Diffuse the situation

The 11 Best Diffusers for Blow-Drying Curly Hair

As we draw the curtain on air-dry season (a.k.a. summer), it’s once again time to add those 20 minutes of prep time to our morning routines. Fear not, though. Just because you may not be able to count on the sun drying your curls doesn’t mean you have to walk out of the house with sopping-wet strands — especially when the temperatures get extra cold. No, ma'am — getting sick is definitely not worth skipping a short blow-dry sesh. To make sure your curls are looking extra snatched through it all, you've got to have the right tools. And for us, that means having a diffuser attachment on our curly girl-approved blow-dryers. And don't worry about having too look for far for 'em because we’ve rounded up our faves on the market right now. If there’s one pro-tip we’ve committed to memory by now, it’s that no curly-haired person should be caught in cold seasons without one.

By Emilie Branch

October 4, 2018

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

Courtesy of brand
1/11
Harry Josh Pro Tools Ultra Light Pro Dryer Diffuser
This Harry Josh diffuser is the perfect pairing for its editor-favorite matching dryer. Created by the man responsible for Giselle’s curls (which launched a thousand Victoria’s Secret hair how-tos), this diffuser is lightweight and gets the job done, thanks in part to a seamless design that facilitates even heat distribution.
$30 (Shop Now)
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2/11
NuMe Signature & Stealth Dryer Hair Diffuser
Rice and beans. Cookies and milk. Nume's stealth dryer and diffuser. Some things pair together perfectly, and this diffuser — when used with its mate — is no exception. The thick separators allow the air to dry your curls without altering their shape, while negative ions help banish frizz. The result? Defined, bouncy ringlets.
$20 (Shop Now)

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3/11
YS Park Large Mesh Diffuser
If you've ever wondered what in the world that little bag was covering the mouth of your hairstylist's dryer — it's a diffuser. This particular one from YS Park is a favorite of hairstylist Naeemah LaFond. “It's a must-have. It fits on any dryer, it’s lightweight, and the soft mesh fabric has a gentle touch on curls,” she says.
$24 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of Brand
4/11
GHD Air Diffuser
Naturally, hairstylist Justine Marjan reaches for her GHD diffuser when it's time to dry some curls. “I can attach it to my GHD Air Hair Dryer because it is easy to pop on and off, and it has gentle prongs inside the diffuser that really help to shape curls,” she says. “I love that we are seeing more girls enhance their natural hair texture and style it with a diffuser.”
$30 (Shop Now)

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5/11
Xtava Black Orchid Large Hair Diffuser
Perfect for naturally curly girls especially, this Xtava diffuser is a total texture enhancer. 360-degree airflow allows you to swap frizz for va-voom and cuts down on drying time. Plus, the diffuser fingers have drying vents so your roots dry at the same time as your ends.
Was $34 Now $17 (Shop Now)
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6/11
Segbeauty Hair Blow Dryer Diffuser
Seal your cuticles with this Segbeauty diffuser, which puts your curls in formation with the help of ion technology. Ions can also help your strands retain moisture — a crucial feature for anyone with textured hair. The size of this diffuser is also a draw; users describe it as “being under the hood at the salon,” so you can get at all your curls.
Was $15 Now $8 (Shop Now)

Courtesy of Brand
7/11
Hairizone Universal Hair Diffuser
Since it fits on any hair dryer, Hairizone's diffuser is just what you need for travel, as it should work with whatever your hotel bathroom has. You didn't think we would let a little jet-setting compromise those curls, did you?
$19 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of Brand
8/11
Drybar The Bouncer Diffuser
Designed for the Drybar line, the Bouncer Diffuser is still happily universal. The punchy, buttercup yellow diffuser also more than lives up to its name — all it takes is 10 to 15 minutes to achieve voluminously buoyant curls before you’re literally bouncing out the door.
$34 (Shop Now)

Courtesy of Brand
9/11
Solano Finger Softstyler Universal Diffuser
“Finger extenders” create softness in Solano's universal diffuser. Depending on your level of sleep deprivation, you can pretend someone is running their hands through your hair and coaxing your coils to dry. Can our AM routine always be this soothing?
$28 (Shop Now)
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10/11
Bio Ionic Universal Diffuser
When a diffuser is universal, it should easily attach to whatever dryer is already in your arsenal — this is in contrast to diffusers that are designed to only fit individual dryers. Whichever you opt for, quality is key. This one from Bio Ionic will attach to almost any dryer and allows you to adjust airflow for more targeted curl taming, which is why we heart it.
$24 (Shop Now)

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11/11
T3 Soft Curl Diffuser
Speaking of even heat distribution, changes in temperature concentration is often to blame for a puffed-out mop. As fine-haired folk especially can’t afford to be blasted by extreme heat, gentleness is key. The T3 Soft Curl Diffuser is designed to prevent over-drying, meaning you don’t have to compromise on texture or moisture.
$30 (Shop Now)