Last Updated on April 10, 2023 by Verna Meachum

Drying your hair can be a challenge, especially if you have curly hair. There are many ways to dry your hair, but not all of them are effective for curls.

In this blog post, we will discuss the best ways to dry hair so that it is healthy and frizz-free!

Ever have one of those days where you just can’t seem to get your hair right? You know the ones – you’ve tried every product in your arsenal, and nothing seems to work. Your hair just won’t cooperate. On top of that, you have to dry your hair, and you don’t want to spend all day doing it.

Hair drying is a pain. We’ve all been there. But what’s the best way to do it? 

There are a few ways to go about drying your hair and with the right techniques, it can be quick and easy. You can let it air dry, use a blow dryer, or use a diffuser. But which one is the best for you?

Let’s take a look at each method and see which are the bests way to dry your hair.

Ways to Dry Hair

Diffuse

One way to dry your hair is by using a diffuser. A diffuser is an attachment that you put on your blow dryer. It helps to distribute the air evenly and prevents your hair from getting frizzy.

The purpose of a diffuser is to spread the airstream over a larger surface area in a more structured and controlled manner. It lets you to dry your hair without damaging your texture.

It’s great for people in a rush who want to dry their hair safely and quickly. You may also enhance the volume of your curls and give the appearance of fuller hair.

You don’t want to begin a diffusing your hair with drenched or sopping wet hair. If you start with really wet hair, it will just take a long time to dry your hair.

To use a diffuser

• Start by removing the excess water from your hair, then apply your favorite styling products.
• Allow your hair to air dry for several minutes before diffusing to allow the styling products to set.
• Set your dryer to a cool to medium heat. To maintain general hair health, keep the temperature as low as possible.
• If you want to add volume at the roots, try clipping them with these alligator clips.
• Place small sections of your hair gently into the diffuser bowl with your head upside down or sideways.
• Without disturbing the clumping or curl formation, lightly move the diffuser around your hair.
• Dry until about 80% to 90% dry.
• To reduce frizz, finish with a cold blast of air.
• After your hair is fully dry, use a light oil to tame any flyaways and add shine.
• To create more volume, shake out and fluff the roots.
• To keep your hair frizz-free, avoid too much manipulation.

Here are some of my favorite diffusers

Collapsible Hair Diffuser

I love this one because you can take it with you when you travel. It’s also great for easy storage.

Black Orchid Hair Diffuser

The 1.8 inch diameter of this diffuser will fit any hair dryer with the same diameter. With that said, it is not a universal fit, so please check the size of your blow dryer before purchasing. What I love about this diffuser is the large bowl for faster dry time.

DevaCurl DevaFuser

I know this one looks a little funny, but don’t let that fool you. It is a legit diffuser . The design helps to dry your hair quickly while maintaining the integrity of your curl pattern.

My favorite thing about this diffuser is that it has a handle shaped like a hand, which makes it easy to maneuver and get right to the roots where it takes the longest to dry.

Use a Microfiber Towel

A microfiber towel is without a doubt one of the most useful gadgets for achieving ideal curly wash-day results.

It is designed differently than a traditional cotton towel. Traditional towels can harm the cuticles of your hair, making them more prone to frizz.

The fibers of a microfiber are more gentle and absorbent than cotton, making them the perfect tool for absorbing water from your hair without causing frizz.

When you use a microfiber towel to dry your hair, make sure to blot – don’t rub – the water out of your hair. Rubbing can cause frizz and damage your hair.

It can also:

• Reduce the amount of time it takes to dry.
• Roots will not dry flat if they are weighted down by moisture in the hair as it dries.
• Helps with the clumping process.
• Gives more curl definition

To get the most from your microfiber towel, follow these tips:

Squeeze upwards

To take out the excess water from your hair, first, flip your head over and squeeze upwards from the mid-shafts of the strands to the scalp or from end of the hair upward.

To prevent disturbing your curl clumps, work in small sections.

Rotate the towel as you work with it to ensure that you’re working with a dry section at all times. This will guarantee that the towel can actually soak up the water from your hair.

Use a T-shirt

If you don’t have a microfiber towel, an old t-shirt will do the trick. Like microfiber, t-shirts are designed to be gentle on hair and can help reduce frizz.

Here’s a T-shirt “towel” that gives you the same benefits as a regular t-shirt and towel combined. If you don’t want to use anything bulky, then this is a great option for you.

Scrunch

After you’ve squeezed out the water, use a scrunching motion to help with the clumping process. This will also help to get rid of any frizz that may have been caused by the towel.

Here are some of my favorite microfiber towels

Large Microfiber Towel

If you have a lot of hair, then you’ll need a large microfiber towel. This one from Amazon is a great option.

Premium Curly Co Microfiber Towel

Ok, this is my absolute fave! I’ve had mine for six years and it’s still going strong. This is premium material that is designed to last. It’s so super soft and gentle on your hair, and I want a blanket made of this material, lol. You will not be disappointed!

I know some curlies who like the DevaCurl microfiber towel, but I wasn’t a big fan. It just didn’t last long and started to fall apart after a few washes.

Let Your Hair Air Dry

If you have time, let your hair air dry as much as possible. This is the best way to dry your hair because it causes the least amount of damage.

When I started my healthy hair journey, I used to diffuse my curls. But, as my hair got healthier and thicker, I found that air drying was the best way to achieve defined, frizz-free curls.

Air drying can take up a lot of time, but to speed it up, I’ll sit in front of a large fan and allow it to blow through my hair. This cuts the drying time in half for me.

Plopping

Plopping is a curly hair technique in which you gather all of your curls at the top of your head, then wrap them up with a T-shirt.

This method will not only help your curls dry faster, but it will also keep their natural shape.

Click here to learn how to do it.

Use a Low Heat Setting

When you do use a hairdryer, make sure it’s on low heat and keep it moving around your head. This will help to prevent heat damage.

If your hairdryer has a cool shot button, use it at the end to seal in your curls.

Finish with a Light Serum or Oil

To tame flyaways and add shine, finish with a light serum or oil. I like to use a dime size amount of the Righteous Roots Oils.

This is optional, but if you want your hair to look extra polished, then give it a try.

Conclusion

I hope these tips help you to achieve defined, frizz-free curls! Do you have any tips to add? Share them in the comments below.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.