If you’ve ever been stumped by the drying process of curly or wavy hair, then this blog post is for you!
Drying curly hair can be a challenge especially if you are new to embracing your hair because it is a much different process than traditional hair drying.
The reason is that traditionally, a blowout is intended to smooth your hairshaft, create volume, and sometimes large curls.
In contrast, drying and/or blow drying is an entirely different process if you are on a journey to embrace your natural curl pattern.
In this post, I am going to break down everything you need to know about how to dry your hair. My hope is by the end of this post you have a broad understanding of how to dry curly for reduces frizz.
If you would like to gain access to my in-depth workshop on “How To Dry Curly Or Wavy Hair, ..without causing damage or creating frizz. Even if you have tried everything in the past or are just getting started embracing your natural hair pattern.
CLICK HERE: https://colleencharney.lpages.co/how-to-dry-curly-hair-the-right-way
The Ultimate Guide To Drying Curly Or Wavy Hair For Reduces Frizz
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First, let’s talk about various methods of drying curly hair and their pros and cons.
Air Drying
Air drying is, as it sounds, allowing your hair to naturally air dry. This is a great method if you are not in a hurry to dry your hair and can be beneficial for extremely damaged hair since you are not using any heat at all during the process.
The downside to air drying is that it can take a really long time, you are not able to control exactly how your hair falls, and it can be hard to produce volume that many people love.
I recommend this method for someone who is recovering from extreme damage, hair loss, or excessive chemical use in the past.
Plopping & Micro Plopping
Plopping isn’t in itself a drying process, but it is a great technique to use to aid the drying process.
In order to plop correctly, use a quality microfiber towel to scrunch your hair on top of your head.
Micro plopping is using a high-quality microfiber towel to gently squeeze water from your hair to increase the curl pattern and allow it to dry more quickly.
Diffusing
Diffusing is using a diffuser attachment to disperse airflow to make it less harsh on your hair and help to eliminate frizz.
When it comes to diffusing, there are several different techniques you can choose from. Still, there are a few basics and “rules of thumb” that you should be aware of before you start diffusing.
The Basics Of Diffusing
Heat setting: It is important to choose a heat setting that is medium to low heat. High heat, even with a diffuser can still cause damage to your hair over time
Set your heat setting to medium to low.
Airflow: In order to reduce frizz during the diffusing process, you will want to choose medium to low airflow.
Think of your airflow as standing in the wind. If you stand in the harsh wind, it will blow your hair around making it frizzy.
For this reason, choose an airflow setting that minimizes how much your hair is blowing around.
Positioning: How you position the diffuser is another way you can reduce or increase frizz.
Focus on positioning your diffuser parallel to the floor rather than against the natural direction of your hair shaft.
This will allow the diffused, warm air to flow in a gentle way that will dry your hair without damaging it or making it frizzy.
Touching: With all diffusing techniques, try to minimize the amount of time that you are touching your hair.
Each time you touch your hair, you risk disrupting your curl clumps and adding frizz to your hair. Once you are done styling it, touch it as little as possible.
Various Diffusing Techniques
Below I’ve listed various diffusing techniques that can be used to successfully dry curly or wavy hair.
Hover diffuse
Hover diffusing is one of the most common ways to diffuse. Simply hover your diffuser attachment a few inches from your hair on low heat and low airflow.
If you are wanting to optimize the definition of your curl pattern, then be sure to move your diffuser from section to section slowly trying not to disrupt your hair strand.
If you would like to add volume, you can move your diffuser around and even use it to lift sections of it up.
When you do this, it allows airflow at the root which creates volume.
Upside down diffusing
Upside-down diffusing is used to create lift at the root and extreme volume.
This technique also allows you to reach the underside of your hair. Simply flip your hair over your head and diffuse in the same way as you hover diffused.
Hammock Diffusing
This technique is wonderful for looser curls patterns that may become elongated by the weight of the water in their hair while they diffuse.
You can use a microfiber towel to lift your hair strand or even lay it on a flat surface while you diffuse.
This is a good technique to help maintain your curl pattern during the drying process.
Pixie Diffusing
This method creates root volume by allowing airflow at the hair’s roots.
Place the diffuser attachment cup at the ends of your hair and then lift to the top of your head.
Diffuse for one minute.
Turn off the diffuser before moving to the next section. Repeat this process until your hair is dry.
Pick Diffusing
Pick diffusing is using a pick to lift sections of your hair while you diffuse. This is another great way to add airflow to multiple sections of hair without disrupting your hair pattern.
Use a pick to lift sections of your hair while you hover diffuse gently.
Hybrid Diffusing Method / My Personal Diffusing Method
This is my own personal diffusing routine which combines pretty much all of the techniques I’ve shared above into one routine.
After applying the products, plop the hair on a microfiber towel for no more than ten minutes.
Remove towel and micro plop to remove extra moisture.
Use claw clips to clip hair away from the scalp.
Air dry until 50% dry.
At this point, I usually do my makeup, eat breakfast, or do some tasks around the house.
Once your hair is 60%% dry, hover and diffuse for 10 minutes.
Remove clips and pixie diffuse.
When hair is 85% dry, stop and apply the mouse to help lock in the curl pattern.
Finish off with upside-down diffusing.
After my hair is dry I usually let it sit for 15-20 minutes before I scrunch out the crunch.
I realize this method is time-consuming which is why I always schedule my washday on a day I will be home all day.
How To Create Volume When Diffusing
The best way to create volume is to focus airflow on the roots and lift each section of hair while you diffuse it.
Root clipping is a great way to control how you want your hair to lay and to make sure the hair is lifted at the root.
How To Create Definition When Diffusing
The best way to create definition is to be very careful about moving the diffuser around, use the smasters technique, and touch your hair as little as possible.
Best Blow Dryer
Best BudgetRevlon Essentials Volume Booster Hair Dryer
Best Splurge Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Best Diffuser
The orchid diffuser
The DevaCurl diffuser
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What’s the best way to dry curly hair? That totally depends on what your goals are. If you want to avoid the heat, then air drying would be the best option for you. If you want a definition, you might try hover diffusing. And if you are team volume, then pixie and/or upside-down diffusing might be right for you.
- Do you diffuse curly hair with hot or cold air? The best heat setting for curly or wavy hair is typically between medium to cold. If you are to recover your hair from past damage, then cold air would be best because it is eliminating all heat. If your hair is healthy, you can get away with using a medium setting. How air should be avoided because even with a diffuser it can cause damage.
- Why is my hair frizzy when I diffuse it? Two reasons. First, if you haven’t applied the right products (in the right order), your hair will get frizzy when you diffuse it. Secondly, you may be moving the diffuser too much. Bouncing the diffuser around too much causes frizz. Instead, place the diffuser where you want it to be and leave it there for 60 seconds. Then turn it off, reposition it to the next section, and turn it on for 60 seconds.
- Should you diffuse curly hair wet? I don’t recommend diffusing on soaking-wet hair. Apply your products, and plop/micro plop for 10-15 minutes to help absorb moisture. Even after that, I like to let my hair air dry for 20 minutes before I begin diffusing.
- What do you put in your hair before diffusing? Apply a conditioning product such as a leave-in conditioner or curl cream, followed by a product with holds like gel or mouse prior to diffusing.
If you want to join an in depth workshop on this topic, you can do that by clicking here: https://colleencharney.lpages.co/how-to-dry-curly-hair-the-right-way
xoxo
Curly Colleen
