Curling Iron Disasters -- Solved!
The truth: I'm scared of my curling iron. I can't even count the number of times I've burnt myself, fried my hair, or just spent hours curling only to come out with a lame-o hairstyle (kind of like these celeb hairstyle disasters). Thus, my curling iron is regulated to the back of my linen closet, and my slightly wavy hair has become a mainstay.
Related Link: How to Style Curly Hair
That is, until I spent the afternoon with celebrity hairstylist Amita Moticka, Director of Cutting Education for diPietro Todd Salons and Academy. I confessed my inability to use one of the basic hairstyling tools and Moticka put my fears to ease and tackled some of the biggest curling iron disasters. You can view the entire list here, or scroll down for a few tips.
Disaster No. 1: My hair can't hold a curl.
Solution: It's all about prepping the hair. After all, your hair is about to endure a ton of heat. Just remember: never curl your hair when it's wet or even slightly damp, because you'll burn it, says Moticka.
If you have fine/oily/limp hair:
1. Start by washing your hair with volumizing shampoo. Then apply a light conditioner to the ends of your hair, since they tend to see the most damage.
2. Towel dry your hair to get rid of moisture, and spray it from roots to ends with a thermal heat protectant to prevent damage (try Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray, $4.99.
3. Apply a strong-hold mousse, like Garnier Fructis Style Volume-Inject Mousse, $4.50 to your roots (for a fuller look) or from mid-shaft to ends (for a looser look).
4. Blow dry hair upside down with your hands until it's completely dry, says Moticka. This will give it some extra volume before you start curling.
If you have thick or coarse hair:
There's no need to wash thick or course hair before curling, says Moticka. In fact, it's even better to wait a day or two after your last shampoo, because your hair will hold the curls better.
1. Start with dry hair. Apply a bit of dry shampoo to your roots to give your hair extra lift and staying power, says Moticka. (try Got2B Rockin' It Dry Shampoo, $5.30.
2. Next, mist your hair from roots to ends with a heat protectant to guard against damage.
3. Finally, apply a strong-hold mousse to your entire head to define your curls (try L'Oreal Upward Spiral Springing Curls Defining Mousse, $4.99). Let it dry completely.
Disaster No. 2: My curls lose their bounce within hours.
Solution: Make the heat work for you.
Once your hair is prepped and your curling iron is at the right temperature (below 200 degrees for fine hair, and between 200 to 300 degrees for thicker hair), follow these steps to get bouncy curls that won't fall flat before lunch:
1. Divide your dry hair into manageable sections, and clip them up. The more hair you have, the more sections you'll need to create.
2. Start with the section of hair nearest the nape of your neck. Comb through it, and mist the section with lightweight hairspray to create a base for the iron.
3. Using a 1/2-inch to 1-inch iron, place the clamp over the ends of your hair and roll up the section until it is completely around the barrel. Keep your hair in place for 10 to 20 seconds, and then release the clamp.
4. At this point, if your hair is having a hard time holding the curl, roll it back up and secure it to your head with a clip to let it cool. You can place a small piece of tissue or toilet paper between the clip and your hair to avoid creating a crimped mark, says Moticka.
5. Continue curling your hair in sections until your entire head is curled. Finger comb through your curls gently, and mist them with strong-hold hairspray to finish.
Disaster No. 3: I want loose wave-like curls, but my curls are all corkscrew.
Solution: It's all about the how you clip off your hair and the direction of the barrel.
Don't want your curls to look too structured or princess-y? (Or maybe you want to try something easier.) Follow these steps to get loose waves for a more casual vibe instead.
1. Clip off your dry hair into diagonal sections. This will give hair a softer look when you're wrapping it around the iron in that direction, says Moticka.
2. Grab a two-inch section of hair and comb through it. Lift up the section from the ends and mist underneath with light-hold hairspray to create lift.
3. Starting from the roots, carefully wrap the section of hair in a spiral direction around the barrel of a 1 1/2-inch to 2-inch iron or a curling stick, pointing the iron downward toward the floor. Let the hair sit on iron for 10 to 20 seconds, holding the ends tightly around the barrel the entire time.
4. Release hair and mist section lightly with hairspray. Continue until your entire head is curled.
5. For softer waves, brush through your curls with a natural bristle brush. To get a piece-y, beachier feel, simply shake out the curls with your hands and mist them with spray gel to add definition.
For more disaster solving tips, click here.
Now, tell us: What's your biggest curling iron disaster? Leave your answer in the comment section below.
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