Ladies with the thicker manes need to prep a little differently before curling hair. Look at your hair: If you hair doesn't appear oily, don't wash it before curling, says Moticka. Just apply a dry shampoo, like Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Dry Shampoo, $28 to your roots to give extra lift and staying power, says Moticka. To give curls extra shine and hydration, apply a lightweight hair serum (try Schwarzkopf Essence Ultime Amber+ Oil Nutrition Oil-in-Serum, $6.97). Finally, use a strong-hold mousse on your entire head to define curls and fight frizz (try Joico JoiWhip, $16.99)
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Tip 6: How to Curl Hair Into Bouncy Curls
Now that you've properly prepped your hair, you're ready to learn how to create bouncy curls that last.
1. Divide and clip your dry hair into manageable sections. Working from the nape of your neck up first, grab a one-inch section and comb through it.
2. Pick up the section at the ends and mist with a light-hold hairspray to create lift. If your curling iron has a clamp, clamp hair at the ends and roll up until it is completely around the barrel. If you are working with a curling wand, wrap section around the barrel starting at the roots.
3. Hold hair on the iron for 10 to 20 seconds. Continue working in sections until your entire head is curled.
4. Finish by gently finger combing curls and misting entire head with hairspray.
If your hair has a hard time holding a curl, once you release the section from the iron, roll it back up on your fingers and secure with duckbill clip. If you are concerned about creating weird clip marks around your hairline, place a small piece of tissue paper (or toilet paper) between the clip and your hair. Leave hair in clips until your entire head is finished and hair is completely cooled, says Moticka. Then you can release and finger comb.
Image via Imaxtree
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Tip 7: How to Curl Hair Into Beach Waves
To get those loose, wavy, California-girl curls that are all the rage these days, you will need to change up your hair-curling strategy.
1. Section and clip dry hair into diagonal sections, which will give hair a softer look, says Moticka. Grab a two-inch section of hair and comb through it.
2. Lift up the section from the ends and mist with light-hold hairspray to create lift. Carefully wrap the hair in a spiral manner around the barrel of the iron (from roots to the tips), pointing the iron downward toward the floor.
3. Let hair sit on iron for 10 to 20 seconds, holding the ends tightly around the barrel the entire time. Release hair and mist section lightly with hairspray. Continue until your entire head is curled.
For soft, glam waves brush through curls with a natural bristle brush. To get a piece-y, beachy feel, simply shake out the curls with your hands.
Image via Imaxtree
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Tip 8: Clean Your Curling Iron
Though it's a hassle -- we already have to clean our makeup brushes (groan) -- it's important to clean your curling iron after every use, otherwise it gets coated in product build up. The residue will prevent your curling iron from heating your hair evenly and you'll end up with lackluster curls. Yikes.
To clean your iron, wait until it is completely cool and simply wipe it with a damp towel. If you haven't cleaned it in a while, you may need to invest in a hot iron cleaner to remove the gunk -- give Hot Tools Styling Iron Cleaner, $5.99, a try.
If the almighty hair care gods didn't grant you naturally curly hair, you've likely clocked your fair share of time in front of YouTube tutorials on how to curl hair. And perhaps your curling iron has become your BFF as you've tried to fake the bouncy curls and flowing waves of your dreams.
Curling irons are indeed magical little devices that can turn straight hair curly in an instant, and simply add definition and perfection to natural curls. But as easy as that last declarative statement sounds, they can actually be quite tricky to master. That's why we went to a pro to get the 411 on the best types of irons for your hair type and texture, the tried and true methods for how to curl hair into a lasting look, and the expert techniques that will turn your hair into frizz-free ringlets every time you style.
The curling iron is by no means a modern invention; people have been using them to add texture to their hair for eons (think ancient Greece, not caveman days). In fact Babylonian and Assyrian men crimped and curled their beards with curling irons (freaky fact, but yes, it's true). Of course these curling irons didn't look anything like the electrical curling irons we know and love today — they didn't debut until around 1959 thanks to BaByliss, and we're assuming women or men today don't use them to curl their beards (not that we're ones to judge), but it's interesting to know that the desire to have curly hair dates way back. So whether you're after tightly wound ringlets or tousled, beachy waves, this guide on how to curl hair will help you master the curling iron once and for all.
