Your appearance can be entirely changed by curling your hair, which gives any style more body and texture. Using a curling iron is one of the best ways to get the look you want, whether it’s tight curls or soft waves.
Choosing the correct curling iron can make all the difference because there are so many different kinds available, ranging from those with clamps to those with specialized attachments. Conical or spiral curlers give you more control over the shape of the curls, while brands like Babyliss, Sinbo, and Eric’s Wave offer a variety of models designed to create unique curls.
We’ll go over the various curling irons and how to use them in this guide so you can always get flawless curls. Whether you’re using a sophisticated carrot-shaped curler or a traditional clamp iron, we have all the advice you need to achieve gorgeous, long-lasting curls.
Type of Curling Iron | How to Use |
Curling Iron with Clamp | Clamp the hair, roll it around the barrel, hold for a few seconds, then release. |
Conical Curling Iron | Wrap the hair from the thicker base to the thin end of the iron, hold, and release for natural curls. |
Curling Iron with Spiral | Place the hair into the spiral grooves, wrap it around the barrel, hold, and release for spiral curls. |
Babyliss | Place a section of hair in the chamber, the device automatically curls it, hold and wait for the beep, then release. |
Sinbo | Wrap the hair around the barrel, hold for a few seconds, and release for smooth curls. |
Eric"s Wave | Use the wave attachment to press and release the hair for soft, beachy waves. |
Carrot Curling Iron | Wrap the hair tightly around the carrot-shaped iron, hold briefly, and release for tight curls. |
- How to choose a curling iron for your hair type
- Features of styling short, medium and long hair with a curling iron
- Preparing hair for curling
- How to curl hair with a curling iron with an attachment
- Instructions for using a curling iron with a clamp
- How to curl hair with a curling iron with a spiral
- Carrot hair with a curling iron
- Hair laying in large and small waves
- Everyday hairstyles with a curling iron
- Holiday hairstyles using a curling iron
- Top – 3 best curling iron manufacturers
- Video on the topic
- How to make VOLUMINOUS CURLS with a curling iron IN 10 MINUTES!
- Automatic curling iron Babyliss Curl Secret / Beautiful curls in 8 minutes
- TRIPLE CURLING IRON | I do styling and answer questions
How to choose a curling iron for your hair type
Hair is categorized into types based on how wavy and oily it is.
By greasiness:
- normal;
- oily;
- dry;
- mixed;
- damaged (high temperatures damage the structure of the curls even more).
The first two types of girls can use any type of curling iron. The most important thing is to avoid going overboard in order to protect healthy hair. Devices with a mild coating are specifically designed for other kinds.
The least harmful ones are:
- tourmaline;
- ceramics;
- teflon.
The moisture in the hair is retained by these coatings. It is not advised to use metal attachments on dry or damaged hair.
The following list is based on hair waviness:
Straight hair is heavy and has a poor reaction to outside stimuli. It is preferable for them to select a tool with a high temperature mode.
For optimal results, curly hair should be straightened before curling. These days, there are many different kinds of double curling irons that can be used for curling as well as straightening. This will be the best option in this situation.
An iron will do for those who are sick and weary of curls and waves.
Features of styling short, medium and long hair with a curling iron
To avoid looking ridiculous, it’s crucial to know how to curl hair using a curling iron according to your length.
- For short strands. The size of the tongs should correspond to the length of the hair. After curling, it is better to disassemble the curls with your hands, do not comb. Some types of perm are not suitable for short haircuts, for example, styling with large waves. The curling time will also vary. It is advisable not to exceed 10 seconds. To add a slight wave, you can hold it for 5 seconds. If your hair is heavy and difficult to style, you can increase the time a little.
- For medium hair. Any style will look good on medium length hair. But there are a number of precautions: the temperature of the curling iron should not exceed 160 degrees. Sometimes you should reduce the temperature even to 120 degrees. Another important point is not to overexpose the curls. The optimal time is 15-20 seconds.
