How to curl your hair with a straightener
ANYONE who's ever tried getting the perfect curls at home would understand all too well that it's not always as effortless as it seems.
With a hair straightener being the tool of choice for many when it comes to getting the most luscious curls, it seems there's definitely a knack to getting it right.
So whatever your hair type, or whatever look you're going for, we have a few tips and tricks that'll mean nailing it every single time.
How to curl your hair with a straightener
While most hair straightening tools will do the job, with the right technique, one with a rounder barrel and temperature control will work best, such as a GHD.
The round barrel will ensure snag-free styling allowing the hair to wrap around the barrel and move through the plates easily.
- To start, allow your tool to heat up. It's also a good idea to apply a heat protecting spray, or serum, evenly through your hair to help keep it in tip top condition.
- Brush your hair thoroughly to remove any knots which will allow the tool to move through the hair with ease.
- While it's not necessarily required, it's a good idea to section your locks into more manageable areas, particularly for thicker hair, such as top and bottom layers.
- Then, think of your hair as a ribbon, and the iron as scissors – you need decent tension to get achieve the curl.
- Pull segments of hair through the straighteners, pulling away and twisting towards the barrel of the clamped straightener. The motion should be as if you are checking your watch.
- Repeat until whole head is curled.
- Add a finishing spray to hold the final hairstyle in for longer.
Top Tips
- The smaller the piece of hair the more defined the curl, the bigger the piece of hair the looser it will be.
- For hair closer to the crown, twist away from your face.
- Wrap your hair as if you were using a curling tong (don't close the straightener completely).
- Keep hair central in the flatiron to avoid snags.
- For a more modern, natural look, leave the ends straighter.
- If you’ve left any imprints in your locks, gently brushing through the curl may mask it.
- Don't use heat above 180 degrees Celsius
How to get wavy hair
Depending on the type of wave you're after, the technique could vary - but the fundamentals remain the same.
- Start with the steps outlined above by prepping and sectioning the hair.
- For a flat and natural wave, grip one section of hair between the plates and point styler downwards at the root.
- Rotate half a turn away from face and glide down the length of the hair releasing it before it reaches the end.
- Repeat these steps on the rest of the hair and use a tangling comb to gently brush through the curls.
To create any wave, you should allow the hair to cool before gently brushing out the curls, and you'll be left with stunning, natural look waves offering body and volume.
How to curl short hair
Much like with curling long hair, the idea is to grip small sections and wrap it around the barrel.
The difference is, however, that with short hair you should alternate directions with every curl which will create a dishevelled and therefore more natural look.
Set each curl by catching it right as you release it from around the barrel, holding it in your hand for a few seconds, then releasing.
How to curl hair without heat
There are other ways to curl your hair overnight that don't require heat, appliances or effort, really - and you'll wake up with gorgeous, bouncy curls.
For a wavy curl, you can simply braid your hair before going to bed for a beachy look come morning - smaller plaits make for tighter waves.
For a chunky curl that looks similar to a blowdry, you can wear a wide, material headband to bed and wrap twisted segments of hair around it until it is all gathered up. The smaller the sections, the tighter the ringlets.
Tighter curls can be achieved via pin curls. Wrap the hair around your finger and then pin down. Leave to set over night or for at least and hour. If your hair is wet first, the curl will be more defined.
Another technique is the old school "rag curl" method. Just dig out any old, unwanted material and cut into strips. Then roll sections around each rag strip until it reaches the top of your head and pin in place. Leave overnight.
How to curl your hair with socks
Another popular heat-free method that has taken off of late is to curl your hair using socks.
While it seems like an odd choice, wrapping sections of hair around socks and leaving it overnight tends to create perfect and effortless loose waves.
And it could't be easier.
- To start separate your locks into sections for styling - preferably when it's wet.
- Wrap your hair around the socks, then tie the two sock ends together to make a knot - or you can secure your hair on the sock with hair bands if a knot is not possible.
- Repeat this process around your head until you have a number of dangling sock twists secured in place.
- For best results, sleep with the socks in your hair, and when you untie them in the morning, you should have a head of luscious curls.
If you want to get super creative, you can use other tools such as a fork, hair pin or even a make up brush to create three different styled curls - and it's super easy too.
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