Home myHairBoutique Articles Gallery Forums Store Features Hair Articles Ask Karen Hollywood & Mane Short Hair Diva JerkyFlea Book Reviews
 
 
 
 
 

Curl Your Hair Secrets


Article Categories
New Articles
List Of All Tips & Articles
African American
Best of Hair Talk
Braids & Dreadlocks
Bridal Styles
Celebrity Hairstyles
Curly Hairstyles & FAQ's
Hair Care & Recipes
Hair Coloring
Hair Disasters
Hair Extensions
Hair Jewelry & Accessories
Hair Link of the Week
Hair Loss
Hair Styling
Long Hair Info & Styles
Men's Hair Info
Product Reviews
Prom Styles
Short Hair Styles
Updos

About
Advertise
Careers
Contact Us
Press
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

Share this page
Curl Your Hair Secrets
Karen Marie Shelton
Revised Date: 10/05/07 - Original Publication Date 03/01/1997

Introduction

Debra Messing

Regardless of the type, texture, length and condition of your hair, you can achieve curls. 

Yes, it's true that some people are born with hair textures that make it easier to hold curls and waves.  However, with knowledge of good hair secrets, a little planning, the right styling products and tools, it is definitely possible to accomplish a myriad of curling results.

Start With Natural Texture

Hair that is naturally curly, wavy or has some bend will hold a curl pattern much easier than hair that is thin, fine or stick straight.  Depending on the type of texture you have is the type of curling tools and techniques you should utilize for your dream ringlets.

Natural Curls

Even though you may be blessed or cursed (depending on your own opinion) with a head full of ringlets, you may still need to fine tune the curls. 

What many people don't realize is that those perfect tendrils worn by many celebrities were created after hours of diffuser drying and styling with curling irons. 

While some natural curl experts can get even the wildest curls to behave by twisting them around some strategically-placed fingers, this may not always be the case when you try the same hair tricks at home.

Lauren Storm

Depending on which curly hair expert you talk to, the very best curling products and tools for naturally curl hair include:

1.  Curl enhancing shampoo and rinse out conditioners.
2.  Curl defining leave-in conditioners.
3.  Frizz fighting products
4.  Mousse, gel or curl enhancing styling glazes to help define natural curls.
5.  Long finger diffusers that attached to the nozzle of a blow dryer and allows curls to be gently lifted  into the diffuser bowl by the diffuser fingers and dried to perfect formation.
6.  Rollers, hot or not, to allow curls to re-form as they cool from blow drying.
7.  Hot rollers or Marcel irons to fine tune curls into perfect ringlets.
8.  Serums to help lock in moisture, add shine and block humidity.

Whether you decide to utilize rollers, or a curling iron, often depends on the quality of your current cut and shape of your natural curls. 

In some cases, if you have a great cut that enhances your own personal curl pattern, you won't need to utilize a curling iron to fine tune the shape of your ringlets.  A good long finger diffuser will encourage the formation of your natural curls without any heat intervention.

Continued below ↓
 

Natural Waves

Debra Messing

Naturally wavy hair may or may not contain natural curls.  If your goal is to just enhance your waves, you may be lucky enough to be able to wet bun your tresses and then allow the waves to form naturally as your hair air-dries. 

Naturally wavy hair is also a great candidate for damp hair scrunching as well as damp hair rag rolling and braiding.

If you wish to convert from natural waves to curls, you have the ideal hair texture for creating long lasting ringlets.

The very best products and tools for transforming waves to curls include:

1.  Curl enhancing shampoo and rinse out conditioners to encourage waves to curl.
2.  Curl defining leave-in conditioners that do not soften hair excessively.  Overly soft hair will not hold curls and will tend to revert to waves.
3.  Styling products such as mousse, gel or glazes to help define natural curls.
4.  Round brush used in conjunction with blow dryer to form barrel curls or ringlets.
5.  Curlers applied as part of a wet set to form solid curl patterns.  The heat from a hood or cap dryer will help reform natural waves into curls.
6.  Hot rollers or hot curling or Marcel irons to fine tune newly formed curls.
7.  Firm holding hair spray or similar products designed to hold new curls firmly in place.
8.  Shine serum to add atomic shine to barrel and spiral curls.

Stick Straight Strands

Debra Messing

Stick straight strands that have little or no bend can be the most challenging tresses to curl.  This is even more true when the hair texture is super soft, fine or thin. 

If you wish to create waves or curls for special events you can utilize the following products and tools:

1.  Curl enhancing shampoo and rinse out conditioners to encourage waves or curl to form.
2.  Curl or wave defining leave-in conditioners which do not soften hair excessively.  Overly soft hair will not hold curls and will tend to revert to waves.
3.  Styling products such as mousse, gel or glazes to help define natural curls.
4.  Round brush used in conjunction with blow dryer to form barrel curls or ringlets on individual 1-2" sections of your hair. 
5.  Salon clips.  Each new barrel curl should be clipped with a salon clip to the scalp to allow the newly formed curl to set and cool.
6.  If you prefer, you can also apply curlers as a wet set to form solid curl patterns.  The heat from a hood or cap dryer will help reform natural waves into curls.
7.  Hot rollers or hot curling or Marcel irons to fine tune newly formed curls.
8.  Spritz with Firm holding hair spray or similar products designed to hold new curls firmly in place.
9.  Shine serum to add atomic shine to barrel and spiral curls.

If your hair is fine, slippery or impossible to curl consider the following tricks for long last curls and waves:

Lauren Storm

1.  If you want curls and/or waves for a special hair event, consider using hot rollers applied to hair that is not freshly washed.  You may wish to wash your hair in the morning in preparation for an evening hair event. 
2.  Always prepare your hair, newly washed or not, with good setting/styling products to help any curls or waves to hold as long as possible.
3.  Separate hair into individual sections and set on medium hot rollers (approximately 1" in diameter).  Let rollers cool completely while set against your head.
4.  Remove the cooled curls one at a time.  Pin each of the curls back into place to allow for maximum curl formation time.  Spray with a medium to firm hold hairspray.
5.  Wait until you are almost ready to leave the house before taking down the pinned curls.  Use a Mason Pearson or similar style boar's bristle brush to style and break up the curls. 
6.  Arrange newly formed curls into desired ringlets or style and then use a hot curling iron to touch up any loose or misbehaving curls.
7.  Finish with a spritz of firm hold hairspray.
8.  Apply one drop of shine serum to the palms of your hands and swipe hands over the top of your finished style.  Be careful and don't overdo the shine serum or it will make hair drop.

You may also want to have a back-up plan for drooping curls.  Tuck a headband with teeth or bobby pins and Blax into your purse so you can whip your hair into an instant twist if curls start to drop by the ends of the evening.

If you wish to convert your stick straight strands to more permanent curls and waves you might be a good candidate for a similar curl creation chemical treatment. 

Chemical Curling Options?

If you desperately want and need curls but don't have time for a daily battle with the hot rollers or curling irons, you might investigate the advantages and disadvantages of chemical curl solutions. 

The large majority of hair experts frown on using chemical texturizers to create curls and waves because of possible long term damage to your hair.  However, each person should be considered as an individual case and the options should be discussed with your hair care professional.

Combination Hair

Naturally wavy hair may or may not contain natural curls.  If your goal is to just enhance your waves, you may be lucky enough to wet bun it, rag roll or braid it and then allow the waves to form naturally as your hair air-dries.  Naturally wavy hair is also a great candidate for damp hair scrunching.

The key to combination hair which includes some straight, curly and/or wavy textures is to address each individual type of texture separately. 

Follow the tips from each of the three sections provided for adding curls.

Debra Messing

Additional Curling Tips

Is your hair all one length or layered? This can make a huge difference on whether curls you apply will hold or not.

The more layered your hair is, especially if it is short or medium in length and has natural bend, the more curls you can create and the longer they will hold.

