Curly-haired girlies, I have a very urgent matter to discuss. Have you been using a curly hair diffuser to dry off your curls? If the answer is no, then we need to talk. I know that wash-day can be a bit of a chore and then having to introduce a heat tool to give your natural texture a boost is taxing, but hear me out. It might be worth adding this extra step to your routine if you want to achieve your best natural curls yet.
Many people with curly hair are guilty of leaving it drippy and damp for prolonged periods of time as they like the illusion of shine and definition those wet curls give. However, that doesn’t last long, and sadly, leaving hair wet for extended periods of time or even sleeping with it damp could be causing more harm than good. There is actually a name for that, experts call it ‘hygral fatigue’. When the hair is wet, it is at its most “elastic state” and therefore vulnerable to things like friction which can only mean one thing – breakage.
Regular towel drying is also an option, but not a good one as it’s likely to change the shape of your curls and encourage frizz. You can opt for microfibre hair wrap but they’re not the fastest and most efficient solution. Then of course you can just use a hairdryer like everyone else, but normal blow-drying is likely to throw curls out of shape.
So where do we go from here? The curly hair diffuser attachment of course.
How does it work?
They are usually built as a round plastic attachment that you can slide onto the nozzle of your hairdryer. A diffuser works by spreading the airstream over a wider area in a more controlled way using indirect heat.
Why do I need it?
- Help keep the natural pattern
A hair diffuser attachment works by spreading the airstream over a wider area in a more controlled way. This means that it allows wavy and curly hair types to keep the natural curl pattern without blowing them out of shape and making hair frizz.
- Prevents further damage to the curls
Hairdryers blow curls in all directions which means they dry unevenly and this can cause damage to curls (which are often already more delicate and brittle in nature) as they pull and tug them down the roots. Diffusers can dry the curls in a more controlled manner using indirect heat so they are naturally more efficient and minimise heat damage.
- Cuts drying time for curls
Using a diffuser will cut you some dry time as all it requires of you is to gently cup the hair over specific areas of your head for 10-20 seconds before you move to another which will speed up drying time.
- Adds volume to the fro’
Each diffuser attachment tooth works to lift each hair strand to dry hair quickly, maximise its body and volume, and boost your curl formation which contrary to air drying gives longevity to the finished look.
- Enhances curl definition
While air drying can leave your hair with a natural finish for a short while, it will eventually make it look frizzy, while diffusers help you get a more defined curl without compromising on volume.
How do I use it?
The steps are simple. The best way to use a diffuser attachment is to start with wet and squeaky clean hair. Larry King is our Global Styling Ambassador for Dyson says: “The best thing to do is work with soaking wet hair and apply your curl mousses to the hair and take your diffuser, (I recommend the Dyson Supersonic Diffuser as it comes with two different membranes to get the most undisruptive curl), and put your head upside down and let the diffuse do all the work. Don’t touch the hair too much in this process.”
While you’re diffusing, work in small sections and gently cup your curls in the bowl of the diffuser and softly scrunch them from the ends up against your scalp. Spending somewhere between 10-20 seconds on each section (depending on how large the attachment is or how much surface area it covers) and move up toward the roots as you go along.
Now you know everything there is to know about diffusers, keep scrolling for the best diffuser to try right now.
For more from Glamour UK Beauty & Entertainment Assistant Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona