Buzz
If you’re considering curling your hair but don’t want to invest in a specialized curling iron, don't worry! You can easily curl your hair with a hair straightener and a few extra tools. This article will guide you through several techniques for creating tight or loose curls.
Steps
Braiding to Create Tight Curls
Start with straight, dry, and tangle-free hair. Even if your hair is curly, it’s best to straighten it first. This will help reduce frizz during the curling process.
If you have straight hair or if your curly hair doesn't hold the shape, apply styling mousse. Choose a lightweight product or one that helps maintain the curl definition.
Pin up half of your hair into a round bun. Gather all the hair above your ears and secure it into a bun. Let the rest of the hair fall down to your shoulders. You'll focus on styling the hair that's left loose.
Divide your hair into at least six equal sections. The more sections you create, the tighter the curls will be. For best results, divide your hair into sections that are about 1.3cm to 2.5cm wide for tighter curls.
Braid the sections tightly. The tighter and smaller the braids, the better. If you want more volume, braid close to the scalp. For thinner hair, start braiding from the middle of the hair. Use hair ties to secure each braid.
Spray a heat protectant on each braid. Be sure to spray both the front and back of the braid. Don't forget the tips of your hair. This step helps protect your hair from heat damage from the straightener, keeping it from becoming too dry or scorched.
Clamp the flat iron to each braid of hair. Start from the roots and lightly press with the flat iron for a few seconds. Release the clamp and continue with the next section of hair. You will need to clamp the braids twice.
Don't take out the braids immediately. Instead, focus on the hair above the braids. This will allow the braids underneath to cool down. If you remove the braids too soon, the curl won't hold.
Remove the hair bun and let your hair down. Divide the hair into 6 equal sections. Try to ensure the sections match the size of the braids underneath.
Proceed with sectioning, braiding, and clamping with the flat iron. Remember to spray a heat-protectant product on your hair before clamping the flat iron to each braid.
Let the hair cool before removing the braids. Don't take the braids out while they are still warm. If you do, the curls will not set properly. Once the hair has cooled, start by removing the braids from the bottom.
Do not brush your hair. Brushing can cause frizz and tangling. If the curls are too tight, you can loosen them by gently running your fingers through the hair.
Spray a bit of styling product on your hair. This will help keep the curls intact for a longer time.
Use clips to create tighter curls.
Prepare U-shaped clips. You will need a large number of clips. Avoid using bobby pins as they won't work well for this method. U-shaped clips can be found in accessory shops or purchased online.
- If you can't find U-shaped clips, take a piece of stiff wire and cut it to about twice the length of your finger. Then, bend it in the middle to form a U-shape. The width of the clip should not exceed the size of your finger.
Apply a small amount of lightweight mousse to clean, straight, and tangle-free hair. Your hair should be combed to prevent tangles. Alternatively, you can straighten your hair first to minimize frizz. Mousse is essential for natural straight hair or curly hair that is difficult to hold in place.
Take ¾ of your hair and tie it into a bun on top of your head. The remaining hair will hang down to your shoulders. You will begin working with this loose section first.
Take a small section of hair near your face. This section should be approximately 2.5 cm wide and 2.5 cm thick.
Place the section of hair inside the clip. Make sure the curved part of the clip is as close to your scalp as possible. The closer the clip is to your scalp, the thicker the hair will appear once finished.
Begin wrapping the hair around both sides of the clip until all the hair is wrapped. Wrap the hair from the inside out in a rightward direction. Once you have wrapped all the hair, secure it with an elastic band around the U-shaped clip. This will help hold the clip in place and prevent the hair from slipping out.
Repeat the same process for the remaining section of hair underneath. Work with each section of hair about 2.5 cm wide.
Spray a bit of heat protection product onto the hair wrapped around the U-shaped clip. To help the hairstyle last longer, you can also apply some hairspray for extra hold.
Set the flat iron to medium heat and clamp it onto the hair wrapped around the U-shaped clip. Avoid using high heat. Start clamping from the bottom of the clip and move upward toward the roots. Clamp the hair for about 5 seconds each time.
Repeat the process of sectioning, braiding, and clamping the hair with the flat iron for the remaining 3 sections. Once finished, you will no longer have hair left to wrap around the clip. You'll have 4 rows of hair wrapped around the U-shaped clip. Make sure to spray heat protection and "flat iron the hair" for each section before moving to the next.
Allow the hair to cool. If you remove the clip too soon, the curls won't hold. This will take around 10 minutes.
Remove the U-shaped clip. Start with the bottom layer first. Take off the hair tie but don't pull the hair out. Instead, hold the curved part of the U-shaped clip and gently pull it away from the hair.
