A diffuser is a plastic attachment for your hair dryer that helps keep the natural curl pattern. It’s a game-changer when it comes to heat-styling curly hair. But use it incorrectly, and you can end up with frizzy and undefined hair. People make several common mistakes when using a diffuser. Here, we spoke with three celebrity hairstylists to help steer us straight away from these five diffuser mishaps. If you need to dry your wet hair just a bit, Michael Dueñas, a celebrity hairstylist and consulting creative director, says you can scrunch it a couple of times with a micro-fiber towel to soak up some of the water, but be gentle. “I see some clients roughly drying their hair with a towel and being abrasive with it, which will stretch your curls and create more frizz,” he says. To help enhance your curls, Colombini suggests molding them by wrapping them around your index finger, creating tendrils. “This will later be broken up once completely dry,” he says. Once you’re out of the shower, prep with your favorite styling product and leave-in conditioner. The Ouidad Curl Reboot Nourish and Strength Leave-in Mask is a great leave-in option for curly hair types ($38, nordstrom.com) that will nourish and soften your hair. Apply enough product so that when you scrunch your hair, you can hear a squishy noise. That will indicate your hair is wet and moisturized enough for diffusing. The exception to this rule is for those with tighter curl patterns. “On textured, tight coils, set your hair where you would like it to live and move the diffuser around your head without touching your hair,” says Dueñas. Do this until your hair is completely dry. “Once your hair is completely dry, scrunch it gently with your hands by gathering the hair from the ends to the root gently in your palm,” says Colombini. “Then, softly squeeze and open your hand in a gentle compression. Do not rub your fingers together, as this will break up the cast that any product has left on your hair.” Never pull your fingers through your curls because that will break up the curl pattern and create frizz. These tips are sure to help keep your curls looking fresh, beautiful, and defined next time you diffuse your hair.
