Q&A for How to Curl Hair

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  • Question
    How do you use a curling iron?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Prepare clean, dry hair with a light mist of thermal protecting spray. Section off a strip of hair the approximate width of the curling iron, clamp the ends in the iron, and wrap the iron up as close to the scalp as possible without burning yourself. Hold the iron in place for 5-10 seconds, then unravel the hair and move onto the next section.
  • Question
    How can I curl my hair fast?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Instead of clamping sections, using your iron like a wand. Wrap thick sections around the outside of the iron, starting at the roots. Hold on the iron for 10-15 seconds. Allow your hair to cool completely before refining the style with your fingers.
  • Question
    How do you curl your hair without heat?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Mist damp hair with styling spray, divide it into 4 even sections, and twist each section into a bun. Allow your hair to dry completely, then remove the buns and shake out your hair with fingers.
  • Question
    Do you curl your hair in or out?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    It depends on the type of curling iron you are using. Marcel irons, the type that doesn't have a spring in the handle, are used from roots to ends. Irons with a spring grip are wrapped from ends to roots.
  • Question
    How can I make my hair hold curls?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Prep with a thermal protectant or a non-aerosol hairspray. Work in small sections no thicker than the curling iron. Let the hair cool completely before touching it.
  • Question
    Does braiding work to create curls on dry hair?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, braiding dry hair can produce curls, but you'll need to mist it with some setting lotion or hairspray. You can also briefly heat up the braids with a straightening iron. The result will be looser than braiding done on wet hair.
  • Question
    How do you control natural curly hair? It always gets really frizzy, and the curls just don't stay together through out the day.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Try twisting the hair. Apply a hair cream or oil designed for your hair type, then divide the hair into 1-2" (2.5-5 cm) sections and twist, starting at the scalp and creating unified coils. Leave twisted until completely dry—you can also gently diffuse the coils—then shake out gently with fingers.
  • Question
    Can I use this method to curl a child's hair?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use any of these methods, but if you are using a curling iron or other hot tools, be very careful. Braids are the most gentle way to achieve curls on children and are the kindest of all to their young hair.
  • Question
    Can I use the braiding method as a daily hairstyle, or do the braids and product damage hair if used too much?
    Community Answer
    The product may damage your hair, but braids shouldn't damage your hair at all.
  • Question
    Will leaving gel in my hair overnight give me dandruff?
    Community Answer
    No, but the gel may start to flake overnight and give you the appearance of having dandruff.
  • Question
    My mom told me that lice could come to your hair if you do that. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    You cannot get lice from any type of hair products or from any of the procedures in this article, unless you use products that have been used by someone else who has lice. If you're using your own stuff, you won't get lice.
  • Question
    Is it okay to just wet my hair instead of washing it?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it's fine.
  • Question
    Will this work for thick hair?
    Community Answer
    It will work but you have to section the top part of you hair away and slowly work your way towards the top. You will definitely have to do at least eight braids.
  • Question
    Are there any other alternatives to create bouncy curls?
    Community Answer
    You could tie your slightly dampened hair in a bun (topknot) and leave it in overnight. This will give you larger, bouncier curls than braiding.
  • Question
    What do you do if when you are using braids, your hair turns wavy instead of curly?
    Community Answer
    Try different braid patterns next time, or if it's wavy now, put it in a ponytail and twirl the end with your finger to create a curly effect.
  • Question
    What's the best way to curl thick hair?
    Community Answer
    You can do any one of these ways but the best way is to use braids to enhance the volume of your hair and it will take less time.
  • Question
    Can a Mom curl a 9 year olds hair with a curling iron?
    Community Answer
    YES! A curling iron can work on anyone. A younger child's hair will be more fine, so be careful with using extreme heat for too long of a period of time.
  • Question
    How can I curl my naturally wavy hair?
    Community Answer
    Naturally wavy hair is typically easier to curl than straight hair. Use a curling iron on one-inch sections of hair, then spritz with a light-hold hair spray to keep the style.
  • Question
    Can you do voluminous curls with curling wands or curl gel?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. You just need voluminous curl cream or hairspray.
  • Question
    How do you do a braid?
    Community Answer
    Take three equal lengths of hair. Cross one of the pieces of the three lengths over the middle one, then alternate the two end lengths over the middle length until you have the braid you want.
  • Question
    Can foam rollers cause discomfort?
    Hannahisnotamazing
    Community Answer
    Generally they won't but it really depends on how tightly you wrap your hair around the roller. Obviously, if it feels like you're being scalped, you might need to loosen up a little.
  • Question
    Will the braid method work on short hair ?
    Community Answer
    Use a curling iron or a flat iron. If you would like to try it, test it out and if it does not leave the desired finishing product, then try a curling iron.
  • Question
    Can I curl my hair with curlers only at the bottom?
    Community Answer
    Yes, just be careful of how far up you put the rollers so you don't make the curls longer than you want them.
  • Question
    My natural hair is very straight. If I put it in braids every single night, would it be possible for my hair to become permanently curly?
    Carole Brock
    Community Answer
    I used to do that, and I didn't get any results. My hair is really straight, and after braiding it, it goes back to straight within 6 hours. Your hair will eventually go back to what it was. People with straight hair have round "shafts." You can only flatten these shafts (also known as curling) for a limited amount of time before they will revert to round.
  • Question
    Are there any tips for how to curl hair with a normal hair dryer and brush?
    Community Answer
    Yes. If you wrap your hair around a brush and add water until your hair is damp not dripping and then hold the brush for about 5-10 minutes while blow drying it. Unwrap the hair and finger comb it, so you don't lose the curl. This may or may not work depending on the thickness of your hair.
  • Question
    Does it make a difference if I use a thicker or thinner braid?
    Community Answer
    Yes. If you want tighter curls, the thin, small braid will work. If you want loose and thicker, the thick braid will work.
  • Question
    If my hair is thick and long, would it be better to braid my hair and curl it, or curl my hair with a flat iron?
    Community Answer
    Using a flat iron will probably be more effective. However, it might take a long time to curl your hair with a flat iron if you have a lot of hair, so if you don't have the patience, just braiding it will be easier - as long as you're able to leave your hair in the braids for many hours.
  • Question
    My hair is really thin, so is curling it bad for me?
    Community Answer
    No, you would just use less heat because your hair is thinner. The braids would probably be the best option for you.
  • Question
    Will all of your hair be curly?
    Community Answer
    It will be if you have caught up all of the hair in the chosen curling method. If you don't curl any section of your hair, such as your bangs (fringe), then that area won't be curly.
  • Question
    Braids make my hair wavy, but not curly. Will using a flat iron work to curl?
    Community Answer
    A flat iron makes the hair straight. If the braids don't work, then just use a curling iron.
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