How to Make Ringlet Curls for Kids

Style your child's hair in ringlets for a classic hairdo.

Transform your child's hair into a style that mimics Shirley Temple. Her famous curly locks were created using pin curls; however, sleeping in pin curls may not be as comfortable for your child as rag rolling. The technique, which is done the night before, consists of rolling the hair with a fabric strip to create ringlets. If you are pressed for time, skip rag rolling and turn to a curling iron for help creating the spiral hairstyle. Either way will leave your little girl with a mass of curly hair.

Things You'll Need

• Styling mousse or gel
• Comb
• Measuring tape
• Several 1-inch fabric strips
• Hairspray
• Hairdryer
• Heat-protectant spray
• 1/2-inch-diameter curling iron

Instructions

Rag Rolling

1. Wash hair and blot dry with a towel. Apply a mousse or styling gel to the hair with your hands. Use a comb to pull through the hair to distribute the styling product evenly; this will help the curls remain intact.

2. Measure your child's hair length from the center of the scalp to the longest part of her hair. Add four inches to the measurement and cut several strips of 1-inch wide fabric. This fabric will create the individual curls on your child's head.

3. Separate the hair vertically into two sections -- right and left. Clip the left side of the hair up and work with the right side first. Fold the fabric so one side of the fabric is the same length as the length of her hair and the other side of the fabric is shorter. Starting at the bang area, comb a 1-inch section of hair downward.

4. Tie the fabric around the base of the hair, at the scalp, at the fold in the fabric. Hold the hair and the fabric in one hand and wind around the knot at the base of the hair. Once the hair and fabric is wound around the knot, tie the two fabric piece together. Repeat the process with the next section of hair. You will always begin near the bang line and work in rows until all the hair is tied. Continue sectioning hair and tying until the entire right side is complete. Release the left side of the hair and repeat the same process.

5. Put her to sleep in the rolls to allow the hair to dry overnight. In the morning, remove the fabric knots and allow the ringlets to fall. Use a comb or brush to pull through, or spray the curls with hairspray and leave them alone

Curling Iron

1. Wash hair and blot dry with a towel. Apply a styling mousse or gel to the hair and comb through to distribute evenly.

2. Dry hair with a hairdryer set to medium-heat and a paddle brush. The hair must be completely dry before applying a hot iron or you may cause heat damage.

3. Spray a heat-protectant spray on her locks to help prevent heat damage. Younger children may have thinner hair and too much heat applied to thin hair will cause it to break or frizz. In addition to heated styling tools, the spray will combat against ultraviolet rays.

4. Comb a 1-inch section of hair from her head and open the ½-inch-diameter curling iron clamp. Insert the hair between the barrel and the clamp and slide the curling iron downward until you reach the tip of the hair. Turn the curling iron vertical and roll hair until you reach the scalp. Hold for five to 10 seconds.

5. Release the clamp and allow the ringlet to fall from the curling iron. Repeat combing out sections of hair and curling at an angle until the entire head is complete. Spray with a light-hold hairspray to keep the curls in place throughout the day.

Tips & Warnings

• Girls with fine or thin hair should use a curling iron set to medium-heat.

• If the hair will need to be curled several days in a row then consider rag rolling to prevent heat damage.

• Do not hold the curling iron on the hair for more than 10 seconds. Children's hair is much more fine than adults and it will burn easily.

References

• Beauty and the Bath: Hair Ringlets for Girls Parties and Costumes
• IMDb: Shirley Temple
• My New Hair: Rag Curls Tutorial
• "Real Simple": How To Curl Hair