A Curls Monthly x Odele collaboration by guest blog contributor Barbara DelleMonache
If you have wavy or curly hair, you already know the struggle: diffusing takes forever, roots fall flat, curls dry unevenly, and no matter how careful you are… something always ends up a little bit wonky.
After years of diffusing my own curls and educating women online, I realized the problem was that jamming thick curly hair into a tiny diffuser cup might not be the answer.
That realization led me to create a new technique that’s been taking over the internet: Section Diffusing.
This method can completely change how curls and waves dry, hold volume, and maintain definition, and it works beautifully with Odele curl products.
What Is Section Diffusing?
Section diffusing is exactly what it sounds like: Styling and diffusing your hair one section at a time, fully drying each section before moving on to the next.
Instead of treating your head like one mass of hair, you treat it like 3–4 separate heads of hair.
Each section is:
- Styled intentionally
- Diffused until completely dry
- Then clipped out of the way before moving on
The result? More volume, more curl, faster dry time, and significantly better root lift.
Why I Created Section Diffusing
I created section diffusing to solve multiple problems curly and wavy-haired people face every single wash day:
1. Diffusing Takes Too Long
Curly hair is often dense and thick. Trying to dry everything at once leads to long dry times and arm fatigue.
2. Traditional Diffusing Can Distort Curl Pattern
When you diffuse the entire head at once, some areas get too much attention while others get ignored, leading to uneven curls and frizz.
3. Flat Roots and Lack of Volume
Section diffusing allows the diffuser to act like a freeze ray, locking curls into an upright, lifted position as they dry- dramatically improving root volume and curl shape.
4. Mixed Curl Patterns
Most people don’t have the same curl behavior everywhere. Section diffusing lets you customize products and techniques per section. For example, using lighter products on soft areas and richer products on rougher areas.
This technique finally gives each part of your hair the TLC it deserves.
How to Section Diffuse (Step-by-Step)
Before you start, it’s important to understand your Hair Finish (soft, rough, or medium). If you’re unsure, I recommend reading my Hair Finish guide here: Rough vs. Soft Hair: How to Choose Odele Products Based on Your Hair’s Finish.
Step 1: Start With the Bottom Section
Take the first layer of your hair, from the ears down.
- Soft finish hair: work on damp hair
- Rough finish hair: work on soaking wet hair
Apply Your Cream-Based Product:
- Soft finish: Odele Leave-In Conditioner
- Rough finish: Odele Curl Defining Cream
Rake through evenly. You can brush style at this point if desired.
Add Your Styler:
- Soft finish: Odele Curl Defining Foam
- Rough finish: Odele Curl Defining Gel
Scrunch curls into place.
Step 2: Cup Diffuse That Section Until Fully Dry
Grab your diffuser and cup diffuse that bottom section.
- Hold the diffuser in place for 45 seconds
- Then move to the next cup-full of hair within that same section
- Continue until the entire section is 100% dry
Once dry, gently clip that section back.
Step 3: Move to the Next Section
Release the next section of hair (typically temples down).
- Lightly re-wet or dampen with a spray bottle
- Repeat the same styling routine, or adjust if this section behaves differently
Cup diffuse until fully dry, then clip back.
Step 4: Finish With the Crown Section
Repeat the process on the top crown layer, where volume matters most.
Because each section is diffused upright and isolated, curls dry lifted, defined, and set in place, no collapsing later.
Why These Odele Products Work So Well for Section Diffusing
First of all, all three of these Odele products protect against heat damage up to 450 degrees with the vegan thermal shield! This is truly a win-win-win for section diffusing.
Odele Curl Defining Cream
Perfect for rough or coarse hair, this cream adds softness, hydration, and slip- essential for creating juicy curl clumps before diffusing.
Odele Curl Defining Gel
Used to seal in definition and freeze curls in place while diffusing. It provides hold and frizz control without stiffness.
Odele Curl Defining Foam
Ideal for soft or medium finishes, this lightweight styler enhances volume and structure without weighing hair down, especially important when diffusing in sections.
The Odele x Curls Monthly Collaboration
Section diffusing is one of the key techniques taught during the Odele x Curls Monthly February takeover.
For a limited time, Curls Monthly subscribers receive:
- 5 Odele products
- Including 3 full-size curl stylers
- A complete wash day routine
- Step-by-step education on section diffusing and Hair Finish styling
It’s the easiest way to try the new curl stylers Odele with guidance, not guesswork.
About the Author
Barbara DelleMonache is a curly hair educator, content creator, and the founder of Curls Monthly, a leading curly hair subscription and education platform. With over six years of hands-on experience in the curl industry, and a social media community of more than 1.5 million followers, Barbara is known for making curl education approachable, intuitive, and results-driven. She is the creator of the Hair Finish method, a simplified approach to curl care that helps women choose products and techniques based on how their hair naturally looks and feels, rather than traditional curl typing systems. Through Curls Monthly, Barbara has helped tens of thousands of women build confident, sustainable curl routines that actually work in real life.
