How to Dry Curly Hair Without a Diffuser

If you have naturally curly hair, you know that a diffuser attachment can be a lifesaver when it comes to defining curls and reducing frizz during drying. But what do you do when you don’t have access to your trusty diffuser? Don’t worry, there are plenty of effective techniques for drying curly locks without this handy accessory.

Why Diffusing Is Ideal for Curls

First, let’s review why diffusers are so popular in the curly community. A diffuser attachment on a blow dryer helps:

• Gently lift curls up and away from the scalp to encourage curl formation
• Allow air to flow through ringlets rather than blowing hair around and causing frizz
• Dry hair more slowly and evenly, avoiding damage from high heat
• Define curls and reduce frizz by dispersing air flow

By cradling curls and moving them slightly as they dry, a diffuser creates that perfect curly shape many of us covet. But it’s not absolutely necessary to get great results.

Tips for Air Drying Curly Hair

When you don’t have a diffuser, air drying is your best bet for maintaining curl definition. Here are some tips:

Gently Blot Out Excess Moisture

After washing, gently squeeze out excess water from your hair. Don’t rub vigorously with a towel, which can cause frizz. Instead, use an old cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel to gently blot hair.

Apply Styling Products Upside Down

Flip your head over and apply your favorite curl cream, gel, or mousse. Make sure to scrunch it in thoroughly from ends to roots. Upside down styling helps boost volume at the roots.

Let Air Dry Completely

Resist the urge to touch, scrunch or mess with hair as it dries! Just let it be. Air drying can take awhile, so put on a show or do chores hands-free. Your curls will look fab once totally dry.

Scrunch Out Crunch

If you used a strong hold gel or mousse, scrunch your dry hair gently to break the hardened “crunch” and reveal soft, touchable curls.

Fluff at Roots

Use your fingers to gently fluff and lift curls at the roots when completely dry for added volume. Avoid aggressive flipping, which can cause frizz.

Set with Cool Shot

Go over curls lightly with cool air from your dryer or a fan to set the shape. Avoid any heat, which can undo your carefully formed curls at this stage!

Useful Tips for Plopping Curls

Plopping is another no-diffuser technique that has devotees among the curly community. Here’s how it works:

Flip Hair Over

After washing and applying products, flip head upside down. Gather curls into a loose handful at the crown.

Place on Shirt

Sit a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel on a counter top. Gently place your curls into the center of the fabric.

Wrap Up

Bring the bottom of the shirt up over your hair to the nape of your neck. Twist or tie the sleeves together to secure.

Let Sit

Keep your curls wrapped up for at least 20-30 minutes. Overnight plopping is okay too but can flatten roots.

Air Dry

Unwrap shirt and let hair finish air drying the rest of the way. Scrunch out any crunch once fully dry.

Plopping gives curly strands time to set into their curl pattern before drying fully. Just avoid rubbing or scrunching while wrapped.

Low-Heat Drying Options

You can use some gentle heat while drying curly hair without a diffuser. Just keep the temperature low to avoid frizz.

Hooded Dryer

Sit under a hooded dryer, available at many salons, with air on low or medium speed. Keep hair flipped and moved around.

Cool Setting on Dryer

Use the cool setting on your blow dryer to gently speed up drying time. Keep it moving to avoid frizz.

Low Speed in Sections

With the dryer on low, gently dry hair in sections, holding curls away from head. Don’t let them blow around haphazardly.

Cool Car Air

Blast the air conditioning or heat in your car at full speed with windows closed. The contained environment helps dry.

Air Fluff

Point a small fan 6-10 feet away from freshly washed hair to air fluff curls as they dry.

Root Lifting

Bend forward and dry roots only with minimal air flow for lift. Avoid drying the lengths to minimize frizz.

Drying Curly Hair in Braids or Twists

Braiding or twisting wet hair is another way to dry naturally curly strands without a diffuser.

Part Hair Cleanly

Start with freshly washed hair parted cleanly down the middle or in sections all around the head.

Apply Product

Work your favorite curl cream through hair from roots to ends before braiding. This helps define strands.

Braid Tightly

Make braids small and tight for best results. The thicker the sections, the wavier the result. Or try two twists or flat twists.

Air Dry

Let hair fully dry in braids or twists overnight or during the day. Take your time.

Unravel Gently

Carefully unravel braids, shaking at the roots for volume. Style and fluff as needed.

For uniform waves, braid damp hair tightly in two braids. For big, undefined curls let hair dry in many smaller braids or twists.

Things to Avoid When Diffuser-Free

While drying curly hair without a diffuser can work, you need to be careful about a few things:

• Don’t roughly rub hair with a towel – this causes major frizz.

• Avoid brushing or combing once hair is dry, as this breaks up curl clumps.

• Don’t aggressively scrunch if hair is still quite damp or curls will get wonky.

• Never use direct high heat like a hair dryer on the hot setting to force faster drying.

• Don’t let hair air dry completely loose and uncontrolled – strand definition will suffer.

Have patience, keep air flow gentle, and set your curls up for success!

Choosing the Best Approach for Your Curls

Picking the ideal diffuser-free drying method depends on your curl type and lifestyle:

• Type 2 Waves: Air dry, plop, or braid damp hair. Diffusing isn’t essential.

• Type 3 Curls: Plopping or air drying in sections works best to encourage coil formation.

• Type 4 Coils: Braid, twist, or band hair for definition. Air drying loose can cause shrinkage.

• Looser Curls: Air dry or use low heat if you don’t mind a slightly wavier look.

• Tight Coils: Braid if you want to stretch out your curl pattern a bit.

• Short on Time: Plop hair or use low heat/air flow to speed up drying.

• Need Definition: Air dry in small sections or plop hair in a shirt.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Having trouble getting great results when diffusing isn’t an option? Here are some fixes:

Frizzy Hair

• Use a strong hold gel and let air dry 100% before scrunching out crunch.
• Plop hair tightly in a shirt while drying to help curl formation.
• Avoid any heat styling if hair is remotely damp.

Flat Roots

• Clip or tie up roots while drying to boost volume.
• Dry roots only with cool air pointed at scalp.
• Shake vigorously at the roots once hair is 100% dry.

Straggling Strands

• Smooth any wonky pieces with a tiny dab of gel and pin back to air dry.
• Carefully twist and wrap unruly strands around finger to train them to curl.

Loss of Defined Curls

• Ensure hair is parted cleanly before air drying.
• Scrunch in gel upside down and don’t touch while drying.
• Plop in a shirt or dry in very small sections.

The Takeaway

While a diffuser makes styling curly hair easier, you have plenty of good options when caught diffuser-less. Don’t reach for the straightener – work with your hair’s natural texture. Air drying, plopping, gentle heat, and braiding strategies can help you get bombin’ curls even without this handy tool. Have patience and get creative!