Let’s address the elephant in the room first – yes, men can and should use curling tools if they want textured hair. The outdated notion that curling irons are just for women is as ridiculous as saying only women should use hair dryers. Some of the most stylish men in Hollywood – from Brad Pitt’s iconic 90s waves to Harry Styles’ modern shaggy curls – have proven that well-executed curls can elevate any man’s look. The key difference lies in execution. Men’s curls typically aim for a more natural, lived-in texture rather than perfect spiral curls. This means less precision, more movement, and embracing slight imperfections that actually make the style better.
The Science Behind Curling Your Hair
Understanding what actually happens when you curl your hair helps tremendously in getting better results. When you apply heat to a section of hair, you’re essentially breaking down the hydrogen bonds in the hair’s keratin structure. As the hair cools around the curling iron or wand, these bonds reform in the new curled shape. This is why it’s crucial to let your curls cool completely before touching them – disturbing them too early causes them to fall flat. The amount of heat and duration matters too:
- Fine hair: 300-350°F for 5-7 seconds
- Medium hair: 350-380°F for 7-10 seconds
- Thick/coarse hair: 380-410°F for 10-15 seconds
Using too much heat on fine hair will fry it, while not enough heat on thick hair won’t create lasting curls. This is why adjustable temperature tools are worth the investment.
Step-by-Step: The Man’s Way to Use a Curling Iron
- Start with completely dry hair – slightly dirty hair (1-2 days after washing) holds curls better than freshly washed hair
- Apply a heat protectant spray evenly – this isn’t optional if you care about hair health
- Divide hair into manageable sections – more sections mean tighter curls, fewer mean looser waves
- Take a 1-2 inch section and open the curling iron clamp
- Place the section about midway up the hair shaft (not at the very ends)
- Slowly twist the iron as you bring it down toward the ends – this creates more natural movement than just clamping
- Hold for the appropriate time based on your hair type (see above)
- Release gently and let the curl fall – don’t pull it straight down
- Repeat, alternating the direction of curls for a more organic look
- Once all hair is curled, run your fingers through lightly to break up the curls – never use a brush
The Secret to Making Curls Look Masculine
The difference between “just curled” and “naturally wavy” comes down to these finishing touches:
- Texture spray: A light mist of sea salt spray adds grit and separation
- Matte product: Rub a tiny amount of matte pomade between palms and scrunch upwards
- Strategic messiness: Pull apart a few curls at the crown for lived-in volume
- Edge control: Keep the hairline and sideburns neatly groomed to balance the texture
How Often Should Men Curl Their Hair?
This depends entirely on your hair’s health and your style goals. For special occasions, curling is fine whenever needed. For regular styling:
- Healthy hair: 2-3 times weekly max with proper heat protection
- Damaged hair: Once weekly or switch to heatless methods
- All hair types: Always give hair 1-2 days between heat styling to recover
Consider incorporating heatless curl methods (like braiding damp hair overnight) into your routine to minimize damage. The more you curl, the more you should invest in deep conditioning treatments – think of it like skincare for your hair.
Troubleshooting Common Curling Problems
“My curls fall flat immediately”
- Your iron isn’t hot enough for your hair type
- You’re disturbing the curls before they cool
- You need to use a holding product before curling
“My hair looks frizzy, not curly”
- You’re skipping heat protectant
- The iron is too hot for your hair type
- You need to apply a smoothing serum before styling
“The curls look too perfect and feminine”
- You’re making the curls too uniform – alternate directions
- You need to break them up more with your fingers
- Try curling only certain sections, not all your hair
Conclusion
Absolutely – if you want to. Curling your hair as a man isn’t about transforming your look completely, but rather enhancing what you have. Start with subtle texture and build up to more defined curls as you get comfortable with the process. Remember that like any skill, it takes practice – your first few attempts might not be perfect, but they’ll get better. The most important thing is that you feel confident with your hair, whether that means tight curls, loose waves, or just a bit of added texture. At the end of the day, hair is meant to be experimented with – it grows back, after all.
Related topics:
How to Master the Art of Managing Short Wavy Hair for Men
7 Stylish Long Layered Curly Hairstyles For Men
7 Effortless Ways to Style Your Own Curly Hair
