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Have you ever tried air-drying thick, curly hair? If you have, has it dried yet? Diffusers are essential for anyone looking to accentuate their natural textures, but finding the right one can be a journey. So many hair dryers on the market can give you incredible results. Are you looking for a bouncy '90s blowout? An affordable option? Or do you want the best curls of your life?
When trying to find a new diffuser, it's a different story. Here are some things to remember: Not every diffuser will fit every hair dryer, so make sure to read the fine print. Finding a tool that helps you achieve your curl dreams is also essential. Are you looking for extra volume? More definition?
Whatever your curl wishes are, here are the 13 best diffusers on the market for every hair type and need.
If you want to add volume but keep definition, this diffuser is gentle enough to do both. The hand-like tool gentle cups hair, instead of disturbing it, so you can get the best of both worlds. Want to see if it will fit your hairdryer? See specs and measurements here.
If you're looking for a diffuser that's no muss, no fuss, then look no further. This diffuser is made of a heat-resistant silicone, and it can fold down, making it easy to store and travel with. Plus, the silicone barrel fits on almost every hair dryer, so you don't need to buy a new one.
If you're searching for a new tool that does it all, consider this one. This hair dryer comes with a diffuser, a smoothing attachment, and even some hair clips to make the process easy.
If you're lucky enough to have long, curly hair, then you know that drying those curls can take a ton of time. This diffuser paired with the T3 AireLuxe dryer can quickly dry a ton of hair without leaving behind any damp spots.
Looking to invest in your haircare? Dyson is considered one of the leaders in hair tools, and their Supersonic Dryer doesn't get enough love. Not only does it come with a magnetic diffuser, but it comes with a comb attachment, concentrated nozzle for straightening, and flyaway tool.
If you're trying to speed up the drying process, opt for a diffuser like this one. It has 360 degree airflow, meaning your hair will dry evenly. It's also very large, so you can scoop up a big bundle of curls and dry them super fast. Note: this diffuser doesn't fit all hair dryers! It has a 1.8" nozzle diameter, so it will only fit dryers that have the same measurement.
If you're packing your bags to go on vacay, don't stress if your hairdryer can't fit. This collapsible diffuser fits on almost every hair dryer on the market, including those dryers that hotels have, so you can keep styling on the go.
Looking for a hair dryer that meets all of your curls' wishes? This baby packs a punch, with anti-frizz technology, three heat settings and a cold shot, and a huge diffuser head. If you're looking for shiny, healthy curls that defined with tons of volume, look no further.
For curls that look just as good as what you can get in a salon, try the GHD diffuser attachment. It makes quick work of even long, thick curls, without using too much heat. This diffuser can be used with the GHD Helios dryer, or their Air Professional dryer.
Searching for a bit more bounce? That's what the Drybar diffuser is best at. It helps lift curls off the scalp, giving you tons of volume without adding frizz. Plus, while this diffuser works with Drybar's hair dryers, it also fits most other blow dryers, too!
This tool was created to help accentuate your natural texture. It's great for people with wavy hair who are looking to keep a natural bend in their hair. This dryer and diffuser are super lightweight, which means your styling routine can stop being your workout routine, too.
This brand has taken notes, and created the diffuser of our dreams. Not only does this fit almost every hair dryer on the market thanks to some clever design, but it also has a huge barrel, so even the thickest hair can style and dry their hair quickly.
Whether you're looking to rock your natural texture or give yourself a sleek blowout, this hair dryer and attachments can make all your hair dreams come true. With a diffuser, smoothing attachment, and comb attachment, you'll never need to step foot in a salon again.
"Diffusers essentially diffuse the air coming out of the dryer, so it reduces the velocity and spreads it out further, which is great for mimicking air-drying," says Lopez. While a traditional blow dryer pushes air out and causes frizz, a diffuser will just gentle dry hair without any friction.
Who should be using a diffuser?
"I would say anyone who wants to mimic air-drying, or perhaps encourage some volume in their natural waves or curls," says Lopez. "And of course, someone with curly hair." Diffusers are great for anyone who wants to add a bit more volume to their styles as well.
How do you prefer to use a diffuser?
"First, I just really rotate the diffuser around the head and around the hair, without touching or manipulating the hair at all until a cast starts to form from the product that you use," says Lopez. "Then, once a cast starts to form and you want to start building volume, you can tilt your head side-to-side or flip upside down gently and then encourage some volume and some more curl."
Do you have any tips or tricks to maximum volume or curl when using a diffuser?
"I would just say wait until your hair is completely dry before you start cupping it to encourage the curl," says Lopez. "The more you touch your hair while it’s drying, the more you are going to encourage frizz. So I always tell people to let the hair dry first to at least 85-90%, basically almost completely dry, before you start cupping it and encouraging volume, so you don’t have as much frizz."