A Step By Step Guide On How To Curl Using Straightener

Making curls on your hair with a straightener can create bouncy and modern-looking curls. However, it takes a little practice though. You may think curling with a flat iron is time-consuming or hazardous, but with the right way, you can be master of it and your struggle becomes zero.

Featured Image of How to Curl Using Straightener

So, in this article, you are going to learn about some curling styles, and how you can achieve those styles with a single hair straightener for curly hair with a few easy steps.

Before going to the steps or the styling techniques, you need to first prepare your hair. And to prepare your hair you need some hair products as well.

Do not worry.

We will recommend the best curly hair tools and accessories you need or any unnecessary products.

Let’s begin.

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Also Read: How to Air Dry Curly Hair Fast

Step 1 # Prepare Your Hair First

Start With Dry and Clean Hair

It’s vital to clean your hair before curling it, as dirty locks do not hold the curls and the shapes of the style for too long. (Not cleaning it is one of the Mistakes You Should Avoid While Straightening Your Hair) So, it is recommended to make sure you have washed or cleaned your hair with a dry shampoo like Batiste Dry Shampoo at least in the past 24-hours.

Next, dry it. If you use your hair straightener on your wet hair, there is a chance of damaging your locks too badly. Besides, curls do not make well and stay on wet hair.

We know, many of you use wet-to-dry hair flat irons, but it’s safe and probably best if you make your hair dry completely before using any of the hair tools that use heat.

Moreover, if you use a blow dryer to dry your hair fast, use John Frieda Luxurious Volume Perfectly Full Mousse which will add extra volume to your hair and prevent your curls from looking too flat or thin.

Use the Right Flat Iron

Using Flat Iron - V2 Aug

To curl your hair with a straightener, never use a thick or wide plate flat iron. In general, the plate size of hair straighteners is between 1-2 inches. Choose an iron with a 1-inch plate size and it should have round edges. Otherwise, you will not get any smoother curls and the curls will not be as good as you expect. A flat handle style straightener is harder to hold and wrap your hair. This type of flat iron also does not stay in the right place. So, usability will not be satisfactory.

Besides, make sure that you have bought a good quality flat iron. Poor quality irons can damage your hair permanently. High-end straighteners can make your hair shiny and provide consistent performance. If you do not have time to read all the reviews out there, here is our recommendation for your quick pick:

  • Babylisspro Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron – For Short to Medium and Thin Hair
  • HSI Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron – Best Overall
  • Conair Infiniti Pro Rainbow Flat Iron – For Thick, long hairs and Budget Friendly

Apply Hair Serum

A heat protectant or hair serum is like a savior for your hair. It is the shield that prevents your hair from being frizzled and damaged from heat. Just use a Streax Pro Vita Gloss Hair Serum or TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Protectant Spray for Hair all over your hair before start curling with a straightener. Hair serums can also help your hair to dry faster.

If your hair is thick, first section your hair and spray the heat protectant on each section before you tackle. Do not just spray the top of your hair. It will not go to the bottom layers.

Detangle all of your hair before starting flat ironing.

Make Some Sections With Your Hair

By sectioning your hair you can get a much better curling experience than going for the whole hair altogether and ending up with a mess. In general, the thicker strands you have on your scalp the more sections you can make. So, before starting curling with a straightener, make some section of your hair and style it section by section. We are going to describe that in detail later.

Step 2 # Start Curling Your Hair

Use a Curl Cream or Curl Defining Gel

Curl creams are usually used if your hair does not hold curl well. So, if you want your curls to stay long and beautiful, then use Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie or DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel. Use it just right before you opt to curl using a straightener.

However, make sure that you are using a non-aerosol spray for this purpose. And do not use too much spray or curl cream. It will make your beloved hair crunchy and hard which you are not looking for, right?

Take the Hair Section You Want to Curl

Specific Hair Section Curling With Flat Iron

First, tie up the hair on the top of your neck and ears. Take as much hair you wish to work with and make your first layer curls. It is better to take and curl 1-inch sections at a time. Use bobby pins to pin up the rest of the hairs.

Always start from the bottom of your scalp. After finishing the one layer, unclip the hairs and take another layer to curl. Repeat this process and keep curling the layers one by one.

Now move your straightener slowly and lightly on the selected hair section and drag the iron down your hair. Clamp the hair lightly on the flat iron plates. Never be harsh or hurry. It needs time and patience.

Flicks & Curls

This is the main part of curling your hair with a flat iron. There are two different ways to curl using a straightener.

Try both and see which one you like most.

Flicks: This one is for making U-shape curls with a flat iron. Drag the iron halfway down the length of your selected hair section. Keep the iron plates close and drag them back in a half turn. Now place your iron on a half-turn angle, slowly travel down to the end of the hair. If you want pronounced, big and soft curls or flick, you need to be slow at this part. The faster movement of the flat iron through the hair makes less pronounced curls.

Curls: In this method, you need to start from your scalp (but not too close obviously). Close the iron plates on the selected hair section and move back the iron half-turn on itself (same as the flicks). Continue turning and slowly move down to the end of your hair. Your whole hair section gets curl shapes instead of big U or S-shaped curls.

If You Want More Pronounced Curls

By rotating your flat iron while clamping it on your hair, you will get tight and more pronounced curls. It can be either half-rotation or full rotation. Try both and find out which style your hair adopts most.

Try Flat Waves

Flat Waves

If you do not like tight or pronounced curls, or want to bring back the 95’s style on your hair, try this flat waves curling technique with your straightener.

First, clamp the straightener down on your hair and move it up with a half turn. Release and clamp again on the next bit of your hair and repeat the process. This technique will make flat waves (almost like finger waves) on your hair.

Step 3 # Finishing Up

When you finish curling, leave you for a few minutes to cool down. Then slowly move your finger through your hair and rumple it. By doing this, you will get a little more volume and a relaxed look on your hair.

For having long-lasting curls and more hold, use a light hairspray or mist all over your curls. This will keep the curls tight and sleek all day. If your living area contains much humidity, use anti-humidity spray.

So, Our Recommended Hair Mist for Curling Hair:

  • Jessicurl Awe Inspiraling Spray
  • Deva Curl Mist-Er Right

So, here are all about how to curl using a straightener. We just not only show you the curling techniques and steps. As we care about you, we also describe some precautions and the best products to use to curl your hair using a straightener. However, you can comment below to inform us of any of your query or hair problems.