How to Blow Dry Men’s Curly Hair Flawlessly [5 Easy Steps]

Wondering how to do a curly hair blowout for men?

A blowout is essential for men with curly hair to maintain their hair in order and have a good hair day.

Stick around as I discuss how I have managed my curls efficiently with a simple blow dry routine.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways

  • Learn to effectively section and dry your hair to enhance curl definition and combat frizz.
  • Identify essential hair products and tools, like a diffuser and heat protectant spray, to ensure a safe blow drying process.
  • Gain knowledge on maintaining hair health and hydration to keep your curls resilient and healthy post-blow drying.

5 Steps to Blow Dry Men’s Curly Hair

I’ve covered all the steps below, from setting the groundwork with the right shampoo to caring for your curly hair blowout after you’re done.

Items required 

Here’s a list of things required to blow dry your curly hair; 

  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner 
  • A coarse comb 
  • A heat protectant spray 
  • A hairdryer with a  diffuser
  • A styling mousse or spray (optional)

Time Needed 

This can vary from person to person, but if you make it a part of your daily routine, you can go through the whole process in a maximum of 20 minutes. 

1. Wash with a Good Shampoo Made for Curly Hair

As with any blowout, you must start the procedure by washing your hair.

Special shampoos and conditioners are available to better suit curly hair. Or you can use your regular shampoo and conditioner.

shampoo and conditioner for curly hair

I suggest you use the former as I have been using them, and the results are far better. They are specially designed to solve the problems of curly hair.

As curly hair tends to get drier than straight hair, your hairs need a shampoo that moisturizes and does not wash away the natural oils from your hair.

These products can help to reduce hair frizz and smoothen the strands [1].

Shampoo your hair, wash it clean and then put on the conditioner. Leave it on for a minute (or more if you have really dry hair). Rinse it off with water afterward. 

For those gents with flowing locks, we’ve got a comprehensive guide on how to blow dry men’s long hair to achieve a natural and voluminous finish.

Easy peasy, right? One note: if you have oily hair, you can reverse the process and use a conditioner first.

Nope, I’m not kidding. Try it! Your hair will still be soft and manageable without all the gunk that conditioner can leave behind.

Looking to master the art of styling gorgeous black hair? Dive into our spirited guide on “Blow Drying Black Hair” and let your locks flow with flair!

2. Dry Your Hair With a Towel 

If your hair is wet when you’re blow-drying, the machine will use more heat and damage your hair.

That is why it is essential to soak your hair properly with a towel. Remember to be gentle while drying your hair. Wet hair is brittle, and being harsh can damage your hair [2].  

drying men's curly hair using a towel

As hairstylist experts at Paul Mitchell explain,

“Allow hair to air-dry at least halfway before turning on the dryer. This reduces the amount of time hair is exposed to heat, lessening the chances of damage.”

Take a soft towel and gently rub off the water from your hair or pat your hair dry. You can also opt for a cotton T-shirt to blot your hair.

This is a gentler way of drying your hair than vigorously rubbing it with a towel, resulting in much less damage to your hair. 

Looking to master the art of styling gorgeous black hair? Dive into our spirited guide on “Blow Drying Black Hair” and let your locks flow with flair!

3. Detangle With a Wide-toothed Comb

Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle your curls. Please do not use a fine-toothed comb; it will get stuck with your freshly washed hair and damage them.

Wide-tooth comb

On the other hand, a coarse comb will detangle your hair without causing any damage to the hair. 

Using a heat protectant spray on your hair before blowing it dry is always a good idea. This protects your hair from the damage that the heat can cause.    

4. Blow-dry 

For Blow-drying your hair, I would recommend you use a diffuser. A diffuser is a hairdryer attachment. It helps the air disperse over a  larger area.

Hair Dryers come with a concentrator nozzle; they direct the airflow to a smaller area, increasing the chances of hair damage due to the heat.

On the other hand, a diffuser disperses air to a larger area and minimizes the risk of hair damage due to heat. The diffusers also give a bouncy and voluminous look to your curls.    

Use the diffuser attachment with your blow dryer in a medium to low-temperature setting. Do not use the dryer at the maximum setting; this will do more harm than good.    

