It’s Curl Time: 4 Types of Curls to Try

Once you learn how to do a specific type of curl, it’s easy to fall into the trap of only ever wearing your hair that way. This isn’t necessarily bad, but so many styles are waiting for you that may suit you better. We’ve collected four easy curling styles for you to try so you can go ahead and give them a whirl.

What are the hair curling essentials?

Before we get into the exact methods for curling your hair like a pro, there are some essentials we need to mention. While you practice the curling techniques we’re talking about below, try to do it with your curler off. This will help you get the feeling of the movements required without there being any chance of you damaging your hair.

Also, when you start practising with the heat on, use heat protectant spray. Even if your temperatures are set perfectly, heat protectant spray does more than simply protect your hair; it also gives it essential nutrients that can sometimes improve the curl's results.

200°C is the highest temperature most hair curlers will reach. This ensures that hair doesn’t get damaged or the colour doesn’t diminish or fade. Beginner curlers tend to focus too much on temperature when the speed at which they curl their air can also play a significant role in the final result. Slow your curling and reduce the temperature for more control and better results.

1. The lazy curl

There’s nothing quite like looking effortlessly polished, and one of the best ways to achieve this look is by mastering the lazy curl. A lazy curl gives you a more wave-like finish than the tight ringlet. Ideally, you should try to use a curler with a 2.5cm (1 inch) barrel for the best results for this particular style.

As for technique, to pull off this type of curl, you will wrap your hair strands around the curling iron until you get halfway. Then, use your finger to hold the hair in place and wrap its final half down the other way in the opposite direction.

2. The flat wrap

To perform a flat wrap, you’ll need to use a curler with a wide barrel to create a lot of volume. The secret to successfully achieving this curl is just wrapping your hair around the curling iron as you would normally—no twisting or twirling required. As you move to the next section, keep the previous section flat on the iron until you pull it off.

3. Spiral curls

For spiral curls, you’ll need to use the same curler size as you did for lazy curls. However, the technique is slightly different, as you’ll need to work in smaller sections to make those curls spiral. Spiral curls are first twisted from the top to the ends of each section. Then, you’ll need to wrap the twisted section of hair around your curler. Hold it for a few seconds and release. This will give you the spiral effect you’re looking for.

4. Ribbon curl

Sometimes, all you need to do to get a great curl is use a hair straightener. Yes, a straightener! With your hair straightener in hand, you can achieve a ribbon curl that almost resembles a ribbon. To create a ribbon curl, you must clamp your straightener diagonally onto the section of hair you’re curling. Then, rotate the curler with a half-turn and slowly slide it down your hair, continuing to turn as you move down the section of hair.

Tips for buying a good hair curler

Becoming proficient at curling your hair involves a certain skill level, but it also depends on the curler you use. Cheaper curlers tend to use cheaper materials and are less consistent. This means they cause hotspots or are less effective. So, to practice your curls, consider purchasing a better-quality hair curler. Look for these features:

* Ceramic barrels
* Temperature control
* Auto-turn off feature

GHD has some of the best hair curlers available on the market. You can find some quality deals on hair curlers here.

Final Thoughts

Practice makes perfect, right? When you have the time, try out the curling styles above to figure out which ones suit you best. If none of them make the cut, there are still a lot of other curling alternatives out there, so keep trying.