Do you ever wish that you could curl your hair the way that stylists do at the salon? It seems almost impossible trying to hold a curl that lasts more than half an hour when you’re doing your hair at home, while other ladies are rocking beachy waves all day. Thankfully, there are a few secrets to perfecting those curls, secrets that work on even the finest of tresses.
Here’s what you need to do for long lasting curls:
1) Find out which curling iron works best for you
As Lauren Conrad shares with her readers, “Having the right tools makes all the difference.” How well someone’s hair can hold a curl depends on her hair type. For those that have really fine hair, it’s best to use a ¾ inch barrel to tighten the curls without making them look like ringlets. Anyone with thicker hair than that can use a 1-inch barrel or even a flat iron for beautiful beachy waves. Another thing to look out for in your curling irons is their quality. Just like with blowdryers, salon-grade irons are much more efficient than drugstore brands, making curls last much longer and are often safer for your hair.
2) Work in sections
Sectioning can seem time consuming, but in reality, it streamlines the curling process. By working in sections, you’ll be able to curl every strand, rather than having to randomly search through your mane to find all the uncurled pieces. This technique also creates a consistency in the overall style. Invest in alligator clips to help divide your hair into 3 or 4 sections, leaving the top half of your hair last.
3) Apply hairspray before curling
It’s a given that you should be applying heat protectant before applying heat to your hair, but did you know that spritzing hairspray before using the curling iron is more effective than after? In a demonstration shown on The Scene, beauty expert Theodore Leaf sections off his model’s hair and uses hairspray before applying heat. The product dissipates as he curls her hair, which ends up holding the curl for much longer than if it’s sprayed after styling. Natural oils (from not washing your hair for a few days) will also work in prolonging the life of your curls, but if you’ve just washed your hair, hairspray or dry shampoo will be needed.
4) Pin your curls in place
One mistake that women make when curling their hair is letting the curl fall before it has completely cooled. If you’re not in a rush, what you should do to ensure your curls stay intact is to pin them to your scalp. As professionals from Luxy Hair explain, the heat changes the shape of your strands, so if you let go of a section while it’s still warm, the curl will lose its form. Pinning each section will allow your curls to cool down in the desired shape. To help speed up the process, you can use the cool setting on your hairdryer.
5) Finish your hair with some product
For the final touch and the ultimate hold, finish with hairspray or mousse, whichever one you prefer. Pomades, gels and waxes may work better, depending on your hair type. For these, spread it onto your hands and then carefully scrunch the product into your hair.
The key is patience, taking that extra time in your styling regimen in order to get the most out of your curls.
Happy styling!
Ashley + Hallman
jane can 