How to curl your hair using a hair straightener?

So, I finally compiled the data for an update to this guide. It includes what you girls told me was missing.

Here’s what you can see in the updated version:

• what are best hair straighteners to use for curling your hair – recommended and rated by my fellow hairstylists
• how to “heal” you hair from the stress of curling it with a hair iron – best deep conditioning product to do that
• updated and improved tutorial

So, it took me this long to update this guide because I was collecting “votes” from  my 20 colleagues on what’s their top choice in hair irons for doing this and how to recover your hair afterwards, especially if you do this often. And here are the results:

Experts recommendations on what flat irons to use and their ratings:

Model	Read more	Overall Quality Rating	Picture
HSI Professional Tourmaline Hair Straightener		4.9 / 5
Remington S9500		4.8 / 5
Revlon Rvst2046		4.2 / 5

Potential damage and side effects and how to deal with it

Using a hair straightener has downsides in the first place, but using it to curl your hair amplifies the stress your hair suffers. Luckily, the structural changes in the hair protein (and the dryness that follows) can be amended if you know what you’re doing. And the people we asked for advice certainly do.

Experts recommendations on what deep-conditioning products to use to eliminate any damage of curling your hair with a flat iron:

Name	Read more	Overall Quality Rating	Picture
Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner By Arvazallia for Dry or Damaged Hair		4.9 / 5
Earth Science Olive & Avocado Deep Conditioning Hair Masque, 6 Ounce Tube		4.7 / 5
Argan Oil Hair Mask - With Organic Argan Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil & Shea Butter		4.7 / 5

The tutorial

Here is another easy-to-follow hair tutorial for you gals. So, you get up in the morning and decide the day is a day for a bouncy, shiny and curly hair. But, alas, all you have is a hair straightener!

No need to worry. You can still get that curly luscious look you want. All you really need is your trusted hair straightener.

Yes, you read that right. You can indeed curl your hair using just a hair straightener. There is really no need to buy another tool just for curling your strands. In this tutorial, you will learn how to curl your hair using a hair straightener. It is easy and quick. And trust me, if done right, nobody will know the difference.

What kind of hair works best for curling hair using a flat iron?

This tutorial can be done at the comfort of your own home. By following these steps, you can recreate the look of professionally styled hair minus the high price tag that comes with it. Remember to keep practicing to make this look perfect!

But first, you have to follow these necessary precautions and preparations to keep your hair safe and healthy.

To make pretty curls using a flat iron, make sure that the length of your hair is at least shoulder-length. The shorter your hair is, the harder it is to divide them into sections, twist, and curl using the best hair straightener for curling.

Second-day hair is best for styling hair. Washing hair directly before styling hair won’t make the curled style last long. This is because your hair needs natural oils to make your curly style last longer. However, if you absolutely must clean your hair, the best thing to do is to wash it the night before you intend to style your hair with curls.

Remember, too, that the curls you make will not hold if you straighten your hair from the beginning. So it is best to curl with the natural state of your hair.

Which is the best hair straightener to use for curling hair?

Of course, you need to find the best hair straightener for curling your hair. Without the right tool, your mission will be hard to fulfill. When choosing the best hair straightener for curling, make sure that your tool is not damaged. A salon-grade flat iron is presumably made with high quality materials and craftsmanship, so this definitely helps in ensuring beautiful curls.

The beginning of this guide provided top 3 choices of hair irons that are best suited for the task – chosen by asking 20 hairstylists for their recommendation.

To keep your hair safe, try curling your hair using an unheated flat iron or very low temperatures. But if, in spite of the precaution, you still accidentally burn your hair, unplug your hair straightener and make sure that your hair is 100 percent dry. If not, wet hair is likely the cause of your burning hair. Another likely cause of burned hair is a hair straightener with a temperature that is set too high. The best hair straightener for curling has the following ideal temperatures: 380-430°F for curly hair, 360-380°F for wavy hair, and 200-360°F for straight hair. Also, do not clamp down your hair straightener on your hair for too long. Doing this might also result in burns.

Last but not the least, be careful about the hot plates of your hair straighteners and any skin contact. It might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised to see how often I’ve seen it in my day.

What methods can I use for curling hair using a hair straightener?

Crimping entails braiding sections of your hair and then securing these with elastics. Iron each braided section of your hair. Loosen the brains and there you go — instant, nice curls!

Making loose waves is another pretty style you can try. Before starting, make sure to apply a quarter-size amount of heat protector or serum to prevent hair from drying or getting burned. Make sure to apply it evenly from the roots of your hair up to the tips. Divide your hair into sections and clip them. Take one section and apply hair spray. Run the hair straightener halfway through your hair. After, twist your hair away from your face and iron this section again. For soft curls, run the hair straightener quickly on the twisted sections. For tight curls, iron slowly through the twirled sections.

Also, dividing hair into small sections results in tighter curls while dividing hair into bigger sections produces looser curls.

Bed-hair waves can be also achieved using a simple hair straightener. After putting some heat protector on your hair, divide your strands into small sections. Secure with clips. Focus on one section at a time and then clamp the hair straightener, gliding it as close to the roots as you can. Using a regular over-and-under motion, begin to bring your hair straightener from roots to tips.

Other techniques you can use for pretty curls

You can use several other techniques to bring those vibrant curls that you like to life!

You can choose from methods such as flicks and curls. Flicks are usually seen at the lower half of the length of your hair. To achieve this effect, glide your hair straightener downward and then twist it back in a half-turn to form a U-shape. As you iron your hair in that half-turn angle, glide your iron further downward until you reach the ends of your hair.

Curls, meanwhile, require a technique where the whole length of hair is ironed. To achieve this effect, glide your iron down and then twist it in a half-turn. After, glide the iron slowly from top of your hair to end. To get tight curls, move your iron slowly. Loose waves can be achieved by gliding the iron fast.

Try both and see which one suits your face and personality best.

As you can see, it is very easy to curl your hair using just a hair straightener, some elastics and clips, and a huge dose of creativity. Try these curling tips at home and be ready for professional salon results at a fraction of the price!