Investing in the best diffuser for curly hair UK is one of the smartest moves you can make for your tresses.
Technically, there’s nothing wrong with using a normal hair dryer on curly hair, but it’s just not going to deliver the same level of definition and bounce that a diffuser will. Unless it’s a dedicated diffuser tool your hairdryer will be been designed with straight hair in mind, so won’t have the right features to enhance your curls. It’s also likely to frazzle your hair by subjecting it to unnecessarily high temperatures.
So, with that in mind, we’ve summed up everything you need to know when shopping for a new hairdryer to make finding the best diffuser for curly hair simple.
Overwhelmed by choice? These are the most important things to think about before buying the best diffuser for curly hair UK.
Curls come in all shapes and sizes, which is why the experts have divided them into categories to make it easier to spot the differences between them. First, they’re split by numbers to show the type of curl you have, so type 2 is wavy hair, type 3 is curly and type 4 is coily.
Then, next to each number you have a letter, which indicates the diameter of your curl. A is the widest within each category and C is the narrowest, with B sitting in the middle. Once you have deciphered which curl type you have, you can then use this information to work out which is the best diffuser for curly hair UK for you.
For example, if you have type 2A hair with a very loose wave then you might want to prioritise a diffuser that you can use upside down to encourage volume and movement into your curls. Equally, if say you had 4C hair, then you might be more concerned with whether or not the diffuser has long, finger-like nodules, as these will come in handy if you want to elongate your coils and counteract shrinkage.
How thick your strands are, as well as how many you have, will influence the best diffuser tool for curly hair for you. Hair that’s thicker in diameter, so more akin to wire than it is to a silky strand of cotton, will be able to withstand more tugging and higher temperatures without breaking than finer hair.
This, and how many hairs you have on your head, will also impact how long your hair takes to dry. If you have fine hair, then you might be able to diffuse all of your hair in a breezy 5 minutes, while thick hair can take an arm-aching 20 minutes.
If you sit in the first camp, then you don’t need to worry too much about adjustable heat and temperature settings, as the lowest power will be fine, but if you are in the second one then you might want the option to turn these up a little – while still avoiding damage.
Curly hair is generally quite fragile, and that’s for two reasons. Firstly, the wiggly shape means it has more bendy edges to snag or snap across, and secondly, the hair cuticles that coat our strands aren’t able to slot together as neatly as they can on straight hair, leaving gaps that moisture can escape through.
Key signs that your hair isn’t in the best of health include split ends, frizz, a lack of shine and feelings of dryness, so if you’re experiencing any (or all) of those then take this as your sign to make a change to your styling routine.
The great thing about dedicated diffuser tools is that the purposely low heat and speed settings make them lovely and gentle on your hair, helping to reduce existing damage and prevent any new breakage. Some even come finished with caring ceramic and argan oil coatings that infuse the hair with moisture, which will help to combat dryness and make the drying process an all-around kinder one.
If your hair is close to the brink, choose a diffuser tool that prioritises hair health to bring it back.
Looking for a way to make your curls last longer between washes? Discover "The ultimate guide to keeping your curls looking great between washes".
We’ve already alluded to this a little, but not all diffuser tools are created equal. In fact, there can be pretty big differences between a budget-friendly diffuser and a high-end diffuser. All diffusers will have the recognisable wide-shaped head peppered with holes to distribute the airflow and finger-like nodules to encourage your curl pattern, but beyond that the variations can be vast.
Cost is of course an important factor, but if you can stretch your budget then these are the features you’ll find on a higher-spec model, and the reasons why they’re worth investing in…
If you’re simply adding a diffuser head to a traditional hairdryer then you’ll get the benefit of diluted and well-distributed airflow, but beyond that, you’re still getting a tool that’s designed for straight hair.
The great thing about a high-end diffuser with a built-in head is that all of the additional features will have been created with curly hair in mind. Plus, it also means that the head isn’t going to fall off mid-styling and burn your fingers as you try to put it back on. Win-win.
Most of us think that more equals more, but in the case of a diffuser, less is most definitely more. You don’t need brash heat or speed settings, and actually, having too high a power system can knock the spring out of your curls and cause damage.
A more expensive tool with a gentler power system will be backed by technology that ensures your curls dry efficiently without compromising on the finish or their health, which we think is well worth the extra expense.
A diffuser with a short cord is absolutely fine if you’re styling near a mirror, but plugs aren’t always conveniently located – especially if you’re travelling. You’ll also want to use your best diffuser for curly hair UK to its full potential, and in which case you’ll need to vary the angles at which you hold it.
For example, you might start by pressing it flat against your scalp to dry your roots before holding it upwards to encourage movement through the lengths – and a short cord won’t give you the flexibility to do this.
A longer, professional length cord of around 3 metres will allow you to move seamlessly between angles and techniques without getting in a tangle or tying yourself in knots.
Unfortunately, we can’t always trust our tools to deliver the heats they claim to. You might have chosen a particular temperature setting on your diffuser, but if there isn’t the technology inside the tool to measure and monitor this, then it might be cooler or hotter than you think.
If it’s colder, the styling process will take longer, and if it’s warmer, then you’re more likely to end up damaging your hair. Unregulated temperatures can also mean that the heat isn’t consistent across the airflow, so you end up unintentionally exposing some sections to a scorcher.
The head of your diffuser will either be made from metal, which is a bit too good at conducting heat and can singe your strands, or plastic, which isn’t a very good conductor.
A smart solution to both potential problems is a ceramic coating, which helps to spread heat evenly across the head of your tool to avoid any unwanted hot or cold spots. Ceramic coatings can also make your hair shinier, so you end up with a glossier finish than with an uncoated tool.
Some of the best diffusers for curly hair UK will go even further, infusing the outside of the tool with nourishing ingredients like argan oil which are transferred onto the hair through styling for extra gloss and smoothness.
Changing the temperature of our hair from hot (or in the case of the best diffusers, warm) to cold has the effect of closing the hair cuticles, sealing them in place.
With these flattened, it’s harder for moisture to sneak into our strands and create havoc – and by havoc, we mean frizz. Using a cool shot on your hair when you’re finished styling means that your curls will stay gorgeous and defined, rather than fluffy and unruly, until your next wash – buying you more time and saving you the effort of extra styling between shampoos.
To recap, when choosing the best diffuser for curly hair UK you’ll want to consider your curl pattern and type, how thick your hair is as well as whether or not it’s showing signs of damage.
Armed with this information you can then pick and choose which diffuser specifications are most important to you, but if you’re serious about meeting the needs and wants of your curls then you’re likely to want to invest in a high-end diffuser brimming with features like digital heat control, built-in head and a gentle power system.
The Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme delivers every single one of the fancy features we’ve outlined here, making it a no-brainer if you’re looking for a diffuser that’s reliable, exceptionally good value for money and leaves you with the kind of enviable, bouncy curls you’ve always dreamt of.