extra large barrel curling iron

how to curl your hair with a curling iron

Curling hair is a popular hairstyle choice for both casual and formal occasions. While there are many different methods and tools to achieve curls, using a curling iron is one of the most effective and long-lasting options. 

This article provides you everything about how to curl hair with curling iron, including important information, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and key facts. So let’s get started!

What to know before you curl

Before jumping into the steps on how to curl your hair with a curling iron, it’s important to have a good understanding of the tool itself. A curling iron is a heated styling tool that creates curls by wrapping sections of hair around a heated barrel. The heat breaks down the hydrogen bonds in the hair, allowing it to reshape into a curled form. Curling irons come in various sizes, from thin barrels for tighter curls to thicker barrels for looser waves.

When using a curling iron, remember that heat can cause damage to your hair. It’s essential to always use a heat protectant product and not to apply too much heat for an extended period of time. Additionally, using a high-quality curling iron with adjustable heat settings can help minimize damage and give you more control over the level of heat applied to your hair.

What You’ll Need:

  • A curling iron
  • Heat protectant spray
  • Hair Brush or comb
  • Hair clips or pins
  • Hairspray (optional)

how to curl hair with curling iron for beginners

Step 1: Prep Your Hair

Start with clean, dry hair. To keep your locks safe from heat, spritz on some heat protectant spray. Use a comb or hairbrush to ensure your hair is knot-free and ready to roll.

Step 2: Heat Up Your Curling Iron

Plug in your trusty curling iron and give it some time to heat up. The temperature you choose depends on your hair type – thicker hair can handle higher heat, while fine hair should go for a lower setting. Always begin with a lower heat setting and adjust as needed to prevent any hair harm.

Step 3: Section Your Hair

Divide your hair into sections. If your hair is on the thicker side, you may want more sections, but remember that smaller sections will give you more defined curls. Use clips or pins to keep those sections separate.

Step 4: Start Curling

Take a small section of hair, roughly an inch wide, and hold your curling iron vertically. You can start close to the roots for some extra volume or leave a bit of space if you prefer a looser look. Wrap your hair around the curling iron’s barrel, ensuring that the ends are tucked under the clamp.

Step 5: Hold and Release

Hold your hair in place for about 5-10 seconds – the exact time can vary based on your hair type and the curl you’re going for. Release the curl by opening the clamp and gently sliding the curling iron out. Hold the curl for a few seconds to let it cool while it sets.

Step 6: Keep Curling

Continue curling different sections of your hair, working from the bottom layers to the top. Remember to curl away from your face for a more natural look. Mix it up by curling in different directions for added texture.

Step 7: Final Touches

Once you’ve curled all your sections and the curls have cooled down, use your fingers to gently separate and tousle your curls for a more relaxed look. If you want your curls to stay put, a touch of hairspray will do the trick.

Step 8: Finish the Look

Style your newly curled hair any way you like. Leave it down, put it up in an updo, or add some fun accessories for extra pizzazz.

Remember, curling your hair with a curling iron might take a bit of practice, so don’t worry if you don’t get it perfect on your first try. With a little time and patience, you’ll be a curling pro in no time!

Special Tips & Tricks

  • For a more natural and effortless look, alternate the direction of each curl, curling some sections towards your face and others away from your face.
  • If you have fine or thin hair, use a lower heat setting to avoid damaging your hair.
  • If you’re looking for more volume, start curling your hair at the root instead of the ends.
  • To achieve a looser and more beachy wave, use a larger barrel and wrap bigger sections of hair around the curling iron.
  • Don’t forget to clean your curling iron regularly to remove any product buildup and maintain its performance.

Key Facts

  • The smaller the barrel of a curling iron, the tighter the curls will be.
  • Curling irons with ceramic or tourmaline barrels are less damaging and create smoother, shinier curls.
  • It’s essential to let your hair cool down before brushing or running your fingers through it to ensure the curls stay intact.
  • Using a heat protectant is crucial to minimize damage and keep your hair healthy.
  • With proper care and maintenance, a high-quality curling iron can last for several years.

FAQs

1. What type of curling iron should I use?

When choosing a curling iron, it’s important to consider the size and shape of the barrel. Smaller barrels (around 1 inch) create tighter and more defined curls, while larger barrels (around 2 inches) create looser and more voluminous curls. You can also choose between a clip or clipless curling iron, depending on your personal preference.

