If you don’t have a straightener, you can still curl your hair with a flat iron and get full and bouncy curls that won’t look like ringlets. However, it takes a little practice, but once you get the steps right, you’ll look pretty amazing with your curly hair. Follow along to learn how to get the beautiful curls you’ve always wanted with a flat iron.
Steps on How to Curl Hair With a Flat Iron
Here’s a step-by-step procedure on how to get the best bouncy curls with just a flat iron:
- Prep Your Hair
Make sure that your hair is very clean and dry hair. Wet hair won’t curl at all and damp hair won’t curl as well. Even if you were to use a straightener, you’ll still get the same results. So, it’s best if your hair is dry. Also, dirty hair won’t hold its shape very well, so make sure you’ve washed it in the last 24 hours. If you’re blow-drying your hair, first use mousse. The extra volume will keep your hair from looking too flat during the curling process.
- Use a Thin Flat Iron
Your iron shouldn’t be the flat one with a paddle style, as it won’t create the curls. Besides, it’ll be very hard to hold and wrap if you have this kind of iron and the hair won’t want to stay in the right place. So, it’s very important that you get a good quality flat iron. With that the work will be faster, your hair smoother and there’ll be less damage that could have been caused by poor-quality irons.
Also, a good flat iron has a large impact on the shine and the consistency of curls. If you need to update your flat iron, you can try out more high-quality options. To use the iron, heat it up to the minimum temperature you need for your hair. If your hair is thin and fine, stick to the low end of the dial at below 300 degrees. Normal hair can be ironed at 300° to 380°. You can turn it up to 350° to 400° if your hair is frizzy, thick, or coarse.
- Apply Heat Protectant
Applying a heat protectant or a thermal spray creates a protective barrier between the hair and the iron so that the hair doesn’t burn or frizzle. Spray the heat protectant all over your hair. You don’t need to comb begins it needs to mist on and dry quickly.
If you have thick hair, spray it on each section before you tackle it. If you just spray it on the top of your hair, it won’t reach the bottom layers. Also, ensure you comb out any tangles in your hair before applying heat.
- Part your Hair into Sections
Curling your hair will be easier if you section it instead of trying to tackle the whole hair at once. Generally, the thicker your hair, the more sections you’ll need to do. Tie up the hair above your ears and put it in a bun on the top of your head to keep it out of the way.
Begin from the bottom of your scalp close to your ears and neck. Ensure you leave down as much hair as you can work with for the first layer of curls. The best recommendation is to work with 1 to 2-inch sections at a time while you pin up the rest. Once that layer is done, unclip the hair and let down another layer. Again, clip up what you aren’t curling and leave the curled ones in layers.
- Add Some Hairspray
If your hair doesn’t hold a curl or curl easily, apply hairspray on each section before you curl them. If you want your curls to hold their shape exactly how they fall from the flat iron, apply a small amount of hairspray on the hair right before you curl it.
Make sure to use a non-aerosol working spray for this as aerosol sprays will create a sticky mess. Most of all, ensure you don’t all too much hairspray so it doesn’t become crunchy and stiff.
- Grab the Section of Hair you Want to Curl
How much hair you include in each curl is at your discretion, but here are important points to keep in mind:
- Smaller sections make smaller and tighter curls.
- If you want a look that’s similar to ringlets, keep your sections less than two inches wide.
- Larger sections result in bouncier and looser curls that look a little more natural.
- Use sections that are wider than 2 inches for big curls.
Additionally, you can mix it up. You don’t have to completely stick to one size or another. For instance, you could do larger curls close to your face and the top of your head to create lift, volume, and, tighter and delicate curls underneath for support.
- Curl the Hair
Place the flat iron on the section you’re beginning with and slowly drag it down your hair. Begin the dragging from the roots and keep rotating it up and down. You don’t necessarily have to curl all your hair. A few strands that are straighter or just wavy can give you a more natural and beachy look.
- Finish Up
You can leave your hair as it is when you’re done curling or add an additional touch to wrap up the style you want. For looser curls, gently run your fingers through your hair and tousle it. You’ll get a little more volume and a relaxed and natural look.
For firmer curls, apply a light amount of hairspray all over your curls to keep them sleek and tight all through the day. If you live in a really humid area, consider using an anti-humidity spray as well.
Final Words
There’s always room for improvisation if you don’t have a straightener or can get to the salon to get your hair done. All you need to do is reach out for your flat iron, clean and dry hair, and follow the steps highlighted above on how to curl hair with a flat iron.