How to Curl Short Hair (from preparation to aftercare)

Curly haircuts aren't just for long locks! Curling short hair is the ideal solution for creating those beautiful, natural curls you’ve always wanted. No need for a salon visit – you can easily do it at home with a curling kit. This guide will walk you through the entire curling process, from choosing the right size curlers to caring for your curls afterward. Follow our step-by-step instructions below to get started!

Set aside at least 2.5 hours for curling your hair. While you can absolutely do it at home, curling is a fairly complex process. You'll need extra time to section your hair, curl it, and apply the curling solution. The whole curling process typically takes about 2.5 hours.

Use red, blue, or pink curlers (the smallest sizes available). Your hair should be long enough to wrap around the curler at least 2.5 times. For short hair, the red, blue, and pink curlers are your options. Choose the red or blue ones if you want tighter curls. Opt for the pink curlers if you prefer looser waves.

• Red curlers are under 5 cm in length.
• Blue curlers are a size up, around 5-7.5 cm long.
• Pink curlers range from 6.5 to 10 cm long.

Seek help from a professional stylist if your hair is too short for the curlers. To curl your hair yourself, it needs to be long enough to wrap around the curler at least 2.5 times. But don’t worry if it’s too short! Contact a trusted salon to see if they can help you achieve your curling dream. Their expertise and equipment are just what you need.

• If your hair is very short, your only option might be the red curlers (the smallest size). If you’re looking for waves, you may need to grow your hair long enough to wrap it at least 2.5 times around the pink curlers.

Shampoo before curling your hair. Start by brushing your hair to prevent tangling while washing, then use a clarifying shampoo to clean your hair thoroughly. Avoid using conditioner before curling, as it may interfere with the curling process.

• Clarifying shampoo removes excess oils and product buildup, ensuring your hair is as clean as possible before curling.
• Pat your hair dry with a towel or an old t-shirt. Your hair can still be damp when curling, as long as it’s not dripping wet.
• After washing, use a wide-toothed comb to gently detangle your damp hair.

Section your hair into 4 parts. Twist each section of hair into 4 small buns, with two on top and two on the bottom. Secure each bun with a hair clip.

• If your hair isn’t long enough to be divided into 4 sections, just brush and part it as you normally would.

Wrap a scarf around your neck. The scarf will protect your skin from hair perm chemicals. Next, drape a plastic cape over your shoulders. Fasten it with a clasp or Velcro to keep it from shifting during the perming process.

• Choose a scarf that you're okay with getting stained, as the perm solution might seep into it.
• Pull the scarf over the plastic cape to prevent the perm solution from dripping onto your skin.

Secure each section of hair with perming paper and the curler. Unclip one section of hair. Take a small portion and wrap it in perming paper. Place the curler on top of the paper and roll it tightly close to your scalp. Secure the curler to hold it in place. Repeat this process with each section of hair until your entire head is curled.

• If your hair is too short to be sectioned, start by curling the hairline and gradually work your way back to the nape of your neck.
• Don’t skip any sections! Curl all parts of your hair for even curls.

Wrap a strip of fabric around your head as a headband to hold the hair in place. Tie the fabric tightly at the base of the curlers at the hairline. This step helps prevent the perm solution from dripping onto your forehead.

Spray the perm solution onto your hair. You can choose between alkaline or acid perm solutions. For softer, smoother waves, opt for an acid perm solution. For tighter curls, go with an alkaline solution. Mist the perm solution evenly over your hair, spraying more on each curler if there's still liquid in the bottle.

• Avoid using alkaline perm solution on dyed or damaged hair, as this strong formula can be too harsh on already fragile hair.

Remove one curler after 5 minutes of applying the perm solution. Unwind one curler to check how well the hair has curled. Look for an S-shaped wave in your hair. If the hair is already forming an S shape, it’s time to rinse. If not, leave the solution on a bit longer. Re-roll the hair and secure the curler.

• Check after 5 minutes if the packaging indicates waiting 10-15 minutes. Leaving the solution on too long may damage your hair.
• Check again after 7 minutes. If the hair hasn’t curled into an S shape, continue checking every minute until it reaches the desired curl.

Rinse for 3 minutes, then allow your hair to dry. Keep the curlers in place during this step. Make sure the water flows through each curler to rinse out all the perm solution. Then, let your hair dry naturally while keeping the curlers in. You may also use a blow dryer to speed up the drying process.

Spray the neutralizing solution. First, replace the fabric strip around your hairline with a new one. Spray the neutralizer liberally over each curler. Continue spraying the hair if there’s still solution in the bottle after the first application. Leave the neutralizer on for 10 minutes, then rinse it out.

• Rinse for 3 minutes to remove all of the neutralizer.

Remove the curlers from your hair. Unwind each curler and let the curls fall naturally. Rinse for an additional 5 minutes to ensure all the neutralizing solution is washed away.

• Allow your hair to dry naturally after completing the perm process. It’s best to avoid styling for a week so that the curls can settle properly.
• Your perm should last around 4-6 months.

Wait 3 days before washing your hair. During this period, avoid getting your hair wet. Water can disrupt the curl pattern and cause the curls to straighten out.

• If you prefer looser waves, you can wash your hair earlier, but keep in mind that you won’t be able to get your hair to curl tightly again!

Choose a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner for curly hair. These products help maintain the shape of your curls while keeping them healthy. Consider using deep conditioning treatments weekly to prevent dryness or damage.

• Look for deep conditioning products with ingredients like plant oils, butter, and silicone.
• Avoid shampoos and conditioners with sulfates.

Avoid styling your hair for 1 week after perming. Let your hair adjust to its new style. Even minimal styling, such as brushing your hair during the first week, can damage the curl pattern. If you need to detangle your hair, use a wide-tooth comb or gently run your fingers through it to avoid disrupting the curls.

Use a heat protection spray when styling with heat. Flat irons or other heat styling tools can cause your curls to frizz and become damaged. Try to avoid heat styling as much as possible, but if necessary, use a heat protectant spray to minimize damage.

• Perm rods
• End paper for hair tips
• Alkaline or acid perm solution
• Neutralizer solution
• 2 strips of fabric to wrap around your head
• Towel
• Clarifying shampoo and conditioner
• Moisturizing shampoo and conditioner for curly hair
• Heat protection spray (optional)