- For long hair. It is better to curl long hair from below. For greater results, you should choose thin strands. It is important that the hair is well washed and combed. After finishing, you need to spray the hairstyle with hairspray, as it may not hold well at this length.
The primary guideline for selecting a curling iron is based on hair length: shorter hair results in smaller curls and a smaller device diameter.
Don’t miss the section’s most popular article, which is about this year’s trendy hair colors. Images and hairstyle trends.
Preparing hair for curling
The structure of hair is adversely affected by exposure to high temperatures. Rarely, the damage is negligible. Using heat protection is always crucial.
- Spray. The most popular way to protect hair from high temperatures. It should be applied before curling on thoroughly dried hair. Spray from a distance of 30 cm from the curls. Sprays are suitable for all hair types.
- Cream. Creams are designed for light curly curls. These products contribute to their weighting. Heat protection creams are liquid, so they should be applied with caution.
- Oil. Heat protection oils are suitable for dry and damaged hair types. They moisturize, nourish curls, and promote their treatment. The product envelops the hair and protects it from external influences. The product is not suitable for oily hair. Heat protection oils are sold in a special bottle with a spray for easy application. They are applied in the same way as a spray.
- Mousse. This product is for all hair types. As a bonus – additional hair volume. Cannot be applied to damp strands and the root zone. After application – comb.
However, regular styling can still harm hair, even when heat protection is used.
How to curl hair with a curling iron with an attachment
Those who enjoy variety should know how to curl using a curling iron attachment. Attachments give you the option to select your style.
Curling irons and their accessories come in a variety of styles:
- Cylindrical. The types of styling with such an attachment are almost unlimited. For example, you can make perfect Hollywood curls. The key role here is played by the diameter of the attachment. The most popular is about 30 mm. To curl, you need to take a strand and wrap it around the rod. The width of the curl, the time and method of curling – it all depends on individual desires.
- Corrugation. The plates of the corrugation iron are a wavy surface. You need to place a strand between them and clamp for a few seconds. As a result, waves will come out that will look voluminous. When corrugating, hair does not become electrified. This type of styling suits everyone without exception. The device is also often used to add root volume.
- Double and triple. These devices are designed to make curling easier. With their help, original curls and waves are obtained. A double curling iron is 2 working surfaces. On them, a strand is wound in a figure eight. As a result, zigzag curls appear. A triple curling iron has an unusual appearance. The working surface is 3 rods. When opened, one of them remains on one side, and the other 2 on the other. The strand is clamped between these sides, and neat waves are obtained.
- Triangular. Most often, this is an additional attachment, thanks to which you can create another type of zigzag curls. The curling process is the same as with a cylindrical curling iron.
- Automatic. This is a recent hit. The curling iron itself tightens and curls the curl. You only need to install the strand in a certain place. You can choose the temperature and the time the hair stays in the curling iron yourself. A sound signal will inform you that the curl is ready.
Every curling iron application provides step-by-step instructions on how to use the product.
The most well-liked piece in this section is this one: a chic medium-haired bob-caret haircut. picture, taken from both sides.
Instructions for using a curling iron with a clamp
The following describes how to curl hair with a curling iron using a clamp so that it looks lovely and natural.
- Divide the hair into zones: occipital, 2 temporal and front. Curling occurs in this order.
- Install the device at the roots. Curl on the working surface from the roots to the ends. You need to choose not too large strands, otherwise they will not warm up.
- Lower the clamp and wait a few seconds.
- Remove the strand and wait a couple of minutes for it to cool.
- Separate the curls with your hands or comb and spray with hairspray.
When using a curling iron with a clamp, there are various ways to curl hair. Straight curls, for instance, can be curled, or they can be twisted into a bundle before being curled.
