How to Curl Your Hair with a Flat Iron
January 11, 2013
We’ve all been caught in a situation in which we wanted to curl our hair (or create waves) but didn’t have a curling iron. But fret not! Here’s how to use a flat iron to curl your hair.
1. Start with clean, dry hair. Wash and dry your hair as normal, making sure to add a thermal protection product before using any heat tools on your hair! We recommend Aveda’s Brilliant Damange Control ($23.00 for 250mL). Be sure to comb through so that the product is evenly distributed.
2. Neatness counts! Especially if you have thick hair, parting your hair in sections will make curling it much easier. Section your hair in layers, starting at the bottom of your scalp and pinning up the rest.
3. Use a light hairspray on each section right before you curl it. A tiny amount should do the trick–you don’t want to soak your hair in it. We prefer Aveda’s Air Control ($34.00) for a soft, touchable hold.
4. Take a section and start close to your scalp. Be careful not to accidentally burn yourself; if your scalp can feel an uncomfortable amount of heat from the iron, you’re either too close to your scalp or you need to turn down the heat. Close the iron on that section of hair and flip it over, creating a U-shape. Moving the iron slowly down your hair, hold it on that turned angle, just as you would if you were curling ribbon for a present. Unclip a new section as your work your way through your hair.
5. Touch up. Go through your hair and make sure your curls have taken hold. If you want looser, more natural and relaxed curls, you can now gently run your fingers through it. If you’re looking for more hold and longer lasting curls, spray a touch of hairspray all over your curls.
Stylist Tips
- Use a 1″ ceramic or tourmaline flat iron with rounded edges; a thin, ceramic flat iron will create the best curls.
- The hotter your flat iron is, the longer the curl will hold. But be sure not to turn it up too high if your hair is fine–you don’t want to burn your hair or cause damage.
- Smaller sections make smaller, tighter curls that will turn out more like ringlets than waves. Larger sections (two inches and bigger) make looser curls.
- Consider doing smaller curls around your face and larger curls at the bottom of your hair for more volume and framing.
Have you tried curling your hair with a flat iron? Or do you have any special tips? Be sure to leave them in the comments below!