HEALTH

Let’s get one thing straight, curly girl – that doesn’t sound stupid at all!  It can be super-tricky to master the curling iron, and really easy to end up with a funky fringe (or a burn – ouch!).  We’ve got some tips to get the curls you crave.

Set the temp

First, make sure your curling iron is fully heated before getting started so all your hair is curled with equal strength.  If your iron has an adjustable heat setting, there’s no need to set it to the hottest temperature.  Most hair curls well at the middle-range – you can adjust lower to higher based on your hair’s thickness.  And a word to the wise:  spray a heat protector on your hair before ya get started to save your locks from some damage.

Section off

It’s important to curl small sections at a time.  It’s prob easiest to divide your hair between top and bottom layers so you don’t miss any parts.  Clip the top layer of your hair back so you can start with the bottom layer.  Section off 1- or 2-inch pieces for each curl. 

Get rollin’

Clamp the hair section with the iron near the top of the strands, and slide the iron down toward the tip –far enough that all the hair is included, but not so far that any falls out of the clamp.  Roll the iron up towards your scalp, but stop about an inch away – that’ll prevent a burn.  Some chicas like to roll the curls in the same direction, but others like to alternate rolling the iron under or over for curl variety.  You can experiment and see what you like best. 

Let it out

After you hold the iron in place for about 10 seconds, it’s time to let it loose.  Removing the iron can a challenge, so work carefully.  Uncurl the curl just a little till the iron has some wiggle room.  Open and close the iron gently to release the curl.  It’s not necessary, but you can pin the curl up with a bobby pin to set while it cools (this might help the curl stay even from top to bottom).  Continue this whole process until you’ve curled each piece.  Take out the pins if ya used ‘em, set with hairspray, tousle with your fingers and voilà – you are a curl master!

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by Marie Hansen | 2/1/2016