Straightener curls are one of my most asked-about topics. I’ve been doing them for years, and honestly, it’s the hairstyle I’m known for. The best part about curling your hair with a straightener is that it works on almost any length, and once you get the hang of the technique, the curls last all day.
I’ve shared this style across my YouTube and social channels, but I wanted to create one post that puts everything in one place. Here, you’ll find a step-by-step guide, product recommendations, and links to my full hair tutorials so you can watch the process in action.
If you’ve struggled with curling irons that don’t hold or you just want that effortless wave that lasts, straightener curls will change the game.
Step-by-Step: How to Curl Your Hair with a Straightener
- Prep your hair
- Start with clean, dry hair. I recommend using a lightweight heat protectant to keep your hair healthy.
- Brush through to remove any tangles.
- Section your hair
- Divide your hair into 2-3 horizontal sections, starting from the bottom (this depends on hair thickness; if you have thicker hair do 3 sections, thin/normal hair do 2 sections).
- Clip the upper layers up so you can work one section at a time.
- Clamp and twist
- Take a 1-inch section of hair.
- Clamp the straightener near the root, then rotate your wrist so the straightener is angled.
- Slowly glide the straightener down the length of your hair while keeping the rotation.
- Repeat
- Continue curling each section. Always make sure to curl away from your face or you can try alternating the direction of the curls for a more natural look.
- Leave the ends out slightly for that undone, effortless wave.
- Finish and set
- Once all sections are curled, run your fingers or a wide-tooth comb through your hair to loosen the curls.
- Finish with a volumizing/extra hold hairspray or texturizing spray.
Watch My Tutorials
Sometimes it’s easier to learn by watching, so I’ve linked all of my YouTube tutorials below:
- Straightener Curls Tutorial on YouTube
- The Pineapple Method: How I Preserve Curls Overnight
- My Favorite Hair Products for Heat Styling
Products I Recommend
These are the products I use every time I do straightener curls:
- Heat protectant spray
- Total Volume hairspray
- My Favorite Straightener for Styling
- Hair oil to rejuvenate ends and lessen frizz
- Wide-tooth comb for loosening curls
- Mousse to Prep hair for Curl Longevity
Troubleshooting Straightener Curls
- Curls not holding? Use smaller sections and make sure your straightener is fully heated. A little texturizing spray also helps.
- Curls too tight? Glide the straightener faster down the section for a looser wave.
- Ends too stiff? Leave the last inch of hair out of the straightener or go back over the ends with the straightener to straighten them out.
- Frizz issues? Apply a smoothing serum or hair oil after styling to calm flyaways.
Why I Love Straightener Curls
This hairstyle is versatile and timeless. It works whether your hair is short or long, and it looks good for everything from casual days to formal events. I’ve done straightener curls at every stage of my hair length, and it’s the one style I always come back to.
If you’re new to heat styling, this is a great place to start. Once you get the wrist twist motion down, it becomes second nature.
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