Why Your Strands Desperately Need One of These Hair Diffusers ASAP

People with curly and natural hair are all too familiar with frizzy hair. Though many of us reach for the leave-in conditioner, hoping it will tame our tresses into beautiful, bouncy curls, there's one highly underrated piece of haircare equipment that blasts frizz away from your strands in minutes: hair diffusers.

The Best Hair Diffusers

What Is a Hair Diffuser?

Chances are, you already have one of these nifty hair dryer attachments, and it's probably collecting dust in your room. But for those of you with wavy-to-coily hair types, it’s time to dust off your diffuser and put it to good use.

We spoke to Annagjid “Kee” Taylor, celebrity hairstylist to notable stars like Keke Palmer, Tika Sumpter, Tiffany Haddish, Nafessa Williams, and many more, about why exactly a diffuser is such an important haircare tool for curls. She tells us, “One of the main benefits of using a hair diffuser is to dry and set your hair, defining curls with minimal frizz.”

Since diffusers distribute airflow, it’s able to maximize coverage which, Taylor says, “is better and less damaging for your strands” than using a regular dryer or a concentrator nozzle that only flows in one concentrated direction. “The multidirectional airflow also gives your locks more volume and body,” she says.

What to Consider

Understand Your Natural Curl Pattern

Knowing your natural curl pattern will help you understand how your hair will turn out after using a diffuser. These attachments are meant to elevate your hair’s natural body and bends, so don’t expect ringlets when your hair naturally falls in subtle waves. Yes, you’ll see more volume and definition, but hair diffusers aren’t meant to do more than that.

Since there are quite a few hair types, finding yours can be difficult at first, but we have a nifty curl pattern guide for you to check out.

Assess How Long Your Hair Is

... Or rather, assess just much hair you have. Curly-haired people know that shrinkage makes your hair look much shorter than it actually is, plus curly hair is naturally more voluminous than finer, straighter hair types. The easiest rule of thumb to follow is that the more hair you have, or the longer your hair is, the bigger the diffuser you will need.

How We Chose

Now that you’ve gotten the 411 on how to shop for a hair diffuser and why they’re so vital for getting those waves and curls tamed to perfection, check out a few of the most impressive, top-rated diffusers that internet reviewers (plus celebrity hairstylists) can’t get enough of. Our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, also included her no-fail hair diffuser (Dyson Supersonic Diffuser), and it's totally worthy of your hard-earned money. Speaking of price tags, these hair diffusers cost $55 and under, so you can gift one to yourself and your loved ones whether it's Valentine's Day, their birthday, or just because.

Believe us: Once you use one of these hair diffusers on your curls, you’re never going to air-dry ever again.