How to Curl Your Hair with a Flat Iron

Using a flat iron to curl your hair doesn't just give you tight curls; it also adds volume and makes your hair look fuller. It may take some practice, but once you perfect the technique, you'll be able to style your hair beautifully and be ready to shine. Follow these steps to learn how to create gorgeous curls without using a curling iron.

Work with dry hair. You cannot curl your hair when it is wet or damp. Even if you have a flat iron that works for both wet and dry hair, styling your hair when it's dry will yield better results.

• If you're using a blow dryer to dry your hair, be sure to apply some hair gel. This will help keep your hair from looking flat once it’s curled.

Use a flat iron with a thin, flat plate surface. Your flat iron should have a plate width of 2.5 to 5 cm from the plate to the handle. You cannot curl your hair with a flat iron that has a paddle shape. It’s difficult to hold and your hair won’t curl properly with this type of iron. You can try, but it won’t be easy.

Use a heat protectant for your hair. You can use a heat protectant to prevent damage from high temperatures or spray some hair serum to create a protective barrier when your hair comes in contact with the iron. This will help prevent your hair from becoming over-processed or burned. Spray it over your entire hair and comb through. If you don’t have a comb, simply use your fingers to evenly distribute the product.

Section your hair into layers. If you have thick hair, it's best to curl your hair in layers rather than trying to do it all at once. Tie the sections on either side of your head up on top and secure them. These need to be pulled up for easier curling.

• Start with the section closest to your scalp, near your ears and neck. Take a small amount of hair for the first curl and pin up the remaining hair.
• Once you’ve curled one section, release the hair and move on to the next layer. Secure the sections of hair you haven’t curled yet.
• Keep curling in layers. For the last layer, you may want to curl it from front to back.
• However, if you’re in a rush and already have natural waves, you can just curl the outermost layer with the surrounding hair near your face.

Alternate between curls and waves. Curling and waving are two distinct methods that can be easily achieved with a flat iron. Try both techniques to see which one suits your style.

• Curling: Start curling from the lower half of your hair, clamp the flat iron, and twist it halfway so your hair and the iron form a 'U' shape. Hold the iron in place briefly, then gently slide it down to the ends of your hair. The faster you move the flat iron, the less curl you’ll get. So, if you want tighter curls, slow down when pulling the flat iron.
• Waving: Start curling near the roots (but not too close to avoid burns), clamp the flat iron, and twist it halfway (like curling). Move the iron slowly down the length of your hair. Just like with curling, the slower you move the flat iron, the tighter the wave, and the faster you move it, the softer the wave will be.

Increase the curl of your hair by wrapping the flat iron one full turn around your hair instead of just half a turn. For both curling and waving, you typically twist the flat iron half a turn around the hair. But if you want more curls, wrap the flat iron a full turn upwards along the hair shaft to create continuous curls.

• Decide whether you want to curl your hair fully or just halfway. If you find that half curls are ideal, you could also try curling three-quarters of the way. Of course, you can choose to curl half your hair one day and fully curl it on another. It’s all about your preference!

Experiment with inward and outward curls using the flat iron. When curling your hair, whether it’s a half-turn or full-turn, you may find it tricky to decide whether to curl inwards or outwards. Changing the curling angle will alter the style. So, what curl direction suits you best?

• Just keep your hair in place. You’ll find it easy to perform the same technique on one side of your hair, but when you switch hands, you might unknowingly change the direction of your curls. If the wind blows, you may be the only one to notice your curls facing different directions.

Try the voluminous crimped hair style. Every now and then, you might want to revisit the 1995 hair trend. Instead of buying a crimping iron you’ll only use once in a while, you can achieve this look with your flat iron. Clamp a section of your hair and twist it a quarter turn. Then, clamp the next section and twist it downwards a quarter turn. Repeat the process until you reach the ends of your hair.

• For crimped hair, only clamp small sections at a time. Start at the top of your head and work your way down, much like how you curl ribbons or balloons for gifts.

If you're having trouble keeping curls in place, spray hairspray on your hair just before curling. To help your curls hold their shape, lightly mist your hair with hairspray before curling it.

• However, don’t overdo it with the hairspray as it can make your hair stiff and sticky.

Hold the section of hair you wish to curl. The amount of hair you use for each curl depends on your preference, but there are a few things to remember:

• The less hair, the tighter the curls will be, with more defined waves and smaller curls. If you want curls that resemble ringlets, the section of hair should be less than 5 cm wide.
• The more hair, the fuller the volume, with fewer curls and a more natural look. For this style, the section of hair should be wider than 5 cm.
• Mix and match these styles. You don’t need to use the same amount of hair for every curl. For example, you can curl the ends for a bouncy, wavy effect and use smaller or larger curls around your face. Experiment with different amounts to find the style that suits you best.

Choose one of the methods above. All the methods are based on the same principle: wrap the straightener around the hair and gently pull it down towards the ends. The hair should be clamped just enough so that the straightener moves smoothly but holds the hair in place.

• What types of curls can you create? Where do you start curling (at the roots or the ends)? How gently do you move the straightener, and how many times do you wrap the hair? Try all three styles and see which one makes you look perfect.
• You don’t have to curl your entire head of hair. A few straight or wavy strands will add a natural beauty to your hair, perfect for a beachy vibe.

Finish up. You can either leave the curls as they are or use your fingers to adjust the hair into the style you want.

• For loose curls: Gently run your fingers through the curls to tousle them. This will give your hair more wave and achieve a natural, relaxed curl.
• To make the curls last longer: Lightly spray a layer of hairspray to keep the curls shiny and bouncy throughout the day. If you live in a humid area, consider using an anti-humidity spray to protect your style.

• For best results, straighten your hair before curling.
• You may want someone to help curl the hair at the back of your head to avoid burns.
• Make sure to stay focused when using the styling tools to avoid injury.
• If you don’t have a heat protectant, use coconut oil as a natural alternative.
• Using a ceramic straightener is better for your hair, as metal plates can burn or damage the strands.
• The tighter you wrap the hair around the straightener, the more defined the curls will be.
• Practice your curling technique. It may not be perfect the first time, but you’ll succeed with time.
• Don’t clamp the hair for too long to avoid burning or damaging it.
• The steam coming from your hair is completely normal; allow your heat protectant to work. However, if you smell burning hair or see singed strands, immediately remove the straightener and lower the temperature for future use.

• Do not leave the hair section in the straightener for more than 7-10 minutes.
• Never attempt to straighten wet hair unless your straightener is specifically designed for that purpose.