Broken curls: how to make zigzag curls in different ways

Broken curls, commonly referred to as zigzag curls, are an entertaining method to give your hair volume and texture. These curls, in contrast to traditional curls, have sharp, angular bends that give your hairstyle a contemporary, edgy look. They’re ideal for people who want to try something a little different from their typical look.

The finest aspect? To achieve these curls, you don’t need to hire a professional stylist. You can try a few simple techniques at home with items like a curling wand, flat iron, or even basic hairpins. With a little practice, you can get the desired look, whether you want loose waves or tight zigzags.

Regardless of your hair type, we’ll discuss various methods for creating zigzag curls in this post and offer advice on how to achieve the best results. Are you prepared to give your hair a new twist? Now let’s get going!

Broken curls, sometimes referred to as zigzag curls, are an interesting and daring way to give your hair volume and texture. They can be made in a variety of ways, such as braiding, flat ironing, or using zigzag curlers. Zigzag curls can give your hair a distinctive, striking look that works for any occasion, regardless of whether you prefer heat or heatless techniques.

Features of broken curls

Broken curls, which can be created on hairstyles ranging in length from 7-8 cm, are curls with sharply curved angles. Depending on personal preferences, zigzag curls can be big or small, and they have every right to vary from smoother to clear and incredibly sharp. Broken waves have long been in vogue because of their unpredictability.

Who suits a broken curl?

• your face shape – oval, pear, triangle, trapezoid. It is with these types of faces that broken curls look the most impressive, girls with a round face and short hair are better off choosing a different type of styling;

• luxurious length — broken curls on medium hair or on long hair will be a great decoration. Feel free to experiment! On short hair up to 15 cm there is a high risk of getting a poodle effect;

• bright facial features — the face can get lost against the background of unusual curls, and to avoid this, do bright makeup. Owners of a contrasting appearance and expressive eyes are lucky: you can wear a hairstyle with broken waves even without makeup.

Photos with ideas for fashionable hairstyles based on broken curls

The length and degree of curl bending can create a totally different look for this hairstyle. Big zigzags or tiny triangle curls? Examine our assortment to determine which amazing and stylish option to go with for your hair.

Broken curls for short hair

For short hair, broken curls will work well if your face is pear or triangular in shape. Tumbled curls add volume and balance proportions. Avoid making too sharp angles, though; combing will help to smooth them out after curling. There will be an amazing volume!

Perhaps there is an exception when it comes to elegant retro styling; consider Renata Litvinova or designer Olga Yakubovich. Even the shortest hair will look fantastic with their lovely, sharply angled broken curls, which you can achieve with regular clips and styling.

Zigzag curls for medium hair

Broken curls are the ideal hairstyle for medium-length hair. The sharpest angles and most broken lines are safe to attempt. It won’t hurt to add graduated haircut strands of varying lengths; they will enhance the hairdo flawlessly.

Retro zigzag waves are appropriate here as well. For instance, use L’Oréal Professionnel Extreme Splash elastic gel to simulate wet hair and use hairstyling clips to smooth out creases. Once it has dried completely, take the clips off with care.

Broken curls for long hair

Larger-sized waves and broken curls will look amazing on long hair. Tiny ones work well for a celebration or a unique style for a graphic design. You’ll need to give yourself plenty of time to create a hairstyle for this length. Use braids, crimping attachments, or specialty curlers—more on these later.

Preparing hair for curling

How can you create broken curls at home without causing damage to your hair? The preparation holds the key to the answer, as we already know. Let’s review the fundamental guidelines for SalonSecret experts.

• Wash your hairin the usual way. If your hair does not hold volume well, skip the leave-in treatment or use a thickening conditioner.

• Apply foam or mousse to damp curls for volume and durability of the future styling.Full Volume Extra from L’Oréal Professionnel will help create a luxurious head of hair even on the finest hair.

• At this stage, the hair needs to be dried. If you choose hot drying with a hairdryer, then pay attention to multifunctional styling and protection products, apply them before using heating devices. U Redken there is a suitable styling care Extreme Play Safe — a new generation of thermal protection that is applied to damp hair to prevent split ends and maintain a healthy shine.

Thermique Ciment, Kérastase

• Before using the styler, make sure that your hair is dry. Do not use thermal devices on damp strands. If you dry your hair naturally, apply thermal protection care at this stage Ciment Thermique by Kérastase for reliable fixation of curls and protection from hot devices.

How to make broken waves at home?

You can make broken curls at home with our step-by-step instructions for efficient methods. Each technique—corrugation, a unique curling iron, ingenious triangle curlers, hairpins—has its own unique appeal. With a little repetition, your skills will soon match those of your stylist!

Double curling iron for broken curls

A double curling iron makes creating unusual curls simple. These are specialized curl-breaking tongs, with two or three heating elements (the third is typically used for grip comfort and fixation).

• Divide the hair into zones and strands, clip the part that is not yet involved in the curling.

• Step back from the root zone and curl the strand in the form of a figure eight on two parts of the curling iron.

• Move from the back of the head towards the face. Carefully remove the curls from the curling iron and let them cool in the desired shape.

