The first thing to learn to know how to dry curly hair with a blow dryer is that there are different curl types. And each type of curls comes with a set of issues. That is why they need a specialized blow-drying routine. Here are all the blow-drying methods. Read on to know which one is suitable for your naturally curly mane. Scroll down!
Blow-Drying Methods Based On Your Curly Hair Type
1. Normal Hair
This type of hair is neither too thick nor too fine. It also does not suffer from a lot of breakages and is relatively moisturized. If you find yourself agreeing with this description, follow these steps to blow-dry your short or long curly hair:
Start by gently dabbing your wet hair with a soft cotton T-shirt. Cotton is a gentler fabric terry cloth and removes excess moisture from your hair without damaging it. Spritz some heat protectant spray on your curls. It will prevent your hair from drying out. Divide your tresses into 8 sections and hold them in place with some clips. Blow-dry your naturally curly hair one section at a time until all your curls are dry. Finally, apply some leave-in conditioner to give your tresses an extra dose of moisture. And, you are good to go!
2. Coarse Or Thick Curly Hair
While gorgeous to look at, thick and curly hair can be a little tough to deal with at times. This is especially true if you attempt to dry your ringlets without the necessary information required for proper care. So without further ado, try these tips to blow-dry your thick, curly hair.
Start by washing and conditioning your hair. Once done, apply some smoothening cream to your coils immediately. Divide your hair into 8 sections and clip them in place. With the help of a paddle brush, stretch the first section taut and blow-dry your thick, curly hair from the tips to the roots. Repeat this process on all the sections until your hair is completely dry.
Due to your hair’s thickness, it is important to keep it as wet as possible as this will make dividing it easier. You also need to blow-dry your hair without a diffuser for this method to work. Make sure to use a nozzle attachment with the blow-dryer: it will concentrate the heat, which smoothens your hair.
3. Dry Hair
If you have dry and damaged hair, don’t worry! You can still blow-dry your curls. That said, you need to give them an extra bit of love and care to prevent any further damage. Here’s how you can blow-dry your curly hair with a diffuser:
Start by deep-conditioning your hair to ensure that your curls get an extra boost of moisture. Gently dab your wet locks with a T-shirt to remove the excess moisture. Divide your hair into 8 sections and clip them up. Leave out the first section of hair that you want to dry. Start the blow-drying process by placing the diffuser at the end of the section of hair. The diffuser should be facing toward your scalp. Repeat this process for every section until all your hair is dry. Apply some leave-in conditioner to rejuvenate your curls.
Do note that the pace at which you blow-dry your curly hair needs to be fast as your hair be exposed to as little heat as possible.
4. Fine Curly Hair
This is another hair type that requires a diffuser attachment when blow-drying. Your tresses are extra vulnerable to breakage and, hence, need to be treated with the gentleness that it deserves. You can do this by blow-drying your fine curly hair the following way:
Start by deep-conditioning your hair. Ensure that the conditioner stays on for at least 30 minutes before washing it off. This will allow the moisture to really seep into the curls. Once done, remove as much water from your hair as possible with the help of a T-shirt. Apply some heat protection spray or cream to your hair. This will prevent it from getting burnt during the blow-drying process. Divide your hair into 8 sections. Place the diffuser over the roots of the first section and blow-dry it. Blow-dry the rest of the strip without the diffuser attachment. Repeat this for all the sections. Once done, apply some leave-in conditioner to replenish the moisture in your locks and go about your day.
Both the regular blowdryer and the diffuser attachment will lift your curly hair and give it some volume.
5. Frizzy Hair
Blow-drying your frizzy, curly hair is not the same as drying other types of curly hair. It requires a lot more product to ensure that it remains manageable. Mentioned below are the steps you need to follow when blow-drying your curly hair without frizz:
Start by conditioning your hair. In this case, you can skip deep conditioner and work with a normal conditioner. Remove the majority of moisture from your hair by dabbing at it with a cotton T-shirt. Apply some holding gel to your strands to tamp down any frizz and flyaways. Finish your prep by applying some heat protectant spray to your curls. Attach the diffuser attachment to the blowdryer and dry the roots of your tresses. Remove the attachment and dry the rest of your strands. Finish off your routine by applying some hair serum to rejuvenate your curls and retain frizz control.
Your blow-drying routine will also vary considerably depending on whether you want to blow-dry your curly hair into waves or straighten them. Learn more about these methods in the next section.
Blow-Drying Routines Based On How You Style Your Curly Hair
1. Blow-Drying Curly Hair Straight
Whether you have short hair or long, you can blow-dry your curly hair straight yourself. The main requirement for this curly hair blow-drying method is a round brush. What You Need
Blowdryer Straightener 1/2-inch round brush 3-inch round brush Clips Styling gel
What To Do This blow-drying method is a great way to straighten curly hair without causing frizz. Additionally, it can be used to straighten both men’s and women’s curly hair.
2. Wavy Hair
If you want to tone down your curls but still retain most of their volume, you can blow-dry curly hair into waves with these steps. What You Need
Blowdryer 3-inch round brush Clips Styling gel
What To Do Whether you wish to blow-dry your curly hair straight or wavy, not knowing the right precautions can damage your mane! Try the following tips to protect your curls from the dangers of blow-drying.
Precautions To Be Taken When Blow-Drying Your Hair
The hotter the setting, the drier your hair will become. So, make sure that your dryer is always on the lowest heat setting. Do not go overboard with straightening. The blow-drying process is not equal to a straightener and will, therefore, never completely straighten tightly-coiled hair. To avoid overexposure to heat, limit the number of times you blow-dry your curly hair to once a week. Deep condition your curls weekly to replenish its moisture.
Is it better to blow dry curly hair with cold air? Yes. Using cold air to blow dry your curls will prevent your hair from getting frizzy. Should I blow dry my curly hair or let it air dry? Air drying your curls is always a better option as it helps in maintaining curl definition. It also helps cut down on potential heat damage from blow drying. What is plopping for curly hair? Wrapping a cotton T-shirt over your head to dry wet curls is called plopping. This technique reduces frizz and helps in increasing hair definition. What is a curly girl pineapple? It is a hair tying technique for curly hair. It involves tying your hair up at the very top of your head. This technique is used while going to bed to prevent frizz, knots, and flattened curls. Is it OK to blow dry hair every day? No. Repeated heat exposure can severely damage your hair and follicles. It strips away the hair’s natural oils, leading to dry cuticles, frizz, and breakage. Thus, it is advised to protect your hair from heat as much as possible. Does cold blow drying damage the hair? Yes. Blow drying, in general, is damaging. Although using cold air is better than using hot air, avoid it as much as you can to protect your curls. Achieve salon-quality blowouts for curly hair at home with just a diffuser attachment and heat protectant. Check out the video to learn how to section your hair and use a round brush for bouncy and well-defined curls.
