TIPS TO USE CURLING IRON

While using a curling iron can be an easy and quick way to create luscious locks, it can also be difficult and damaging to hair if not used properly. The following are suggestions on picking the right curling iron for your hair type, and how to use your curling iron most effectively to get the supermodel curls you want.

For some reason, learning to use a curling iron was a pain for me. It seems simple, but it took me a really long time to get the technique down. 

If you’re struggling with a curling iron like I did, these tips should prove invaluable to you. Forget stick straight strands; you can transform your hair with beautiful ringlets that last all day.

Step 1: Prepping the Hair

Before curling hair, it’s important to make sure your hair is completely dry. Using a curling iron on wet hair screams heat damage! Granted, you’ll still incur some damage from using styling appliances, regardless of whether your hair is wet or dry. In this case, I recommend using a thermal protection treatment to help combat and prevent some heat damage.

Step 2: Decision Making

Next, you’ll need to determine where to start curling. If you have long hair like I do, make it easy on yourself and start the process from the back of your head. For shorter locks, you can start curling at the crown and work your way back.

Step 3: Curling

Divide your hair into 1 or 2 inch sections, curling no more than a section at a time. Start from as close to the ends of your hair as possible and curl upwards until you’re about two inches away from your scalp. Be careful — I’ve burned myself in the beginning stages of learning how to properly use the curling iron!

Step 4: Timing is Everything

Here’s where most women end up failing: you either hold the curling iron in your hair too long, resulting in crazy damaged hair, or you don’t keep the curling iron in long enough, resulting in, well, nothing curly! You want to keep the iron in your hair for no more or less than 10-20 seconds. Carefully release the curl from the iron and repeat over each section until your entire head is done.

For looser curls, avoid clamping the ends of your hair completely. Instead, wrap a section of hair around just the barrel of the curling iron. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds, and repeat. This technique results in loose, wavy curls instead of tight spirals.

Step 5: Finishing Moves

Once you’ve curled the entire length of your hair, allow the curls to cool before setting with a holding spray or other treatment. Afterward, finger-comb the curls in the style you desire. Never take a brush or comb to your curls; it’ll result in tons of frizz, and the curls will be non-existent (trust me — I found this out the hard way).

Voila! These steps can help ensure lovely curls no matter how inexperienced you are with curling irons. If you use these tips the next time you tackle the iron, you’ll be able to transform your straight strands into gorgeous, curly locks.

Curling Iron Sizes:

• If you want small, springy curls, go for a smaller barrel size such as .75 inch. We recommend this for short or fine hair to give the illusion of volume.
• If you want basic, natural curls, go for the 1 inch curling iron.
• If you're going for voluminous, cascading waves, we recommend a large barrel such as the 1.5 - 2 inch.

Curling Iron Materials:

• There are various kinds of irons: metal plated curling irons, ceramic curling irons and the newest technology, tourmaline ceramic curling irons.
• We do not recommend metal plated curling irons because they essentially cook your hair, which will cause heat damage over the long run and could leave you with brittle, split, unmanageable hair - especially if you curl regularly.
• Ceramic and tourmaline ceramic curling irons produce gentler, more controlled heat. This is in part because of the nature of ceramic, which is able to produce radiant rather than direct heat. It's also because these materials, when heated, generate negative ions - unlike positive ions produced by metal.
• Positive ions cause the cuticle covering of the hair shaft to open, causing frizz and dullness and making hair susceptible to humidity. Negative ions actually seal the hair shaft, "trapping" moisture, which protects your hair from the heat of the iron.

Temperature Control:

• Choose a curling iron with different temperature settings. There are several reasons this is a wise choice.
• Your iron needs to be hotter to effectively style harder-to-manage hair. Hair that's coarse or thick needs to be curled at high temperatures to hold those curls - around 400 degrees F.
• Normal hair can be curled at the mid range of curling iron temperatures. We recommend that you try lower temperatures first (around 280-300) and only adjust up if your curls don't hold up to your liking. (Read on for more tips on curling before you resort to a temperature hike!)
• Thin, fine hair or hair that is permed, colored or damaged should be curled at lower heat settings.
• When touching up curls, set your iron to a lower heat and avoid unnecessarily heating your hair.
• Best of all with a variable temperature curling iron, you can experiment with different settings. We recommend that you test curls from the lowest temperature up, and use as your standard temperature the lowest that gives you good results.

Other Things to Look For:

• An iron with features like a specialized handle, rolling barrel or swivel cord will be more comfortable to use for long periods, something to consider if you curl your whole head often!
• Another great feature is an indicator light, standard on most of today's curling irons. This just tells you when your iron is heated and ready to use.

Before Using Your Curling Iron:

• After you have your iron, we recommend you practice briefly with your curling iron turned off to get a feel for it. Curling irons feature different handles that require different movements to use properly.
• Dry your hair thoroughly - wet hair gives limp results, and curls won't form properly. Using aceramic hair dryer instead of a cheaper metal-heated one gives the same benefits to your hair as a ceramic iron, and won't dry out or frizz your hair. 
• Use a thermal spray or heat serum before using your curling iron to prevent any heat damage.
• Comb hair so that it is tangle free.

Curling!

• If you have medium or long hair, you'll find it easier if you start curling at the back of your head. For short hair, it's easier to start at the crown.
• The most important thing is to curl only a little hair at a time, in small sections of about 1-2". Separate your hair and start rolling from the tip of the section.
• With hair secured by the iron clamp, roll up to about an inch from your scalp. Hold it there for 10 seconds.
• Release the curl by opening the curling iron and sliding it carefully out. If you have long hair, you can pin the curl in place with a bobby pin to preserve its shape while you keep working.
• If there are sections of hair that you don't want curled at the tips, just wrap the hair around the barrel of the iron as described above without using the clamp, hold for 10 seconds and release.
• Repeat for the rest of your hair.

Setting Your Curls:

• Once you've created gorgeous curls, use a holding spray to set it in place.
• You can then remove bobby pins, and complete the styling of your curls with your fingers.

Curling Iron Tips: Creating Waves


If you want big, bouncy waves, use a curling iron with a very wide diameter. For tighter curls, use one that has a narrower diameter. Here's how to choose the right curling iron for the type of look you're after...

Big Waves
A curling iron that is 2 inches in diameter will create large, loose waves in longer hair, or help smooth short hair. TIP: Wrap large sections around iron to smooth... wrap small sections to create waves.
Slight Waves
A curling iron about one-and-a-half inches in diameter will create nice, soft waves. TIP: Curl small sections of hair with the curling iron, then clip each section to head. When cool, release pins and run fingers through hair.
Big Curls
The size used to create large curls is usually three-quarters to one inch in diameter. TIP: Spritz small sections with mousse, then wrap them around iron and hold for five seconds. Release curling iron, let hair cool, then use fingers to separate curls.
Tight Curls 
The size used to create tight curls is usually only three-eighths in diameter... these narrow curling irons produce a ringlet effect. TIP: Wrap small sections from ends to roots in a spiral. Hold five seconds. Release curl, then let cool... spritz with hairspray, but do not touch!