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The ultimate guide to drying curly hair fast and properly

In this article

Looking to master the art of drying your curly hair? Gotcha! Here, you can just follow our step-by-step guides to blow dry your 3C curly hair with no frizz, as well as other issues like how long it takes for curly hair to dry naturally.

How long does curly hair take to dry?

https://www.laifentech.com/blogs/curly-hairstyle/everything-about-curly-hair

On average, curly hair can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to air dry completely. However, this time frame may be longer for individuals with thicker or denser curls. Using a diffuser attachment on a hair dryer can help speed up the drying process, taking around 30 minutes to an hour to dry curly hair completely.

As we said, Laifen Swift Special diffuser hair dryer for curly hair will help you streamline the process and save your precious time, compared to traditional blow dryers that apply infrared and ceramic technologies.

How to dry curly hair for men

To dry men’s curly hair without frizz, follow these steps:

Step 1. Towel dry your hair first

After washing your hair, use a soft microfiber towel to squeeze excess water from your curls. Avoid rubbing, as this can cause friction and lead to frizz.

Step 2. Apply a leave-in conditioner

Work a dime-sized amount of leave-in conditioner or anti-frizz serum through your damp curls to help lock in moisture and prevent frizz.

Step 3. Use a diffuser while drying

Use a diffuser while drying

Attach a diffuser to your hair dryer and set it to low or medium heat. Cup your curls with the diffuser and dry them in sections, starting from the roots and working your way down to the ends.

Step 4. Never touch your hair while drying

Once you’ve started drying your curls with the diffuser, refrain from touching them until they’re completely dry. Touching your hair while it’s drying can disrupt the curl pattern and lead to frizz.

Step 5. Do a cold shot

Once your curls are dry, finish with a blast of cold air from your hair dryer to help seal the hair cuticle and lock in moisture, reducing frizz and adding shine.

How to dry curly hair for women

To effectively dry women’s curly hair with a diffuser, follow these steps:

Step 1. Damp your hair

Damp your hair

After washing your hair, gently squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel until your hair is damp but not dripping wet.

Step 2. Use styling products

Distribute a curl-enhancing or anti-frizz styling product evenly throughout your hair to define your curls and minimize frizz.

Step 3. Attach the diffuser

Attach the diffuser to your hair dryer and set it to low or medium heat. Use a low airflow setting to avoid disturbing your curls too much.

Step 4. Section your hair

Section your hair

Divide your hair into sections to make it easier to dry evenly. Start with the bottom sections and work your way up.

Step 5. Use the “scrunch and hold” technique

Cup a section of hair in the diffuser, bringing it up towards your scalp. Hold the diffuser in place for a few seconds, then release and move on to the next section. Continue this process until all of your hair is dry.

Step 6. Avoid over-drying and finish with a cool shot

Be careful not to over-dry your hair, as this can lead to frizz. Stop diffusing when your hair is about 80-90% dry, and let the rest air dry to maintain moisture and minimize frizz.

Once your hair is dry, finish with a blast of cool air from your hair dryer to help set your curls and reduce frizz.

How to air dry curly hair for men and women

Air drying curly hair doesn’t need to be complicated. Here's a beginner-friendly guide to getting defined curls without heat.

Step 1. Blot, don’t rub

After washing your hair, blot out the extra water using a microfiber towel or a cotton T-shirt.

Step 2. Detangle gently

Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to detangle while your hair is still damp. Start at the ends and slowly work your way up.

Step 3. Apply curl product (Evenly!)

Use a curl cream, leave-in conditioner, or both. Follow with a light gel or mousse to hold the curl shape. Rake the product through gently, then scrunch it in upward toward your scalp.

Step 4. Scrunch + shape your curls

Flip your head forward and scrunch your curls from ends to roots. You can also twist a few curls around your finger to define sections if needed.

Step 5. Don’t touch while it dries

Let your hair air dry completely without touching it. Seriously, hands off. Disturbing the curls while drying creates frizz and breaks the hold from your products. Give it time, even if it takes an hour or two.

Step 6. Fluff the roots (Only when dry)

Once your curls are 100% dry, use your fingers or a pick to gently lift the roots and add volume. Don’t mess with the ends, which keeps your curl clumps defined and frizz-free.

How to blow dry curly with without a diffuser

To blow dry curly hair without a diffuser, use low heat and low speed, which prevents frizz and keeps your curl shape intact. Flip your head forward and gently cup sections of your hair with your hand, then hover the dryer a few inches above. Dry one section at a time, moving slowly to avoid overheating any spot. Don’t flatten or stretch the curls, just let them sit naturally in your palm as you dry.

Once most of the moisture is gone, flip your head upright and let the rest air dry. Avoid touching your curls while they finish drying to keep them defined. Afterward, use a small amount of curl cream or oil to reduce frizz and bring out shine.

Lastly

Mastering the art of drying curly hair is essential for achieving flawless locks. Our guide covers everything you need to know, from drying times to techniques for men and women. Whether using a diffuser or air-drying, our expert advice ensures frizz-free results. Say hello to beautifully defined curls with our comprehensive tips and bid farewell to soggy strands.

FAQs

How to dry curly hair fast?

Use a microfiber towel to blot excess water, then blow dry on low heat with a diffuser. Focus on roots first and scrunch as you go. Keep the dryer moving and avoid over-drying the ends.

Is it better to air dry or blow dry curly hair?

Air drying is gentler and helps preserve natural curl shape. Blow drying with a diffuser gives faster results and more volume but only on low heat. Choose based on time and your desired finish.

How to use a diffuser for curly hair?

Flip your head upside down. Place sections of curls into the diffuser bowl, lift gently toward the scalp, and dry using low heat and low speed. Hold for a few seconds, then move to the next section. Let hair cool before touching.

How to blow out curly hair without frizz?

Start with a heat protectant and use a round brush while drying on medium heat. Work in small sections and point the nozzle downward to smooth the cuticle. Finish with a cool shot to set and reduce frizz.

How to add volume to curly hair when blow drying?

Flip your head upside down and use a diffuser at the roots. Lift sections upward as you dry to build volume. Once dry, use your fingers or a hair pick at the roots to fluff, and never comb through the curls.

Veylin Frostforge
A science brain with a stylist’s soul, Veylin studied biology and chemistry before falling in love with beauty writing. She’s a stickler for results and ingredients, making her your go-to for no-nonsense product testing, especially in hair care and oral hygiene. His reviews read like mini lab reports with a splash of humor and charm.
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