Everyone is different, and it may take some trial and error to determine the right diffuser routine. Maybe you want to dry your hair completely, or maybe you want it to be 80 percent dry. Maybe you want a leave-in, curl gel, and hair oil, or maybe you just need a little heat protection. These are some of the products we like to use during our hair styling procedures that may be helpful to you.
Turbo Twist Microfiber Towel ($17): I would love to I lose my hair After showering for a few minutes to absorb some water before spreading it on. These microfiber towels are designed to stay put, and absorb a lot of moisture without drying out my hair too much. Others swear by diving with a t-shirt on, but this works best for me.Lauren Strambi
Leave-In Style Balm ($28) and Not Your Mother Curl Talk Cream and Gel ($17) I put a generous amount of conditioner in my hair after it falls out, followed by a generous amount of curl cream, and finally a generous amount of gel. This is what prepares my natural mass to look its best after spreading. It may be too heavy for some curl textures, but this is my preferred method. —Lauren Strambi
Kristin Ess Style Assist Bleed Dry Mist ($15): This is one of the most effective heat protectants I’ve tried that cuts down on drying time – halfway through the blow-drying process, I can actually tell where I sprayed it and where I didn’t. I wish it were as easy to apply as the Milk_Shake Foaming Foundation below, but the bottle still has a decently targeted spray and the product is lightweight enough to not leave any residue. —Kat Merck
Milk_Shake Lifestyling Blow-Dry Primer ($26): The lightly scented heat protectant aims to prevent color fading and reduce drying time. It doesn’t do the latter quite as effectively as the aforementioned Kristin Ess, but it will shave off a few minutes and gets high marks for coming out of the bottle as an easy-to-apply lather, so that’s easy to vouch for. You get even coverage. —Kat Merck
Davines This Is the Curl Gel Oil ($32): This gentle curl gel oil has been great for my fine hair, helping to create curls and keep them moisturized without weighing them down or making my hair crunchy. It starts out feeling like a gel in your hand, then turns into an oil on your hair. It’s best used with a diffuser, although I occasionally use it on air-dry days with similarly good results. —Nina Farrell