How to Do the Twist Method With a Curling Iron

Achieve texture and volume with natural-looking curls.

Curling your hair with a curling iron can instantly transform your appearance, add dimension and volume to your ‘do and upgrade your normal hairstyle for special occasions. But if used incorrectly, a curling iron will produce tightly-coiled ringlets that leave you looking less like a vixen and more like Shirley Temple. Learn how to achieve loose curls, spirals and waves with the twist method for a softer and more natural effect.

Things You'll Need

• Shampoo
• Volumizing spray
• Blow dryer
• Smoothing cream
• Brush
• Comb
• Elastic hair bands
• Curling Iron
• Hair gel (optional)

Instructions

1. Wash your hair and apply a spritz or two of volumizing spray to the roots while the hair is still damp. Dry your hair.

2. Apply a dime-sized portion of smoothing cream from mid-way along the length of your hair to the ends, avoiding the roots. Slowly brush the cream through your hair.

3. Part and section your hair with the comb, starting from the center part: use elastic hair bands to keep sections separated. For smaller, thinner curls, make the sections about one inch thick. For wider curls, make the sections about three inches thick.

4. Take the first section of hair in your non-dominant hand and remove the elastic band. Hold the curling iron, pointed downward, in your dominant hand. Starting just above ear-length, loosely wrap the hair around the curling iron rod. Begin at the top of the rod and work your way downward in a spiral fashion. If the curling iron has a clasp, do not grip your hair in the clasp: doing so will result in kinks.

5. Repeat the wrapping and curling process until all sections of hair are complete.

6. Pull your fingers through the curls to soften them, using a little gel to keep the hold if desired. Twist a few strands of curls between your fingers to soften the look.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a nickel-sized amount of smoothing cream for thick or long hair

• For thick hair, in Step 3, divide the hair into multiple small sections.

• Do not comb or brush the curls, as they will begin to tease, frizz and fray. Always finger style hair after curling.

• Do not touch the metal rod of the curling iron or set it down on a surface that can burn or melt.

References

• Cosmopolitan: Hair Dilemma: Cockeyed Curls
• How to Curl Your Hair: How to Curl Your Hair with a Curling Iron
• Cosmopolitan: Sexy Hair Secrets; Bend Your Ends