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You might not know how to use a curling ironand thats completely understandable.
Katie Thompson
Below, youll find their advice, along with helpful photos.
Start with dry hair.
Youre going to damage it more when its wet, says Dr. Khetarpal.
Katie Thompson
All hot tools, including blow dryerscan make your hair weak.
Keeping your hair as healthy as possible is important in achieving curls, which well get to next.
Avoid using a curling iron on damaged hair.
Katie Thompson
Your hair might be hard to style if itsdamaged, says Dr. Khetarpal.
Hair is made with protein thats held together by disulfide bonds.
(These are very strong chemical bonds that keep the protein strong.)
Katie Thompson
When this happens, hair becomes damaged and wont hold a curl.
It just lies there, says Dr. Khetarpal.
Think of it as almost like burnt hay.
Katie Thompson
Its just kind of frazzled, and it doesnt hold form.
That brings us to our next tip…
3.
Try not to use hot tools daily.
Katie Thompson
She recommends using hot tools every other day at most.
Use the right size and bang out of curling iron or wand.
Curling wands also have one benefit over a curling iron: They wont leave clamp marks on your hair.
Katie Thompson
Use the lowest temperature on your curling iron if it’s possible for you to.
attempt to use the least amount of heat possible, Dr. Khetarpal says.
Its a good rule of thumb to keep your tool under 400 degrees, she says.
Katie Thompson
Of course,everyones hair is different.
you might change the temperature on many curling irons, but not all devices have this capability.
If your hair doesnt curl at that setting, then gradually increase the heat until it does.
Katie Thompson
Youll need this to see to it youre using a heat styling protectant that works with your specific tool.
Always use a heat protectant.
Aheat protectantcan act as a barrier between your hot tools and your hair.
Katie Thompson
Reading the fine print is key, says Dr. Khetarpal.
This Kiloline Professional Heat Resistant Glove ($6,Amazon) has thousands of positive customer reviews.
Section your hair for the style you want to achieve.
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Let’s talk about parting.
It seems like a small detail, but the direction you part your hair canaffect the final style.
“But if you want a wavy look, use a vertical section.”
She recommends that people with thick hair types curl their hair using 1-inch sections at a time.
People with medium to fine hair types can use 1.5-inch sections of hair.
Try curling your hair in multiple directions.
You will achievedifferent resultsbased on the direction that you curl your hair.
If you curl in just one direction, then your hair will blend together.
Jennings recommends alternating the direction of each curl to make your hair look tousled.
Learn how to hold the barrel properly.
If you use acurling wand, Jennings recommends holding it vertically with the narrowest end pointed down.
Use the curling iron clamp near your roots.
It should look like this:
11.
Avoid tugging on your curls.
You shouldhold the curlon the iron for about five to eight seconds and no longer, advises Jennings.
Then, cup the curl in your hand for another three to five seconds until it’s cool.
Avoid pulling the iron out and letting your curl fall or yanking at your curls.
This will stretch out your hair and your curls will lose their shape.
Brush your hair when its cool.
You also want to be patient and let your hair cool completely beforegrabbing a brush.
Letting your curls set first will make your style last longer, says Jennings.
She recommends using a brush made for curly hair like the Tangle Teezer ($15,Amazon).
Dont forget to use hairspray.
Hairspray is essential for maintaining your style, says Jennings.
She recommends using hairspray after your hair is curled because this keeps your stylesoft and bouncy.
Using the product before will make hair crunchy, she says.
Be sure to clean your curling iron.
Clean your curling iron after every use toavoid getting black residuebuild-up in the crevices.
Jennings warns against using alcohol, which can damage the gear.
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