Since this step will vary depending on how you want your hair to look when you’re done, here are a few great video tutorials that will help.

Styling curly hair with a diffuser

Dive into this detailed tutorial that showcases the transformative power of a diffuser for styling curly hair to perfection, an essential lesson for all curly hair enthusiasts!

Frizz-Free men’s haircare routine

Discover the secrets of maintaining sleek, frizz-free men’s hair in this comprehensive tutorial video, presenting a daily haircare routine designed especially for men.

5. Aftercare 

You can leave your hair all-natural after blow-drying, but using a styling product or a spray to maintain your blowout hairstyle throughout the day is better. 

A lightweight product gives the best look to your hair without causing buildup and provides a soft finish.

Watch this video for some great tips:

Things to Consider When You Blow-dry Men’s Curly Hair 

Now that we’ve gone over the steps let’s just quickly go over a few tips.

Work With the Hair You Have

As Wendy Lewis, author of Hair Affair, says,

“half the battle is learning how to work with the hair you have been given.”

Knowing your curly hair is different and requires special care is an advantage. This will help you with any hairstyle you have.

Curly hair is drier than normal hair. This means you shouldn’t use just any shampoo.

side view of a man with blonde and curly hair

Special Care 

The secret to a well-coiffed hairstyle for men with curly hair is choosing products that don’t strip your hair of natural oil and suit your hair type.

Instead, it should moisturize your hair to make the frizz and curls manageable.       

 “It also absorbs light rather than reflects it, so it doesn’t tend to look as ‘shiny’ as straight hair would,”

Says Guy Parsons, celebrity hairdresser and trichologist.

So, your hair will end up looking dull for no excuse of yours.     

However, this doesn’t mean you can’t look good with your natural curls.

Some points you can keep in mind to make sure you manage your curls to look like James Franco (okay, not exactly like him, but you get the idea);

  • Never use the blow dry at maximum heat setting
  • Always use a protectant spray before blow-drying
  • Prefer a coarse comb over a fine-toothed one 
  • Always get a hairstyle on dry hair 
  • In humid weather, use products that create a protective layer. 

FAQs 

Do blowouts damage curly hair?

Not if you use a heat protectant spray before blow-drying. Other than protecting your hair from damage, it also nourishes it.  

How do you ask a barber for a blowout?

If you want a blowout haircut, ask your barber to keep the hair at the top at least three inches long, and a taper fades at the neck, temple, and sideburns. 

Can you get a blowout with curly hair?

Yes, you definitely can. You’ll have to take proper care to achieve or maintain the results from the blowout.  

How long does a blowout last?

It depends on the type of products you use and your hair growth. Typically, the taper fade can last three to four weeks. 

Conclusion 

Blow-drying men’s curly hair doesn’t have to be a complex, time-consuming process.

The proper procedure can simplify the task and provide a bouncy, voluminous hairstyle.

Also, the appropriate approach protects your natural hair from damage in the long run.   

man with blonde and curly hair

Do you have more tips on how to do a curly hair blowout for men easily? Let us know in the comments below!

References

  • 1. Scully SM. 6 Surprising Causes of Frizzy Hair –  and 8 Ways to Combat It [Internet]. Healthline. Healthline Media; 2021 [cited 2021 Dec 6]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/what-causes-frizzy-hair
  • 2. How To: Protect + Prime Your Hair For Heat Styling [Internet]. Paulmitchell.com. 2020 [cited 2021 Dec 6]. Available from: https://www.paulmitchell.com/blog/how-to-protect-prime-your-hair-for-heat-styling.html#:~:text=PARTIALLY%20AIR-DRY%20HAIR%20BEFORE%20BLOW-DRYING%20Allow%20hair%20to,hair%20like%20best-selling%20Paul%20Mitchell%C2%AE%20Super%20Skinny%C2%AE%20Serum.
About Olaf Bieschke

Olaf Bieschke is a senior year medical student from Charité University of Berlin in Germany. He has gained professional experience in various hospitals and offices in Germany, Belgium, France, Poland, Brazil and Spain. Currently working on a dr. med. title thesis in neurosurgery. Follow him on LINKEDIN AND FACEBOOK. Learn more about him HERE.

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