what is the pixie curl diffusing method?

emmêler · 12-04-2007, 01:57 PM

i absolutely pinky-promised that i've searched. but quite fruitlessly, so i thought i might as well ask. i've nto been having any luck with my diffusion techniques (though admittedly this could be because being quite wary of a blowdryer i opted for the most inexpensive model.)

so yes... detailed instructions? vague directions? pictorial guide?

ewenique · 12-04-2007, 03:47 PM

The pixiecurl method is to diffuse your hair in sections by scrunching your hair with the diffuser up to your scalp, drying for a minute or two, then turning the dryer off, moving to another section, diffusing with hair scrunched to the scalp, etc. This keeps the hair from blowing around too much and encourages more curls since it's like plopping with the diffuser. Hope that makes sense. Someone else may explain it better...

emmêler · 12-04-2007, 03:56 PM

ewenique - thank you so much!

FrizzBgone · 12-06-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmêler

i absolutely pinky-promised that i've searched. but quite fruitlessly, so i thought i might as well ask. i've nto been having any luck with my diffusion techniques (though admittedly this could be because being quite wary of a blowdryer i opted for the most inexpensive model.)

so yes... detailed instructions? vague directions? pictorial guide?

Pixiecurl is the method I use ... it works amazingly well ... avoiding the fly-away frizzies you can get when you're using a diffuser.

You put your hair into the diffuser; put it right up to your head and THEN you turn on the hair dryer. If it is getting hot at your scalp, you can use the cool shot on your hair dryer ... and then go back to the heat setting. BEFORE you move the hair dryer/diffuser, you turn off the hair dryer.
I think the true pixiecurl method says to use the low setting on the hair dryer.
I use the hot / high setting on the hair dryer. My hair takes forever to dry. As long as I turn off the hair dryer before I move it, it works great.
This is the only way that I can dry my hair without ending up with frizzy fly-aways.
The other thing that I have found that makes big difference with the hair dryers is negative ions. I paid a lot of money for my hair dryer, but I think they have less expensive ones now that have the negative ions. My hair dries faster and less frizzy since I've had this hair dryer ... the pixiecurl method just perfected it !!

HTH

Just Kimmie · 12-06-2007, 08:30 PM

Hmmm...I do a modified pixie. I don't use clips or section my hair, because I don't have a ton of it...but, as the diffuser runs and my head is upside-down, I "cradle" my forming curls gently as I press them flatly towards my scalp. Kind of a plop-in-motion.

monkeycurl · 08-21-2008, 02:50 AM

I have tried diffusing my hair using the pixie curl method butt I am not having a lot of luck. Originally I was using the dryer on the coldest and slowest option, but I was getting no where - I might as well air dryed.
Then I used some heat but just got frizz!! Has anyone got any tips or can I just not blow dry? My hair takes hours to air dry!!!

soulcurly · 08-21-2008, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrizzBgone

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmêler

i absolutely pinky-promised that i've searched. but quite fruitlessly, so i thought i might as well ask. i've nto been having any luck with my diffusion techniques (though admittedly this could be because being quite wary of a blowdryer i opted for the most inexpensive model.)

so yes... detailed instructions? vague directions? pictorial guide?

Pixiecurl is the method I use ... it works amazingly well ... avoiding the fly-away frizzies you can get when you're using a diffuser.

You put your hair into the diffuser; put it right up to your head and THEN you turn on the hair dryer. If it is getting hot at your scalp, you can use the cool shot on your hair dryer ... and then go back to the heat setting. BEFORE you move the hair dryer/diffuser, you turn off the hair dryer.
I think the true pixiecurl method says to use the low setting on the hair dryer.
I use the hot / high setting on the hair dryer. My hair takes forever to dry. As long as I turn off the hair dryer before I move it, it works great.
This is the only way that I can dry my hair without ending up with frizzy fly-aways.
The other thing that I have found that makes big difference with the hair dryers is negative ions. I paid a lot of money for my hair dryer, but I think they have less expensive ones now that have the negative ions. My hair dries faster and less frizzy since I've had this hair dryer ... the pixiecurl method just perfected it !!

HTH

I've tried it exactly this way and while I get no frizz at all, I also get no volume AT ALL. I get really tight curls that don't seem to loosen when I scrunch after they dry. I've just been doing the old way of diffusing and dealing with the little bit of frizz because my hair looks ten times better with all the volume. Any tips???

zeldagoblin · 08-21-2008, 06:30 AM

Does pixiecurl realise she is almost a famous household name among curlies because of this method??

