How to properly use a hair dryer diffuser attachment

Capabilities and types of devices

The hair diffuser is a round nozzle with spikes, the size of which affects both the ease of use and the appearance of the hairstyle. The diameter of the diffuser itself also plays an important role, which must be selected based on the length of your own hair.

Why do you need a diffuser for a hair dryer, and how to choose the right one for a certain hair length and type:

The wide disc diameter and short spikes are suitable for styling short hair.
A nozzle of small or medium diameter with fairly long spikes is used for hair length that reaches the shoulder blades or even falls below.
A disc with rare plastic teeth is necessary for thin and short hair.
For long and thick ones, you should use a nozzle with smooth finger-shaped spikes.

Plastic spikes often have holes at the ends. A hairdryer with a hole produces a more powerful air flow, which allows you to dry your curls much faster without the risk of damaging them with hot air.

Note! Hollow spikes allow you to create a neater hairstyle because the air flow is less extensive and does not blow the hair too much.

What is a hair dryer diffuser

A diffuser is a special device for more delicate hair drying. In addition to gently drying curls, this hair dryer attachment helps to increase the root volume and splendor of strands. With its help, you can form both large textured curls and small perky curls.

A diffuser will add texture and volume to naturally curly hair.

The diffuser has another wonderful property: with its help you can not only style your hair, but also perform a useful and pleasant scalp massage. This procedure will help get rid of fatigue and accelerate the growth of curls due to a rush of blood to the hair follicles.

Operating principle of the diffuser

Externally, the nozzle looks like a convex or concave disk made of plastic. On one side it has elongated “spikes” or, as hairdressers also call them, “fingers”. Next to the “fingers” or directly in them there are holes through which a powerful stream of air generated by the hair dryer is supplied.

Thanks to the design of the nozzle, when drying, the air flow is distributed evenly throughout all hair

Depending on the design of the diffuser and how you handle it, you can create a variety of styles suitable for different hair types. The appearance of the hairstyle depends on the length of the strands and on the styling products used.

Disadvantages and advantages of the nozzle

The main purpose of a hair dryer diffuser is to provide gentle hair care, especially if the issue concerns the period after perm. Today, this device is very popular among women.

Let's look at the main positive characteristics of the device:

Quick possibility of not only drying, but also styling;
During operation, the flow of hot air does not hit the hair roots, and, therefore, does not dry out the scalp;
The universal diffuser attachment allows you to create voluminous hairstyles, beautiful curly curls and smooth, lush strands;
During the drying process, the long spikes massage the scalp, which improves blood circulation, which encourages hair to grow.

But besides the advantages, the nozzle also has disadvantages. The main disadvantage is that a good device has a fairly high price, so not every user can afford it. In addition, frequent use can make them dry and weakened.

How to use the device

In order for the device to give the desired effect, you need to know how to use a diffuser on a hair dryer.

Basic algorithm of actions when using:

Apply mousse or styling gel evenly onto palms.
Use your palms to distribute the product evenly throughout the strands, remembering to pay special attention to the ends.
Set the hair dryer to the required drying mode.
Separate your hair with a horizontal parting.
Secure the upper part of the hair with a crab clip, and begin, first of all, drying it on the back of the head.
Dry each strand by placing it in a diffuser. The disc itself must be brought as close to the head as possible. Use your free hand to lift your hair up to create volume at the roots.
Now you need to move to the top part. Strands must be taken gradually, since wet hair can disturb the already styled lower part.
Allow time for the finished curls to cool. You can even spray them with a cold stream of air.
Lay the finished curls neatly and, if necessary, fix with varnish.

Note! If the hair dryer attachment is used without requirements for the shape of the future styling, then during the drying process you should lower your head down. This will add volume to your hair.

What can be replaced?

If your hairdryer doesn't come with a diffuser, don't worry. You can always buy this attachment separately. However, there are times when you need to create voluminous curly hair immediately.

In this case, styling with a brushing comb will come to the rescue. It will help create a similar effect and styling will not take much time and effort.

