Want to get better curls? I get asked a lot about how to curl your hair and here are 3 simple mistakes I see over and over again. Plus I share tips on how to fix them and achieve perfect curls every time.
Curling wands are one of my fave hair inventions. I love how simple they are to use and you can create so many different looks.
Getting your curls to look fabulous and last isn’t always that simple. Here are some tips to help you get perfect curls or waves every time you style your hair.
3 simple mistakes you’re making when curling your hair (and how to fix them)
There are some simple mistakes that are so common when curling your hair. I’ve made them all at some point too but you learn from experience.
1. Not curling away from your face
As a basic rule, it’s more flattering to curl your hair away from your face.
Of course there are exceptions, such as when you’re creating finger waves or a vintage set. Overall, if you want to create a more modern look, then curling your hair away from your hair is more flattering.
Curling away from your face is the easiest way to remember what you’re doing and to create a softer look too.
2. Not letting your curls cool
The trick to longer lasting curls is to let them cool so they set. If you have trouble getting a curl to stay in your hair, then this could be your problem.
To really set your curls, use pins or flat pin curl clips to hold each curl in shape as it cools. At least keep your hands off your hair until it’s all cooled down. It’s only once your curls are cool, that they have the stability and structure to hold so you can finish styling your hair.
3. Not shaking it out
Now you’ve let your hair cool but that’s not the final step. You need to shake out those curls out.
Use your fingers to rake through your curls to loosen them up. You can also use a brush to turn those ringlet curls into perfect, natural-looking waves. That’s where a good brush comes in to play. I love my Mason Pearson for this job. (If you’re in Australia, get yours here.)
If I see you out with your curls all still in sausage-shaped ringlets, I will have to run my fingers through them to break them up.
So tell me, have you been making these simple mistakes when curling your hair? What’s your biggest struggle when curling your hair?
Please HELP!!! When I wake up, (my hair is naturally straight) the back of my head is wavy, what do I do? Also, should I curl my hair at night or in the morning and how can I get the back of my head easily?
Can I curl damp hair. Also, when I put moose in my hair, should I wait to curl it until it dries?
Hi! No you must dry your hair before using curling wands. Put mousse in damp hair and either blowdry or wait for your hair to airdry before curling your hair 🙂
I was interested to see what the 3 steps were and I was very pleased to read that I already take these steps…. I also use a hand held mirror to help me locate sections of hair at the back! Also I arrange the waves once cooled and then a quick wiz around with some light hair spray. This helps to set them without being too rigid. I have fine hair and find setting my hair like this it gives such a lot of body and I feel for once that I have more hair and its feels and looks a bit glam! ? The shampoo commercials of ladies promoting thick and luscious hair which you are made to feel like you can’t look nice without can be very demoralising when you have fine hair and know that these products will never make your hair look like the carefully picked out models….but I have learnt to live with this ‘affliction’, as we are told, and the steps like the ones you are publishing can be vital to those who need some help to make the most of what you have!
I have super long hair and notice when I curl it with a wand my hair at the base of my neck always tangles and i end up looking like I have a rats nest by the end of the day. What can I do to stop this?
Hi Arianna, yes I know what you mean. Sometimes it’s unavoidable and I find there’s not a lot I can do to stop it. Some collars and fabrics make it worse. Also if it’s a hot day that means I can get sweaty and it makes it worse. A leave in conditioner spray can help detangle the section. Sorry I don’t have any advice to stop it xx
Help! No matter what method I use to curl my hair…. flat iron, curling iron etc, my hair always turns into one giant ringlet. I can brush the curls out once they cool, I can run a quick flat iron over to uncurl them a bit… no matter what, 10 minutes later it’s one giant curl. Ironic considering my house is literally board straight. Any advice?
I think if you alternate curls (one away from your face, the next one towards, and so on) that it won’t do that quite as bad.
Smaller sections seem to help too. I know if I use bigger sections they all nest together into one giant curl.
Any tips for when you are starting with naturally curly hair? I have tried getting the soft waves that are trending right now, but my hair always, always ends up curlier than the trend.
