How can I dry my curly hair naturally?

The two most popular ways of drying curly hair: you either air dry or diffuse. Sounds simple? After doing this over 4yrs I realised the honest answer is no. When it comes to curly hair, the technique matters a lot. Here are my top tips for drying curly hair:

But first, in case you want to know:

Diffusing - This is using a cup-like attachment fixed on a dryer to help you diffuse curly hair.

Air drying - As the name suggests it's letting the air do the drying.

Drying is the last lap (... after washing, conditioning, styling)

It's what you do before you start the drying process that determines your results. So if you want more frizz-free results and faster drying time then try this:

To speed up air drying:

  • Apply your products on damp hair. This takes out the water-weight immediately.
  • Use a microfiber towel to remove excess water after styling. 
  • Wet Plop in a shower cap to encourage curl formation from the root.

After wet plopping for about 5 to 10 minutes you’re ready to dry your curly hair. If. you start diffusing immediately you may notice more frizz. So remember this -

The first 15 minutes of drying are very crucial.

Air dry for at least 15 minutes before you start diffusing your curly hair. This gives time for your styling products to saturate in your hair and set.

Sit or lie on the edge, under a ceiling fan. No you’re not doing this for four hours. You’re only doing this for 15 min. Change position every five minutes to let air through and help you with volume!

Air Dry until you feel a slight gel cast in your hair. This slight cast is your cue to start your diffusing process.

If you want to continue air drying (much healthier for curls actually!) then use two-pronged salon clips to lift up your roots while you air dry.. This solves many of the flat-roots problems!

How to diffuse curly hair

Okay, say you don’t have a ceiling fan nor a table fan. If dryer-diffuser is the only way then remember to first:

  • Hover the diffuser around your hair to mimic the air drying process. Do it on high heat and high speed, as suggested by the famous stylist ManesByMell.
  • Within 10 min or so, you’ll feel a slight cast. This is your cue to start diffusing. Change the speed and heat to the lowest setting. Turn off the diffuser.
  • Cup a small section of hair and into the diffuser. Bring diffuser all the way to the scalp and *then* put the diffuser on for 20-30seconds. Turn it off and move to the next section.
  • Careful not to go up and down. My top tip would be to switch the diffuser off while switching your sections. This will help you avoid frizz.

Get the best of both worlds!

Some like to air dry hair all the way, others diffuse all the way. I like to do both! Sometimes I like to air dry about 90 % and diffuse a little bit to finish. Sometimes I like to air dry and diffuse at regular intervals.

I’ve tried it the other way round too; diffusing first and then drying but that doesn’t work for me. For the best results take breaks and do both in regular intervals. Air dry for sometime, and then diffuse one round. Then air dry while you get some work done, and come back to diffuse some more. This goes for about an hour and boom. Your curly hair is completely dry yet frizz-free and voluminous!

Hey, hands off! You might think air drying curly hair is a no-brainer, but there is one pitfall that should be avoided at all costs, but it's hard to do. We're talking about keeping your hands off your drying spirals.

You know that feeling when you're getting a manicure and suddenly have the most aggressive itch that must be scratched on the tip of your nose? Trying not to touch your hair while it air dries is a similar phenomenon that's enough to set one's eye-a-twitch. It might be torturous, but it's important to remember that this vital practice can be the difference between a good hair day and one that results in tossing your curls into a bun at the nape of your neck. Not only does touching your hair make it dirty quicker—which is no good for curls that shouldn't be over washed—but it also can make it frizz like crazy.

You might remember the days when scrunching hair was all the rage. Even with a pound of product in our hair it somehow still managed to be frizzy. Now, we're not recommending skipping the product; use the rake-and-shake method or whatever technique you prefer for your unique curl type but, once you've tousled and set, don't touch. When your hair is dry, you can add your finishing product, lift the roots, etc.

WATCH: The Short Curly Cut That Will Have You Booking An Appointment With Your Stylist Immediately

The hands-off rule applies to towel drying also. You'll want to keep abrasive towels away from your fragile curls. There are specific towels designed for curly hair (like this one) that will help take some of the moisture out of your strands while actually fighting frizz. Keep these hands-off tips in mind next time you air dry and we guarantee you'll see less frizz and more of your natural texture.

How should I dry my hair if I have curly hair?

For starters, though, always work in sections (you can use clips if that helps). Also blow dry on low-to-medium heat so you don't burn your scalp and use a low-to-medium air speed setting to reduce frizz. Additionally, only dry your hair 80-95% if it's curly, not wavy, before letting it air dry the rest of the way.

How can I make my curly hair dry and pretty?

Blot your hair dry with a microfiber or t-shirt to remove excess moisture..
Apply your leave-in conditioner and scrunch a good styling product into your curls from the ends towards the roots..
Keep your hands out of your hair while it is air drying, as this can lead to frizz..

How long does it take for curly hair to dry naturally?

Air drying curly hair The benefit of air drying is that you can get the most frizz-free definition with this method. Just remember to avoid touching your hair while it's drying. The downside is that for some people it can take over 5-6 hours to air dry.