When you were in the salon and watched your hairstylist using curling irons on your hair it looked so easy and your finished hair looked fantastic.
Wanting to achieve the same effect you decide that you must purchase a new tool for your hair.
So you stop off at your local store to check out the curling irons.
Now the first part in achieving great results is to use the best tools for your hair.
If you have not already purchased your irons do take a quick look at my post on good curling irons for some ideas.
Working With Your Curling Iron.
You have blow dried your hair to a salon finish and now it’s time to use your newly purchased curling irons.
You pick up the curling irons to give your hair some bounce or curl for that special night out.
Unfortunately when you try to recreate the look yourselfyou end up being disappointed with the finished look you have achieved.
Because the hair is not as curly as you want.
Therefore you dare not brush your hair or run your fingers through in case the curl falls out of your hair.
It seemed so very hard and turned out a bit of a disaster.
Even if you have had and used your curling tongs for a while
Can you even remember the amount of times that you have you ended up burning the ends of your hair?
Or even worse your fingers or your face with the hot curling irons.
3 Mistakes You Could Be Making With Your Curling Irons.
Mistake 1. You Are Not Using The Right Size Of Barrel.
The size of curling tongs that you should use will depend upon the size of curl that you need to achieve your finished look.
As different curling irons do create different types of curl.
A one and a half inch barrel.
If you use a large barrel iron of say one and a half inches diameter on your hair.
You will end up with soft large voluminous curls that will not last. But will fall into a tousled look with loads of body.
A one-inch barrel curling iron.
This is a great one to buy if you only want to purchase one hot iron for your hair.
With this size you can achieve ringlets to a classic type of Hollywood curl and even beachy waves. Depending on how you hold the iron and how you wrap your hair.
A three quarter inch barrel.
If you have naturally curly hair a three quarter inch curling iron is a great buy.
Because the curl size will be virtually the same size as your hairs natural curl. Making it perfect to give a polished look to the curls around your face.
A half inch barrel hot iron.
If you want to have a full head of ringlets or spiral curls the small half inch barrel hot iron is for you.
It is important to match your hair length and your desired look to the correct barrel size as this will help you to achieve the look you want.
If you are not to sure which hot iron barrel size will be best for your needs why not ask your hair stylist. I am sure that they will give you some great advice.
Mistake 2. You Use Your Curling Iron When Your Hair Is Still Damp.
This is a big No No.
Curling irons are designed to create beach waves or curls in dry hair.
Your hair should be 100% dry before applying any direct heat onto your hair.
Think about it for a minute.
The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius.
Your curling irons will heat up to 185 to 250 degrees Celsius.
Putting your curling tongs onto your hair if it is still damp will sizzle your hairs cuticle. Which can cause cracks in the hair shaft.
Secondly the steam that comes from your hot irons contacting your damp hair could if near your scalp could burn it.
Mistake 3. You Have Your Curling Irons Too Hot.
The optimal temperature for your curling tongs is around 185 degrees Celsius or 365 degrees Fahrenheit.
Especially so if you happen to have fine hair.
Because at this heat the hydrogen bonds in your hair will break down and reform again into the shape of the curl required.
If you use a much higher temperature on your irons you will melt the keratin on the outside of your hairs cuticle.
Leaving you with heat damaged hair which will alter your hairs natural texture.
Not all curling tongs on the market have a temperature control. If not, they are generally automatically set at a temperature of 185 degrees Celsius or 365 degrees Fahrenheit.
But make sure to check the packaging information just to be sure.
3 Tips To Better Curls With Your Curling Irons.
Tip 1. Always Section Your Hair To Achieve The Look You Want.
Knowing the correct type of section to take and which way to curl your hair with the irons. Can help you to complete your finished look in a shorter amount of time and be happy with the result.
Your section sizes – These should be around one inch thick if you have a lot of hair and a little larger of around one and a half inches if you have fine hair.
You want volume – To achieve volume in your hair take horizontal sections. Curling your hair whist lifting the root.
You want a wavy style – Section your hair vertically and curl from part way down the hairs length.
The direction in which you curl your hair with your curling irons will also give you different results.
When you curl your hair all in one direction your hair will tend to flow together when you brush or run your fingers through. Leaving you with a more polished curl finish.
If it is a tousled look you are after. Make sure to curl your hair sections in alternate directions so that your hair will not flow together.
Tip 2. Always Clamp The Ends Of Your Hair Last.
Many women when working with their curling irons will start by taking a section then clamp the ends of the hair. Before curling the irons in towards their head.
If you are working this way you will end up putting far too much heat onto the more delicate ends of your hair.
Always open the clamp on the hair tongs and then curl your hair around your curling iron from root area down towards the ends. Finishing by finally locking your hair in position with the clamp
Tip 3. Always Allow Your Curl To Cool Down.
You must have patience when using your irons.
Never pull your curl when you release it from your curling irons.
Either by pulling the irons away and letting the hair fall or by yanking on the ends of the curl straight away
Your result will be stretched out curls that will disappoint you as they will fall out very fast.
Always hold your hair on the iron for around six to ten seconds.
Then as you release the curl cup it in your hand for another ten seconds or use a small clip to clip your curl in position as you carry on curling.
Both methods will allow your hair to cool down in their curled position. Giving you stronger bouncier curls or waves that will last all night long.
To avoid all your painstaking work only lasting a couple of hours.
Remember the heat from your irons breaks down your hairs hydrogen bonds so that they can be reformed into a new shape.
In this case a curl the same size as the barrel of the hot irons you are using.
But that new shape only fixes once the hair has cooled down again.
Bonus. A Heat Protectant Goes Hand In Hand With Your Curling Irons.
All ways use a heat protectant. That’s the advice that I give to my clients.
I know it’s an extra step you must do. But it is not a waste of time.
Either spray section by section as you go. Or spray though out your hair first combing through to get an even distribution.
Your hair will thank you for doing so.
Because a heat protectant creates a barrier that smooths your hair cuticle.
As well as protecting the hair keratin from heat damage by distributing the heat from your curling irons more evenly. Leaving more moisture inside your hair strands.
Thank you for taking the time to read what I write. If you liked it take a moment to share it with a friend.
