 700-watt hairdryer will suffice.

3. Laifen Swift SE

Laifen hair dryers are incredibly colorful and are very suitable for curly hair. Laifen has now launched several hair dryers with different wattages. The Laifen Swift is the most popular variant.

Summary of the most important features of the diffusers

For mobile users, rotate your screen for the entire overview! :)

	Cool shot function	Heat settings	Ceramic	Wattage	Price
CHI Lava Fohn	Yes	3	Yes	1100WW	159.20
CHI 1875 Compact Dryer	Yes	3	Yes	1875W	159
Bellissima Diffon Fohn	No	2	No	700W	48.95
Bellissima Diffon Fohn Ceramic	No	2	Yes	700W	64.95
Laifen Swift SE	No	3	Yes	1600W	130
Dyson SuperSonic	Yes	3	No	1600W	449

Now you know everything about blow-drying your hair! Hopefully you can make the right choice for a suitable hairdryer. Do you have any questions? Let us know in the comments.