Curlywaves · 08-22-2008, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulcurly

I've tried it exactly this way and while I get no frizz at all, I also get no volume AT ALL. I get really tight curls that don't seem to loosen when I scrunch after they dry. I've just been doing the old way of diffusing and dealing with the little bit of frizz because my hair looks ten times better with all the volume. Any tips???

I had the same problem--no frizz but no volume either. I tried the pixiecurl method again this morning, but this time I didn't put the diffuser right up to my head. I left a little bit of room so my roots wouldn't get mashed down, and I ended up frizz-free with lots of volume.

It's early, but so far this is the best hair day I've had in a long time.

soulcurly · 08-22-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curlywaves

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulcurly

I've tried it exactly this way and while I get no frizz at all, I also get no volume AT ALL. I get really tight curls that don't seem to loosen when I scrunch after they dry. I've just been doing the old way of diffusing and dealing with the little bit of frizz because my hair looks ten times better with all the volume. Any tips???

I had the same problem--no frizz but no volume either. I tried the pixiecurl method again this morning, but this time I didn't put the diffuser right up to my head. I left a little bit of room so my roots wouldn't get mashed down, and I ended up frizz-free with lots of volume.

It's early, but so far this is the best hair day I've had in a long time.

I'll give that a whirl and see if it works for me. Thanks!

curlygirl18 · 04-17-2009, 08:54 PM

I know I'm late to this thread, but I was reading it and just had to add that I have been pixie-curling the last few days and WOW, I LOVE it. It gives me such great curls and they pop right up in shrinkage. It's so awesome, I love it.

threegraces · 05-04-2009, 01:56 PM

I just tried this method this morning after seeing the acronym in the FAQ sticky. Wow! Just, wow! What a difference. I'd gotten lazy with my diffusing and thought it didn't make that much difference but it so does. I'm so happy I found this forum

CurlyMummy · 05-04-2009, 05:46 PM

This sounds interesting - what do you guys use as a styling product, gel, mousse, cream? I use gel on soaking wet hair at the moment then scrunch with a towel. I let it air dry then scrunch the hardness out which is great but I either always go out with wet hair and deal with it looking wet until I scrunch, or having to wash my hair 3 hours in advance!

My pics are here so you can see my hair type http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlta...ad.php?t=75034

burgundy_locks · 05-04-2009, 09:42 PM

i have NEVER been successful at diffusing... could only try for 30 seconds before my hair blowing all over, feeling sticky, getting frustrated, etc. i will try this

jwill112876 · 05-04-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurlyMummy

This sounds interesting - what do you guys use as a styling product, gel, mousse, cream? I use gel on soaking wet hair at the moment then scrunch with a towel. I let it air dry then scrunch the hardness out which is great but I either always go out with wet hair and deal with it looking wet until I scrunch, or having to wash my hair 3 hours in advance!

My pics are here so you can see my hair type http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlta...ad.php?t=75034

I scrunch all my products into dripping wet hair. By the time I'm thru scrunching with my Curlease towel most of the drips are gone. Then I make sure that my part for my bangs is pretty good and then flip over and start pixie'ing'....I get GREAT results! I get great volume at the roots (although I have never had a problem with no volume

) and I have little to no frizz...

I can't stand leaving the house with a wet head so I have to diffuse nd this is the only way I have done it that leaves me with great curls and no frizz...

HTH

Jenn

xXCurlyGurliexX · 07-25-2009, 01:07 AM

Kewl, gonna try the pixie curl method tomorro, i'll report back on results

ps · 08-05-2009, 11:48 AM

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shortstack · 08-22-2009, 11:09 PM

I'm very new to this curly-haired stuff. I've been abusing my poor ringlets for 30 years, blow-drying and straightening. I've had it with all that and have been off 'cones and sulfates for a few weeks and have had some hilarious hair days as I try to learn about diffusing and air drying. I tried pixie-ing this morning and the results were GREAT! The only curly hair styling product I have in the house is Nexxus Alluring Curls, so I smoothed some in my soaking wet hair, scrunched it in a soft t-shirt, let it air dry for a few minutes and pixied. Wow, my hair is so curly! I haven't had nice curls like this since age 6. Thanks for posting this thread!

hipchick · 10-21-2009, 03:00 PM

For those of you who do the Pixie Curl Method, do you use clips after diffusing? Do you all diffuse upside down?

xcptnl · 10-21-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hipchick

For those of you who do the Pixie Curl Method, do you use clips after diffusing? Do you all diffuse upside down?

When I use clips I clip after I have diffused upside down for a couple of minutes. Then I put in the clips...and I will aim the diffuser at them. I will also flip upside down again with the clips in. I think I have early clip removal dysfunction. But I also have diffusing dysfunction. I get bored with it so I do not do it long enough. So you may want to take my method with a grain of salt.