How to Curl Your Hair With a Straightener in 4 Steps

To curl your hair with a straightener in four steps, start by prepping your hair with a heat protectant spray after selecting the appropriate straightener plate size for your hair. Next, take a 1-to-2-inch section of hair, clamp the straightener near the root, and immediately twist the iron backwards and away from your face. Finally, slowly glide the iron down the hair strand in one fluid motion, then mist the finished, cooled curls with hairspray to set the style.

Step 1: Prep & Protect

Pick a straightener that suits your hair length (smaller plates for short hair, wider for long hair). Before you do anything, spray your hair all over with a heat protectant—don't skip this!—and brush it smooth. Consider the material of your straightener: Titanium heats up faster and is best for thick, coarse hair, while ceramic plates provide more consistent heat, making them ideal for fine or damaged hair. To guarantee smooth curls, set the straightener to the lowest effective temperature that still creates the curl.

Step 2: Clamp & Twist

Divide your hair into sections. Take a 1-to-2-inch piece, clamp your straightener near the root, and immediately flip the iron backwards, away from your face, making a half-turn. The placement of the initial clamp determines where the curl starts. For a modern, beachier wave, start clamping 1-2 inches below the root to leave the top flat. If you want a more uniform, glamorous curl, clamp the straightener higher, closer to the root.

Step 3: Glide Smoothly

Keep the twist secure and slowly pull the straightener down the length of the hair in one fluid motion. When you get to the end, release the curl and gently twist it with your fingers to define the shape. The key to avoiding crimps and getting a smooth ribbon curl is maintaining consistent, gentle tension and never stopping or slowing down the iron as you glide. To create effortless "undone" waves, alternate the direction of your twist (away from the face, then toward the face) with each section of hair.

Step 4: Set the Style

Once the curls are cool, mist them with a light coating of hairspray to lock them in place. For maximum bounce, you can quickly clip the warm curls up to your head for five minutes before letting them drop. Don't brush your fresh curls immediately! Wait until they are completely cool to the touch (cooling is what sets the bond). Once cool, for a soft, Hollywood finish, gently break them up using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb (found in our brushes section), rather than a brush, to prevent frizz and maintain the definition.

FAQs on Curling Hair with a Straightener

How to curl your hair with a GHD straightener?

GHD straighteners are ideal for curling due to their smooth plates and consistent heat. To curl, clamp a section of hair, rotate the straightener 180 degrees, and slowly glide down the strand, maintaining tension. Their rounded barrel edges help create a snag-free, glossy finish.

How can I create natural-looking beachy waves using only a straightener?

For beachy waves, use the classic clamp-and-twist method but leave the last 1-2 inches of your hair ends straight. Also, alternate the direction you twist the straightener (away from the face, then toward the face) on adjacent sections for that effortless, "undone" look.

How to curl your hair with a mini straightener?

Mini straighteners are best for short hair, fringes, or touch-ups. Use smaller sections of hair (about half an inch wide) and make the twist rotation faster than you would with a full-sized iron. The narrow plates create a tighter, more defined curl or texture.

How to curl your hair with a straightener for short hair (male/boy)?

The technique is identical for shorter hair often worn by men and boys. Focus on very small sections and clamping the straightener closer to the mid-shaft to add texture and movement rather than full curls. Curl just the top layer and use a light styling product, like wax or paste, to finish.

TL;DR: How to Curl Your Hair With a Straightener

The key steps include using a heat protectant spray, selecting the correct straightener (ceramic vs. titanium, plate size), clamping a section of hair and twisting the iron 180 degrees while gliding down the strand to form a curl, and finally, using hairspray to set the style once the curls have cooled.