How To Get Loose Curls With Curling Iron: Step-by-Step Tutorial
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Achieving loose curls with a curling iron is a simple way to elevate your hairstyle, adding volume and flair that's perfect for any occasion. This guide will take you through the essentials of how to get loose curls using a curling iron, ensuring that you can create this beautiful style effortlessly at home.
From selecting the right curling iron to applying the perfect technique, I'll provide all the tips and tricks needed to ensure your curls are not only gorgeous but also last throughout the day.
Understanding Your Hair for Perfect Loose Curls
Creating perfect loose curls requires an understanding of your hair's unique characteristics. Different hair types have distinct needs that affect how well curls will form and hold.
Straight hair may require more effort to curl and might not hold as long without proper techniques and hair prep. Wavy and curly hair may need smoothing, followed by frizz-control products to form smooth, shiny, loose curls.
The best long-lasting loose curls or waves are when you take the time to prep your hair with the right products. Along with getting the curling iron technique down!
To ensure you choose the most suitable curling iron size for your hair, I highly recommend to check out my Curling Iron Size Guide For All Hair Lengths and Best Size Curling Iron for Short Hair blogposts. These guides will help you understand the nuances between different barrel sizes and the type of curl you’ll get.
What You’ll Need
Creating the perfect loose curls requires a few essential tools and products. Here’s what you’ll need to get started, along with some of my top recommendations for each:
Heat Protectant: To shield your hair from heat damage, a good heat protectant is crucial. Here are two of my favorites:
Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant: apply to dry hair; it provides excellent protection without weighing down your hair.
Hairitage Play It Cool Argan Oil Heat Protectant Spray: Best used on wet hair, this spray not only protects but also nourishes with argan oil.
Curling Iron: When picking a styling tool to create your loose waves, you want to choose a tool you feel most comfortable and confident with. My fave is Conair Infiniti Pro Nano Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron.
Sectioning clips: To keep your hair organized and manageable during styling with durable sectioning clips.
Hairbrush: Before you start curling, ensure your hair is tangle-free with a quality hairbrush. My favorite is Framar’s Detangle Brush.
How To Get Loose Curls with a Curling Iron
Achieving beautiful loose curls is most effective with a 1 ¼ inch or a 1 ½ inch curling iron. For those whose hair tends to lose curls quickly, the 1 ¼ inch size is ideal. This smaller barrel creates slightly tighter curls initially, which relaxes into perfect loose waves as they settle throughout the day, ensuring your style lasts longer.
Here's a step-by-step guide to getting those perfect loose curls with a curling iron:
Prepare Your Hair: Begin by spraying a heat protectant throughout your hair to shield it from potential heat damage. Then, thoroughly brush your hair to remove any tangles, ensuring a smooth curling process.
Section Your Hair: Divide your hair into manageable sections, starting from the bottom and working your way up. This approach makes it easier to manage and curl each section effectively.
Curling Technique: For each 1-2 inch section of hair, start by clamping the curling iron about 2 inches from the roots. Gently rotate and slide the iron down until you reach your hair's ends, ensuring the hair is evenly wrapped around the barrel. Hold the hair in the iron for a few seconds (no more than 5-8 seconds) before gently releasing it to avoid pulling, creating perfect curls.
Repeat: Continue with the remaining sections until all your hair is curled.
Set the Curls: Allow the curls to cool completely as this helps set them and ensures they last longer. Once cooled, gently run your fingers through your hair or use a wide-tooth comb to break up the curls for a more natural, loose look.
Finishing Touches: Apply a light mist of texture spray or hairspray to your curls to add definition and hold, enhancing their longevity and appearance.
Hairstyle Ideas for Loose Curls
Loose curls are not just beautiful; they are incredibly versatile. Whether you’re running errands, heading to the office, or dressing up for a night out, there's a way to style your curls to suit your needs and express your personal style.
Casual Day Out
For a relaxed, casual hairstyle that screams boho chic, try pulling your hair up half down and adding a few tiny braids for added texture. This effortless style is perfect for a day out in the city or a laid-back brunch with the girls.
Office Ready
Consider a sleek half-up style or a low bun at the nape of the neck for a tidy look that keeps the curls out of your face during those important meetings.
Special Occasions
Loose curls are ideal for more formal gatherings and can be styled into elegant updos or glamorous ponytails. Consider a low-voluminous ponytail or an effortless updo. Allow some curls to escape softly around your face. Adding elements like braids or twists within your updo can give your hairstyle an extra special touch for weddings, galas, or other significant events.
FAQs
What Are Common Mistakes To Avoid When Curling Hair?
Common mistakes to avoid when curling hair include using incorrect heat settings for your hair type, not using a heat protectant, and curling too-large sections of hair, which can lead to uneven curls. Additionally, pulling the curling iron through your hair too quickly or too slowly can result in either limp curls or excessive heat damage. In my e-book Curl Like A Pro, I'll go into detail on how to avoid these pitfalls to ensure you achieve beautiful, lasting curls every time. I also have video examples in this e-book to help you understand where you are going wrong and how to improve your skills.
How to Get Loose Curls on Short Hair?
Achieving loose curls on short hair involves using a smaller barrel curling iron, typically around 1 inch in diameter. Start by applying a heat protectant, then curl small sections, leaving the ends out for a modern, tousled look. Finish with a light mist of flexible-hold hairspray to maintain the curls without stiffness.
How to Loosen Curls After Curling?
To soften curls after curling, wait until your hair has cooled down, then gently run your fingers or a wide-tooth comb through the curls. For a more relaxed wave, lightly brush the curls with a soft bristle brush and apply a smoothing serum or light oil to tame frizz and add shine.
Conclusion
If you've ever been frustrated because you just can’t get your curls to look like your Pinterest inspo photos, you're not alone. The right curling iron can transform your hairstyling routine, but choosing the perfect one for your hair type and the desired curl can be daunting. That’s why I’ve created the ultimate solution: the Curling Iron Quiz!
This quiz isn't just another general tool; it’s designed to match you with your ideal curling iron size based on your hair type, desired styles, skill level, and more. Whether you dream of perfect beach waves, elegant curls, or anything in between, this quiz will guide you to the right size & tool, ensuring you achieve your hair goals.
Ready to discover the best curling iron for your hair? Take the Curling Iron Quiz now and step up your curl game!
