4 easy Steps To Blow Dry Curly Hair Without A Diffuser

Are you wondering how to blow dry curly hair without a diffuser?

Most times, when you go on vacation or travel for other occasions, it is difficult to maintain your natural curls.

pretty lady showing how to blow dry curly hair without a diffuser

That’s because there’s no hair dryer with diffuser nozzles at most hotels.

So, if you are in a bind without your diffuser and need to make do with a blow dryer, here is how.

Check: Best Straightening Hair Dryer

How to Blow Dry Curly Hair Without a Diffuser

Let’s take a look at the steps to blow dry your curly hair without the use of a diffuser.

Step 1: Cleanse your Hair

If you don’t have access to a diffuser, avoid putting too much conditioner on your hair. Hair products can weigh your hair down and make the top look flatter.

woman smiling while applying conditioner to her hair

You could try applying some towards their ends in an effortless way. This will help smooth out frizziness while also making them look sleek with fewer flyaways from curly textures.

Step 2: Apply Heat Protectant Spray

The best way to make your curls extra voluminous is by using heat protectants or primers that are designed specifically for this purpose.

spraying heat protectant on a curly hair

They can also help you gain volume and keep damage at bay since they’re formulated with ingredients like moisturizers, proteins, oils., etc. All of these will add awesomeness points to your tresses.

With that said, keep in mind not to use any product containing harsh chemicals because those might weigh down on your hair even further than expected.

Step 3: Gently Dry Hair Using Towel

If you want to achieve beach-ready waves, towel dry your hair with a microfiber towel. For those of you with coily hair, you can also press out the excess water gently so that your curls remain defined.

lady towel-drying hair

Dr. Shilpi Khetarpal, M.D., a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic says, “Using a heavy, bulky bath towel creates a lot of weight and tension in our hair, and that can make it more likely to break or shed.” [1]

If there are tangled pieces or knotted areas of strands, use a wide-tooth comb to avoid unnecessary breakage from pulling on them too hard while trying to brush out additional moisture.

Step 4: Dry your Curls Using Blow Dryer

The best way to get great hair is by letting your dryer heat do the work for you. The low or medium heat setting will give off healthier, bouncier curls without frying any of that beautiful moisture in there.

lady blow drying her natural curly hair

If we don’t have a diffuser available, though, using high pressure to dry hair can result in no volume and frizzy hair as well static-y strands. Therefore, take care not to overdo it when you’re blowing out those tangles after washing day [2].

When you take the time to let your curls fall naturally, without any help from a diffuser or other attachments, it is easier on both yourself and those precious locks.

Use your fingers to detangle your textured hair by holding up small handfuls at once and directing hot airflow across each bunch while moving around them in order for even coverage in all directions. This will also create more volume.

Then, flip over your head if you want big curls that don’t stick together after drying. Simply move back and forth constantly until they’re dry enough without staying put or getting stuck into one position forever.

You can check out this NO FRIZZ blow dry tutorial by Finally Amber [3]:

Considerations When Blow Drying your Hair Without a Diffuser

There are a few things to keep in mind when blow-drying curly hair without a diffuser.

Air flow

You should point the airflow downwards when blow-drying your hair. This will help to reduce frizz. If the air is blown upwards, your hair will lose most of its moisture and can become very dry.

Temperature

Although you might feel tempted to turn up the heat when blow-drying curly hair without a diffuser, this is actually counterproductive when it comes to frizz control.

You want to use as low a setting as you can, especially if you have very high porosity hair [4]. The cooler, the better!

Products

Before blow-drying, you should apply products that will protect your hair from heat damage and give you a boost of moisture.

This will help to reduce blemishes in the future. It will also give you bouncier locks and reduce frizz when blow-drying your hair and keep your hair looking sleek and smooth.

No Comb/Brush

There are various different ways on how to curl your hair with a blow dryer without a round brush. That said, when you are drying your hair, make sure not to comb or brush it.

This can cause unnecessary pulling and tearing. If you need to, use your fingers to detangle your hair.

These are some of the considerations on how to blow out natural hair and get the curls you desire.

FAQs

What can I use if I don’t have a diffuser?

a curly-haired woman showing the difference between Blow Dryer Vs Hair Dryer

If you don’t own a hair diffuser, worry not. You can get the curly mane you want with the help of a hair dryer alone. However, keep in mind to set the temperature at the lowest heat so it doesn’t damage your natural hair.

Is it better to let curly hair air dry or diffuse?

Letting your hair air dry helps maintain the curls and leaves an end result that appears better moisturized.
Diffusing may be faster or allow you to leave the house before it rains again. Both options will work; it’s up to personal preference and circumstances (time, place, etc.)

What is the fastest way to straighten curly hair?

pretty girl showing how to make curly hair straight naturally

The fastest way to straighten curly hair is to use a flat iron, which helps you get rid of the frizz. However, if you have thin or damaged hair, using a flat iron can be really damaging. In this case, the best way to straighten your hair is with a blow dryer and a round brush.

Conclusion

Blow-drying curly hair without a diffuser can be difficult, but it is not impossible. By following these tips, you can create a style that is both healthy and stylish. 

Curly hair can be beautiful, but it takes a little extra effort to keep it looking its best. Be patient and take your time, and you will be able to create a style that you can be proud of.

References:

  • 1. Levinson L, Matthews M. How to Blow Dry Your Hair So It Looks Like You Went to a Salon [Internet]. SELF. SELF; 2018 [cited 2021 Dec 13]. Available from: https://www.self.com/story/blow-dry-mistakes
  • 2. Scully SM. 6 Surprising Causes of Frizzy Hair –  and 8 Ways to Combat It [Internet]. Healthline. Healthline Media; 2021 [cited 2021 Dec 13]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/what-causes-frizzy-hair
  • 3. Amber F. HOW TO BLOW DRY A WASH N GO with NO DIFFUSER | ZERO FRIZZ [Internet]. YouTube. 2019 [cited 2021 Dec 13]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkKHcVi827g
  • 4. Nall R. Hair Care Tips for High Porosity Hair [Internet]. Healthline. Healthline Media; 2019 [cited 2021 Dec 13]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/high-porosity-hair
woman showing how to blow dry curly hair without a diffuser at home

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