A hair diffuser is a pronged, bowl-shaped attachment that clicks onto the nozzle of your best blow dryer. The device elevates your curl pattern and helps reduce frizz, leaving you with gorgeous texture.
Fitzsimons and Brown offer guidelines for using a diffuser depending on your hair length, type and curl pattern. But, regardless of your specific hair needs, they recommend a few basic steps:
1. Reduce Frizz
Hair dryer diffusers scatter heat over a larger area of the scalp, preventing frizz and minimizing damage. Since curly hair is more susceptible to heat damage than straight strands, using a diffuser often will uphold your healthy texture, volume and shape while also reducing the amount of time you spend blow drying.
To reduce frizz while diffusing, twirl your hair in small sections and start at the ends to avoid over-drying. If you have a diffuser with a cool shot button, squirt it on a damp section for a burst of cool air that helps set the style and reduce frizz. Spritzing on a light hair oil, like this Voodoo Oil, after your diffuser session can lock in moisture for extra shine. (Tip: It’s important to detangle wet hair with a wide-tooth comb before applying styling products or diffusing.)
2. Enhances Curls
Curly-haired women know a diffuser can help them achieve fuller and bouncier curls. “When used properly, diffusing your hair allows curls to dry with a tighter pattern, which helps reduce frizz and shrinkage,” says Collins.
To get the best results from your diffuser, you should always mist your locks with a heat protectant before drying it. “This creates a barrier between your strands and the heat,” explains Diaz.
Fitzsimons also suggests looking for a diffuser that has short or nubby prongs if you have shorter hair, as they are better at lifting curls to keep them clumped together in the diffuser bowl. Also, be sure to check that the diffuser you want is compatible with your go-to hair dryer. (This is especially important if you have a pixie cut or recently chopped curls.
3. Adds Volume
A diffuser disperses the flow of air to prevent your hair from getting frizzy, and it can also add volume to your curls. That’s because the circular movement of a hair dryer diffuser can help lift your roots and create that sought-after fullness.
To find the right hair diffuser for your hair, consider its size and diameter and what type of curls you have. If you have thicker curls, a diffuser with more holes and customizable vents will be best, while thinner strands may do better with less of both.
Another factor is the prong length, which is critical for achieving your desired results. Shorter prongs are ideal for lifting and defining your curls near the root, while longer ones work well for drying and shaping curls at the ends.
4. Reduces Heat Damage
Blow dryers with diffuser attachments offer a gentle, low heat setting that reduces the risk of damaging your hair. They also distribute the heat evenly so your mane isn’t overheated and roughed up. Diffusers are great for all hair types, especially wavy and curly hair, because they help stretch the strands and make them more elastic to avoid shrinkage.
Compared to air drying, the prongs in the Defrizzion XXL hair diffuser help lift your roots for more volume and fullness. For maximum volume, try diffusing for three to five minutes in the last step of styling. For the best results, look for a diffuser that has a cool shot button, which adds a burst of cold air to seal your curl pattern and make it more defined.
5. Faster Drying Time
If you want your curls to dry faster without compromising on their definition, look for a diffuser that’s lightweight and has a deep bowl to keep heat and air flow from blowing around your head. Also, check if it has a cool shot button that delivers a burst of cold air to seal the cuticle, reduce frizz, and set your curl pattern for a more polished finish.
Look for a diffuser with little grips or prongs to help with root lift and volume. Brown and Fitzsimons also recommend looking for one with small, evenly distributed holes for controlled air flow — too much and your hair will get frizzy; too little and it will take forever to dry.
This diffuser from Drybar has vented finger-like extensions to distribute heat gently for softly defined curls, a hydrating serum that nourishes strands, and negative ions that smooth the cuticle for a frizz-free finish. Over 10,500 enthusiastic Amazon reviewers give it five stars.