How to Curl Hair with a Curling Iron

Wand Curling

Heat up the curling iron. Turn on the curling iron and heat it to 320 degrees for fine hair and 430 degrees for thicker hair. Experiment to find the right temperature for you. It's best to go with the lowest temperature that does the job. This is going to damage your hair less. Test the iron's temperature by pressing it to a piece of white tissue paper. If the paper scorches, the curling iron is too hot.

Brush your hair thoroughly. Make sure there are no tangles or your curls won’t form properly. Your hair should be completely dry before you curl it. Blow dry any damp sections.

Apply a heat protectant to your hair. This product is usually sprayed onto dry hair. The heat protectant will form a buffer between your locks and the iron to add shine and prevent damage at high temperatures.

Separate your hair into 4 sections. Divide your hair into a top and bottom half, then separate each of those sections into a left piece and a right piece. From there, you can divide it into subsections that are about 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) wide. Secure the sections using clips so that the only hair hanging has either been curled already or is the next section of hair that is going to be curled.

Working in sections, curl your hair. To achieve a wand curl, use just the wand and wrap your section of hair around the barrel. Don't use the clamp at the bottom of the wand that "holds" the hair as it curls. Be sure not to overlap your hair, as this will reduce heat and result in limp sections. Use your fingers to hold the edge of the section of hair close to the barrel without burning your hair. Doing this rather than using the clamp will prevent crimps in the curls. Be sure to alternate the curling direction between clockwise and counterclockwise for a more natural effect.

Pin up curls quickly to help them last longer. Grabbing the bottom of the curl, compact the curl to create a perfect curl. Use a bobby pin or a similar hair clip to fasten the circle of hair to your head. Pinning up the curls allows them to hold their shape while they cool. This will make the curls last longer.

Continue until all of your hair is pinned up. then wait until the curls are no longer hot before you take off the clips.

Take out all of the bobby pins, after the hair is cool. Shake out the curls and fix any curls that are messed up.

Manipulate curled hair, if desired. Unless you want to leave it in its current, more formal arrangement, tousle it with your fingers or tease it slightly. Tousling large curls is a great way to create waves.

Add hairspray lightly, to give your curls hold. Do not over-spray, as this will make your hair crispy and/or weigh it down.

Spiral Curls

Grab one strand of hair to curl. For tighter curls, grab smaller sections. The ends of your hair are fragile. If you start at the bottom of the section, you may be more likely to damage your hair.

Squeeze the curling iron open and place it near the top of a section of hair. Keep the iron squeezed open for now.

Wrap the entire section of hair around the iron rod manually. Wrap moving the hair away from your face and work carefully to avoid burning your fingers.

Clamp the hair inside the iron for approximately 10 seconds. Your actual time may vary depending on your curling iron and heat settings, so if you need to experiment, on the low side in the beginning. You'll know it's time to release the curl when you can feel the heat coming through the hair that's wrapped around the curling iron.

Loosen your hair and repeat on the next section. It will help to unclamp and clamp the iron as you loosen, but be careful not to touch the iron in the process.