If you don’t have a comb at hand, you can use the following method:

Apply styling mousse to wet hair and massage well to create natural curls.
Continuing to knead your hair with your hand, start drying with your head down.
When the mop becomes almost dry, return to its normal position and finish drying your hair, shaping it to the desired look.
Fix the result with varnish.

You can also always use a curling iron or flat iron to create curls, ringlets or waves.

How to curl or straighten your hair

Using a hair diffuser, you can transform any length of strands into lush, light waves. You can watch many different videos on the Internet with complete instructions using a diffuser at different lengths.

How to curl long hair

For long hair, creating a hairstyle involves performing the following steps:

Dried clean hair must be distributed into 4 parts: parietal, back and 2 temporal.
You need to start installation from the back. They need to be treated with mousse or other styling product and screwed onto the spikes of the hair dryer attachment.
Dry your hair in the specified position for several minutes with a stream of warm air.
The finished curl must be treated with a special spray for fixation, and then, if necessary, repeat the procedure.
Carry out the same steps for the remaining parts of the hair.
Arrange the formed strands in your hair.

You can also use the attachment to get soft curls. To obtain them, you need to treat each individual strand with a styling product and comb it.

All subsequent actions are as follows:

Divide the hair into 4 parts: parietal, back, 2 temporal.
Take each strand, twist it into a tight rope, and then place it in the nozzle in a circular direction.
When drying with a hairdryer, it is necessary to periodically perform circular movements with it so that the inside of the strands also dries completely.
After treatment with warm air, you should not unwind the bundles - it is better to give them time to cool.
After all the strands have been dried, you can begin styling. To do this, carefully separate each bundle with your fingers into small strands. You can also use a 2-3 tooth comb here.
Determine the parting, form the styling, fix with varnish.

Important! To get smaller curls, you will need a hair dryer diffuser attachment with long spikes of a soft structure. The installation method must be carried out according to the instructions described above.

How to create a voluminous hairstyle using a diffuser

Before you dry them with a volume diffuser, you need to choose the right nozzle. This should be a disk with spikes that have additional holes at the ends. To increase volume at the roots, you need to tilt your head down during the drying process.

Hair styling instructions:

Apply hair styling product (mousse, gel, foam) evenly onto your palms and then distribute throughout the strands. It is especially necessary to pay attention to the ends of the hairstyle.
Set the hair dryer with diffuser to medium speed, optimal temperature.
Dry each strand in the nozzle and leave to cool completely.
Style your hair using a special fixing cream.

Diffuser for short hair

The hair dryer attachment for short hair allows you to get careless volume and fullness.

It's quite simple to do this:

Wash your hair well and leave until semi-dry.
Distribute a styling product, such as mousse or foam, evenly over the strands.
Set the hair dryer with the nozzle to the minimum setting. They require treatment with a warm stream of minimal intensity.
For curly hair, you need to rotate the nozzle. This is not to say that you can get bouncy curls, but you can achieve a light wave. If the goal is a fluffy, airy hairstyle, then you need to dry it, lightly massaging the roots with a nozzle.
Use your hands or a comb to lay the strands and fix them with varnish.

How to straighten your hair

These hair dryer attachments can also be used to straighten curly hair.

The technology is quite simple:

During the drying process, clear movements directed from top to bottom must be carried out with a hairdryer;
In the process, the spikes of the nozzle completely cut into the hairstyle, thereby allowing you to smooth out unruly strands;
In the end, you get not only smooth curls, but also lush ones.

Note! In order for this type of styling to work out better, it is necessary to use a conditioner when washing your hair, which allows you to fully fix the strands.

Drying through a sieve

As soon as I had the idea of blow drying my hair, I armed myself with a sieve.
And what? This is the most affordable and easiest way to replace a diffuser. I already had a sieve and didn’t spend any extra money. By the way, which sieve is right for us? I have several of them. And definitely not plastic, because... The holes in it, as a rule, are very small and located at the bottom. This means that the air flow will penetrate weakly and only from one side. And there is no point in such drying.

