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Stocksy
If you have bone-straight hair, you'll know first hand the struggle trying to get it to hold a curl. So, to help you out, we reached out to some of the best hairstylists in the game for their expert advice. Below, they detail the best techniques and products to use when you want your styled curls to have some staying power. From light conditioners and hot tools to a "cradling" technique, keep scrolling for the answers that you've been looking for. Ahead, two hairstylists share how to curl straight hair.
Watch Now: How to Curl Your Hair
Meet the Expert
- Octavio Molina is the founder and creative director of Tavi Hair.
- Nunzio Saviano a hairstylist and the owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon in NYC.
Try a Styling Clay
Clays, waxes, pomades help to add texture. These formulas are slightly heavier and give more muscle to the style you're trying to achieve—in this case, curls that stay put. "A light-hold clay or wax will act as a forming cream, allowing your hair to set in any direction you want," explains Octavio Molina, the founder and creative director of Tavi Hair.
Byrdie Tip
Molina advises using a less-is-more approach when it comes to styling product, being careful not to apply too much too quickly. "Start with a little bit and add more if necessary," he suggests.
Adjust the Heat Setting to Your Hair Type
As a general rule, the thicker your hair, the higher you want the heat to be. For thin, stick-straight strands, buy an adjustable curling iron and keep it on the lowest setting to avoid frying your hair. Our favorite curling iron for fine hair is the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron. It features a 1.5 inch titanium/ceramic barrel and adjustable heat levels.
Use a Lighter Conditioner
It's true that the products we use have a lot to do with the way our hair's look—texture, lift, smoothness, everything. And while a lot of it has to do with natural texture, products are paramount when you're trying to manipulate your hairstyle. "Try using a very light conditioner in the shower," suggests hairstylist, Nunzio Saviano. If you're using a conditioner that's too heavy, he says, it's going to contribute to your hair falling flat after it's been curled. Instead, choose a lighter formula, and only apply it to the ends rather than from the roots down.
Avoid Washing Your Hair
The rumors are true: Dirty hair holds shape better. If you think about it, the logic is sound. When your hair is clean, it has more slip, allowing for that smooth, soft, shiny texture. If your hair has some trouble holding a curl, though, you'll be more successful with the strands roughed up a bit. "The natural oils in your hair will act as the product," Molina notes, "allowing your hair to be molded more easily." Help with the next-day hair oils by giving your roots and ends a spritz of volumizing or texturizing dry shampoo.
Use a Smaller Iron
"Size does matter," Molina explains, as the more tightly you curl your hair the more likely it is to stay put for your desired amount of time. Don't worry, though—this doesn't have to be a Shirley Temple situation. By the time you finish your hair, each wave will have relaxed to the size you're looking for. "Make sure the barrel of the curling iron is a touch smaller than the size you'd like to achieve," Molina continues. "For example, if you want a loose wave with a bend of about one and a half inches, go with a one-inch curling iron, and so on."
Cool the Curl
When your hair is still hot from your styling tools, the texture will stretch out and fall much easier because it has yet to set. That's why you see hairstylists using their fingers to brush out clients' curls for a looser, more lived-in look. But if your hair frequently falls, opt out of that technique. "Cool the curl by cuddling your hair in your hands for 10 seconds after each curl," says Molina. "By allowing them to cool off, you are preventing your hard work from relaxing and loosening too quickly."
Shake the Curls, Don't Brush Them
Shaking out the curls rather than taking a brush to them allows the shape to straighten out more quickly, says Saviano. Just gently run your fingers around the curls without going entirely through them, and flip your hair over once or twice. This will help loosen the curls so they look the way you want them to without activating the falling process you know all too well.
Don't Overload on Hairspray
Once you are finished styling, Molina suggests using a very light hair spray to lock in the look. Heavy-hold products may weigh down your hair and ultimately work against you. "Tilt your head forward and spray your hair," he advises, "but make sure to do it from at least 10 inches away, or an arm's distance." That way, you won't soak your curls up with the product, and they'll hold for longer.
Spritz Your Brush with Hairspray
If you absolutely must brush out your curls, you can spray the brush with just a little bit of hairspray before combing through. This will distribute the spray evenly throughout the hair from roots to ends, and prevent your strands from getting weighed down by too much product.
Byrdie Tip
Make sure to add a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to your routine to keep your hair healthy when regularly applying heat.
Look Into Other Options
At the end of the day, sometimes it's not the technique; it's your hair. "Some types of hair just won't hold a curl or wave," Saviano notes. What you can do for something a bit more permanent is try an in-salon texturizing treatment like a digital or body wave. Fortunately, he assures today's perms are nothing like those from the '80s that were really damaging and created very tight waves. "You can get a softer result using thick curlers, so it's more about adding body. Digital waves use a special curling iron to create beachy waves that you can air dry," he says.
