Using a Diffuser to Add Lift to Hair

A diffuser is an attachment used on blow dryers to diffuse the air that comes out of this styling tool. The diffused air allows equal distribution of gentle air into the hair rather than a blast of air (hot or cold), which can be damaging to the hair, especially when you are working with damp hair. This attachment comes in handy for women with naturally curly hair (or those who have curled their hair) because it helps the strands to dry up quickly without disrupting the hair’s natural shape.

But did you know that learning how to use the diffuser attachment can also affect your styling routine? That’s right! It can also help to create more lift and body for your hair.

An important rule to remember for women with curly hair: when blow drying your hair, it is a MUST to use a diffuser. If you use blow dryer on curly hair without a diffuser attachment, the air that comes out is too strong and it will cause the natural shape of the curls to become disorganized and you could end up with a frizz fest on your head.

Now that you have that out of the way, here are some styling tricks you can use with a diffuser. If you intend to go out for the evening and want to get that “big hair” effect at the crown, here are some steps to follow:

• You need to shampoo and condition your hair. For women with naturally curly or wavy hair, conditioning is a must to reduce the frizz. You can also use a leave-in conditioner to get a smoother finish to hair and make it easier to control.

• Lightly pat a towel onto the hair to let it dry. Apply a root lifting product prior to blow drying to give more hold to the hair and maximise the volume produced from blow drying.

• Another trick you can use for getting more lift and volume is to flip your hair over the head. This will also ensure that even hair on the underside have dried completely. Hold the diffuser over the hair and scrunch as you go. Both the gentle stream of air from the diffuser and the scrunching motion will help hair stay off of the roots and hold that way for a long time.

If you do not have a diffuser, it is time you invest in one. This attachment is not only great for providing styling opportunities for your hair but also helps to minimise damage coming from heat styling.

What other styling techniques do you use the diffuser for?