There are metal sieves made of thin wire. They have holes on all sides. In truth, they consist entirely of holes. This option suits us just fine (not without reservations, of course).

Technology After applying the styling, you need to place the curls in a sieve in strands and dry them with a hairdryer. You need to imitate all-round airflow on your own - just rotate the hairdryer around the sieve from different sides. The sieve should not move so as not to disturb the hair. You need to act carefully.

It would seem that this is the most affordable way to dry curls, what else is needed for happiness? But in fact, in addition to the advantages, this method has disadvantages.

So it’s completely unclear how to dry the roots. To get the hair fixed in the sieve, we press it as close as possible to the head. If the sieve is moved further from the head to dry the roots, then the air flow instantly fluffs up the hair and all our efforts are in vain. I tried many times and there was always a lot of fluff.

I also ran into one problem. The longer and thicker the hair, the more difficult it is to dry it inside. Imagine you put a strand in a sieve. The air entering through the sieve blows onto the outer layers of the strand. And the strand doesn’t dry out inside! Of course, you can divide the strands into smaller ones, but how long will such drying take?

And let's not forget that it is better to dry in a sieve, tilting your head down and to the sides. How long will you have to stand in this position?

Here are my drying results.

The curls are very uneven, because... some of the strands were well dried, some were not. There is more fluff. In general, the curls are curled along the length and at the ends

conclusions

Pros Does not require investment, every kitchen has a sieve
Cons The hair in the center of the sieve does not dry well It is difficult to dry the roots A metal sieve can overheat and damage the hair, even if you use warm air (that’s why diffusers are always made of plastic) If the hair dryer is powerful, then even on the minimum setting speed, the hair in the sieve may become disheveled (especially if it is not very thick)

Perm

What else can you use a diffuser attachment for? Yes, for example, get a modern perm. But it is worth considering that this device allows you to achieve only expressive waves.

To create such a hairstyle, you may need auxiliary clips, combs, and styling products. The most popular is the “wet hair effect”, which can be easily achieved using a medium-length spiked attachment.

The process itself is as follows:

Wash your hair thoroughly and remove excess moisture using a towel.
Apply styling product over the entire length.
Tilt your head to the right side, and place the hair dryer from below so that the spikes rest against your head.
Set the hair dryer with diffuser to medium power mode and slowly turn it in one direction.
In the same way, it is necessary to process all strands.
Finally, you should fix the finished hairstyle with hairspray.

Smooth without ironing

Numerous user reviews indicate that a hair dryer with a diffuser causes less damage when straightening than a straightening iron. To do this, you must choose a nozzle with plastic spikes - the silicone “fingers” will begin to confuse and pull out hair.

How to properly straighten your hair with a hair dryer attachment:

Treat washed and damp strands with hair styling product. Comb the curls with a wide-tooth comb.
Separate your hair with a straight parting.
Turn on the hair dryer and start drying the curls, starting from the roots and moving the hair dryer down to the ends, which it is advisable to wrap with a stream of warm air inward.
After drying your hair, you need to comb it well, and then fix the hairstyle with hairspray.

Advice! To achieve better styling, you should first wash your hair using shampoo to add shine and smoothness.

How to choose a nozzle for your hair

When selecting a nozzle, it is necessary to take into account the structure, length, and type of hair.

When purchasing a device, you should pay attention to the following points:

The diameter of the nozzle can reach 15 cm. It is important to take into account the fact that the larger the size, the larger area of the head it occupies. This allows you to significantly speed up the installation process.
The size of the spikes, which plays a role in the thickness of the hairstyle. The longer the spikes, the greater the density of hair they can cover. But they are not suitable for short and thin hair. Here it is worth using a nozzle with short spikes.
The selection of the thickness and thickness of the spikes also depends on the thickness and thickness of the hair. Thin and frequently spaced spikes are not suitable for too thick hairstyles. This is also a bad option for weakened, highly tangled strands. Thicker and sparser “fingers” reduce the likelihood of hair pulling out and easily comb through wet strands.
You should not buy cheap models. This is due to the fact that low price does not guarantee quality. It is also worth paying special attention to the manufacturer, who must be verified to guarantee the quality of the products.

