Achieving fabulous Curls is one thing; keeping your fabulous curls all day long is another. If you’ve spent over an hour achieving the hairstyle of your dreams, you’ll want to make sure to do everything you can to make those curls last. Here are some tips you can use to keep those luscious locks in place!

Use Bobby Pins

A common mistake people make when curing their hair is to let the hair fall before it cools. If you want long-lasting curls, pin your curls to your head until your hair has cooled. Spray with hairspray before releasing and watch as your curls are not only more defined but stay styled longer, too.

Product, Product, Product

The type of products you use and how much you use play a big factor on how well your hair takes the curl. When considering Curling your hair, here’s what you should do with your product to achieve the longest-lasting curls.

Before You Curl

If you know in advance when you’re curling your hair, give your hair a day or two without a wash before you curl. Use a dry shampoo between washes to create an extra texture for your hair that shows in your curl. Even better, if you choose to wash your hair before you curl, skip the conditioner, as the smoothing properties of the conditioner will make your hair less likely to keep the curl.

Right before you start curling your hair, you can use a small amount of curling cream or mousse to help your curls last. When choosing to use a mousse, make sure you only use a little bit of product. If you use too much mousse, your hair is less likely to hold a curl.

During the Curl

If you are curling your hair with a curling iron or curling wand, make sure to use a heat protectant so you don’t singe your hair. Any type of heat can burn and damage hair, so choose a spray or cream designed to save your hair from the heat! Keep heat settings as low as possible to protect your hair, too.

After the Curl

After you’ve finished curling your hair, spritz on a light hairspray. Less is more when it comes to hairspray. Make sure you only use a little amount to keep your hair from feeling “crunchy.”

Choose the Right Tool

There are so many different ways you can curl your hair. Are you going to use a curling wand, a curling iron, or find some other way to curl your hair without heat? Not all hair curling methods curl alike. It’s important to choose a method that works for your hair, as some hair types are less likely to hold a curl. Here’s what you should consider when deciding which curling method you should use.

Barrel Size

Regardless of whether you prefer curling your hair with a curling wand, a curling iron, or a flat iron, the size of your tool determines the size of your curls and how well those curls stay in during the day. The smaller the tool, the tighter the curls, which means your curls may or may not last longer. If you find that you’re having a hard time keeping your big beach waves in, try going for a smaller tool, like a ¾-inch tool rather than a 1-inch curling iron.

Hot or Cold Curl

Need to do a quick updo or are you trying to create your curls the night before? Choosing the right kind of tool for your hair will help you get a long-lasting curl. If you’re looking for more waves rather than curls, choose to braid your hair or use buns to achieve a beautiful look rather than going for rollers. If you don’t have the time for rollers, use a curling iron, but make sure your hair is dry before you start curling.

Give Your Hair Some TLC

Believe it or not but damaged hair is less likely to stay curled than healthy hair. If you find that your hair is looking frizzy or drab after a curl, try getting a trim and using shampoos and conditioners formulated to restore damaged hair. Strong, healthy hair can help achieve beautiful, smooth curls or waves.

Work in Smaller Sections

Like any other hair style, it’s actually easier and better for your hair to work in small sections. If you work in small sections, it will make it easier to get all sections of hair and not forget to curl that one little strand in the back that’s hard to reach.

What do you do to help your curls last all day? Let us know! If you have a passion for styling hair, check out our cosmetologist program! You can learn how to cut, style, and color hair and more!