We are absolutely in love with curls and waves this year. If your hair leans toward the wavy and curly side, lucky you! You can get some of this year’s most adored hair styles with practically no effort at all. If your hair is not naturally curly, though, it’s simply a matter of choosing the right curling iron and technique to get those gorgeous spirals, ringlets and beachy waves.
How do the pros do it? Find out with our tips below.
#1: START WITH A PROTECTIVE PRIMER
Before you begin curling, apply a heat protectant to your hair to shield it from damage. Heat destroys vital proteins and depletes the natural oils in your hair. A heat-protectant will help replenish moisture and defend against frying. L’Oreal Mythic Oil Sève Protectrice Oil-in-Cream Primer is a favorite at our hair salon, and it works really well for this purpose. It contains Black Cumin Oil, which coats your strands in a nourishing and protective layer and provides heat protection up to 446°F during styling.You just apply a small amount of the product to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair after towel drying, detangle and comb through for even distribution. Then wait for about 10 minutes until the product is absorbed, and you’re good to go with blow drying and styling.
#2: NEVER USE AN IRON ON WET HAIR
A sizzle is a sound that you never want to hear when an iron touches your hair. Never use a curling wand on wet or even slightly damp hair. Make sure every strand is completely dry before heat is applied. The outer layer of your hair cuticle can suffer severe damage otherwise.
#3: CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOL
Ideally, you should use an iron that has different temperature settings as well as a barrel made of either ceramic or tourmaline. Ceramic irons allow for even flow of heat while tourmaline irons help to control frizz by using negative ionic charges that seal the outer cuticle of the hair.
The temperature control can be set based on your hair type. If you have delicate, damaged, fine, or color-treated hair, choose a low heat setting (about 200 degrees). If your hair is super thick or has a coarse texture, a higher temperature of between 250 - 300 degrees should work. Never go above 400 degrees or you could damage your hair.
#4: DIVIDE AND CONQUER
While your iron or wand is heating up, divide and clip your dry hair into manageable sections. Then, work from the bottom up, curling the lower sections near your neck before moving upward. Start with a small one inch section and wind it around the barrel of the iron. Hold for up to 20 seconds depending upon the thickness and texture of your hair. (Thinner and more delicate hair will require less time to curl than thicker, coarse texture hair).
Make sure you are not curling too much at a time. You won’t get an even distribution of heat if you try to curl a huge chunky section all at once, and your curls will end up falling apart.
For a more natural look, try curling your hair away from your face. That means winding the hair down and around the barrel of the iron in a clockwise direction on the right side of your head and a counter-clockwise direction on the left side.
#5: COOL TO SET
Once you’ve released a curl from the iron, it needs time to cool in order to set. Many of us make the mistake of touching or running our fingers through our curls immediately. This can make all those lovely waves and ringlets instantly go flat. For the best, longest lasting style, wrap each curl on a Velcro roller as soon as it is released from the barrel of your curling iron. This works well if you're going for a high volume look. Another method is to roll the curl back up on your fingers and secure with a clip. (You can place a small amount of tissue paper between the clip and your hair to keep the clip from leaving a crease or mark.) Let your hair cool in the Velcro rollers or clips for about 30 minutes or until completely set. Then mist with a finishing spray. (The L’Oreal finishing sprays that we use at the salon are an excellent option as they provide flexible hold that will allow your curls to move without being rigid.) Use your fingers to gently separate the curls into your desired style. You can also lightly brush them for a smoother wave. Voila! Perfection!
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Need more tips on getting the perfect curls? The stylists at our hair salon in Vero Beach FL are always happy to share professional styling advice to help you get the most beautiful look! Ask us for tips at your next salon visit.