2. How do I protect my hair from heat damage?

Before using a curling iron, make sure to apply a heat protectant product to your hair, such as a spray or serum. This will help minimize damage and keep your hair healthy.

3. Can I use a curling iron on wet hair?

No, you should never use a curling iron on wet hair as it can cause severe damage. Make sure your hair is completely dry before using a hot tool like a curling iron.

4. How long should I hold the curling iron on each section of hair?

This depends on the thickness and texture of your hair, as well as the desired level of curl. As a general rule, hold the curling iron for 8-10 seconds for fine hair, 10-15 seconds for medium hair, and up to 20 seconds for thick hair.

5. How can I make my curls last longer?

To ensure your curls stay in place for as long as possible, apply a small amount of hairspray after each section of hair is curled. You can also use a texturizing spray or mousse before curling to give your hair more grip and hold.

Conclusion

Curling your hair with a curling iron may seem intimidating at first, but with the right tools and techniques, anyone can achieve beautiful curls. Remember to always prioritize the health of your hair by using heat protectant products and not applying too much heat for an extended period of time. With practice and patience, you’ll be a pro at curling your hair with a curling iron in no time!

Perfectly Styled Hair with 10 Best Curling Irons for Long Hair

There is no one method that works for everyone for choosing the finest curling iron. The size (and form) of these hair tools, as well as your hair type, hair length, the materials you use, how hot the iron gets, and even how you hold the tool, all have a significant impact on the sort of curl you may get. Because curling irons are always necessary, we’ve put together a list of 10 best curling irons for long hair.

Best Affordable Curling Iron – Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron

This curling iron has 30 heat settings, including Turbo Heat boost for hard-to-style places and Instant Heat up to 375 degrees F. It also has an Auto Off feature and a special cool tip for safe, simple handling. This 1-inch curling iron, which is intended to produce lovely, traditional curls, has a greater ceramic content for consistent heat and magnificent, long-lasting styles with less frizz.

Despite its absurdly low price, Amazon customers are giving it five stars. Both thin and thick hair responds well to it. It might not last you for years and years at such a low cost, but it still serves its purpose well.

Best Curling Iron Overall – Bio Ionic Long Barrel Styler Pro Curling Iron

You have additional reasons to adore this valued tool! Long hair can be styled more easily with the expanded length barrel, which also makes styling the rear of shorter hairstyles simpler. It swiftly produces loose, contemporary curls and waves. While Bio Ionic Moisturizing Heat closes the cuticle and locks in moisture, NanoIonic MX, which is absorbed into the barrel, swiftly shapes and produces curls. ensuring that curls remain moisturized and bouncy rather than lifeless and limp.

Because of the larger barrel surface area, this kind of curling iron is made to produce curls that linger. For individuals with short hair, it might not be the greatest choice, as the expanded barrel could be too lengthy and make it challenging to get the desired style.

Best Lightweight Curling Iron – ion Titanium Pro 1 Inch Curling Iron

You can easily form waves, add volume, and increase shine with the ion Titanium Pro Curling Iron, which also offers optimum curl retention and even heat distribution. For finer or coarser hair, a temperature control that may be adjusted enables exact heat control to prevent damage.

Designed with a professional-length extended barrel with stylists in mind. There are ceramic heaters within this iron that can heat it to 450°F while producing instantaneous, even heat without hot spots. Far-Infrared heat, which rapidly and softly curls hair from the interior of the hair shaft while retaining natural moisture and minimizing heat damage, is radiated by the titanium barrel and spring plate. For safety, the iron automatically shuts off after 60 minutes.

Best Curling Iron for Fine Hair – REVLON Salon Long Lasting Curls Titanium Curling Iron

Because of its brittleness and propensity to fall flat, fine hair can be challenging to curl for fear of breaking. Because of this, those with thin hair should use this Revlon iron: It performs towards the top of the pack for long-lasting curls and curling without snagging, and its temperature adjustment goes down to the lowest value in our comparison at 225ºF.

This is a perfect curling iron with a variety of temperature settings is an excellent choice since you can adjust the heat to fit the thickness and texture of your hair. Another benefit of using this kind of curling iron is that they frequently come with simple-to-understand directions, so even a newbie can use them. The length of the cord is one potential drawback to take into account because not all curling irons are made equal. Some versions can have a shorter chord, like one that is 5.8 feet long, which could restrict your movement when using the device.

