Curls instantly give your hairstyle more character. Whether you’re going for loose waves, defined curls, or a soft blowout vibe, with the right preparation and technique you can achieve just as beautiful a result at home as at the salon. Whether you use a curling iron or a flat iron. The secret lies in the basics and in how you use your tool.
Good preparation makes all the difference
Before you start curling, it’s important to prepare your hair properly. Curls hold better in hair that isn’t too smooth or weighed down. A little texture and heat protection are essential.
Products that are useful to have beforehand:
- A heat protectant to protect your hair from heat
- A lightweight volumizing or texturizing spray to create grip
- Optionally, a blow-dry product that adds volume at the roots
Using these products beforehand will help prevent your curls from falling flat straight away and keep your hair healthy, even with regular styling.
curling your hair with a curling iron
A curling iron is ideal if you like defined, even curls. Depending on the thickness of the barrel, you can create anything from tight curls to loose waves. This method is perfect for styles that need to last longer.
Curling with a curling iron gives you:
- Often create a more defined look
- Are perfect for festive hairstyles or when you want your hairstyle to last longer
- Work well if you don’t like very tight curls
After curling, let the curls cool briefly before loosening them. This helps them hold their shape better.
How to curl your hair with a curling iron
A curling iron is perfect if you want defined, even curls that last. The diameter of the barrel determines how tight or loose the curls will be: the narrower the barrel, the tighter the curl.
Wrap a strand of hair around the curling iron and hold the ends of your hair while winding the rest around the barrel. Let the strand heat up for a few seconds, then carefully unwind it. Let the curl cool briefly before touching it; this helps it hold its shape.
For a modern look, you can gently loosen the curls after they cool or style only the lengths and leave the ends a little straighter. This creates an airy look and prevents your hair from looking too curly.
Curling your hair with a flat iron
Curling your hair with a flat iron takes a little more technique, but often gives a softer, more casual result. Perfect for beach waves or a modern, relaxed look.
By rotating the flat iron as you glide it down, you create a curl or a wave. The slower you move and the more you rotate, the more defined the curl will be. You can also easily switch between a wave and a curl with a flat iron, for a playful final look.
Curls with a flat iron:
- Often look more natural and less styled
- Are ideal for loose waves and an effortless
- Work well if you don’t like very tight curls
How to curl your hair with a flat iron
With a flat iron, you can create a surprising variety of curls: from loose waves to soft, natural curls. The secret lies mainly in the rotation of the iron and how quickly you glide it through your hair.
Take a section of hair and place the flat iron slightly below the roots. Then rotate the iron half to one full turn away from your face and slowly pull it down. The slower you move, the more defined the curl will be. Moving faster creates a looser wave.
For a playful result, alternate the direction of the curls and loosen them with your fingers afterward. This prevents an overly "perfect" look and makes your style look more natural and fuller. This technique is ideal if you like a casual finish with movement.
Finishing touch: how to keep your curls in place
Once your curls are in place, it’s all about balance. Too much hairspray can weigh down your style, while too little can make your curls fall out quickly. So choose a product that combines flexibility and hold.
A lightweight hairspray or finishing spray helps keep your curls in place while maintaining their bounce. Want more volume? Use your fingers to loosen the curls or gently brush them out for a softer look.