If you adore curls but have stick straight hair that doesn't naturally curl, why not go with HairUWear's fabulous line of Put On Pieces that can instantly allow you to create any look that you desire with any type of curls.

When in doubt, ask your hairstylist to help you select the best Put On Pieces for you.

Steal Debra's Long Wavy Style With Put On Pieces

If you are looking for a dramatic hair accent – Put On Pieces MiniClips are the perfect answer!  Available in wavy or straight texture and six easy-to-match TRIO COLORS, these clip-in streams of hair are perfect for turning an ordinary style into something special! Use one or add a multiple of MiniClips – depending on the effect you want to achieve.

Other great options include the Vibralite Synthetic Extensions or the Ten-piece Systems.

Long Wavy MiniClips

Follow the steps listed below for creating your own version of a great wavy style:

1.   Purchase the fabulous   MiniClips (shown to the side) from Put On Pieces in the length, style and color that is compatible with your current hair hue or the look you wish to achieve. 

If you prefer, your favorite hair extension expert can also craft a custom style for you and your hair using the fabulous Great Lengths extensions wefts also available from HairUWear

When in doubt, ask your hairstylist to help you select the best Put On Pieces for you.

2.   Whether your hair is super short or longer in length, match the rest of your hairstyle with the add-on hair pieces. 

Prepare your hair by washing, blow drying, curling and brushing so that the front and sides smoothly and seamlessly merge with the ponytail to give a natural look.

If you wish to exactly copy Debra's look, brush the front of your hair up from your forehead.  Back comb the strands to create lift around the crown section  Brush the sides and back of your hair up towards the crown so that you can attach the Put On Pieces MiniClips where your natural hair comes together.

3.   Anchor the Put On Pieces very carefully and securely to the rest of your head. 

Take your time to make sure the MiniClips are firmly attached. 

Experiment with using headbands or other hair accessories to create a more natural looking connection.  

4.   Apply a light shine defrissant product to the palms of your hands and carefully glide over your own hair and to the ends of your ponytail to add shine and remove any frizz. 

Ten Piece Wavy

From the HairUWear.com Put On Pieces Collection - All rights reserved

 5.  For a sassy look, use a curling iron for just a few seconds on the ends of your add-on hair to enhance the waves and curls slightly.

Note:  Do not leave the iron on the ends more than a few seconds.

6.   Try other related looks for an instant change. 

Summary

Regardless of the length or condition of your own hair, add-on strands offers endless possibilities for instantly updating and changing your style. 

About Vibralite

Made from our exclusive Vibralite synthetic fiber, Put On Pieces Clip-in Extensions Ten-piece System are available in straight or softly waved sets. The straight hair is 16” and the softly waved hair is 18”, and both textures are available in 20 multi-tonal shades that have been created to blend with just about any  hair color.  Both the straight and wavy sets consist of 10 pieces in varying weft widths

Note:  All products mentioned in this article are available at the HairBoutique.com Marketplace.  Please stop by and shop with us.

If you want to talk more about this or other hair care articles on HairBoutique.com or anywhere else, please post a message on  HairBoutique.com's Hair Talk Forums.

For additional hair care articles, tips and product information check out the following links:


Notice

All images & text in this article are strictly copyrighted and owned exclusively by HairBoutique.com & may not be copied, reproduced, or posted anywhere without the prior express written permission of HairBoutique.com. Please honor our copyrights.

This information is not guaranteed to be proven, scientific or clinical but is based on my humble opinions and experiences. This article is provided solely for your general information only. It is in no way intended as medical or beauty advice, and should not be depended upon as a substitute for any consultations with qualified health professionals.

HairBoutique.com makes no warranties of any kind regarding this article, including but not limited to any warranty of accuracy, adequacy, completeness, currency, reliability, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, expressly disclaims liability of errors or omissions in this information and materials. No warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, is given in conjunction with the information and materials. This information and material is not, and should not be construed as advice in any shape or form.


 

Copyright 1997-2008, hairboutique.com, All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service, Privacy Statement, Advertise, Contact Us, Press,