Hi Annaka, I have naturally curly hair to. I usually blowdry my hair straight to begin with before curling my hair into waves. That gives you a good foundation to begin styling. Then you can create any size curl or wave. If your hair is curlier than you want, it may be that you need to use a larger barrel curling wand. Or here are two hacks to make larger curls with a smaller barrel wand – 1. curl larger sections of hair – this makes for a looser and larger curl. 2. Pull on the end of each section after you curl it – this stretches out the curl while it’s still hot and so you can take a tight curl and stretch it out to make it less defined. Hope this helps! Christina x
Any tricks to curling the back of your hair? I find it impossible(I have shoulder length hair). Love all your posts!
Hi Hilary, I hold my curling wand vertically and wrap my hair around it at the back. You can also part your hair in the middle and curl your hair over your shoulders to make it easier to reach. Hope this helps xx
I have seriously thick hair & would love some tips for curling please xx
Hi Esta, you’re lucky to have such thick hair! It will take longer, but I recommend curling your hair in small sections to make sure you get an even curl. Use flat clips to pin them up and out of the way while you keep curling your hair. This will help your hair to set and last longer too x
An exception to curlong away from your face – my hair naturally curls toward my face. When I’m using an iron to fix a curl or help out second day hair, going against the natural curl never ends well. Is it just me?
Definitely go with the way your hair sits, Deb. Every curl is different and you know what works best for your hair xx
great tips! :*
Thanks so much Alexandra! x
Thanks for these three amazing tips. I have a lot of trouble curling my hair not that my hair is shorter. It is hard and frustrating to get pieces at the back of head, so I usually give up and toss my hair into a bun instead.
However, I can’t wait to start using these tips once my hair grows out more.
– Juliet from http://www.thelittlejewelsoflife.com
Thanks Juliet! It’s always tricky to curl the back of your head, especially when your hair only wraps around once or twice. I like to use a wand and wear a heat proof glove to be safe x
Amen to all of these but especially to tip #2!
Most women when they curl their hair will tend to pull the hair away immediately after using the curling iron because they think it looks ugly or too severe. Pulling the hair WHILE IT’S STILL HOT will undo the curls.
Thanks Winston! Yes – you won’t have any curls left if you keep pulling them while they’re hot. Thanks for commenting.
Also, I get CRAZY knots in my hair. I always comb through with plenty of conditioner while I’m in the shower, but I always end up with a huge knot in my hair, and sometimes a gallon of conditioner just doesn’t cut it, and i have to get rough with my hair. I end up combing so much hair out sometimes it worries me. How do I prevent this?
I always sleep with my hair up which helps prevent tangles forming – check out how to wake up with great curly hair. I also have more tips for detangling hair here xx
Apply it’s a 10 or miracle 7 (same thing-miracle 7 is sheaper) to your hair after the shower. Just a small pea size should do. It’s a miracle conditioner, I get mine with keratin in it. AMAZING. I get mine at salleys beauty. Life saver.
When’s the last time you had a good cut? I’ve noticed that if my hair starts knotting, that my telltale sign it’s time for a trim!
Question: Is it better to get curly hair cut wet or dry? I’ve heard getting it cut dry is better for curls, but I LOVE getting my head massaged and having perfectly clean hair. Haha!
Hi Kelsey, it really depends on your hair and how you like to wear it. I know lots of curly girls who love a dry cut but personally I still have my hair cut wet. I think it’s important if your hair shrinks a lot when it’s dry as you can accidentally cut it too short when wet. I’m with you though, the head massage is the best! Christina x
Flat iron first then cut dry. Cutting wet does no good in my case and ruined my curls. I usually get a couple inches cut off, layered, and thinned out to bring out my natural curls but, since it was done wrong I have to have it redone.. This is my own personal experience as everyone’s hair type is different.
My big mistake is trying to do it myself . . . outsource, outsource, outsource!!
Haha yes! I love when someone else does my hair but I always change my mind at the last minute and do it myself x
Which curling wand do you recommend?
I am using the ghd curve which is fabulous. I also love the H2D curling wands as they have interchangeable wands so I can create different curls.
The Muk wand is great and only $99!
Thanks Steph! Love another recommendation 🙂
I have a curling iron with the clip on it and I really not good at using it, could u give me some tips on it please?
Yes, yes, yes! These are such great tips. And I’m so glad I’m not the only one who has to physically restrain herself from running my fingers through other people’s curls to break them up!
The struggle is real.