How to Curl Hair

If you've long envied glorious ringlets and waves, you may want to learn how to curl hair in order to achieve the look for yourself. Fortunately there's not much to the process and there are several methods you can use to achieve the locks you long for.

Glorious curls can be yours!

If the 1950s taught us anything about fashion and beauty, it's that we should really appreciate how far we've come since then. Of course, this is true in just about every aspect of life, but considering the lengthy processes women went through to achieve heads full of luscious curly hair, it's especially applicable in the beauty world.

Styling hair into soft, buoyant curls was quite an undertaking back in those days. Hair dryers did not exist, so women were forced to use pin curls and rollers, spray them with hairspray, and allow them to set, often overnight. The result, though, was worth the time and effort, as demonstrated by the millions who faithfully adhered to the arduous curling rules. Women also got perms put into their hair to ensure a longer lasting curl, but even then the hair would usually be rolled on a regular basis to achieve the soft look so popular during the decade.

Though curls continued in popularity throughout the years, the process of achieving them became considerably easier as technological advancements increased and products improved. Today, there are a number of methods available that create various types of curls with minimal effort.

Though there are many different ways of curling hair, the basic distinction is between using heat or non-heat methods. Heated methods require the use of tools such as hair dryers, hot rollers, curling irons or even flat irons, while non-heated regimens require curlers and, more importantly, enough time to allow hair to air dry.

Curling irons make the process easy. The hair must be dry, and there are many different iron sizes available. Small sizes create a tighter curl while large barrels create looser, more open curls. When the hair is wrapped around the barrel, it is reshaped as the heat breaks the hair's natural pattern. After releasing the hair, the curl forms as the hair cools. To ensure the longevity of your curls, spritz hair all over with a light hairspray both before and after curling.

Flat irons are traditionally used for hair straightening, but they also act as superb hair curlers. Using an iron no larger than one and a half inches wide and made with ceramic plates, begin by taking a two inch section of hair and clasping it from the top in the iron. The sectioned hair that hangs below the iron's grip should then be wound over the iron (essentially, you will lift it up and bring it over the top of the iron so that it forms a loop over the appliance). Next, rotate the iron so that the looped hair faces back down. Finish by sliding the iron slowly down (just as you would while straightening). The result is a magnificent curl. Practice makes perfect, but once this trick is mastered it is quite simple.

Curls without heat.

Hot rollers require a bit more time. Start with clean, dry hair. Apply a styling cream from roots to ends. Separate and clip the hair into three sections (one on each side and one at the back). Release one section, brush it out to remove any tangles and mist with a light hairspray. Taking a two inch section from the hair you've released, wrap it around a hot roller making sure to roll it all the way to the scalp. Do this until your entire head is covered with rollers. Mist light hairspray over the entire head and allow the rollers to set for at least 20 minutes. Release the rollers, finger comb the curls, and finish with an extra-hold spray.

If you're not up for using heated tools near your scalp, you may have to curl your hair the old-fashioned, time-consuming way. Here are a few ideas for how to curl your hair without using heat.

• Run a super hold hair gel through wet hair, scrunch it in by "squeezing" your hair from the ends up. Scrunching hair works especially well on those whose hair is not pin straight to begin with.
• Apply a setting lotion to your hair and wrap small sections with either foam or magnetic rollers.
• If you prefer a more rippled, wavy effect, pull wet hair back into one or several braids. When it is dry, release the hair, finger comb and spritz with a light hairspray.

Ultimately, how you curl your hair depends on how much time you have, what sort of curls you're after, and whether your hair is up to the challenge of being heat-styled on a regular basis. If you love curls but simply don't have the time to create them every day, consider getting a perm. Finally, always pre-treat hair with a heat protective spray prior to using heat-styling tools, all of which can contribute to long term hair damage. When you know how to curl hair properly, you can enjoy a wide range of fun and stylish looks.

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