We love beautiful, bouncy curls, but do you know what is even better? Beautiful, bouncy curly hair that lasts all day! Summer is the perfect time to have fun with your hair. Curls are a great way to spice up any style. From girl-next-door curls to ultra-glamorous waves, curls can make anyone look their best. The main problem with curling your hair though? For people with poker straight, fine, or limp hair, you can go from having a full head of curly hair one second and the next you’ll find your hair has fallen flat. If you have problems keeping your curls, take these tips into consideration.
It All Starts In The Shower
The road to beautiful curls starts before your pull out your curling iron. Curls only last when hair is light and carefree, so start your curling routine by washing your hair. Use a light shampoo and conditioner that won’t weigh your hair down. Otherwise, the weight of the products will flatten your curls in about an hour or two, no matter how much hairspray you use. After showering, blow dry your hair to add volume. Bend over so your hair is hanging down and use a diffuser to dry it out. When you are up straight again, you’ll notice a big difference in the amount of volume you have.
Get The Texture Right
It’s a no-brainer that applying styling products to your hair will help your curls stay longer. Apply a lightweight styling product like Goldwell Style Sign Topwhip Mousse before drying your hair. After you dry your hair, spray each section with a with a heat-protecting thermal setting spray like Color Proof Iron Master Heat Protectant and Setting Spray before curling. Using a setting spray and mousse will give your hair a rougher texture which will help the lifespan of your curls. However, when using a setting spray, don’t spray too close to your hair as it will make your curls crunchy and heavy. Spray a mist onto your hair and wait a few seconds for it to dry before applying heat. With mousse, if you think you are using too much, you are applying the right amount. Take a baseball-sized mound, or two for long hair, and saturate damp hair from roots to ends. Always choose a high-quality product. These products provide the extra support needed for your curls to last longer. Now it is time to curl your hair, but only after you protect it with a high-quality heat protectant!
Invest In Good Quality Hair Tools
The tools you use play a big role in how well your hair will stay. As long as you keep using cheap, low-quality drugstore brand irons, your stick straight hair will not hold curls for more than 20 minutes. In addition, cheaper irons and older models are not ceramic plated. This leaves your hair susceptible to heat damage after prolonged use. Switch to better, high-quality hair tools to protect your hair. Yes, they are more expensive, but they damage your hair less, heat up better, and will last you a very long time. You can also try a curling rod or a curling iron without a clamp for a looser, beachy wave. No matter what tool you use, curl smart. If you have thin hair, set your iron to 300 degrees. For thicker, dial it up to 350 degrees.
Use the right barrel size
Barrel size is pretty important. If you are at the store wondering why there are so many sizes of curling irons, it’s because each size achieves a different type of curl. You may think that a bigger barrel curling wand or iron will give you those Victoria Secret curls you crave, but a smaller barrel may work just as well. Depending on your hair, using a 1″ or 1.5″ barrel will make a big difference in how your curls look and last. Sometimes a larger barrel will only lead to your hair loosening faster and the curls falling out.
Cool Them Down
An effective trick to getting your curls to stay is to let the curl cool down and set before letting it go. Take each fresh curl and secure it with a clip or bobby pin. As you wrap your hair around the curling iron, heat is transferred onto the hair strands, which is what makes them change their shape. Once your pinned curl is cooled down, it will allow the cuticle to close and set in place, making the curl last for a much longer period of time. When unclipping your curls, be sure to let them cool down for a couple of minutes before brushing them out. If you break the curls too quickly, they will lose their form in a shorter amount of time. Are you running short on time? Try using the “cool” button on your blow dryer to blow cold air on pinned curls from a distance.
If your hair still won’t hold curls, talk to your stylist. Damaged hair can never hold curls or look right. If you have split ends or frizzy hair, your curls will look unruly. Ask your stylist to assess the condition of your hair. You may need a trim to get rid of damaged ends. Your stylist is also a good source for personal tips on how to curl your hair. At LJ Hair Design, every haircut comes with a free consultation, allowing us to collaborate with you to create individual, modern, wearable hairstyles to fit any lifestyle.
