:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-483259270-1-f02b9ce3bf5041a98cb90c2beca34203.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Curling Your Hair")
Whether you have straight strands that you want to add some bend and movement to, or natural ringlets that you’re just trying to enhance, curling your hair is something that probably every one of us has done at some point. And it admittedly seems pretty simple—take an iron, wrap around a small section of hair, and you’re good to go, right? Well, kind of. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an overly complicated process, but there are certain potential pitfalls that can end up impacting not only your final look, but the health of your hair, too.
We asked Chicago-based hairstylist Rob Reyes to weigh in on the most common hair curling mistakes—and what to do instead—to ensure you end up with crave-worthy curls.
Not Using a Heat Protectant
According to Reyes, this is the number one most common mistake people make. While it’s imperative to use a heat protectant anytime you’re using any kind of hot tool, it’s especially important in the case of a curling iron, when the heat is directly on your hair (unlike, say, with a blow-dryer, where it’s more indirect). “There are plenty of good heat protectors that protect the hair from temperatures up to 450 degrees. Some of these even offer hold to keep your style looking better for longer periods of time,” he explains. Point being, you can actually think of these as a styling product with benefits.
Cranking Up the Temperature
In related news, there’s actually no need to turn your iron all the way up to 450 degrees. Many tools do offer this as the highest setting, but Reyes says it’s both unnecessary and way too hot for most hair. He suggests starting at 300 to 350 degrees, and gradually increasing the heat if your hair is especially thick or dense.
Curling In One Direction
Generally speaking, mixing up the direction in which you’re curling various sections—one section towards the face, one section away—yields a much more natural look, says Reyes. That being said, if you’re after a every polished, vintage-inspired look, you will want to keep the curls going all in the same direction (away from the face), he adds.
Holding the Iron Too Long on Each Section
There’s no need to keep the iron on each section for very long; Reyes says he usually caps it about 10 seconds or so. The longer you hold it, the more you risk heat damage, and ending up with dry, brittle curls, he notes. (Especially if you’re making those other mistakes and not using a heat protectant and/or turning the temp up too high.) Fun fact: While the heat will help create the curl shape, it actually sets as it cools. So it’s almost more imperative to let the curl fully cool off once it’s formed before combing through it with your fingers or a comb.
Curling All the Way to the Ends
Rather than curling all the way through the entire length of your strands, Reyes advises leaving out anywhere from the bottom one to three inches. This not only creates a more modern, lived-in look, it’s also better for the health of your hair. “The ends are generally the weakest and most vulnerable to damage, so leaving them out will keep them happier in the long run,” he points out.
Curling Daily
If your hair is naturally curly, it’s a good move to try and just use a curling iron to touch up your spirals occasionally. “Give your hair a rest. Wash and air-dry and use your hair’s natural texture to your advantage, if possible. Then, touch up with an iron on day two or three, depending how long you can go between washes,” says Reyes. “Using a curling iron as a crutch to make your hair look more polished is unfortunately a losing battle, resulting in dry, dehydrated strands.”