Avoid brushing your hair. Brushing will cause the hair to become frizzy. If the curls are too tight, you can loosen them by gently running your fingers through the hair.
Twist the hair to create larger curls
Make sure your hair is dry and not tangled. This helps reduce frizz. Don't try this on wet hair.
Apply a light styling mousse to your hair. This will help keep the curls intact for a longer time once you're done.
Section your hair horizontally to create tighter curls. If you prefer, you can tie the top half of your hair into a bun at the crown of your head and work on the bottom half first. Once finished, release the top bun and work with that section.
Select a section of hair closest to your face. The smaller the section, the tighter the curl will be.
Twist the section of hair away from your face. Twist it tightly enough to resemble a rope, but not so tightly that it curls.
Spray a generous amount of heat protectant on the twisted hair. This will prevent the hair from drying out or burning due to the flat iron.
Clamp the flat iron over the entire twisted section of hair. Do not release the hair immediately.
Hold the twist until it cools, then gently release it. Releasing the hair too quickly may cause the curl to lose its shape.
Continue twisting and clamping the flat iron until the entire head of hair is curled. When working on the other side, remember to twist the hair away from your face. If you divide the hair into sections, release the top layer first, then twist and clamp the rest of the sections.
Avoid brushing your hair. If the curls are too tight, you can loosen them by running your fingers through the hair. Brushing will only cause the hair to become frizzy.
Spray styling hairspray on the hair. This step will help to keep the curls intact for a longer period.
Use a flat iron to create wavy curls.
Apply a small amount of lightweight styling mousse to dry, straight hair. It’s best to straighten the hair first, even if it's naturally curly, to prevent it from becoming frizzy.
Gather half of your hair into a bun and leave the rest down. This will help you manage the amount of hair you're working with and prevent grabbing the wrong sections.
Take a small section of hair. The smaller the section, the more defined the curl will be.
Spray a generous amount of heat protectant on that section of hair. This helps prevent hair damage from heat styling.
Clamp the flat iron onto the hair. Position the iron as close to the roots as possible. Set the flat iron to a medium heat. You can use any flat iron, but the wider the plates, the larger the curl will be. For bigger curls, choose a flat iron with plates around 1.3 cm or 2.5 cm wide.
Rotate the flat iron upwards while keeping the hair facing down. Turn the flat iron 180° upwards. Gently pull the iron down to the lower part of the hair to create the first curl.
Position the flat iron just below the first curve of your hair. Continue using the flat iron to clamp the remaining hair section.
Turn the flat iron down while keeping the hair directed upwards. Rotate the flat iron 180°. At the same time, gently pull the remaining hair upwards. This way, you will complete the curl.
Place the flat iron just below the curl and continue curling. Rotate the flat iron upwards while gently clamping the remaining hair downward – just like in the previous step. Keep going until you've curled the entire length of hair, turning the flat iron up and down until finished.
- Be careful not to pull the hair down while holding the flat iron.
Finish the remaining hair. Remember to spray each section with a heat protection product before clamping the flat iron. Additionally, if you divide your hair into two parts, allow the curled section to cool before removing the clip and curling the other half.
Let the hair cool before touching it. If you touch your hair too soon, you might end up tangling it before the curl has set.
Spray a bit of styling product on your hair. This helps the curl hold better and last longer.
Tip
- Braid your hair while it's still damp and let it dry overnight. This is the safest method for curling your hair since it doesn't involve heat. The more braids you make, the more curls you'll get.
- Using heat to curl thick or curly hair may cause it to become frizzy. It is recommended to use this method on thinner, straight hair. The hair should be medium length or longer, fairly fine and straight.
- Always apply a heat protectant product before using a flat iron.
- Curling works best for long hair. It won't hold well on short hair.
- Use styling mousse before curling and use hairspray to hold the curls in place after you're done.
Warning
- Not all methods work for every hair type; some people's hair holds curls better than others.
- Avoid using a flat iron at high temperatures, even if you've applied a heat protectant product.
- Do not use a flat iron every day. It will damage your hair over time, even with heat protectant products.
Essential Items You Need
Braid your hair to create tight, defined curls
- Flat Iron
- Styling Mousse
- Heat Protectant Hair Product
- Small Hair Ties
- Hair Setting Spray
Use clips to set tight curls
- Flat Iron
- Styling Mousse
- Heat Protectant Hair Product
- U-Shaped Clips
- Small Hair Ties
- Hair Setting Spray
Hair Twisting
- Straightening Iron
- Styling Mousse
- Heat Protection Hair Products
- Hair Setting Spray
Using a Straightener
- For the straightener, choose one with a width between 1.3cm and 2.5cm
- Styling Mousse
- Heat Protection Hair Products
- Hair Setting Spray
