If you’ve started wearing your hair with its natural wave, you might wonder how to diffuse wavy hair for the best results.
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Let’s answer all of these!
What are the advantages of diffusing wavy hair?
As well as ‘how to diffuse wavy hair’ let’s also look at why it can be beneficial!
First of all, I know it hardly needs saying, but diffusing your hair will speed up the amount of time it takes your wavy hair to dry.
The alternative is air-drying and, let’s be honest, this can take hours. The thickness of your hair will make a big difference here, but thick hair can take upwards of 4 hours to fully dry. 4 hours and a lot of patience!
Another benefit is that you are likely to increase the wave and make it more defined. If you gently cup your hair as it dries, you will help set the wave into your hair.
Water is heavy and it can weigh down your hair. The more slowly your hair dries, the more chance the water has to ‘weigh down’ your hair and lessen your waves.
Diffusing your wavy hair will also increase your volume! Diffusing lifts your roots while preserving wave patterns for that soft, voluminous finish.
When is the best time to diffuse?
When to diffuse wavy hair depends on the look you want to achieve. Diffusing on wet hair will achieve more of a defined wave, whereas waiting until your hair has started to dry is likely to give you more volume.
For wet hair: Apply any leave-in conditioners and styling products and then start gently diffusing while your hair is still really wet.
For partially dry hair: Apply leave-in conditioner and styling products and then ‘plop’ your hair or simply let it air dry until it is only slightly damp. Diffusing from this point will give you more volume.
Extra tip: If you diffuse from partially dry hair you can also be slightly more vigorous with the diffuser. You can worry less about the wave pattern remaining perfect and can instead move the diffuser in and around your head to create more volume.
Isn’t heat bad for your hair?
There are 3 things to keep in mind if you are worried about heat damage on wavy hair, the temperature that you set your hairdryer to, diffusing style, and the products you are using.
Here are a few tips when considering how to diffuse wavy hair:
- Use Low Heat or Cool Settings – Resist the temptation to crank your dryer to full blast. Low, moderate heat or even cool air is your hair’s best friend.
- Hold the Diffuser Away – Keep your diffuser an inch or two away from your strands to avoid direct heat exposure.
- Don’t Overdo It – Diffuse until your hair is about 80–90% dry. Once it’s nearly there, you can finish the drying process with air.
Bonus tip: If you’re still nervous about potential heat damage, apply a heat protectant before diffusing. This will add a protective barrier to your strands while enhancing shine.
Which products should I be using before diffusing my wavy hair?
Even at a low temperature, any heat on your hair risks removing moisture and drying it out. To combat this, I would recommend using a heat-protector. There are plenty of lightweight products that would be perfect for wavy hair. Here are a couple of my favourites:
Imbue Curl Defending Hair Heat Protection Mist/Spray (UK only)
Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-in Conditioner
You can use these in addition to any styling products. This is my favourite product for styling wavy hair.
Bonus Tips for Diffusing Like a Pro
Diffusing isn’t just about blasting your hair with heat (thankfully!). There’s a technique to it, and with some practice, you’ll master the art of getting those defined, voluminous waves. Try these techniques next time you’re considering how to diffuse wavy hair:
- Flip It! – Flip your head upside down while diffusing to elevate your root volume.
- Hover First – To start, hover the diffuser around your head to set your waves without disturbing them.
- Cup Gently – Once your waves are partially dry, gently cup sections into the diffuser and lift them towards your scalp. Hold for about 10–15 seconds before releasing.
- Scrunch Out The Crunch (SOTC) – If your waves feel “crunchy” once they’re dry, don’t panic. Scrunch your hair with your hands to break up the gel cast and reveal soft, touchable waves full of bounce.
How to Diffuse Wavy Hair – in conclusion
When considering how to diffuse wavy hair, take into consideration the final look you want to achieve – it’s the age-old Team Volume or Team Definition debate!
With the right tips, tools, and techniques, you can transform your wavy hair drying routine into a confidence-boosting ritual. Whether you’re diffusing for the first time or looking to perfect your technique, remember this—it’s all about experimenting and finding what works for your unique waves.
Lauren xx
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