Creating curls with a hair straightener is easier than you might think. With the right preparation, a good technique and the correct temperature, you can easily create a natural wave, loose curls or more defined curls. On this page, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to curling your hair with a straightener, and you’ll also discover other ways to curl your hair, such as with a hairdryer, rollers, braids or heatless curls.
You can easily curl your hair with a straightener in 4 steps:
Keep in mind that it’s important to use the right straightener, as not every hair straightener creates equally beautiful curls. Some straighteners don’t glide through the hair as smoothly, which can make curls look uneven or leave them with kinks. That’s why it’s best to choose a straightener with smooth ceramic, titanium or tourmaline plates. Titanium is extra smooth and works well for thick or coarse hair, while tourmaline is a good match for frizzy or static hair because it helps seal the hair cuticle. Temperature also matters. For fine or fragile hair, 160 degrees is often enough. Do you have thick or coarse hair? Then choose a temperature above 180 degrees for a well-defined curl.
A hair straightener can heat up to as much as 220 degrees Celsius. That’s why you should always protect your hair with a heat protection spray. Make sure your hair is completely dry and distribute the spray evenly throughout your hair. This helps prevent damage, breakage and frizz.
Brush your hair thoroughly and divide it into 2 or 4 equal sections, depending on how thick your hair is. This will make curling it much easier. Take the hair above your ears, twist it into a bun and secure it with a hair tie or clip. Then start with the bottom layer. If you have a lot of hair or very thick hair, divide the bottom layer into 2 sections as well and work on one side at a time.
Take a section of hair in the thickness you want. A thicker section creates a larger, looser curl, while a smaller section gives you a tighter curl. For classic curls, place the straightener diagonally or vertically at the top of the section. With long hair, rotate the straightener a full turn; with short hair, half a turn is enough. Then slowly glide the straightener downwards. The slower you move, the tighter the curl will be. Once you have a nice curl, wrap the section around your finger for a moment to help it hold its shape better. Repeat this on the rest of the bottom layer, then continue with the top layer. Alternate the direction of each curl for a more natural effect.
As a final step, let your curls cool down properly. They can lose their shape quickly while they’re still warm. Want your curls to last even longer? Then fix them in place with hairspray once they have cooled. You can also use a little texture powder at the roots for extra volume. Loosen the curls gently with your fingers or style them with a wide-tooth comb. Then your curls are ready to shine.
With the same straightener, you can easily create different types of curls. The basic technique above gives you classic curls, but you can also go for large, loose curls, small defined curls or a subtle wave.
For large, loose curls, start with a thick section of hair. Clamp the straightener near the top of the section and turn it half a turn away from your face. Then slowly glide the straightener downwards to create a soft, loose curl. Repeat this throughout the rest of your hair, alternating the direction of each section for a more natural effect. Let the curls cool down, then gently brush them out.
Would you prefer a subtle wave rather than a true curl? Then use wider sections of hair and only turn the straightener slightly. Glide it through your hair quickly so that it creates a soft wave. This gives your hair a natural, airy look.
Take narrow sections of hair if you want smaller, more defined curls. Twist the straightener a little more firmly through your hair and move it down slowly. This gives the curl more shape and helps it last longer. Let each section cool down properly before moving on.
You can curl your hair in other ways too. Using a curling iron is the most obvious method, but there are plenty of other techniques you can choose from as well. Some methods use heat, while others work without any heat at all. The best method for you depends on the result you want and how much time you want to spend on your curls.
Using a hairdryer and a round brush gives your hair more wave and volume. This method works particularly well if you want to create a loose, natural-looking curl.
Rollers help create more shape and hold in your hair. The larger the roller, the looser the curl. You can use rollers after curling your hair with a blow-dry brush to help the curls last longer, but you can also use them on their own to create soft, loose curls.
Braids are an easy way to create a wave or curl in your hair without using heat.
Heatless curls are a popular way to curl your hair without using heat and with very little effort. For example, you can use a dressing gown belt, a special curling ribbon or long socks.
With a straightener, you can easily create different types of curls, from loose waves to tight curls. A good result starts with the right preparation.
The right straightener also makes a big difference. Ideally, choose a straightener with smooth ceramic, titanium or tourmaline plates so that it glides easily through your hair. It’s also important to adjust the temperature to suit your hair type: a lower temperature is often enough for fine or fragile hair, while thick or coarse hair needs more heat. While curling, the thickness of the sections, the direction you twist and the speed at which you move the straightener all determine the type of curl you create. Afterwards, always let your curls cool down properly and, if needed, set them with hairspray or texture powder so they stay in shape for longer.
Would you rather create curls without using a straightener? Then you can also opt for a hairdryer and curling brush, rollers, braids or heatless curls. That way, there’s a suitable method for every hair type and preference, allowing you to create beautiful curls and express your creativity in a different way every day.
