Even for novices, getting big, glossy curls that complement any hair length, color, or texture is now easier than ever. Curling techniques using flat irons, rollers, and curling irons are covered in various time-saving courses by scientists and hair specialists from the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. The main strategies and pointers for each method are broken down below.
Before diving into the particular techniques, several important pointers must be remembered. Ensure your hair is dehydrated and detangled before adding any heat-protectant product to protect and prep it. It’s crucial to use the right tool; smaller barrels produce tighter curls, while larger barrels produce looser curls. 375°F to 395°F are the recommended temperature ranges for normal, healthy hair, 400°F to 420°F for thick hair, and 180°F to 370°F for delicate or damaged hair. To keep the style in place, let your hair cool before handling it, then apply hairspray to fix the curls after styling.
Curling hair with a curling iron:
- Use a curling iron with a clamp for definition and control.
- Take a 1-inch portion of hair, clamp the curling iron at its roots, wrap the hair strands around the barrel away from your face, hold it for 10 seconds, then let go.
- Repeat with the other sections of hair.
Using a straightener or flat iron to curl hair:
You can do a lot with your flat iron. Starting at your brow, clamp the flat iron at eyebrow level to create beachy waves. Then, continuously clamp and release the piece of hair to create S-shapes. Start at the roots of a 1-inch-wide section of hair, clamp the flat iron close to the roots, rotate the iron away from your face, and draw down to the ends if you want curls. Continue with the following parts:parts.
Using a curling wand to curl hair produces looser waves and curls when not clamped. Wear a glove that can withstand heat protection when brushing and sectioning your hair. Hold the wand vertically and take a segment of hair from the roots. Wrap the portion around the barrel, twisting it away from your face until the ends. Continue in every section.
Curling Hair with Hot Rollers: Take dry, brushed-out hair and start with the larger rollers. Take 1-inch portions and spiral the strands toward your roots around the roller. Let the rollers cool before unwinding them. Use a round brush to blow-dry tiny hair parts using velcro or foam rollers. Once the hair is dry, twist each area around a roller, spritz with hairspray, wait a few minutes, and relax.
These methods provide various alternatives when creating gorgeous curls based on your hair type and preferences.
