How to Curl Hair with Straightener?

Be it long hair or short hair – we want to have those perfect curls and create beach waves. You may have a few unsuccessful experiments trying to curl your hair using a straightener. The reason could be that you were using the flat iron in the wrong way.

If you are struggling to get those bouncy waves of your dreams, this article is for you. In this write-up, we shall learn how to get the soft, smooth, and defined curls using your flat iron.

We will provide you some effective curling tips to help you get that salon-like bouncy and shiny curls at home.

Without any further delay, let us get started with our discussion.

How to Curl Your Hair with a Straightener?

You don’t have to go to the salon or require a curly hair expert to get those beach waves. All you need to do is follow this step-by-step guide. Add a touch of glamour to your regular look by getting curly. Here is how you should proceed:

Step 1: Choose the Type of Curl You Want for Your Hair

The initial step before you start curling your hair is to choose what kind of curls you want to have. Since curls are of many kinds like bouncy, beach wave, loose curls, etc., choose which one you want to have. If you are not clear about this and need some assistance, check out online for various options. This will help you get some clarity by referring to those photos.

Step 2: Choose the Right Straightener or Flat Iron

After you decided on the type of curs, the very next thing you ought to do is choosing the right type of flat iron or straightener. If your straightener has a width of about one to two inches, i.e., nearly 2.5 to 5cms and has round edges, it will help you form smooth curls easily.

Let us say your electric appliance has a flat and paddle-style iron. It is not a correct option to do curls. The reason being that it will be much harder for the user to hold the straightener in hand and wrap it.

After you choose the perfect straightener, it is time to heat it to a required temperature that is appropriate for creating curls in your hair. Again, it is dependent on the hair type of the user. If you are someone with thin hair, heat the appliance to a temperature somewhere between 300-380 degrees. Let us say your hair has more volume or is very thick. You can increase the heating temperature.

Step 3: Keep all Other Required Tools Handy

Let us move on to the next step. It is time for some preparation. Before you get started with the curls, it is suggestible to have all other required tools handy. Hair clips, comb, brush, heat protectant spray, hair spray, etc. – grab all these before you start. This will help you in having an uninterrupted session.

You can also keep other extra items in hand, like a styling product or wide-tooth comb. They can help you with combing the curls once you finish curling. However, it is optional whether you want to have them handy at the time of the procedure or not.

Step 4: Ensure to Have Clean and Dry Hair

Now that you are totally prepped up and have everything ready, you can now proceed with the curling process. Make sure you start it with having clean and dry hair. It is not advisable to curl wet or damp hair. Not only does it create any curls, but also increases the chances of burning your hair. Make sure your hair is completely dry and clean before you start curling it. Also, see to it that your hair does not have any styling products in it. This may damage your hair and the straightener, as well. Keep these points in mind when you are preparing for curls.

Step 5: Use Hair Protection before Curling

Let us proceed to the next step. It is very crucial for any individual, and one should not neglect it. Else, it would cost them their hair. It is advisable to apply heat protection to the hair before starting the curls. Since the temperature of the flat iron we use for the hair is around 250-400 degrees Fahrenheit, this heat gets applied directly to the hair. Not having a hair protection spray will damage the hair badly. When you are using a hair protector, it acts as a barrier between your hair and the heat. In addition, it has some ingredients that will strengthen and smoothen the hair follicles while sealing the moisture inside.

Make sure you apply the hair protector carefully. Do not just spray it on the surface of your hair, as it will not reach the bottom layers of the scalp. It is always advisable to spray it on each section before you curl especially, for people with thick hair. After spraying, do not forget to comb each section to get rid of tangles. Only after that, you can apply the heat.

Step 6: Divide Your Hair into Sections While Applying Heat

Do you want to have a hassle-free and easily manageable curling process? Then follow this step. Divide your hair into sections while applying the heat. Start it from bottom to top as it will prevent the hot mess. Take the tools that you have handy. You may need them now. Start partitioning your hair from the back of the neck by using clips or hair ties.

If you have thick hair, try having many sections like the right and left side, front and back sides. Do not worry if you cannot make the sections easily. You will get a hang of it after repeating it a few times.

Step 7: Start Curling The Hair In Sections

Now that you are all ready for the curling process, start curling. However, make sure you tackle each section (one inch) at a time if you want to get the best results.

This is how you have to do:

• Take the hair and place the hair near the roots between the plates of the flat iron.
• Clamp the hair tightly and pull the straightener down until that portion of the hair till where you want the curls.
• Now, start rotating the flat iron 180 degrees to the hair. Make sure it gets wrapped around the barrel.
• Now, pull the straightener out to the end of your hair and then release it.
• If you want to have stiff curls, make sure you rotate the flat iron to 360 degrees until the hair wraps completely to the appliance.
• Additionally, you can also hold the straightener in a horizontal way to tighten the curls.
• Now, slowly pull the iron through the hair. The slower you do, the tighter curls you get. The faster you do, the looser your curls will be.
• Repeat either of the techniques for every section, until you finish for the entire hair.

