Now that the fluffy, voluminous hair of the ‘90s is back in style, you may be wondering how to achieve the look that celebs like Julia Roberts, Mariah Carey, and Sarah Jessica Parker pulled off so flawlessly – big, shining curls that bounced like coils when they moved. The secret is in their products and the various types of diffusers.

Yes, their diffuser – the large, pointy attachment that comes with your hair dryer that many women aren’t sure how to use. Diffusers are a common tool for those with naturally curly hair, but they can be useful for any hair type.

There are different types of hair diffusers used to achieve different looks: curly, wavy, glossy, smooth… you name it, there’s a diffuser for it. Whether your hair is short, long, straight, or coiled, you’re soon going to be calling your diffuser your best friend.

How to Use a Diffuser

To use a diffuser, flip your head upside down and blow dry the wet ends from the root up. This creates more volume and can also be easier to manage. Turn the hair dryer with the diffuser attachment on a medium-to-low setting, as too much heat can damage your hair and give it a lackluster shine.

Grab a section of hair, scrunch it up, and place it on top of the diffuser. After this step, do not touch it! There’s no need to use your fingers to break up curls while it’s sitting atop the diffuser, nor do you need to rotate or move the diffuser at all. Doing so will separate the curls you’re trying to keep together.

Diffuse each section for about two minutes, depending on your hair thickness, turning off the hair dryer between each section to prevent frizzing. When you’ve made it all the way around your head, scrunch the sections to see which parts need to be dried further.

Flip your head right-side-up and repeat the diffusing process upright to the damp hair. Dry the roots by grabbing the top of your hair and lifting the roots, holding the diffuser still a few inches from the head and leaving it for about a minute. Continue around the head until all the roots are dry.