How I Curl My Hair (Step-by-Step Video)

I curl my hair the majority of the time, rather than leaving it straight or smoothing it out with a straightener. I feel more polished and my hair is more comfortable during the day with some curl to it since it stays out my face more easily! Another benefit of taking a few minutes to do a quick curl is it looks cuter if I pull it back in a ponytail during the day. If I decide to run to the gym to lift weights, I can just do a low bun, and it still looks fine post-workout or even on day two. (But if I do cardio, I have to wash my hair – I get too sweaty!)

I’ve attempted to curl my hair with a flat iron, and it’s just a total disaster. But I find it super easy to use a curling iron, so I usually stick with that method (or I use my Dyson AirWrap). Plus, it gives a more polished look vs. beachy waves, which I generally prefer. After all, we all want Victoria Secret Angel curls, right? Here’s my review of my curling iron and a quick Instagram Reel tutorial!

Amazon also sells T3! I have a full review of the T3 curling irons linked here.

Here is a quick video showing you how I curl my hair, and I’ve added more detailed tips below!

How to Make Your Curls Last 3 Days

The biggest reason my curls hold for multiple days isn’t the curling iron (although that certainly makes a difference, especially with how easy it is to curl my hair), but everything I do before I even pick up my curling iron. 

Don’t Curl Your Hair the Day You Wash it

I washed my hair on Saturday, and I’m curling it on Tuesday, and that’s not an accident. Freshly washed hair is too slick to hold a curl; you need a little grip. I like to do a smooth blowout on day 1, which often lasts to day 2. Then, by day 3, when things are getting iffy, that’s when I curl to “save” my blowout, and the curls will last another 2 days. And then I’ll wash.

Put Dry Shampoo in BEFORE Your Hair Gets Oily

Mary Orton said it best: Noah built the ark before the flood. If you wait until your hair is greasy to put in dry shampoo, you’re playing catch-up. I put dry shampoo on the day I wash my hair then add a little more each day. It absorbs better, gives my hair grip, and the curls hold longer.

I brush it on top, clip my hair up, and get underneath too since that’s where I notice sweat the most, which will quickly ruin my blowout…then I brush it through.

Always Use a Heat Protectant

Since I’m using a heat tool almost every single day, this isn’t optional. I use the In Common Magic Mist on wet hair the day I wash. If you skip a heat protectant, your curls won’t hold as well over time. Fried hair frizzes, and unfortunately, it doesn’t curl.

Let Your Curls Cool Before You Touch Them

This is the tip nobody talks about. After I curl a section, I leave it alone. I don’t run my fingers through it, I don’t shake it out. I do my makeup while it cools. By the time I’m done with my eyebrows, the curls have set. The longer they cool untouched, the longer they hold.

Refresh on Day 2 and 3

By day 2 and 3, I’m not curling everything from scratch. I add more dry shampoo, hit it with the Chris McMillan Dry Texture Spray and only touch up the few pieces that have totally fallen. Less heat, more product, longer-lasting curls.

How to Curl Your Hair in 10 Minutes

How To Curl Short Hair With Curling Iron

I use the same method no matter how long my hair is; the only thing that changes is the size of the curling iron.

For longer hair, I use a 1.25″ barrel. For shoulder length or shorter, I use a 1″ barrel. Barrel size really makes a difference with each hair type! Read this post for my T3 curling iron review if you’re considering.

Hair Curling Products

In the video, I show a few products I use to prep my hair and set my curls. I also linked them below.

IN THE SHOWER

ON WET HAIR

ON DRY HAIR: 

Why I’m Still Using the Same T3 Curling Iron After 8 Years

I’ve had cheaper curling irons before, and I always had to replace them every couple of years because I curl my hair so often (the springs always broke). I’ve had this T3 iron for over eight years now. Yes, it costs more than a drugstore curling iron. But if you don’t have to replace it every two years, you’re saving money long-term.

It gets hotter, heat is distributed more evenly, and the clamp matters more than people think. A loose clamp or one that’s too stiff makes it harder to control the barrel, and that’s what causes crimps. If you’ve struggled with curling, upgrading your iron will make a bigger difference than you think.

I have the 1.25″ barrel and have used it on short, long, and collar bone length hair. Bigger barrel = looser curl; smaller barrel = tighter curl. The 1.25″ works for almost anyone.

Easy Hair Curling Tips

Tip #1

I prefer curled hair with loose ends and curls not too close to the root, which is why I clasp it with the curling iron barrel near the root and never curl from the bottom. There are lots of methods for curling hair, but this is my tried and trusted method.

You’ll notice how the ends of my hair stick out just a little after I wrap my hair around the barrel. That gives it a little more natural look by not tucking the ends into the iron.

Tip #2

Always twist your wrist to turn the barrel away from your face so it curls away, which helps open up the hair for a fresher look. When you’re curling the back, curl a few pieces in the alternate direction so they don’t all clump together.

Tip #3

I grab somewhat large sections of hair to make it go quickly and so it’s not overly curled (the more hair you use, the closer you’ll get to loose beach waves, and if you use smaller section, you’ll get more defined curls). Then, I go back and get pieces that are too straight and curl them separately. That also helps keep it natural-looking so all the curls aren’t exactly the same size and/or perfectly curled. I prefer looser curls, so that’s why I use large sections of hair.

Tip #4

After I curl, I let the curls sit for a few minutes to cool (usually I do my makeup at this point). Leave your hair alone while the curls are still warm – letting them cool while more tightly curled helps them hold longer. This helps make them bouncy curls.

Tip #5

I don’t brush it out. When I apply texturizer, I use my fingers at that point to break up the curls a bit. If you’re left with tight curls and want to loosen them, use a wide tooth comb to run through your hair. Over time, you should also see the curls fall a tad. I don’t add anything usually (no bobby pins or clips), I just let it fall naturally.

How to Curl Your Hair – FAQ

How long does it take to curl your hair?

About 10 minutes once you have the routine down. I curl while I do my makeup, so it doesn’t feel like a separate step.

How do you make curls last multiple days?

Don’t curl on wash day, put dry shampoo in before you need it, always use a heat protectant, and let each curl cool completely before you touch it. On days 2 and 3, refresh with dry shampoo and dry texture spray instead of re-curling everything.

What size curling iron should I use?

I use the 1.25″ barrel for any length – short, shoulder, or long. If you have a hard time getting curls to hold, go smaller (1″) for tighter, longer-lasting curls.

Can beginners use this method?

Yes. I’m not a hairstylist. I grew up with five brothers and I’m a mom of two boys who taught herself. If I figured this out, you definitely can.

What’s the best curling iron for lasting curls?

The T3 1.25″. I’ve used the same one for over eight years; the clamp is still tight, and the heat is consistent. That last part matters most for curls that hold.

How do you curl shoulder-length hair?

Same method I use on long hair, just smaller sections. The 1.25″ barrel still works. If your hair is shorter than your shoulders, you may want to drop down to a 1″ barrel.

Here are a few pics of how it looks finished!

I usually opt for simple, everyday gold jewelry when I curl my hair and wear it down so that my earrings and hair don’t compete with each-other. See my favorite everyday jewelry here!

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