How To Curl Short Hair: 3 Methods From A Pro
Here's how to achieve salon-worthy curls at home.
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- Achieving salon-worthy curls at home requires using the right tools and techniques, especially for short hair.
Key Takeaways
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Curl short hair using techniques and tools that don't add too much volume to a shorter length.
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Use curling irons, curling wands, and flat irons in smaller sizes to create curls in short hair.
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Set curls and use minimal styling products and conditioner to get curls to hold their shape.
After chopping your hair to your shoulders , it can take some work to get the look you want. A fresh new cut sometimes means changing your styling, especially if you aren't getting the curls you're looking for. Curling short hair—shoulders and up—requires a different method to achieve those perfect bouncy and beachy curls.
According to hair stylist Paola Cabiedes, the trick to salon-worthy curls is a combination of using the right tools and the right techniques. When it comes to short hair specifically, Cabiedes says that she uses a "less is more" approach to create curl definition without adding too much volume.
For all the short-haired ladies dreaming of good hair days, here's how to curl short hair for your most gorgeous hair yet.
Meet The Expert
Paola Cabiedes is a hair stylist at Synchronicity Salon in Miami, Florida. She specializes in extensions, color corrections, and haircuts.
How To Choose A Styling Tool
There's more than one way to get curls and waves with a short haircut using tools and styling products you may already have at home. You can use a curling iron, curling wand, or a flat iron to create the look you want. Curling irons and wands with large barrels won't work, so look for 1-inch sizes. Smaller barrels will create tighter ringlets instead of loose curls. If using a flat iron, it should be small and not too wide. How to curl your hair depends on the styling tool you use. Below, we share three ways to curl short hair.
What You'll Need
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Hair clip
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Hair spray
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1-inch curling iron
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Small flat iron (optional)
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1-inch curling wand (optional)
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Texturizing spray
How To Curl Short Hair With A Curling Iron
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Use a clip to section off your hair and mist each layer with a base coat of hairspray. This will give your hair a foundation to hold the curls, says Cabiedes.
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Section off your hair again. Start with the bottom third of your hair (unless you have layers cut into your hair, then see our FAQ) and curl in 1-inch vertical sections away from the face.
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Skip the middle and proceed to the top layer, curling in 1-inch vertical sections away from the face. Touch up and curl any exposed pieces of that untouched middle layer.
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For a looser curl (which Cabiedes says is all the rage these days), pull down on the end of each newly curled strand to loosen it and stylishly straighten out the end a bit.
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As you go, set your hair with the same hairspray before the curls cool completely.
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Apply texture spray to the root for volume and an easy-going, slightly tousled finish.
Tip
Curl small sections of hair at a time to create an even look. Curling too much hair at one time can prevent the heat from distributing throughout the hair and create less precise curls.
How To Curl Short Hair With A Flat Iron
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Prep the hair by using a clip to section off your hair into layers.
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Mist each hair layer with hairspray so the curls will hold.
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Starting with the bottom layer of hair, clamp a small section of hair at the root in the flat iron, turn it one-half rotation, and slowly drag it toward the ends the same way you would curl ribbon. Release the curl.
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Turn the next section in the opposite direction.
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Repeat with sections on the bottom and top layers until hair is complete. Not every piece of hair needs to be curled. Curl any exposed pieces to fill in. Curl front pieces away from the face.
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Set curls with hairspray as you go.
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Tousle hair and spritz texture spray at the roots.
How To Curl Short Hair With A Curling Wand
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Start by using a clip to section the hair into layers.
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Mist each layer of hair with hairspray to hold the curls.
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Divide the bottom layer of hair into sections.
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Hold the curling wand at the root end of a section, and twist to wrap the hair around the barrel with the other hand as you go. Hold the end piece of hair. It does not need to be curled and will add a soft, beachy look .
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Continue with other sections and the top layer of hair, alternating the direction of curls.
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Curl front pieces away from the face. Curl any exposed hair from the middle layer.
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Tousle your hair with your fingers for loose curls.
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Finish by applying texture spray to the roots.
Tip
Let curls cool before tousling and loosening your hair with your fingers. Separating the curls while they are still warm will cause the curls to fall.
How To Get Hair To Hold Curl
If your hair won't hold curl regardless of the technique used, try styling hair that's not squeaky clean. Having some natural oils in the hair helps add texture and helps it retain curl better. Also, check the amount of product you use. While products are necessary to hold the curl, too much can cause curls to sag. Excessive conditioner can add too much moisture, which weighs down hair. When styling hair, let each curl set for a few minutes. You can simply cup the curl in your hand and let it cool before letting it go. If, after some adjustments, your curls still continue to fall, you may just have a hair shaft shape that doesn't take curl well, and there's nothing you can do to change that.
How To Style Short, Curled Hair
Upon achieving your desired hair texture, choose a hair-do to best show off your expertly done curls. Here are some of our favorite ways to style short hair , ideas for styling curls in thin hair , and easy looks to flatter oval faces .
Frequently asked Questions
Why am I skipping the middle layer when curling?
For short hairstyles like classic bobs, less curling can be more flattering. Cabiedes explains that skipping the middle layer helps avoid creating too much volume or a triangular shape. Typically, she curls only the bottom and top layers, adjusting any visible middle pieces.
What if I don't want loose, beachy curls?
For a more polished curl look, you can continue curling all the way to the tips for a classic, glamorous effect. While soft, loose curls are trendy, maintaining curls from top to bottom will give a sleek, old Hollywood style.
How should I curl my short hair if my hair has layers?
Start curling at the top and work your way down, using a staggered pattern to accommodate different lengths. This technique ensures the curls don't stack up and makes the hair look balanced without excessive height.
Should I use hair rollers?
Although rollers can be fun, Cabiedes generally doesn't recommend them for short hair.
Related: We Spent Weeks Testing Curling Irons—And These Are The Best For Each Hair Type
Read the original article on Southern Living
