We all love the look of loose beach curls, but it can be quite the challenge to create curls that will last all day. Many of us spend hours trying to perfect the technique of curling our hair at home but still struggle to achieve long lasting effect. If you find yourself in the never-ending battle of getting your hair to hold a curl, keep reading to learn more about why this may be a problem and what 3 simple things may just do the trick!
Why Your Hair Won’t Hold a Curl
There are potentially many reasons why your hair won’t stay curled and addressing them is going half the way to success (or, often, the all of it). Let’s look at them in more detail:
You Don’t Use the Right Products
If this has been a continuing struggle for you, consider what products you are using and how much of them you are using. One of the key factors in making straight strands curly is to properly prep your hair. You need to start with a generous amount of mousse and a heat protectant before you blow-dry your hair to give it more hold. A mousse is an alcohol-based product that makes hair easier to style by removing the moisture and drying your locks a bit, that’s why it is best not to use it too often.
If you plan to curl your hair, skipping a conditioner or using less of it will be a smart move, too. The latter makes hair very smooth, so it’s more difficult to add texture to your strands. If your hair is naturally straight and smooth, shower it with dry shampoo or a texturizing spray to add some grip before curling.
If you’re searching for a way to make your curls stay in fine hair, remember, less is more is guiding rule for fine hair styling. Use products that are light and airy and avoid heavier moisturizing products before curling. If your hair has too much product in it or products that are too heavy, they will weigh your hair down and the curls will fall flat a lot easier. A John Frieda Volume Lift foam for lightweight fullness would be a great option to go for.
Your Heat Tool is Failing You
The tools you use also play a big part in the longevity of your style. That’s why it is so important to make sure you’re using the right one for your hair type. Heat styling tools come in either ceramic or titanium and they both work in different ways. Ceramic styling tools heat up the hair from the inside out and is great on fine hair because it produces a gentler heat. Whereas the titanium styling tools heat the hair on the surface first creating a more aggressive heat, making it better for thick hair.
The right size of the curling iron is another important aspect. Curling iron with a large barrel size will create looser curls, which shape will be barely visible on thick, stubborn hair after a while. If you are having a hard time getting your hair to curl, try going down a barrel size and create tighter curls in the first place.
Most curling irons are available in increments of ¼”. Irons that are approximately 1” work best on most hair types. The longer your hair is, the smaller the iron you may want. Long hair will weigh itself down causing the curls to stretch more and will result in flattened curls sooner rather than later.
Also, it is important to select a tool where you’ll be in control of a temperature. It is not necessary to fry your hair to get bouncy curls. In fact, a lower temperate of 300-350 degrees create longer-lasting results. However, the too low heat may be another reason why you fail to add waves to your hair. If the curl doesn’t form within one or two minutes, your hot tool needs to be more – well – hot.