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While we don’t necessarily recommend heat tools on natural curls, there are times curling irons can come in handy. Sometimes, a curling iron can be useful in taming a difficult tendril, for loosening tight curls, or adding some more coil to looser waves. However, when used incorrectly, curling irons can be quite damaging to delicate curls. This is what to know about curling irons. Therefore, you can use yours effectively and get the most out of it.
What To Know About Curling Irons
What size to buy:
Curling irons come in a variety of sizes. The smaller the barrel, the tighter the curl. For looser waves, a bigger barrel is recommended. For short hair, a 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch curling iron will give tighter curls. 1 inch will provide a looser wave.
On medium length curls, opt for a 1 inch barrel for tighter curls, while a 1 1/4 inch will give voluminous waves.
For long hair, a 1 1/4 inch barrel works well for a tighter coil, whereas a larger 1 1/2 inch will give a nice, loose curls.
How to use your curling iron:
Before even beginning, make sure curls are dry. Wet or damp curls will be damaged by the heat from the iron. Apply a heat protecting spray all throughout your strands and allow to dry before starting.
For tighter coils, start with a thin, 1/2 inch section of curls. The smaller the section and less curls picked up, the tighter the curl will be. For a sleeker, more uniformed curl, pick up a thicker amount of hair. Set the curling iron on medium high heat.
Hold the curling iron vertically, facing the clasp forward. Clasp the hair in the iron about halfway up the curl shaft. Turn the curling iron away from your face, then turn the iron counter clockwise if you’re working on the left side of your face. Turn clockwise for the right side.
The curling iron should be held in place for 10-15 seconds. If your curls are very fine, less time might be required. Once the curl is formed, gently release the curl and allow to cool. Repeat throughout, waiting for curls to cool before moving on. Spray with a hair spray to hold.