Tie off the section you won’t be working on first into a loose ponytail.
Note that your hair is not clamped into the curling iron or wand, but rather twisted around the barrel.
You may need to experiment with how long to hold your hair around the iron, as this varies depending on hair type. Start by holding for 10 seconds, and gradually increase that by a few seconds at a time until you get a curl that holds.
Using styling wax instead of hair spray avoids the crunch and frizz that can come from sprays. However, if you prefer hair spray, spritz your curls with a light- or medium-hold spray. [2] X Research source
Avoid adding products at this point. Flat irons are most effective on hair that is clean and smooth.
You should be holding the flat iron vertically, with the tip pointing upwards. Your flat iron needs to be thin (think 1-2 inches) with a rounded barrel. The heat from the iron heats up the barrel just enough to curl your hair.
You may need to experiment with how slowly you go here. Holding the flat iron longer at the top ensures a full curl, rather than just curls at the ends. The longer you hold, the more curl you’ll get. Don’t open the iron at any point here: it should remain clamped shut.
If it’s easier for you, put each of the sections in a loose ponytail, leaving the one you’ll be working on loose. If you have shorter bangs that you don’t want to curl, do not include them in the sections.
Twist the hair away from your face. For the right sections, work clockwise; for the left, counterclockwise.
You can speed up the process if you want by using a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer on the coils.
