Diffusers for hair dryers have come a long way over the years. They’re no longer just an afterthought attachment you can snap onto any old hair dryer, but come brimming with high-spec features, and can even be bought as stand-alone tools – so you don’t need to worry about the head tumbling off mid-way through drying.
Here, we’re going to cover the most important elements to look out for when shopping for a hair dryer with diffuser to help you make the right choice for you and your curls, before moving on to the optional add-ons that go the extra mile. Drying your spirals has never been simpler.
Whether you’re a first-time diffuser user or a long-time fan looking for an upgrade, keep this checklist of non-negotiables to hand to make the diffuser decision-making process a doddle.
When you first see a diffuser, you’ll notice that the head is much larger compared to a smoothing hair dryer nozzle. This is very much a deliberate decision and a design feature that ensures your hair dryer with diffuser distributes heat and airflow evenly. If it was smaller and more tapered in shape, then you’d run the risk of disrupting your natural curl pattern or roughing up the hair cuticle – and no one wants curly hair that’s flat or frizzy. Dispersing the heat over a generous surface area also prevents any one spot from getting too hot (so you don’t end up accidentally overheating your strands and causing damage) as well as allowing you to style large sections at once.
Curly hair is best left to its own devices, and touching it too much during the drying process can either make it frizzy by disrupting the cuticle, or greasy by transferring oil from your hands onto your strands.
That’s where the finger-like nodules on a diffuser head come into their own, as you can use these to shape your curls for perfect definition and separation without needing to touch them. If you have type 2 hair, move your diffuser in circular motions so that the nodules can encourage movement and bounce, or, if you have type 4 hair, draw the diffuser downwards so that the nodules elongate your coils and make your hair appear longer.
Identifying your exact curl type is the first step to finding the perfect hair care routine for you! Read our guide "Discovering curl types and hair styles"
Your hair dryer with diffuser must have the option to adjust the settings, as curly hair needs the heat and speed to be as low as possible. Due to its wiggly shape with multiple bends on a single strand, curly hair is naturally very fragile and doesn’t take much to snap or snag.
What makes the risk of breakage even higher is that curly hair is also more porous than straight hair and therefore prone to becoming dry and brittle. Gentle temperatures and speeds guarantee a softly-softly approach to drying your hair that’ll protect and enhance your curls.
Plus, the overall finish will be better too. No one has ever been for a walk in bracing winds and returned home to their best hair ever, so you can’t expect blasting your hair with a giant gust of air from your dryer to do so, either. Slow and low is best.
The first checklist outlined the non-negotiables when shopping for a hair dryer with diffuser, so now we can move onto the above-and-beyond list. These are the upgraded features that set more premium diffusers for hair dryers apart from the crowd. If you can invest in a tool with these specs, your curls will thank you for it.
Sometimes less is more, and in the case of the power system of a hair dryer that’s very much the case. There is absolutely no need for speed-up power (some popular hairdryers have motor wattages of around 2000) as 770 watts is more than enough for curly hair.
Going any higher will only increase the risk of over-processing your curls and flattening their natural pattern, upping the chance of heat damage and making your electricity bill more expensive.
We’ve already talked about how diffusers have to have a wide surface area to help them distribute heat, but this only works if they have a grid system that allows the air to escape evenly. For example, if you had a big base but only had one hole in it, then you’re not going to get an even finish.
With multiple, cleverly-spaced perforations, the heat and air can escape in smaller bursts so that no one part is more exposed than another. What this means for your finished look is that you get consistent curls across your entire head, rather than some sections that have more shape and spring than others.
The head of your diffuser for hair dryer will probably be made from plastic, which doesn’t go very far towards giving your curls a smooth, shiny finish. To improve things, look for one that’s been given a lick of ceramic coating.
Not only will this addition make your tool look glossier, but that shininess will translate to your hair too for smoother styling with less damage. Even better, diffusers like the Diffon Supreme have been topped with argan oil which infuses hair with extra moisture as you style to minimise dryness. A little thing that can make a big difference to your curls.
The change in temperature from hot (or in the case of a diffuser, warm) to cold will seal the cuticles that coat your hair strands by encouraging them to lie flat.
When the cuticles are neatly slotted together, moisture is sealed into the hair and your curls hold their shape for longer without fluffing or frizzing – buying you more time between shampoos.
Unfortunately, you can’t always trust your hair tools to do what they claim to be doing. If they don’t have built-in heat control technology then there’s a chance that some sections of the airflow could be cooler, or hotter, than the temperature you’ve set it to.
When you buy a diffuser with digital heat control you’ll have peace of mind that the temperature is being regularly checked and regulated, so there aren’t any missed spots or areas exposed to scorching heat.
The concept is a bit complicated, so bear with us, but if you cast your mind back to GCSE science you’ll know that ions are molecules that have either a positive or negative charge.
When we use a lot of heat on our hair or treat it with bleach, our strands can take on a positive ion charge, which opens up the hair cuticle.
The knock-on effects of an open cuticle are damage, dryness, frizz and static – none of which are ideal. A good diffuser will have technology that transfers negative ions onto the hair, helping to smooth those cuticles back down for sleeker and shinier curls.
By now, we’ve established that not all hair dryers with diffusers are created equal, and you might need to shop around to find the best one to suit you and your curl pattern. The brilliant thing about the Bellissima Italia Diffon diffusers is that not only do they boast both the must-have and nice-to-have benefits on our checklist, but they’re also easy to use.
As dedicated diffuser tools, rather than a hairdryer created for straight hair with the option to attach a diffuser head, they’re ergonomically designed to be intuitive and comfortable to hold all angles. Even better, because it’s built-in rather than added on the head won’t fall off and burn your fingers mid-styling – plus, the professional length cord means you can style without getting in a tangle. A worthwhile investment for anyone who wants the best for their curls.