Using lightweight shampoo and conditioner will keep your hair from getting weighed down, making it easier to get curls that will hold for hours. To avoid weighing down your hair even more, only apply conditioner to the bottom half of your hair. Avoid shampoos that contain sulfates since they can damage your hair. [2] X Expert Source Christine GeorgeMaster Hair Stylist & Colorist Expert Interview. 10 January 2020. Limit how often you wash your hair. Washing your hair every day can dry your hair out and damage it. [3] X Expert Source Christine GeorgeMaster Hair Stylist & Colorist Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
When you take a shower during this period, rinse your hair thoroughly with hot water to cleanse. If your hair starts to feel or look greasy or dirty, use a volumizing dry shampoo. [5] X Research source
You can dampen your hair by getting your hairbrush wet, or by wetting your hands and running them over your hair.
Both air drying and rough blow drying your hair will encourage any natural curl in your hair to come out, and will give your hair more of the rough texture and volume needed to hold a curl. Blow drying your hair upside down will also give it more volume. [8] X Expert Source Christine GeorgeMaster Hair Stylist & Colorist Expert Interview. 10 January 2020. Make sure that your hair has completely dried before moving on to the next step. Putting a hot curling iron on your hair can be very damaging.
If the section of hair has any knots when you take out the clip or rubber band, briefly brush them out with a hairbrush before separating out the first smaller section.
If you are using a curling iron with a clamp on the barrel, start by placing the end of your hair on the barrel near the handle and closing the clamp to secure it in place. Then, wrap the rest of your hair around the barrel by rolling the iron up towards your head. Stop rolling when you get about 1 inch (2. 5 cm) from your scalp. If you are using a curling wand (a curling iron without a clamp), start wrapping your hair around the barrel about 1 inch (2. 5 cm) from your scalp. Then, wrap the rest of your hair around the barrel using your hands until you get to the very end. You will need to hold the end of the hair to keep it in place.
You will likely need to try several trial curls to find the right time that it takes to get the curl to hold.
If your hair is particularly straight and hard to curl, at this point, you may need to quickly coil the ironed section of hair back in to a curl and pin it to your head with a metal hair pin. [12] X Research source Leave the pin in your hair until your hair has completely cool. Once you remove the pins, your hair should hold the curl.
Look for hairsprays that have terms like “strong hold” and “long-lasting” on the label. If the curls look too tight after a few minutes, run your fingers loosely through your hair to get them to relax a bit. [14] X Research source
In most cases, your curls will loosen naturally over time. If you want looser curls, if possible, try curling your hair several hours ahead of time to give them time to naturally fall out a bit.
While silk pillowcases can be expensive, they are generally the most effective at helping you hold your curls overnight. 100% cotton pillowcases are less expensive and while less effective, are still a better option than pillowcases made with linen or synthetic materials.