The best manufacturers of nozzles today include:

GA.MA. offers a large selection of attachments for both home and professional use;
Remington produces shallow concave diffusers with medium-long spikes - this design delivers a swirling flow that guarantees quick and gentle drying of strands;
Bosch nozzles are equipped with smooth cylindrical spikes that create a massage effect and guarantee professional-level drying due to their multi-layer structure and powerful air flow.

Rating and mini-reviews of the best hair dryers with diffusers

Among the many devices offered by manufacturers, it is not easy to choose a hair dryer that will be powerful and at the same time safe for hair health. The rating presented below includes only those models that, according to consumer reviews, received the highest scores.

Hair dryer Starwind SHS9817

The powerful Starwind SHS9817 hair dryer can dry medium-length hair in just 7–10 minutes. It comes with two attachments: a diffuser and a concentrator.

Starwind SHS9817 is a functional device, indispensable for DIY styling

The device is equipped with additional functions:

ionization;
cold airflow

This model is perfect for those with thin and fragile hair that lacks volume at the roots.

The power of the hair dryer is comparable to professional ones, and the power is easily enough to dry my long hair without discomfort. Both the diffuser and concentrator are of excellent quality, and thanks to the ionization, the hair does not stick out to the sides after drying.
Tanyusha
https://www.ozon.ru/context/detail/id/144937334/

I have two hair dryers and both have diffusers. One of them is Starwind SHS9817. He was given to me a year ago for my birthday, and since then we have been together inseparably. The device is good, powerful, diligent. A little noisy, it’s true, but it doesn’t bother me or my household.

It was with this model that I learned what the ionization function is. Before this, I thought that cunning marketers came up with fables just to arouse interest in the product. Hair dryer and hair dryer, the main thing is that it blows powerfully and dries your hair. It turned out that ionization is actually felt. Hair becomes smoother, while at the same time acquiring curl in the “fingers” of the diffuser. After drying, the strands do not stand up straight and do not fluff like a dandelion. A very nice hairdryer, and for its price it’s a gift.

Philips BHD176/00

Among the advantages of the presented model:

optimal air flow distribution thanks to innovative ThermoProtect technology;
gentle hair drying;
six operating modes;
cold air flow function;
two attachments included with the hair dryer (concentrator and diffuser).

Among the six temperature settings, it’s easy to choose the one you need specifically for your hair type.

The hair dryer is equipped with a special flexible loop for additional ease of placement.

It dries your hair without overheating it with high temperatures, like most of its brothers. Due to the fact that drying occurs mainly due to a powerful air flow, the hair does not dry out and does not deteriorate. Well, overall the rating for this specimen is a solid A. Thanks to my husband and Philips!
Zakharova Alexandra
https://market.yandex.ru/product–fen-philips-bhd176-drycare-pro/12427122/reviews?clid=703

DEWAL 03–111 Pro Style

A hair dryer with a maximum power of 2000 W can dry your hair within ten minutes and give it an attractive look. The diffuser included with the hairdryer is a voluminous one, designed specifically for creating voluminous hairstyles.

The hairdryer has the optimal size and good balance, and also fits perfectly in the hand.

The device's powerful motor can withstand up to eight hours of continuous operation, making it an ideal choice for professional hairdressers. The hair dryer body is made of durable plastic, impact-resistant and wear-resistant.

The presented model has Stop-heat protection against overheating, designed taking into account the requirements for professional accessories for stylists.

Fen is cool! Powerful, I dry my hair in 10 minutes.
Alina
https://slonrekomenduet.com/model/dewal-03–111-pro-style.html

Hair dryer Remington TI2000

A great model for creating curls and curls on long hair. The hair dryer diffuser was developed in collaboration with experienced stylists, making it ideal for professional styling at home.

The manufacturer offers two attachments with the Remington TI2000 hair dryer: a diffuser and a concentrator.

The optimal ratio of cost and quality offered makes this model a top seller for 2022. The stylish appearance of the device will delight lovers of high-tech style.

