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Hair trends change, but there’s one look that’s always in: luscious, bouncy hair. Nobody wants flat and lifeless locks, whether they’re team straight, wavy, or curly. Fortunately, there are tools that can help you create the voluminous hair of your dreams with ease. One of them is a diffuser, a small hair dryer attachment that makes a big difference.
Below we’ll be explaining what a diffuser is and how it works, as well as sharing a step-by-step guide on how to diffuse hair for greater volume. If you’re ready to transform your hair care routine, read on!
What Is A Hair Diffuser?
In terms of hair care, a diffuser is a bowl-shaped attachment that disperses the airflow of a hair dryer. It creates a gentler, more controlled flow than the powerful single stream of a ‘naked’ hair dryer.
Diffusers are especially great for setting and enhancing natural waves and curls, therefore creating extra hair volume. The attachment is easy enough to add to a hair dryer, but you’ll need to use a special technique when drying your hair to get the best results.
The Benefits Of Using A Hair Diffuser
- Reduces hair drying time
- Enhances curls and waves
- Provides consistent results
- Reduces frizz and heat damage
Using A Diffuser vs. Blow Dryer For Volume
Are you wondering if a diffuser is better than a conventional blow dryer for volume?
Technically, you’ll still be using a blow dryer while you’re using a diffuser, as they are blow dryer attachments. But it’s one that can make a world of difference.
How Hair Diffusers Work To Enhance Curls & Create Volume
By dispersing the air flow of a blow dryer, diffusers direct the air around waves and curls so they can gently dry without being hit by a direct stream of air. This allows waves and curls to set in their firmest and bounciest state.
Conventional hair dryers, on the other hand, can cause waves and curls to flatten with their powerful direct air streams. And when on a high heat setting, they can cause damage since there’s no barrier between the hair shaft and the air flow.
If you’re looking for a seamless diffusing experience, consider the Laifen SE High-Speed Hair Dryer. It comes with a magnetic diffuser nozzle, so you’ll be able to start your diffusing journey immediately. It’s made with ionic technology to fight frizz and promote smoothness while you’re building volume, and the innovative temperature cycling mode works to prevent heat damage. With ultra fast drying speeds and a comfortable ergonomic design, it’s the perfect diffuser/hair dryer combination for those looking for salon-worthy results with minimal effort.
Can A Diffuser Be Used On Any Hair Type?
Many people only associate diffusers with curly hair, but they can actually be used by all hair types. They’re a popular choice for anyone wanting to prevent heat damage or simply enjoy a gentler drying experience.
Diffusers have the power to bring out waves and curls you might not have realized you had, enhancing curl patterns by up to 70%! However, you know your hair better than anyone else. If you have pin-straight hair that struggles to hold waves or curls, you likely won’t see a massive difference (though a diffuser can still create extra texture and bounce).
How To Diffuse Curly Hair
Step 1: start with completely wet hair
Don’t worry about patting your hair down with a towel beforehand. Wet hair allows for more even product distribution, and helps to create more volume when you diffuse; dry hair doesn’t set as well.
Step 2: prep your hair
Keep frizz at bay by prepping with a moisturizing or styling product, applying from your roots to your ends. Mousses, gels, and texture sprays are great for wavy hair, while creams and oils work best for curly hair.
Step 3: diffuse
Start drying at the roots and work your way down, since roots tend to take longer to dry than ends. Use a high heat and low speed setting to reduce frizz. Try not to move your hair or head; instead, move the diffuser to reduce friction.
Step 4: create volume
Once your roots are dry, build volume by playing around with diffusion angles. You can lean forward and flip your hair in front of you, scrunch your hair up with your fingers, or shake out your hair periodically while diffusing to create volume from the roots and nape of the neck. Continue until your hair is about 90% dry.
Step 5: Finish & set
Shake your hair out and tousle your strands with your fingers to fully release the volume. If you like, you can set your waves/curls with a light hairspray.
Best Hair Products For Volume
A diffuser and a volumizing hair product is the perfect combination for extra bouncy hair. These products specifically work to lift roots from the scalp to create additional hair volume. They come in many different forms: mousses, sprays, powders … don’t be afraid if you haven’t used mousse or hairspray in a while — they’ve come a long way, and modern formulas are anything but stiff and crunchy. You’ll be able to easily spot these products, as they’ll have terms like plumping, volumizing, texturizing, and thickening in their names and descriptions.
Best products to choose:
- For smoothness & volume: mousse or spray
- For texture: powder
Best ingredients to choose:
- For structural support: proteins (wheat, hydrolyzed rice protein, baobab) & amino acids (arginine, lysine, cysteine)
- For hydration & moisture balance: aloe vera, glycerin
- For texture: kaolin clay, sea salt
- For stimulation: caffeine, rosemary oil
- For oil control: chamomile, citrus extracts
Avoid silicons and heavy oils like coconut and jojoba, which can weigh hair down.
Conclusion - Using A Hair Diffuser For More Volume
We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide on how to diffuse hair for volume! Whether you’re looking to enhance your natural waves or curls, or you simply want to bring more bounce to your straight hair, a hair diffuser is an accessory worth looking into. The gently dispersed air flow is perfect for boosting texture and volume, creating your most gorgeous, healthy locks ever.
