Managing curly hair to create soft, bouncy curls can be challenging. Although we see naturals with stunning curls on social media and in magazines, it can be difficult to achieve those curls at home.
Trying multiple products to achieve perfect curl definition may only lead to more frizz. However, there is no need to worry!
In this article, I will share tips on how to use a good hair diffuser to enhance your curls without frizz. Keep reading to learn more.
What is a Hair Diffuser?
A hair diffuser is a hair tool that you attach to your blow dryer to distribute air evenly into your hair without making it frizzy.
You may be wondering, isn't this what a regular blow dryer does? While a blow dryer can dry your hair, it can also leave it flat and frizzy.
Frizzy hair happens when individual strands of hair separate and curl in different directions, creating an untidy and messy appearance.
To prevent frizz, use a hair diffuser when you dry your hair. Unlike a blow dryer, which can change the natural wave patterns of your hair, a diffuser will keep them intact.
Choosing the Right Settings for Your Diffuser
If you're wondering what setting to use when using a diffuser on your curly hair, you're not alone.
A diffuser usually comes with three settings for air and heat: low, medium, and high.
Choosing the wrong setting can ruin your curls, so it's important to choose wisely.
We recommend using low or medium air and heat settings and avoiding the temptation to use the highest setting to speed up hair drying.
Instead, be patient and let your hair diffuse and dry naturally to avoid frizz.
How to Diffuse Curly Hair Without Frizz
1. Wash and Detangle Your Hair
The first step to achieving well-defined curls is to start with a good wash day.
Begin by either shampooing or co-washing your hair, then gently detangle it. It's important to detangle your hair instead of combing it.
Combing wet curls can cause them to snap, break, and disrupt your curl pattern, resulting in frizz. Simply use a detangling brush or your fingers to remove any knots in your hair.
2. Dry Your Hair with a T-shirt
To avoid damaging your hair and causing it to become dry and brittle, use a t-shirt instead of a towel to dry your hair.
Most towels have a rough cotton texture that can be harsh on your natural hair, causing it to lose its moisture and become more prone to breakage.
By using a t-shirt, you can gently remove excess water from your hair without damaging it. Another option is to use a microfiber towel, which has a smoother texture that is less likely to cause damage.
3. Twirl Your Curls
When your hair is semi-wet, use your fingers to twirl it into the shape of curls that you want. This will make your curls last as your hair dries.
You can also apply a leave-in conditioner as your hair dries. Avoid combing your hair at this point, as it will alter the curl pattern.
If you have any tangles, use your fingers to detangle them with the help of the leave-in conditioner.
4. Time to Use Your Diffuser
It's time to use your diffuser on your curly hair! But before you start, please use a heat protectant.
Too much heat can damage your hair, causing dryness, breakage, and overall damage. A heat protectant will act as a barrier between your hair and the heat.
You can divide your hair into sections (don't worry if it's not perfect) and apply your heat protectant for even distribution.
Next, set your diffuser to low heat and air settings and bring it close to one section of your hair. Start from the ends of your hair and gently move the diffuser towards the roots.
For extra volume at the roots of your curly hair, flip your head upside down so that your curls hang forward. This will also help you reach the back and center of your hair.
Continue using the diffuser until your hair is about 80% dry. Do not let the diffuser completely dry your hair; leaving it to air dry will give it a well-moisturized, bouncy curl look!
5. Avoid Touching Your Curls
Congratulations! You've successfully diffused your hair and now have perfect bouncy curls without any frizz.
What's next? Avoid touching your curls. You can touch them once or twice to feel the curls, but that's it!
Touching your curls too much can cause them to lose definition and even dry out your hair. Just leave them alone and enjoy your soft, bouncy curls!
If you're looking for a video tutorial on how to diffuse curly hair without frizz, OKae Kaela's video is all you need. It will show you everything you need to know.