There are numerous ways to curl your hair, and the method you choose can depend on your preferences as well as your attitudes towards heat-based styling.
If you have fine, thin curls, non-heat-based methods are a much better option, as they protect your hair and prevent it from drying out. But if you have thicker or denser curls, you might favor heat-based styling as it takes less time than other methods.
In this article, we introduce you to 5 options and teach you how to curl hair properly so you don’t cause any damage in the process. We also reveal how long it takes to curl your hair so you know what to expect when choosing a method.
Option 1. How to curl hair with a flat iron?
Though this method might seem counterproductive from the outset, curling your hair with a hair straightener or flat iron can yield impressive results. Ideally, you should use a flat iron with rounded edges, as this will help you to make the curls.
Before drying your hair, adding a voluminous mousse is a smart move, as it will help to bounce your curls. Here are the steps to follow if you want to curl your hair with a flat iron:
- Switch on the flat iron and wait for it to heat up. If you can adjust the heat setting, set it to 325F for the best results.
- Apply a heat protectant to your hair as the flat iron is warming up.
- Then, pin the top section of your hair to your head to reveal the bottom layer. You can then start curling one section at a time. The size of the sections will determine the type of curls that you can achieve.
- Clamp the hair within the iron and move slowly down the hair. This will result in light, bouncy curls.
- Finally, tousle your curls with your fingers and apply a holding hairspray.
Option 2. How to curl your hair with a wand?
Using a curling iron or wand is the de-facto curling method for many people, as it’s easy to do and is one of the quickest ways to curl your hair. The key to this method is to protect your hair from overheating, so it’s critically important to apply a heat protectant before applying the heat. Here are the steps to follow if you want to use a curling iron or wand to achieve your curls:
- Switch on and heat up your curling iron, which typically takes between two and five minutes.
- Make sure your hair is thoroughly dry before applying the heat.
- Spray a heat protectant on your hair and leave it to set for a minute.
- Split your hair into small sections (ideally 1.5 inches) and begin by wrapping a small section of hair around the wand. Clamp to secure and repeat the process for each section.
- If you want to create thick, voluminous waves, hold the wand in place for up to ten seconds and continue with each section.
- After curling your hair, apply a hairspray to hold the curls in place.
Option 3. How to curl hair using a blow dryer?
One of the best ways to curl your hair is to use a hair dryer with a diffuser attachment. The Laifen Swift Special is the ideal dryer for the task, as it features a diffuser nozzle as standard and boasts ionic technology, which prevents frizz. This way will be helpful when you want to make your straight hair curly.
You will need to wash your hair and it helps to apply a volumizing mousse before picking up your hair dryer. Then, you can use the diffuser to create natural curls, as detailed in the steps below:
- After washing your hair, apply a volumizing mousse to your hair. Then, use a wide-tooth comb to remove any small knots.
- Next, scrunch your hair into small sections, crumpling it at the scalp. Do this for both sides of your hair, flipping it in the process.
- Turn on your Laifen Swift Special hair dryer and attach the diffuser nozzle.
- Adjust it to its low or medium heat setting and begin blow-drying your hair. Continue scrunching your hair as you dry it.
- Once dry, tousle your hair and apply a holding hairspray to keep your curls in shape throughout the day.
Option 4. How to curl hair using rollers?
If you’re interested in how to curl hair without heat, opting for traditional rollers is a great choice. They come in various shapes and sizes, are widely available, and are highly effective. Order your rollers online, bearing in mind the size of the curls you want in your hair. Velcro and foam rollers are good options, and they curl your hair without damaging it. Here are the steps to follow if you want to use traditional rollers:
- Apply a volumizing hair spray before using the rollers, as this will help to make the curls bigger and more defined.
- Divide your hair into sections using ties or clips. We recommend using approximately 2 cm to 5cm per roller.
- After sectioning your hair, wrap it around the roller, beginning at the bottom and rolling it up along your hair towards your face. Then, secure the roller with a bobby pin.
- Repeat the process for each section.
- Leave the rollers in place for at least 20 minutes.
- Remove the rollers and tousle your hair with your fingers. You can then apply a hairspray if you wish to hold your curls in place.
Option 5. How to curl hair with pins?
Our fifth and final recommendation is to use bobby pins to curl your hair. This option is slightly more involved than some of the other techniques on this list, but it’s a popular method because it yields impressive results and is well worth the effort that you put in.
To begin, you need to decide how tight or loose you want your curls, as this will determine how tightly you wrap your hair around your fingers before pinning it in place. Here’s how to curl your hair with pins in simple steps:
- Wrap your hair around your finger until you reach the roots, starting with a small clump of hair.
- When you reach the roots, slide your finger out and secure your hair in place with a bobby pin.
- Repeat the process until all of your hair is pinned in place.
- To set your curls, spray your hair and leave the pins in place overnight. You can wrap your hair in a silk bonnet or turban to protect it as you sleep.
- In the morning, unwrap your hair and remove the pins one by one. You can then tousle your curls and add more hairspray to keep it in place. For bouncy waves, apply a sea salt spray for added volume.
How long does it take to curl hair?
This depends on the method that you use. Curling your hair with a heat-based tool like a wand or straightener is the quickest method, usually taking no more than 15 minutes.
However, if you use a non-heat-based tool like rollers and pins, it can take more than 15 minutes and up to an hour, depending on how long you leave your rollers in your hair.
Conclusion
Though heat-based styling is the easiest and quickest way to curl your hair, it’s not necessarily suitable for people with thin or fine hair. Therefore, you should consider each of the 5 options above and decide which is the best approach for you, depending on your hair type and styling preferences. Those curling hair ways will help take care of your curly hair. You can also read our FAQs below for more details on your curling options.
FAQs
Q1: How to curl short hair?
The easiest way to curl short hair is with a curling iron, provided that you have enough hair to section and clamp in place. Alternatively, use a blow dryer with a diffuser nozzle attached, as this can help you evenly blow dry and curl your hair.
Q2: How to curl long hair?
If your hair is long, you have many more styling options, and each of the five techniques introduced can work for you. Decide whether you want to use heat-based or non-heat-based styling and pick one of the methods introduced.
Q3: How to curl your hair no heat?
The best way to curl your hair with no heat is with rollers and pins. Though it takes a little getting used to, this method yields the best results. For overnight curls, you can go for bobby pins, which are great for creating tighter, smaller curls.