Powerful, dries hair quickly and easily without damaging it. There are two attachments - a diffuser and a concentrator. There is a flow of cold air - it dries more slowly, but it spares the hair, because no matter how good the hair dryer is, the hair structure will still be damaged by the high temperature. It is light, the hand does not get tired from drying for a long time.
Khrabrova Evgeniya
https://market.yandex.ru/product/945036?show-uid=288014918090554455016007&nid=54925&glfilter=4926239%3A13433979&glfilter=7893318%3A624024&context=search

Power Ion hair dryer from GA.MA

Manufacturer GA.MA is a leader in the manufacture of professional hair styling devices. This model combines all the signature features of the product: stylish, recognizable design and high functionality.

Power, high performance and gentle care during styling - thanks to these qualities, the GAMA POWER ION hair dryer will become your favorite tool for your hair.

Features of the Power Ion hair dryer from GA.MA:

three attachments for creating different looks;
extremely flexible setting of the hair dryer operating mode - the power of the air flow and its temperature are separated for the optimal choice in each specific case;
ceramic coating of internal systems and parts (due to this, the air stream heats up more evenly as it passes);
ionization function for smooth and healthy hair;
powerful wear-resistant motor with overheating protection.

Among other things, the hair dryer is covered with a special non-slip material that is very pleasant to the touch.

The hairdryer is just a miracle! Powerful, fairly light and very nice in design. The body is covered with a seemingly “warm” matte material (plastic? rubber? I don’t know, but it’s just nice to even pick it up). Dries perfectly, temperature and speed are switched with separate buttons. The set includes three attachments - a concentrator, a diffuser and another cone, which is very convenient. I've had it for 4 months now and have never regretted my choice.
Anastasia
https://www.eldorado.ru/cat/detail/71122776/?show=response#customTabAnchor

Hairdryer model GL4311 from Galaxy

The stylish and powerful hairdryer is equipped with a directed cold air flow function and a diffuser nozzle. All buttons are placed very accessible, which makes the process of drying and styling hair simple and fast.

The ergonomic handle of the Galaxy GL4311 hair dryer allows you to avoid overstraining your hands during styling.

Despite its low cost and only one attachment included, the Galaxy GL 4311 hair dryer is included in the rating along with more expensive and variably equipped models. A great DIY hair dryer has a flexible loop for easy placement.

A powerful hair dryer that will last a long time. I am completely satisfied with this hair dryer. It has a power of 2000 watts. The hair dryer also has nozzles, one standard and the other large round. This hair dryer also has 2 blowing modes, medium and high air pressure. There is also hot air, cool air and icy air. For convenience, it has a loop on which it can be hung on a hook.
STUARDESSO4KA
https://otzovik.com/review_4580563.html

Hair dryer Panasonic EH5573

The presented model has a futuristic appearance due to its silver body and two ionizers reminiscent of the nozzles of a spaceship. An unusual solution attracts attention and pleases with its functionality.

The device has four temperature modes

The hair dryer is capable of generating cold air flow and is equipped with a concentrator and diffuser. Users note that after styling, hair shines and shimmers, like after completing a professional procedure in a beauty salon.

This is my second hair dryer of this particular model. In addition to the first one, I bought an additional one (there was a need) from VVK with a power of 2300 W. So Panasonic with its power of 2000 W is much more powerful than VVK with its 2300! The ionizers located on both sides of the nozzle really work: drying hair shines like after a salon.
rbhfvfndtq
https://market.yandex.ru/product/1006023/reviews?track=rev_mc

I recently purchased this model as a spare, tempted by the huge diffuser with long “fingers”. My hairdresser actively recommended this hair dryer, claiming that the attachment of this device is one of the best for creating bouncy curls on medium-length hair.

After two months of use, I can say that the stylist was right. The diffuser on this hair dryer is great. Each “finger” has holes through which a powerful supply of warm air is carried out. The strands literally fly up from the roots, and the volume lasts for a very long time, throughout the day, and sometimes even the next morning. I also liked the hairdryer itself, it’s powerful, quite light, and the handle is comfortable.

