How to Reduce Drying Time | Fast-Drying Curly Hair Routine

In this video, I am showing you a curly hair routine focused on reducing dry time. I incorporate styling tips to cut down on dry time, best fast-drying products, and diffusing tips to reduce frizz and damage.

The traditional curly girl method routine involves TONS of water because our goal is to achieve hydrated hair and retain moisture. However applying products to soaking, dripping wet hair will take all day to air dry, and it can be damaging to try and diffuse soaking wet hair until it’s completely dry.

I’ve developed a styling method that I think is the best of both worlds between wet and damp styling. It’s all about fine-tuning the right amount of water in your hair for your hair type when applying styling products. I can diffuse my hair dry using medium & low heat in around 17 minutes.

Also, my Hair Repair Towel is my best friend when styling because it absorbs excess water without creating frizz. You can get it here for 10% off when you use code GLAMMEUP.

Fast-Drying Routine Steps

1. After shampooing, conditioning, and rinsing, loosely wrap using a cotton towel like the Hair Repear towel or T-shirt. This helps absorb excess water on the scalp.
2. Spritz water on the lengths of hair with a mister spray bottle so it’s evenly wet, but not dripping
3. Apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner or curl cream. Leave-ins are typically lighter and not as heavy as creams, which can sometimes make hair dry slower.
4. Apply a gel or mousse. Mousse and foams tend to dry faster. If using a gel, opt for a lightweight liquidy gel.
5. If using a brush to create ringlets, pick up flat sections to avoid creating thick clumps that take longer to dry. Separate any large clumps as needed.
6. Gently scrunch out excess water using the Hair Repear towel or T-shirt. This is referred to as “micro-plopping” and will significantly speed up dry time.
7. Apply another thin layer of gel or mousse by glazing/smoothing to avoid disturbing curl clumps. This will ensure a gel cast still forms since micro-plopping can remove some product.
8. If hair is still very wet, air dry 5-10 before diffusing.
9. Diffuse on warm heat and low airflow by hovering the diffuser. Once a cast forms, place the diffuser prongs at the root to dry the roots and create volume. Finish with cold air.
10. Once 100% dry, fluff roots and scrunch out any unwanted crunch with dry hands.

Products Used/Shown:

• HairRepear The Ultimate Hair Towel, 10% off with code GLAMMEUP
• Flairosol Stylist Spray Bottle
• Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Cream from Ulta or from Curlsmith
• Curlsmith Bouncy Strength Volume Foam from Ulta or from Curlsmith
• Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Curl Activation Mousse (not used in this routine)
• Dove Beauty Shine & Moisture Finishing Gel (not used in this routine)
• Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel – Stronger Hold from Ouidad or from Ulta
• Behairful Professional Detangler Brush, 10% off with code GENAMARIE
• Infiniti PRO by Conair 1875 Watt Texture Styling Hair Dryer

Other than styling techniques and products, there are a few other factors that will affect how fast your curls dry…

Density & Dry Time

How thick your hair is will affect how long your hair takes to dry.

Low Density Hair

• Ponytail is less than 2 inches in circumference.
• Hair will dry faster because the air can reach the scalp, and the hair is less compacted/dense.

Medium Density Hair

• Ponytail is 2-3 inches in circumference.
• Dry time will vary and depend on styling techniques and products used.

High Density Hair

• Ponytail is more than 3 inches in circumference.
• Hair will dry slowly due to the thickness.

Porosity & Dry Time

Hair porosity refers to the ability for the hair to absorb and retain moisture. Depending on how your cuticle layer functions will determine how fast your hair will dry.

Low Porosity Hair

• Tightly bound cuticle layer that doesn’t easily let moisture in our out.
• Once moisturized properly, moisture will stay within the hair, which is great.
• Hair will take longer to dry, especially if it’s also high density.

Medium/Normal Porosity Hair

• The cuticle layer is functioning properly and raises and lowers. Moisture absorbs well and remains within the hair at a normal rate.
• Dry time will vary depending on density, products used, and styling techniques.

High Porosity Hair

• The cuticle is raised and easily lets in a lot of water but also releases it easily when squeezed out.
• Hair tends to dry very fast, especially without product. Diffusing and air drying won’t take long. Hair also dries out quickly in between washes.

How long does your hair take to air dry or diffuse? Let me know!

Also check out this video to learn more about damp vs. wet styling.