The biggest complaints we hear are about curls not lasting, so we have gathered the best tips and tricks to help stretch the life of those spirals.

When should you curl your hair?

Believe it or not, but the best time to curl your hair is a couple of days after shampooing. After washing your hair, it may be to soft to style. By allowing a couple of days for the natural oils in your hair to build up it will create a grittier texture giving the curls more of a natural hold. If you are worried about oil build-up you can always compensate with a dry shampoo.

What Products Should You Use?

In order to hold curls you need the right texture, mousse is perfect for this. Use a generous amount, working it from the roots to the tips. Also, be sure to use a heat protectant before styling to avoid any heat damage.

Hairspray can also be used after to help hold the curls in place. Be careful not to get too close to your curls, doing so could make them crunchy and heavy. Instead, hold the can far enough away so that your get a fine mist.

Invest In A Good Curling Iron.

You may pay a little more, but the results will definitely be worth it and be less damaging to your hair. Look for irons that have barrels made of pure Tourmaline, like our InstaCurl Automatic Curler, as they will do less damage, maintain consistent heat without hot spots and have a fast heat recovery time.

TIP: If you are curling extensions, turn the heat down some. Extensions are brittle and do not stand up to the heat as good as real hair does; and don’t skip the heat protectant.

What Size Barrel?

That depends on what type of curls you want. The smaller the barrel, the tighter the ringlet. The larger the barrels deliver looser, more voluminous curls. One thing to note though, the larger and looser the curl, the less likely they will be to last. The tighter curls will loosen up and ultimately provide the large, loose curl look most women are attempting to achieve. We recommend using somewhere between a ¾” and a 1.25” barrel.

It’s All About Technique.

The way you section your hair and the direction in which you curl it are big contributors to the outcome of your style. There are tons of articles and videos online with different techniques. We recommend checking out some and see what’s going to work best for your hair type and length.

TIP: Pin your curls in place with a bobby pin and allow them to cool before releasing them. The heat is changing the shape of your hair, so when you pin it up and let it cool you are ensuring it stays in your desired shape. Once you unclip it allow a few more minutes before brushing it out.

Will Curls Hold Overnight?

It’s a lot more difficult to get that bouncy look after sleeping on them all night, but there are a few things you can do to help.

  • Use a scrunchie to loosely tie your hair on the top of your head. This will prevent you from laying on them and flattening them.
  • Using a satin pillowcase will reduce friction and help keep hair smooth.
  • If you sleep on your back, you can also fan out your hair onto either side of you.

What If I Have Fine Hair?

Adding curls to fine hair is challenging, but there are a few things you can try. Same rule about not curling just washed hair applies, but in addition to the mouse use a texturizing spray for extra grip. Also, instead of waiting until the end to add hairspray, spray each section you curl right after you pin it. Then move onto the next section.

Still No Curls?

If your hair still isn’t curling it may be too damaged to hold the curls. Dry, damaged hair won’t have the moisture needed to hold the curls. Try amping up your hair care routine and adding in a mask, like our Color Safe Keratin Hair Mask, twice a week to help bring back some of hairs natural moisture.