If you’re looking to add some curls to your hair but don’t have a curling iron on hand, a flat iron can be a great alternative. With a few simple techniques and some practice, you can create beautiful, bouncy curls using your flat iron. In this article, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of curling your hair with a flat iron.
Prepping Your Hair
Before you start curling your hair with a flat iron, it’s important to properly prepare your hair to ensure the best results and minimize damage.
Start with Clean, Dry Hair
Wash your hair with a good quality shampoo and conditioner. Clean hair provides a better base for curling and helps the curls hold longer. Make sure your hair is completely dry before using the flat iron. Wet or damp hair can cause steam when exposed to heat, which can damage your hair and prevent the curls from forming properly. If you need to blow-dry your hair, use a heat protectant spray and a round brush to add some volume and smoothness.
Choose the Right Flat Iron
The width of the flat iron plates can affect the size of the curls you create. For tighter, more defined curls, a smaller flat iron (around 1 inch wide) is ideal. If you want looser, beachy waves, a wider flat iron (1.5 to 2 inches wide) will work better. Look for a flat iron with ceramic or tourmaline plates, as these materials distribute heat more evenly and cause less damage to your hair. Also, make sure the flat iron has adjustable temperature settings, as different hair types require different heat levels.
Apply Heat Protectant
Heat protectant products are essential when using a flat iron. They create a barrier between your hair and the heat, reducing the risk of damage such as dryness, breakage, and split ends. Spray a heat protectant spray evenly throughout your hair, making sure to cover all sections, from the roots to the tips. You can also use a heat protectant serum or cream, applying it to damp hair before blow-drying or directly to dry hair before using the flat iron.
Section Your Hair
Sectioning your hair makes it easier to curl and ensures that each section gets evenly heated. Use hair clips to divide your hair into four main sections: two at the front (one on each side) and two at the back (one on the top and one on the bottom). Start with the bottom section at the back of your head. Take a small sub-section of hair, about 1 to 2 inches wide, and clip the rest of the section out of the way.
Curling Your Hair
Now that your hair is prepped and ready, it’s time to start curling.
Set the Temperature
Adjust the temperature of your flat iron according to your hair type. If you have fine, thin hair, set the temperature to around 300°F (150°C). For normal hair, a temperature between 325°F (163°C) and 350°F (177°C) is usually suitable. If your hair is thick, coarse, or resistant, you may need to set the temperature to 375°F (191°C) or 400°F (204°C). However, be cautious when using high heat, as it can cause more damage to your hair.
Start Curling
Take the small sub-section of hair you separated earlier. Hold the flat iron horizontally at the roots of the hair section, with the plates closed. Slowly turn the flat iron 180 degrees (half a turn) away from your face. This will create a U-shaped bend in the hair. While keeping the flat iron at the half-turn angle, start gliding it down the hair shaft towards the ends. Move the flat iron slowly and steadily, taking about 5 to 10 seconds to reach the ends of the hair. The slower you move the flat iron, the tighter the curl will be. If you want a looser wave, move the flat iron a bit faster.
Release the Curl
Once you’ve reached the ends of the hair section, release the flat iron and let the curl fall. You can gently hold the curl in place for a few seconds with your fingers to help it set. Repeat the process for each sub-section of hair in the bottom section at the back of your head. After you’ve curled all the sub-sections in the bottom section, move on to the next section (either the top section at the back or one of the front sections), and repeat the curling process until all your hair is curled.
Creating Different Types of Curls
You can create various types of curls using a flat iron by adjusting the technique.
Tighter Curls
To create tighter, more spiral-like curls, instead of turning the flat iron 180 degrees (half a turn), turn it 360 degrees (a full turn) when you start at the roots. This will wrap the hair more tightly around the flat iron plates. Glide the flat iron down the hair shaft as before, moving slowly to create a tight curl.
Loose Waves
For loose, beachy waves, you can alternate the direction of the turn. Start with a half turn in one direction (either away from or towards your face), then for the next section, turn the flat iron in the opposite direction. Also, you can move the flat iron a bit faster down the hair shaft to create a more relaxed wave. Another option is to take larger sections of hair when curling, which will result in wider, looser waves.
Flicks
Flicks are a type of soft curl that adds a bit of movement to the ends of your hair. To create flicks, start about halfway down the length of the hair section instead of at the roots. Clamp the flat iron closed and turn it 180 degrees (half a turn) in the direction you want the flick to go. Then, glide the flat iron down the remaining length of the hair section to the ends. This will create a soft, curved flick at the ends of your hair.
Finishing Touches
After you’ve curled all your hair, there are a few finishing steps to help your curls look their best.
Let Your Curls Cool
Once you’ve curled your hair, let the curls cool completely before touching or styling them further. This helps the curls set and become more long-lasting. You can speed up the cooling process by gently running your fingers through your hair or using a cool setting on your blow dryer.
Apply Hairspray
To make your curls last longer, spray a light-hold hairspray all over your hair. Hold the hairspray about 8 to 10 inches away from your head and spray in a sweeping motion, covering all areas of your hair. Be careful not to use too much hairspray, as it can make your hair look stiff and unnatural. If you want a more natural look, you can also use a texturizing spray or a curl-defining cream to enhance the curls and add some hold.
Fluff and Separate
Use your fingers to gently fluff and separate the curls. This will make them look more natural and voluminous. You can also twist and twirl individual curls with your fingers to reshape them if needed. Avoid using a brush, as it can break up the curls and make your hair look frizzy.
Tips and Precautions
Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt at curling your hair with a flat iron doesn’t turn out exactly as you hoped. It takes some practice to get the technique right. Keep trying, and you’ll see improvement with each attempt.
Protect Your Scalp: Be careful not to get the hot flat iron too close to your scalp, as it can burn your skin. Leave a small gap between the flat iron and your scalp when starting to curl each section of hair.
Don’t Overdo the Heat: Try to limit the use of high heat on your hair. If possible, use the lowest temperature setting that still allows you to create the desired curls. Also, avoid using the flat iron on your hair too frequently, as this can cause cumulative damage over time.
Condition Your Hair Regularly: To keep your hair healthy and in good condition, especially after using heat styling tools, make sure to condition your hair regularly. Use a deep conditioning treatment once or twice a week to nourish and hydrate your hair.
Conclusion
In conclusion, curling your hair with a flat iron is a great way to change up your look without the need for a curling iron. By following these steps and tips, you can create beautiful, long-lasting curls that will make you look and feel fabulous. So, grab your flat iron and start experimenting with different curling techniques to find the look that suits you best.
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