Am I the only person that diffusing DOESN'T work for?

jessicaaalovex · 10-17-2011, 02:23 AM

I normally don't diffuse my hair. I just don't like the way the curls look. To me they're frizzy and not as clumpy and defined as they would be when I let them air dry. Is there anyone else out there that doesn't like to diffuse their hair? Most curlies swear by diffusing as the key to getting their gorgeous hair but I can't seem to get it to work. Any tips on what I could do to make it work for me? While I know that air drying is the healthiest for your hair, my hair just takes way too long to dry and I absolutely detest going out in public with wet hair.

Korkscrew · 10-17-2011, 03:03 AM

Like you, diffusing isn't my favorite method, but the method I use instead is a bit unorthodox and can be unsafe if you don't follow common sense.

I have made a habit of buying tower-shaped space heaters and using that. I make sure to keep it at a SAFE distance (a couple feet) from my hair, shifting my position after each part gets about 75% dry. You can do a reality check every once in a while by touching your hair to make sure it's not overly-hot to the touch. It saves me having to hold something in my hand - frees my hands so I can sit there and read or watch a movie on Netflix

I find the air stream from the space heater is less violent than a diffuser so my hair dries with very limited frizz (if any). Of course my hair type and texture might not match yours, so I'm not sure how much or little frizz it might give you.

CalamityM · 10-19-2011, 05:11 PM

I have to diffuse my hair. I just don't get the lift I like at my roots if I don't. I recently changed hair dryers though and it's made a HUGE difference. I used to use a regular hair dryer and it resulted in some unwanted frizz and weirdly dried curls. My new dryer is one of those tourmaline thingies and I have found that it's cutting down on my frizz in a big way. I'm still experimenting...I don't want to give it a rave review until I've gotten consistent good results for a few weeks, but so far so good. It's going to be a lifesaver this winter.

steph35 · 10-19-2011, 06:53 PM

slightly off topic, but is diffusing bad for curly hair? I am thinking of diffusing for the winter as I am an air dryer BUT I am nervous about heat damage....

Jas76 · 10-19-2011, 07:19 PM

What the heck? I swear I replied to this thread already! LOL!

What I THOUGHT I said was that I air dry sometimes, diffuse others. Like if my hair is still pretty wet before bed, or if I have to go somewhere that evening and I don't want to go out with wet hair (especially in the colder months!)

When I do diffuse, however, I have to wait at least 10 or 15 mins (or more) before diffusing. It's as if my products need a chance to absorb or "set". If I don't wait, I will get puffy, undefined curls. So you may try that.

If I do it in the morning, I usually shower, style, dress (sometimes I dress before styling, depending on what I'm going to wear and whether it needs to be pulled on over my head!), and then i'll go eat, put on some make-up, get everything else ready that I might need to, and then diffuse last thing before I leave. If I'm plopping, I would do it during that time, as well.

Give it a try!

OH, and also when I diffuse, I go between high and low as needed. I usually start on low, "lift" the section with the diffuser, blast it up on high for a few seconds, then go back down to low. Then I switch to the next section, and come back to the previous one if I need to. I never really "pump" the diffuser at all.

I also keep it on the warm or cool setting all the time - never up on hot!

hth!

asianrunner · 10-19-2011, 08:06 PM

I too dislike diffusing, but that's mostly because I'm lazy and and always running late in the mornings! I may give it a shot this winter thought because I was tired of going to school w/ crunchy, frozen hair hahaha!

I really like air drying. I have my routine down and don't wanna change anything if I don't have to!

Gilly07 · 10-20-2011, 01:43 AM

I struggle with diffusing too, I have a Parlux dryer and diffuser but my hair is still pretty short so I tend to get the dragged through a hedge look as I don't use any product.
Maybe one day I will get the hang of it!

jessicaaalovex · 10-20-2011, 01:56 AM

Thank you ladies for all your advice! Maybe it is time I invested in one of those high tech "ionic tourmaline whatever" hairdryers. Mine's a Conair and it works okay at drying my hair. I also feel that I don't get volume at the roots when I diffuse, even when I turn my head upside down. The bottom half of my curls are nice and bouncy, while the top is just flat and frizzy. The only way I get the volume I want is when I flip my curls to the opposite side of their natural parting but even then the curls lie unnaturally.
I will try some of the tips that you guys have given me. Thanks so much for responding. (:

shizzlebeans · 10-20-2011, 09:27 AM

When I diffuse, I need a REALLY strong gel to keep my hair from frizzing during the process. Right now I am using HE set me up and a bit of Biosilk rock hard gellee. I only diffuse to about 50% dry, let it cool and "set" about 20 minutes while I have some coffee and breakfast, and then dry it most of the rest of the way so I can scrunch out the crunch.

Maybe you need a stronger gel?

Otherwise I can get away with lighter gels if I air dry, but they don't hold up to the diffusing process and I get frizz. But air drying takes ~5 hours for me, which I don't like.

jessicaaalovex · 03-01-2012, 10:09 AM

I have figured it out finally. Its so simple that I feel stupid for not realizing it sooner. My problem was that I didnt use gel! The only way I ever figured this out was because there was a 2 for $5 sale on HE products at target so I bought the mousse & gel together. I randomly decided to use them together & diffuse my hair. Now I finally get the volume i want! My hair still comes out a little frizzy but its nothing compared to before.

Thank you all for your responses and advice! I truly appreciate it (:

SaraNoH · 03-01-2012, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessicaaalovex

I have figured it out finally. Its so simple that I feel stupid for not realizing it sooner. My problem was that I didnt use gel! The only way I ever figured this out was because there was a 2 for $5 sale on HE products at target so I bought the mousse & gel together. I randomly decided to use them together & diffuse my hair. Now I finally get the volume i want! My hair still comes out a little frizzy but its nothing compared to before.

Thank you all for your responses and advice! I truly appreciate it (:

This is exactly how my oldest sister (very long curly hair like me) started diffusing, and eventually how I started as well and I love it!
At first I didn't like the crunch, but I've gotten a routine that works for me. I'd say plopping w/gel before diffusing is key to let your curls set.

Nikki3b · 03-01-2012, 09:57 PM

I don't diffuse because it never comes out right. The curls become this odd shape. It's frustrating because I hate waiting for my hair to dry. So I decided to use moose or flaxseed gel. They dry a lot faster than regular gel. But I wish I could diffuse