It’s important to comprehend how each type of curling iron—whether it’s a clamp-style, conical, spiral, or a particular brand like Babyliss or Sinbo—works in order to curl your hair with it. Understanding the proper method for each tool will help you achieve the best results for any style, from using a clamp attachment to create soft waves to using a conical or "carrot" iron to create tighter curls.
How to curl hair with a curling iron with a spiral
Curling hair is made easier with a spiral curling iron because of its unique shape. It’s sufficient to give this shape a curl. The device’s one and only significant drawback is that styling will take a lot of time due to the recommendation to use small strands. It will take a while to complete. However, these curls hold better and the hairstyle will stay distinct and clear for a longer period of time.
There’s a misconception that spiral curling irons are only for girls with straight hair. This is untrue. Curly haired people can also style their hair in different ways. Also, the length of the hair will be significantly decreased when curling with a spiral curling iron.
Carrot hair with a curling iron
A conical-shaped tool is called a carrot curling iron. Its taper toward the end sets it apart from a cylindrical one. Additionally, it is not a classic device because it lacks a clamp. Such curling irons prevent kinks at the ends of the strands thanks to their mechanism.
The only drawback to curling is that you have to hold the strand. Those who are accustomed to using a conventional curling iron may find this challenging. It only takes a few workouts to get the hang of it.
For novices, burning fingers is a common issue. Included specifically for these circumstances is a glove.
How to curl hair with a "carrot" attachment on a curling iron:
- Start curling from the wide part of the curling iron.
- Gradually move downwards, from the roots to the ends.
- Wait a few seconds, and pull out the cone without unraveling the curl.
- Comb or disassemble with your hands.
The curls are more organic when made with a carrot. The device’s design guarantees that the waves’ diameter will decrease toward their ends.
Be sure not to overlook the headings’ most popular section: A stylish bob haircut for short hair. picture, taken from both sides.
Hair laying in large and small waves
The diameter of the forceps is the primary factor that distinguishes them for the deaf. The final hairstyle type is determined by the size of the nozzle. However, not everyone will have gorgeously arranged curls, no matter how big or small.
You should use tiny nozzles or ones with an average diameter for hair that is barely shoulder-length. Long hair works better with larger nozzles. You can only fully ascertain which species is most appropriate through trial and error.
About 50 mm is the largest diameter, and about 10 mm is the smallest.
- For large curls, you should choose a diameter from 32 mm.
- For medium – from 28 to 32 mm.
- For small – up to 28 mm.
You can achieve tiny curls that go well with a short haircut by using a curling iron with a nozzle diameter of only 10 mm. It will be an unusual and voluminous hairstyle.
The nozzle’s largest diameter produces gentle, thoughtless waves.
Everyday hairstyles with a curling iron
How to curl hair with a curling iron to achieve casual looks:
- Beach curls. This styling can be done in different ways. But the most effective and long-lasting is with a curling iron or iron. First, you need to wrap the strand around the base and hold for 5-10 seconds. You can also make beach waves with a straightener. To do this, you need to place the strand between the plates, close them, wrap the strand around the device and turn it 180 °. Then slowly slide down until the entire curl comes out.
- Wavy tail. A standard tail can be turned into an elegant hairstyle for every day. To do this, you should first straighten your hair. Then gather it into a ponytail and make waves.
- Options with corrugation. After making a corrugation, it is not necessary to leave your hair loose. You can gather them into a ponytail or braid them. This will give the appearance a non-standard look. There is also another unusual alternative – to make a corrugation on several thin strands. For those with bangs, you can highlight a small strand on it.
- Light waves using a curling iron with a large diameter. You can curl using any method. But to create a delicate feminine hairstyle, it is better to start curling from the middle of the strand, and not from the roots.
