Buzz
Curly hair complements any hair type, color, or length, but the heat from curling irons and blow dryers can damage your hair, leaving it dull, frizzy, and brittle. Would you want that for your hair? Of course not. So, are there alternative methods? Yes! Fortunately, there are numerous ways to achieve curly hair without resorting to expensive tools that harm your hair. Learn how to create small curls, classic waves, natural waves, and voluminous waves using simple, cost-effective techniques in this guide.
Steps
Braid Your Hair for Natural Waves
Wash and condition your hair as usual. Gently detangle your hair. Then, use a towel to pat it dry.
Braid wet hair into two braids. Divide your hair into two equal sections and braid them tightly, securing them with hair ties.
- For a more natural look, gently pull the braids apart with your fingers to loosen them.
- For soft waves, try braiding a single braid down your back instead of two.
- For tighter curls, divide your hair into three or four sections and braid each section separately.
Wait for your hair to dry. Allow a few hours or sleep with the braids in to let the waves form.
Remove the braids. After a few hours, once your hair is dry, take out the hair ties and undo the braids. Gently run your fingers through your hair to create natural-looking waves.
Create curls using foam rollers
Prepare the foam rollers. You can purchase these at beauty supply stores or supermarkets. Larger rollers create big, loose curls, while smaller rollers produce tighter, shorter curls.
After washing and conditioning your hair, use a towel to gently pat it dry. Squeeze the towel lightly to remove excess moisture.
Brush your hair until it is smooth and free of tangles.
Take a small section of hair. Place the foam roller at the end and carefully roll it up towards your scalp. Secure it in place as directed by the manufacturer.
Repeat the process until all your hair is rolled.
Leave the rollers in your hair for at least 3 to 4 hours. Leaving them overnight will yield even better results.
Carefully remove the foam rollers. You will be left with beautiful, bouncy curls.
Use a T-shirt to create small curls
Wash and condition your hair as usual. Gently comb out any tangles, then use a soft towel to absorb excess water. Avoid applying serum or dry conditioner.
Cut the T-shirt into long strips. Start from the neckline and cut down to the hem. Continue cutting until you have enough strips. Discard the sleeves as they are too short for long hair.
- The width of the strips depends on the type of curls you want. For small curls, cut strips 2.5cm wide; for larger, wavy curls, use strips around 7.5cm wide.
- If you don’t have an old T-shirt, you can use socks, towels, or fabric from other clothing, even paper bags. Just ensure the strips are slightly longer than your hair.
Roll your hair. Use a comb to separate a small section of hair. Place one end of the fabric strip at the tip of your hair. Roll the hair upward toward the scalp, keeping the hair on top of the fabric. Once rolled, tie the ends of the strip to secure the curl.
- If you only want curls at the ends, roll halfway and tie the strip where you want the curls to stop.
- Roll the hair downward instead of upward to make the curls fall inward toward your neck.
- Secure the curls with bobby pins if needed.
Wait for your hair to dry. Leave it for a few hours or sleep with the curls rolled. Once your hair is completely dry, remove the fabric strips and unravel the curls. Handle gently for tighter curls. For looser waves, use a wide-tooth comb to separate and soften the curls.
Roll your hair into socks for voluminous curls
Prepare the socks. You can use any type of sock (as long as it’s relatively long). Cut off the toe section (about 4cm). Then, roll the sock into a donut-like shape.
Pull your hair into a high ponytail. This method works best on dry hair. Gather all your hair at the back and secure it tightly with a hair tie. Lightly mist with water to help the curls set better.
Secure the sock in place. Hold the end of your ponytail and slide the sock over it. Wrap your hair around the sock, tucking the ends underneath to secure it. Continue until all your hair is wrapped around the sock and tucked in. The bun will stay in place as you wrap the hair tightly.
Leave the bun overnight. Remove the sock after 6-8 hours. Gently use your fingers to separate and fluff the curls.
Check the results. Your hair will have large, bouncy waves. Use a bit of hairspray to set the waves if desired.
Wrap your hair around a headband for classic curls
Wash and condition your hair as usual. If you’ve recently washed your hair, simply wet it again. Then, use a towel to absorb excess water.
Brush your hair. Smooth it out thoroughly, ensuring there are no tangles.
Wrap your hair around the headband. Choose a soft, stretchy headband that fits snugly to keep hair off your face. Work in small sections, wrapping each strand around the headband and securing the ends with clips. Continue until all your hair is wrapped.
- Alternatively, you can wrap only the lower section of your hair around the headband.
Wait for your hair to dry. Sleep with the headband on to allow your hair to dry completely. For faster drying, use a blow dryer on a cool setting.
Remove the headband and shake out the curls. Take out the clips to let the curls fall naturally. Continue until all clips are removed. Set the curls by applying a bit of mousse and finishing with hairspray.
Simple, soft waves hairstyle
Dampen your hair with water. You don’t need to shampoo unless your hair is dirty.
Brush your hair until it is smooth and straight.
Divide your hair into two equal sections. Then, tightly twist each section.
Wrap the twisted sections into two buns.
Leave the buns in place overnight. Allow your hair to dry completely while you sleep.
Take the buns out in the morning. You’ll be left with beautiful, wavy curls!
Twist your hair for curls
Use a towel to dry your hair until it is slightly damp.
Brush and divide your hair into two equal sections.
Twist one section tightly. Secure the twisted section at the top of your head with small clips. If you don’t have clips, you can use a hair tie. Repeat the process for the other section.
- You can also use a headband to secure the twisted sections.
Wait for your hair to dry. This may take 4 to 6 hours or overnight.
Remove the clips once your hair is dry. You’ll now have beautifully tousled curls.
Create curls using bobby pins
Wash your hair or take a shower. Then, let your hair air dry until it’s slightly damp. The moisture is essential for forming waves.
Comb your hair as it nears dryness. Ensure it’s smooth and tangle-free to prevent messy curls.
Divide your hair into two sections. The top section should have more hair, while the bottom section is thinner. Use your hands or a comb to separate the sections.
Use your fingers to create waves. Start by taking a small section of hair and wrapping it around your finger. Secure it close to your scalp with a bobby pin.
- Continue this process until the lower section is complete. Once done, move to another section and repeat.
Leave the bobby pins in until your hair is dry. You can use a blow dryer to speed up the process or let it air dry naturally. Once dry, remove the pins and let the curls fall freely.
- You can gently separate the curls with your fingers, but avoid brushing.
- Use hairspray for extra hold if desired.
Tips
- Avoid brushing your hair after styling. This can disrupt the curls and cause frizz. Instead, use your fingers to gently adjust the curls for a natural, tousled look.
- For frizzy hair, apply an anti-frizz serum before styling.
What You’ll Need
- Bobby pins
- Wide-tooth comb
- Mousse, hairspray, anti-frizz serum, and/or other styling products (optional)
- Clean socks
- Scissors
- A few hair ties (if needed)
