Hey, Curlies!

Welcome to August’s newsletter; bringing you all the latest hints, tips and tricks from our curly world - to ensure that you keep rocking those curls, whatever the weather! And speaking of which - what a scorcher August has been so far! This month we’re going to be looking at all the methods of drying your ringlets and waves, to help you find what works best for you!

Getting High And Dry With CGM Club!

So let’s dive right in!

Air Drying

Air drying is definitely the most gentle method for your hair - (and in weather like we’ve had recently it can be quick!) - BUT it can also leave you with the flattest version of your hair. Because the cast will break faster due to you moving about and going about your business it means that your curls probably won’t last as long as they would if you were to try one of the other drying methods. 

Those of us with very thick or porous hair might find that time is a real factor with air drying; it’s ok if you have all day to let your hair do it’s thing, or if it’s a beautiful warm day, but in the dead of winter when you have catch the bus to work in half an hour air drying is probably a no-go! 

Also, because of the weight of the water pulling your hair down as it dries it will elongate your curls, resulting in a less bouncy look - which might be exactly what you want, in which case air drying could be the method for you! 

But, if it isn’t…..

Diffusing

Diffusing will give your curls the most bounce and volume, and is best done at a low speed and a low to medium heat (high heat is not recommended for curls because it can dry them out and cause split ends). Diffusing is great for wavies who want to create as much curl as possible, because it will really maximise the volume. Of course, on the flip side of that, if you don’t want a ‘big hair’ look then diffusing probably isn’t your best option. 

When it comes to choosing a diffuser, you generally have two options:

• Bowl Type - This is the most common type of diffuser and is probably what comes to mind when you picture one. As the name suggests it’s a bowl-shaped attachment that has prongs inside to capture the curls and keep them in place as you dry your hair. If you have wavier hair and want to achieve a tighter curl pattern, then a bowl type diffuser is your best option.

• Hand Type - Totally different in design, a diffuser such as the DevaFuser; a hand-shaped diffuser attachment, is ideal for those who don’t want to touch their hair at all while drying. It will give mad volume at the roots - so ideal for those who want that height at the crown but don’t want to clip - but it doesn’t cup the curls like a bowl type diffuser does. This means that if you have a looser curl pattern you might want to give it a miss. However, for those with a tighter curl a hand type diffuser could be ideal.

Hood Drying

Hood drying will give you volume somewhere in between the air drying and the diffusing methods - plus it dries your curls quickly and in place, not giving them a chance to frizz. You can clip the roots for volume at the crown and then sit back and relax while the hood does all the work for you. No more ‘diffuser-arm’ yay!! 

Of course, it’s not the cheapest option, and you’d have to have the space for it or somewhere to store it (it’s not the prettiest addition to a room!), but, considering how many times you’ll use it, it could be a great investment. This option is great for fine-haired curlies that don’t get that ‘oomph’ they want from diffusing, and for those who have really thick hair that takes forever to dry, hood-drying can be a godsend. 

Another great advantage is that if you apply any deep conditioning treatments, the heat from the hood will allow the product to penetrate deeper into the hair shaft, which will maximise your results. It’s worth noting though that hood-drying isn’t going to be for those who want to go heat-free. 

Which method do you use to dry your curls? Are you tempted to try any of the ones we’ve looked at today? We always love to hear from our curlies, so let us know which method you prefer and gives you your preferred level of definition and volume! 

And remember - The first rule of Curly Girl Method Club is TALK about Curly Girl Method Club - so if you know a curly who wants to unleash her hair’s full potential but doesn’t know where to start, point her in our direction!

Until then, goodbye curlies, wavies and coilies, we’ll see you next month with more tips, tricks, and CGM Club news!