Holiday hairstyles using a curling iron
How to curl hair with a curling iron for a festive look:
- Hollywood curls. The styling will look great on hair of any length. Hollywood curls are distinguished by the same size. Before you start curling, you need to decide where the parting will be. After completing the styling, you will not be able to change its location, otherwise the hairstyle will lose its shape. During curling, you need to make sure that the strands are approximately the same width. You need to remove the curl from the curling iron, preserving its shape, and then fix it in this position with hairpins. You will have to wait a little while for your hair to cool down. Then unroll the curl and comb it with a wide-toothed comb. To fix it, you need to spray your hair with hairspray, preferably professional, which is invisible on the curls.
- Waterfall. First, you need to curl your hair along the entire length. Then braid a waterfall braid. Near one temple, take 3 strands and start braiding a regular braid. Make 1-2 braids. After the top strand is at the bottom, you need to let it go, and instead take another strand from the top and weave it into the braid. Continue this braiding until the braid is at the opposite temple. At the end, secure it with a hair clip or hairpins. You can braid from the right ear to the left, and vice versa.
- Curls with a bow. It is not difficult to make a bow from your hair and curled curls yourself. Divide your hair into 2 zones horizontally. Lower zone curl. Gather the top part into a ponytail. The last time, pass the hair through the elastic almost to the end, but leave a bun. Divide the bun in half, and put the remaining end in the middle, hide and secure. Give the bow its shape. It is important to at least lightly spray the resulting bow with hairspray so that it stays in place.
Another way to tie a bow is as follows:
- Divide the entire volume of hair into 2 parts with a horizontal parting.
- Collect the upper part into a ponytail so that the hair does not interfere, curl the lower part.
- Also make a ponytail. Separate the upper part in it, divide the rest in half. You will get 3 parts.
- Temporarily pin the upper part so that it does not interfere with styling.
- Fold the rest in the shape of a bow, hide the ends and pin.
- Divide the 2 sides of the bow with the upper part.
If your hair reaches your shoulder blades, you can tie a bow for a festive hairstyle in any of these ways. Making a hairstyle will be difficult if the curls are shorter.
Top – 3 best curling iron manufacturers
There are hundreds of domestic and international companies that manufacture curling irons. Professional stylists and hairdressers favor brands that have built a solid reputation over time.
- Erika. The brand is part of the Alliance, a Russian trading company created at the end of the last century. There are various types of curling irons on sale. The most popular product is straighteners. Comments about the brand say that many, having tried several options, opt for Erika. All products are professional. The main feature of Erika curling irons is the combination of high quality and optimal price.
- Babyliss. This French company began its development in the middle of the last century. And every year it becomes more and more successful. It was Babyliss that first began manufacturing hair care tools. The company"s latest innovation is a self-rotating curling iron. In just a few months, it has gained popularity among stylists around the world. The quality of Babyliss products is valued for their quality. The only downside of the brand is the high price.
- Sinbo. This is a global company that is better known for producing household appliances. But their product catalog also includes curling irons and straighteners. Brand country – Turkey. The main goal of the company is to create technologies that make everyday life easier. When creating products, manufacturers set as their main task increasing the ease of use. The undoubted advantage of Sinbo products is good quality and low price.
The beauty business is a dynamic one. New ideas arise when one asks themselves how to curl hair with a curling iron. As a result, hairstyle tools for both regular use and special occasions are becoming more and more numerous.
Whichever tool you choose, using a curling iron can help you achieve gorgeous, well-defined curls or waves. Every styling tool, be it a spiral attachment, a conical wand, or a clamp iron, has a distinct method and potential. The secret is knowing how to use the tool correctly to achieve the best results for your type of hair.
Brands like Babyliss and Sinbo provide easy-to-use features that simplify styling for novices. More sophisticated options offer more exact control over the size and shape of the curl, such as the Eric’s wave or carrot-shaped curling irons. You can find the ideal look for you by experimenting with these tools.
Always use a heat protectant spray on your hair before using any hot tools to prevent heat damage. It’s true that practice makes perfect, so don’t be scared to experiment with various methods and equipment to determine which one best suits your intended look.