Hairdryer Rowenta Infini PRO Sublime Shine CV8730D0

The manufacturer equipped the presented model with a powerful fan and an AC motor, which allows you to dry your hair many times faster than with conventional devices. The hair dryer does not dry out the strands, depriving them of moisture, and the built-in ionizer helps remove static electricity and adds natural shine.

The device has a ceramic heating element, which ensures its reliability

The diffuser nozzle, which comes complete with the device, is designed in such a way as to provide a stable root volume. The ergonomic shape of the hair dryer handle makes the work of a professional stylist easier, reducing the strain on the wrist.

A hairdryer that has served me faithfully for 2 years now. Now I don’t have to get up 2 hours earlier to dry my hair, which I’m incredibly happy about. The hair dryer has two blowing speeds and three temperature settings. There is also a cold blow function. Hair quickly becomes dry and is not over-dried by hot air.
supermashaa
https://irecommend.ru/content/professionalnaya-ukladka-u-vas-doma-0

Video: demonstration of the Rowenta Infini PRO Sublime Shine CV8730D0 hair dryer

Dyson Supersonic hair dryer

In addition to the functions of ionization and cold air flow, this exclusive model has three speeds and four temperature settings. Despite the high cost, consumers note the incredible ease and simplicity of working with the device.

Thanks to the elegance of the engineering solution, the hairdryer captivates with its appearance alone, but in addition it is capable of performing gentle and delicate styling without damaging the hair and scalp

During operation, the device does not produce much noise; moreover, it is compact and fits in a small branded case. The hair dryer's very powerful motor is protected from overheating and can operate at maximum mode for at least eight hours.

Good and reliable hair dryer. I always choose the best for my hair, as I believe that this is one of the main decorations for a woman. Dries hair well without damaging it. Does not reveal hair scales, so they retain all their shine and volume. The attachments that come with the kit work great. I saved a lot on styling products, as my hair now feels great even without them. I definitely recommend buying it.
Tasya
https://market.yandex.ru/product/13811586/reviews?hid=90569&page=2

Video: How to style your hair using a diffuser attachment and a Dyson Supersonic hair dryer

Hairdryer Braun HD 785 Satin Hair 7

An excellent do-it-yourself hair styling device with heat control function. This allows dyed curls to maintain their brightness and richness of color longer, and it is easier for naturally colored strands to retain moisture deep in the hair shaft.

The first professional hair dryer that actively regulates operating temperature

Thanks to the convenient panel for switching modes, the hairdryer is easy to work both at home and in a beauty salon. Ten different temperature effects will provide your hair with reliable protection during styling.

This is a powerful hair dryer that dries hair quickly and carefully without damaging it. I don’t believe much in ionization, but a wide range of settings allows you to dry and style your hair without any problems. The hair doesn't get frizzy. You can hold the hair dryer by the handle, or by the body - it does not heat up during use - so you can dry it as conveniently as possible. The temperature is selected using the + and - buttons, I like that there is an LED strip on which you can understand what the temperature of the air is (it shines from blue to red). Use the diffuser attachment to create cool curls on shoulder-length hair. I'm happy with the purchase.
Bobrutskova Tatyana
https://market.yandex.ru/product/11154827/reviews?track=rev_mc

Video: Nelly Rushintseva talks about the capabilities of the Braun HD 785 Satin Hair 7 hair dryer

Recommendations for use

When using a hair dryer diffuser, you must adhere to certain rules, because improper use can lead to hair damage:

Frequent blow-drying is not recommended - hair becomes dry, brittle and weak;
To protect the scalp and hair from exposure to dry air, it is advisable to carry out protective treatment with special cosmetics;
It is forbidden to start drying the strands immediately after washing - it is believed that this allows the strands to be saturated with the necessary moisture;
When drying, it is best to move in a circle, starting from the crown. This will prevent your hair from tangling.

Now it’s clear why you need a hairdryer with a diffuser attachment. This device allows you to create beautiful and stylish hairstyles. In addition, this is a good way to keep your curls healthy and well-groomed.