• Fix the hairstyle with hairspray. For instant fixation and an antistatic effect, you can use Tecni.Art Air Fix from L’Oréal Professionnel.

• Thin and naturally not very voluminous hair is better fixed not with hairspray, but with powder. Matrix Height Riser is one of the most popular with our experts.

Iron with a corrugated nozzle

This choice works well for adding tiny curls to short hair as well.

• Divide your hair into zones and small strands of the same thickness.

• Step back a little at the roots and clamp the strand with an iron.

• Move the iron a little lower after 6-10 seconds (depending on the operating temperature and hair structure) and repeat the procedure.

• Repeat the manipulations over the entire head, if necessary, fix the result with hairspray – for reliable fixation without weighing down, our experts advise Fashion Work 12 by Redken.

There is an alternative approach, but it requires a lot of work to keep the iron as the primary character. Take a look at the meticulous work: the master gently brushes over the styler, resulting in a truly curved, icy wave. An excellent fix for specific hairstyle components, like accent strands close to the face.

Iron and foil for zigzag curls

Large broken waves can be created with foil and an iron. This technique works well on medium-length and long hair.

• Take the foil and cut it into rectangles equal in length to the curled strands. They should be about twice as wide to hide the curl inside.

• Fold the sheets in half and press, shaping the corners. The resulting “pocket” is where you need to place the strand.

• Divide your hair into zones and small strands. Go through each with a comb. It is important to comb your hair thoroughly to avoid tangles and frizz.

• Place the strand in foil and fold it like an accordion, outlining the corners of the future zigzag. The size of the indentations will determine whether you get a large or small curl.

• Fold the accordion and place it between the plates of the iron. Press for 7-8 seconds, then release.

• Remove the foil, when the strands have completely cooled.

• You can comb your hair — you will get a Hollywood wave.

• Fix the curls with a spray Matrix Extra Full Freezing for maximum durability of the hairstyle. If your hair is thin and easily loses volume, from It is better to refuse fixatives.

Broken waves with triangle curlers

Curlers are a handy tool for adding creases to damp hair. Though everything can be found online, triangular ones are more difficult to locate than round ones!

Kleanse Soleil Oil Spray

• Apply texturizing oil Kérastase Soleil to the strands and gently comb wet hair.

• Separate the hair into strands and wind them on curlers.

• Wait until dry or use a hairdryer.

• If you use curlers at night, in the morning you can add volume at the roots and along the length with powder Tecni.ArtSuper Dust from L’Oréal Professionnel.

Hairdryer and diffuser

If you have curly hair, light yet simultaneously elastic broken curls in the 80s style will work well with a diffuser attachment. It won’t have sharp zigzags, but it will still be stunning!

Use a hairdryer to create effortless and fashionable curls by following the algorithm.

• Apply a modeling styling product to damp hair, such as gel-mousse Tecni.Art Transformer from L’Oréal Professionnel. Comb your hair.

• Tilt your head slightly, holding the hair dryer at a right angle to your head.

• Put the diffuser against your hair, so that the strands curl onto the nozzle heads. Dry them one by one, moving the hair dryer away and then closer to your head.

• Separate the curls with your hands and fix them with a light spray L’Oréal Pro Ring Light. It doesn’t so much preserve the shape of the curl as it gives a shine that is relevant for natural curls — shimmering and mesmerizing.

How to make broken curls on medium hair using hairpins?

Regular hairpins can be used to create zigzag curls in your hair. But you’ll need a good number of them. Start styling after arming yourself with hairpins.

Elixir Kérastase, Ultime

• Treat damp curls with smoothing oil Kérastase Elixir Ultime — the strands will become smooth and manageable in styling.

• Put a strand of hair through the pin at the base and curl it in the shape of a figure eight on both sides of the hairpin, moving towards the tips of the pins. The ends can be secured with an elastic band, wrapping it along the hairpin, or with an invisible hairpin.

• Do the same manipulations with all the hair and wait for the hair to dry completely.

• Unravel the curls and separate them with your hands. To maintain the shape of the hairstyle, you can apply a flexible hold hairspray.

Method	Description
Flat Iron	Twist sections of hair with a flat iron, bending the strands back and forth to create sharp, zigzag waves.
Braiding and Heat	Braid your hair tightly, then apply heat with a flat iron over the braids to set the zigzag pattern. Undo the braids for defined waves.
Pencil and Flat Iron	Wrap small sections of hair around a pencil, then run a flat iron over the wrapped hair to create sharp zigzag curls.
Crimping Iron	Use a crimping iron to achieve uniform zigzag curls in a quick and easy way, perfect for a defined look.

Adding zigzag curls to your hair can give it a distinctive, broken curl texture and be a fun way to change up your appearance. The outcomes can differ depending on whether you use a flat iron, curling iron, or braiding technique, but all of them give you chic, edgy curls.

You can discover which method and tool best suit your hair type and desired look by trying out a variety of options. Play around with different techniques until you get the ideal zigzag curls for your style.

And never forget to use the proper products to shield your hair from heat damage so that your curls remain vibrant and healthy-looking.

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