How to Get Very Straight Hair Very Curly

Co-authored by Janet Miranda and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: November 5, 2022 References

If you have stick-straight hair but want beautiful curls, you can use a curling iron or hot rollers to get a curly style, or even create overnight curls with bobby pins. Whichever method you choose, you’ll need to begin with dry hair that is free of tangles. Hair that hasn’t been washed for a day or two holds curl better, so consider trying a curly style the day after you wash your hair. You can also get a haircut with long layers to encourage curls as well as apply products to your hair that will make your curls last all day.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using a Curling Iron

1
Begin with dry hair. You should never use a curling iron on wet hair, as it causes breakage and burning. Instead, make sure your hair is completely dry before curling it.^{[1]
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Comb out the tangles. Before you start curling, make sure your hair is free of tangles and snares by running a brush or comb through it. You can apply a detangling spray or serum if necessary, as well.^{[2]
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3
Apply a setting spray or hairspray to your hair. Before you use your curling iron, apply a setting spray or hairspray to help the curls hold. You can also use a product like wave-enhancing spray, mousse, or gel, to help give your hair body and set the curls.^{[3]
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Research source} Let it dry before you start curling your hair.
- Look for a setting spray that doubles as a heat protectant to prevent hair damage from the curling iron.
4
Use a curling iron with a barrel between ¾ inches and 1 inch (2.5 cm). To get extra curly hair, you need to use a small curling iron to create fairly tight curls. Choose a curling iron with a ¾ inch to 1-inch barrel to get small curls. Larger barrels will create a wavy, rather than curly, look.^{[4]
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5
Curl 1-inch sections at a time. Begin with a small section at the crown (or top) of your head and work your way through the top portion of your hair. Then, curl the next highest layer all the way around before moving lower.
- Many people also start curling from the bottom, but it won’t make a big difference either way.
6
Clamp a section of hair in the curling iron. Open the handle and close the hair in the curling iron. Start in the middle of the section, rather than clamping it at the end, to create curls that last all day.^{[5]
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7
Roll the iron up. Begin twirling the iron so that the hair wraps around it. Then, gently release the clamp and slide the iron down the hair. Clamp it and roll it again. Continue this process until you reach the ends of your hair. Then roll the iron until it is close to, but not touching, your scalp.^{[6]
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- Clamping the middle of your hair in the iron and working your way toward the ends will create longer lasting curls that rolling the iron from the bottom of your hair up.
8
Release the curl. Hold the curl in place for 5 seconds before releasing it. Then, open up the iron and pull the handle down, letting go of the curl.^{[7]
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9
Pin up each curl as you go. After you make the curl, wrap it around your finger in a small loop or bun. When you have it wrapped, use a bobby pin or single prong hair clip to secure it to your head. This process will help your curls set, and it keeps them out of your way as you curl the rest of your hair.
10
Alternate the size and direction of each curl. As you go, alternate the amount of hair you curl at one time and well as the direction in which you roll the hair. Doing so will give you a bit more volume, as well as curls in different sizes and orientations, which will make them look more natural.^{[8]
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11
Continue until all your hair is curled. Continue curling one piece of hair at a time until all your hair is curled. If you have a lot of hair and are curling small sections, this may take a while.
12
Spritz your curls with hairspray. While your curls are setting, spritz them with hairspray before unpinning them. Allow the hairspray to dry completely before you remove the bobby pins.^{[9]
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13
Unpin the curls. Release the bobby pins, and unroll the curls. Shake your curls out, then use your fingers to separate them.^{[10]
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14
Shape the curls with your fingers. Scrunch up or twist the curls with your fingers, creating the shape you want. Don’t brush out your curls, as this will undo all the work you’ve put in and create frizziness.^{[11]
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- You can apply a finishing product to set the style, if desired.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Hot Rollers