Step 8: Apply a Hair Spray to Finish the Curling Process

We have come to the last step of the curling process, i.e., applying a hair spray. Once you finish making the curls, take a wide-tooth comb and brush the hair gently. You can even run your fingers through the curls. You can do either way, as this will help your curls achieve that more natural look.

After brushing, apply a hair spray to let the curls sit the way they are. This will keep your curls intact for a long time. If you feel that your hair cannot hold the curls, try using the spray after finishing each section. Instead of waiting till your entire hair gets done, do it right away after every section and also at the end. This way, you will not ruin your curls. You may even use an anti-humid spray if you are living in a very humid area.

What Are The Different Methods of Curling?

Did you know you can curl your hair in different ways? We are here to help. Using your flat iron, you can curl your hair in various styles for weddings, parties, and casual get-togethers.

Here are a few ways you can try to curl your hair:

1. Beachy Waves

Beach waves are just perfect curls for any occasion. Whether you are heading to your workplace or enjoying your vacation at a beach, these are the go-to hairstyle for any hair type. They are very easy to create and do not need much effort. Let us see how to try these curls at home:

Step-by-step process to create Beachy Waves:

• Firstly, divide your hair into two sections from the back of your neck.
• Start with one section by taking one inch hair at a time. Take the flat iron and place it in hair about one inch away from the roots.
• Hold it vertically and tilted away from the face. Twist the hair around the iron in such a way that the hair clamps around to it.
• Now, press the iron down by continuing the twisting motion.
• When you reach the end of the hair shaft, release the hair. Keep twisting the hair with your fingers while pressing down to let the curls hold tighter.
• Repeat the same process for the other section in the opposite direction.
• Continue doing this around your head by twisting the direction. Your beautiful and casual beachy waves are ready!
• After you finish curling the entire hair, run your fingers through the curls to loosen the very tightly curled curls.
• As the last and final step, spray the hair spray on your hair to keep the curls intact for a long time.

2. S-Waves

S-waves are yet another curl styles that you can prefer having for your hair. Being elegant to look at, these curls add that extra glam to your hair, making them oh-so-perfect waves.

Step-by-step process to create S-waves:

• Firstly, divide your hair into two sections from the back of your neck. Use a styling comb to do the partition in the middle.
• Start with one section by taking one inch hair at a time. Take the flat iron and place it in hair about one inch away from the roots.
• Hold the straightener and bend the hair in such a way that it looks like the alphabet S.
• Now, press the iron down over the bends to get the S curl.
• Repeat the same process for the other section in the opposite direction until you reach the ends of the hair.
• Continue doing this around your head by bending the hair to get the S-shaped curls. Your beautiful and loose S-waves are ready to captivate everyone who looks at them!
• After you finish curling the entire hair, run your fingers through the S-curls to loosen the very tightly curled curls.
• As the last and final step, spray the hair spray on your hair to keep the curls intact for a long time.

3. Bouncy Curls

Bouncy curls are all about adding volume to hair by giving them a lift. Style your bouncy waves gorgeously by following this method.

Step-by-step process to create Bouncy Curls:

• Firstly, start with dividing your hair into two sections from the back of your neck.
• Start with one section by taking one inch hair at a time. Take the flat iron and place it in hair about one inch away from the roots.
• Hold it vertically and tilted away from the face. Twist the iron a half and turn it in such a way that it is away from the face or in the opposite direction.
• Now, press the iron down halfway through the length by continuing the twisting motion. Makes sure you are holding the ends of your hair tightly when doing so.
• Now, twist the straightener another half by turning it away from the face.
• Repeat this process twice for every partition that you take in each section to get that extra bounce
• Repeat the same process for the other section of the hair in the opposite direction.
• You may use larger partitions if you prefer having a looser look for the bounces. Your big bouncy waves that last the whole day are ready!
• As the last and final step, spray the hair spray on your hair to keep the curls intact for a long time.

4. Beachy Pin Curls

Beachy pin curls are the celebrity hairstyle you can have. They are simple and easy to create. Here is what you should do to get those stylish curls effortlessly.

Step-by-step process to create Beachy Pin Curls:

• Firstly, start with dividing your hair into two sections from the back of your neck.
• Start with one section by further having small partitions. Take these small sections one by one to do the curls.
• Use your fingers to prepare curls y twisting the hair strands from the root to the end of the shaft.
• Take a pin curl and wrap the twisted hair section into it.
• Now take a flat iron and press it down the pin curl by applying some tension to it. Do it for about a good four seconds.
• Repeat the same process for other small partitions, as well, until you finish doing for the entire hair. The beautiful, wavy, and natural-looking beachy pin curls are ready.
• As the last and final step, spray the hair spray on your hair to keep the curls intact for a long time.