Do you ever wonder how all those YouTubers can magically curl their hair with a flat iron? Seems like it takes less effort than a curling wand – until you actually try it for yourself. May be they have a magic wand. May be they are lucky to have perfect hair that is easy to style.
Stop blaming your thick hair for the problem. Your hair has little to do with how well you can style how long the look can last.
There are two key aspects that matter: the ironing technique and the iron itself. We are about to cover both the areas, but after we take a look at why it is a great idea to curl your hair with a flat iron.
Why Use Flat Iron Instead of a Curling Wand?
Well, for starters you only have to spend on one tool. You can splurge on higher quality flat iron instead of settling for cheaper curling wand and flat iron. There are more practical benefits as well:
- Quick Curls: Curling with a straighter iron is faster than curling with a wand. You can take thicker sections if in a rush and get ready in almost ten minutes. This is a great benefit for thick-haired ladies out there.
- Lasting Curls: Since curling with an iron involves pressing the strands between two plates instead of wrapping them around a rod, your hair get heat on both sides. This makes the curls last longer.
- Versatile Curls:You can use different techniques to create different types of curl with just one flat iron. With curling wands, you are relativity is limited by the diameter of the rod. You can create more natural looking curls or beachy waves as compared to tight springy curls created with a wand.
There is more to it, but this should be enough to convince you to at least try the flat iron curling method. So, let’s take a look at this step by step guide we have created for you.
Which Flat Iron is Best for Curling?
For curling, it is best to use a thin flat iron. It shouldn’t be wider than 2 inches, although 1 inch is what we recommend for better curls. Lighter weight will be an added advantage that will make it even easier to use.
Also, your thick hair might require a higher temperature to curl better. So, find an iron that can heat up to 350F to 400F.
We highly recommend the ultra-thin BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium 1″ Iron. HSI Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron is another top favorite at Hair Duty.
The Right Way to Curl Your Hair with Flat Iron
Hardly anyone has ever mastered flat iron curling method in one go. So, don’t be discouraged if you fail your first few attempts. The learning curve may be steep but the results are definitely worth it. Just a little guidance and you can
Follow the following steps and you will be able to learn faster and curl better.
Step 1 – Protect Your Hair
Heating tools, no matter how high in quality, expose your hair to high temperature that is damaging to your hair. However, that shouldn’t keep you from styling your hair just the way you want. A good heat protectant can help you save your hair from heat damage.
Hair protectant comes in different forms: spray, serums, and mouse. Not only do they protect your hair, they make it appear shiner after styling. Find one that is well suited for your thick hair.
Step 2 – Blow Dry Your Hair
If you have thick hair, it is best to blow dry before you use the straightener. Blow drying can prepare your hair for further styling and you will get better results. Also, irons don’t tend to work best on wet hair so make sure it is completely dry before you begin.
Step 3 – Make Equal Sections
If you want salon like perfect curls, you need to part your hair in equal sections. Your hair is already thick so you need to take smaller sections to ensure better curl.
It is best to start from the bottom of the head. Make sections in one horizontal line and tie rest of the hair up. Make a section above that line after you’re done with the bottom section and tie the rest of the hair up again. Gradually move upwards with your sections.
Step 4 – Find the Right Technique
Now, there are a number of techniques you can try. Different methods can create different types of curls. Let’s take a look.
- Flick:Flicks are the easiest. Starting half way down, clamp a strand in the iron. Turn the iron back creating a U with the strand i.e. a half turn. Now slowly move the iron downwards. You will get very soft wavy flick with this method.
- Curl: For curls, you have to start from as close to the scalp as you can start without burning yourself. Rest of the method is the same as a flick. Since you are working with a longer strand, you will get more than one flick that look like beautiful curls.
- Tight Curls: For tighter ringlet kind of curls, you have to give your iron a full turn instead of half. Now slowly move towards the end of the strand to create a tight ringlet. You move faster for big, loose curls.
- Twist:You can also create a beautiful textures curl by first twisting the entire strand and then use iron to press and heat the twist. This method can give you funky spiral curl.
Step 5 – Hold the Curl
If you want the curl to last all day, you have to follow these two steps right after you have created a curl with your iron.
- Hold the curl in your hand while it is hot and scrunch it a bit. Just make sure the strand isn’t too hot to burn your hand. In that case, you might need to lower the heat level of your straightener.
- Use a high-quality hair spray to make the curl last all day. Don’t use too much hair spray as it can make your curl seem too crunchy and stiff.
Now you can flaunt your beautiful, bouncy curls that will stay that way all day.
The Final Word
A flat iron can definitely double as a curling iron. All you need is the right tool and the right technique. Invest in a good quality flat iron and spend a little time and efforts on learning the right technique. Keep practicing and you will see a definite improvement in the way your curls turn out every time.