You haven’t yet mastered the art of the curling iron. You’re not alone, either. This Poughkeepsie salon has seen our share of hairstyles gone wrong. Here are the most common curling iron infractions and how to fix them. Read on for eight tips for using a curling iron.
If you want a good curl, your hair has to be prepped. Otherwise, your hair’s “foundation” won’t be strong enough to hold the style. Apply a heat-protecting product, then blow dry your hair thoroughly. This will close the hair cuticle, which will help the curl to hold. If your hair is normally straight as a pin, mist it with a bit of hairspray before curling. Check out Paul Mitchell’s line for curly girls if you’re in need of product replenishment!
2. You’re curling in the wrong direction.
Before you start using the iron, part your hair in the direction it’s going to stay. This’ll help you figure out the right direction to twist the iron. Curl away from your face for a natural look.
3. You’re twirling the iron, not your hair.
You probably clip the end of your hair into the iron, then twist it up toward your head, right? You’re going to get a Shirley Temple-esque barrel curl or a Farrah Fawcett-like flip, not a natural wave. Instead, face the barrel (the hot part of the iron) down to the floor and wrap your hair around it, starting from your roots and working your way to the ends. Also, don’t twist your hair before winding it around the iron.
If you have a collection of curling irons at home because you think you need various sizes for different hairstyles, think again: you really only need one, and it should have a 1-inch barrel. If you want bigger, looser waves, just take a bigger section of hair.
5. You bought a curling iron on clearance.
We love a bargain as much as the next girl, but if you’re curling your hair a lot, you need a quality iron. Shopping around for a new hot iron? We carry Paul Mitchell tools right in the hair salon!
6. Your curls are too perfect.
When curling your hair, the sections shouldn’t all be the same size. Varying how much hair you curl at one time will give you a more natural look. For an undone look, don’t curl all the way down to the ends.
Curling irons are hot, ladies. You probably know this because you’ve undoubtedly burned yourself a time or two. Avoid using the hottest setting available, especially if you have fine or fragile hair. Never leave your hair clamped for longer than three seconds. Read 4 Types of Hair Damage and Professional Solutions if you’ve done serious damage to your mane.
8. You play with your hair the second you’re finished styling.
We know you love those bouncy ringlets, but let your hair cool down before you start to tousle. The curl needs time to set. When you immediately run your hands through your freshly styled hair, you’ll promote frizz and make the curls unravel.
Once your hair’s cooled down, keep the style set by misting your hair with a finishing spray. Put a little bit on your hands, too, and crunch your ends. For a natural, almost-messy curl, break up the cooled down rings with your fingers. Need a hair demo or a brand new cut? Contact our hair salon in Poughkeepsie NY today!