Best Curling Iron for Thick Hair – Chi Lava Ceramic Curling Iron

Due to its unique qualities, hair styling lovers choose the Chi Lava Ceramic Curling Iron. The danger of heat damage to the hair is decreased because of the inclusion of lava minerals in the ceramic barrel, which are renowned for their capacity to disperse heat evenly. Additionally, this curling iron has a digital temperature control that lets you set the heat to the ideal amount, making it perfect for thick hair.

This curling iron’s ergonomic shape and smooth barrel make it simple to operate for extended periods of time. The design makes sure that the curling iron fits comfortably in your hand, and the smooth barrel aids in preventing hair from being tangled or trapped while styling. However, the thumb grip may be difficult to push,, making it difficult for you to maintain your grip while using the curling iron if you have weak or arthritic hands.

Best Curling Iron for Beginners – The Beachwaver Co. S1 Dual Voltage

Dual Voltage from The Beachwaver Co. has been active on social media for some time. This revolving curling iron lives up to its positive online reviews. Since you don’t need salon-level experience to get started, its rotating barrel makes it perfect for novices. Simply clamp a portion of hair and let it do its magic. Waves on the beach have never been so simple.

Dual Voltage curling iron is so simple to use and has a rapid curling time. But there are complaints on this product, saying that some of these curling irons could not be as sturdy as other models. This may be the result of a number of things, including the building materials used or the frequency of usage. 

Best Interchangeable Curling Iron – T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand

The Whirl Trio’s remarkable adaptability makes it appealing. For almost limitless style possibilities, you’ll receive three replaceable barrels: a 1.5-inch, a 1-inch, and a tapered 0.75- to 1.25-inch. You are essentially getting three of the greatest curling wands in one, so yes, it is an investment.

For those who enjoy experimenting with various hairstyles, a curling iron with three distinct barrels like this one offers a lot of variety. With the option to swap between several barrel sizes, you can easily produce everything from precise curls to loose waves. It’s important to remember, that this cutting-edge technology and extra features cost more than those found in other models. Multiple barrels’ production costs and cutting-edge technology may result in a higher price point, which might be a drawback for individuals on a tight budget.

Best Curling Iron for Textured Hair –  5-in-1 Professional Curling Iron and Wand Set

A heat-resistant glove is also included in this curling iron package along with a 0.3-0.75 in. tapered clipless barrel, a 0.7-1 in. tapered clipless barrel, a 1 in. with a clamp, a 1.25 in. with a clamp, and several more barrel sizes. Each barrel lacks a cool tip, unlike many curling irons, increasing the maximum curling surface area.

This cheap curling iron may offer a variety of heat settings, adapting to various hair types and preventing heat damage. However, some inexpensive curling irons could not have a cool tip like this one for example. The absence of a cold tip might be a drawback and may necessitate additional safety measures to prevent burning oneself.

Best Curling Iron for Tight Curls – Mint Tools Professional Series 3/8-Inch Curling Wand

Your new best buddy is Mint’s slender curling wand, whether you want tighter curls, have long hair, or fit into both categories. Despite the fact that there are other barrel widths available, this one is particularly good at producing little, defined ringlets that seem very natural.

For people with longer hair, a curling iron with a larger barrel and an attached glove like this one might be a terrific option. The curling iron must, however, have a heat setting that is appropriate for the texture and type of your hair. It could be worthwhile to spend more money on a curling iron with numerous heat settings if your hair demands a certain heat level to produce the desired look.

Best Versatile Curling Iron – Drybar The Mixologist Interchangeable Styling Iron

With the three attachments (waver, wand, and clamp iron) included with this Drybar bestseller, you can simply switch between beach waves and traditional curls. Using it is simpler than scheduling a hair appointment since it is straightforward and very adaptable.

If you want to create many hairstyles with the same tool, this is not the one as a curling iron with replaceable barrels might be a great option. You may change the barrels on this kind of curling iron to produce various curls and wave patterns.  The curling iron’s heating element might break down with time. Numerous factors, such as subpar production or heavy use, may contribute to this. Uneven heat distribution brought on by a broken heating element might harm your hair or cause it to curl unevenly.

Although there are several varieties of curling irons on the market, it’s crucial to pick one that is sturdy, dependable, and appropriate for your hair type and style requirements. By doing this, you may use your curling iron at home to profit from beauty.