1
Heat up your rollers. Plug in the hot roller set and allow it to heat up. Follow the directions on the hot rollers to find out how long you should let them heat up for, though it’s usually no more than a few minutes.^{[12]
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2
Begin with smooth, dry hair. It’s important that you start this style with dry hair that is free of tangles. You can wash and dry your hair, or add curlers to hair that has been washed a day or two ago. Brush out your hair before beginning.^{[13]
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3
Add mousse to your hair. Adding mousse gives your hair more texture and volume, which is key to creating curls that will last. Put a quarter-sized amount of mousse in the palm of your hand, then rub your hands together. Run your hands through your hair to distribute the mousse, then comb through it to make sure your locks are evenly coated.^{[14]
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- If your hair is very long and thick, you might need to use a bit more mousse.
4
Divide hair into 1-inch sections. Divide your hair into small, even sections. Each section should be no more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. Separate the sections with clips to prevent your hair from becoming tangled.^{[15]
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5
Place the roller in the center of the first section. Start at the top of your head and work your way down. Hold the roller vertically, rather than horizontally, and position it in the middle of the first section of hair.^{[16]
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6
Wind the roller up to your scalp. Wrap the ends of your hair around the roller. Take care to ensure they are smooth and secure. Then, wind the roller up until it reaches your scalp.^{[17]
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7
Secure the roller with a clip. Hot rollers come with heat-safe clips to secure them in place. Once the roller is wrapped up to your scalp, place a clip over top of it to keep it secure.^{[18]
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8
Continue adding rollers to the rest of your hair. Using the same method, continue adding rollers to your hair until each section is done.^{[19]
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9
Allow the rollers to cool. You want to let the rollers cool completely before removing them. This may take 30 to 60 minutes, so make sure you set aside enough time to complete this style before beginning.^{[20]
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10
Remove the hot rollers. Undo the clip and gently unroll the roller from your hair. Continue until all the hot rollers are removed.^{[21]
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11
Spritz a dry texturizing spray on your hair. Using a dry texturizing spray (a powder- or polymer-based product that absorbs oil and adds texture) will help your curls to set and stay all day. Avoid using wet products, like gel, at this stage that could ruin your curls.^{[22]
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12
Finger-comb your hair. Avoid using a brush or comb on fresh curls, as they can straighten the hair or create frizziness. Instead, use your fingers to gently comb through your curls.^{[23]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Bobby Pins to Curl Hair Overnight

1
Start with dry hair. Trying this style on wet hair can result in snarls and frizz, so begin with dry hair. Your hair can be freshly washed, but the curl will likely hold better if you washed it a day or two ago.^{[24]
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2
Divide your hair into sections. You will need to divide out bigger sections of your hair if you want large curls and smaller sections if you want small curls. Comb through your hair, then divide it into sections.^{[25]
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3
Create small loops. Wrap each section loosely around two fingers. Once you have a small, loose loop, use two bobby pins to hold it in place. If you cross them over each other, they are less likely to come out.^{[26]
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- You can also secure your curls with single prong hair clips, which can open wider than bobby pins.
- With this method, you’re creating “pin curls.”
- You can also use sponge or bendable curl rollers to roll your hair overnight.
4
Continue with the rest of your hair. Work from the top down until all of your hair is pinned up.^{[27]
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5
Let your hair set overnight. Go to bed with your hair pinned up to allow the curls to set. You can sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase or cover your hair with a silk or satin kerchief to prevent frizz.
6
Take out the pins. When you wake up in the morning, remove each bobby pin from your hair. Allow each curl to loosen and fall down naturally.^{[28]
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7
Finger-comb your curls. Run your fingers through your hair to comb out the curls. Avoid using a comb or brush on your curls. If your hair needs a little more body, let your head hang down in front of you and loosen your curls by shaking your head back and forth.^{[29]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Creating the Best Hair for Curling

1
Trim your hair every 6-8 weeks. Hair grows about ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) per month, and often becomes damaged as it gets longer. If your hair is damaged or has split ends, it will likely have trouble taking curls. Getting your ends trimmed frequently will help you create your dream curls.
2
Get a haircut with long layers. Long layers will hold a curl better than straight-cut edges. Ask your stylist for long layers to help you create curls.
3
Create texture with products. Adding mousse or curling cream creates body and helps your hair hold curls. Evenly distribute a quarter-sized amount to your hair before styling it. Read the labels or ask your stylist to find out what product type best suits your hair.
4
Use less conditioner. When you're planning to curl your hair, cut your conditioner in half. Conditioner can weigh down your hair, which can make curls drop out of it.^{[30]
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Try a root booster. Root boosters add volume to your hair. Spritz a small amount of the product at the roots of damp hair on days when you are planning to curl your hair.^{[31]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How do you make your hair grow faster?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

A healthy diet and scalp massage are two simple ways to maximize your natural hair growth. Biotin supplements can also be very effective.
Question

How do you make your hair naturally curly?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can't control your natural wave pattern. However, if you have some natural wave you can amplify it with a curl-enhancing product and a diffuser.
Question

Can your hair go from straight to curly?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Your hair can change color, texture, or wave pattern any time you undergo a significant change in hormones or body chemistry. Childbirth, illness, and puberty are a few common events that often change hair.