How to Create Rag Curls

If you're looking for a different and interesting hairstyle that isn't bad for your hair like perms, color, and curling appliances, you should try rag curls. They're simple, doesn't take that long, and will leave you with a head full of lovely curls!

In this article, I will show you how to make rag curls.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cloth, such as an old t-shirt
• Scissors
• Small bottle
• Gel and/or hairspray (optional)

1. 1

   To begin with, take a piece of cloth and cut it into strips. Things you might use include an old pillowcase, t-shirt, towel, or even pantyhose. Cut into strips about an inch wide (more or less is fine) and about six inches long. The number of rags you should have depends on the thickness of your hair. Try making some test curls before cutting all your strips.

2. 2

   Wash and condition your hair as usual (I wouldn't go for really heavy deep conditioner, however). Let your hair air dry. If you decide to use a little gel, run a dab through your hair before continuing to the next step of your rag curls.

3. 3

   When your hair is dry, section it off: part your hair as you normally wear it and then section off your hair depending on how many curls you want in your hair. (You can section it as you work.) If your hair is slightly damp, you will have tighter curls. The number of sections you make will determine the number of curls you create.

4. 4
   
    
   curling a rag curl with a bottle

   Take your rag, begin at the bottom of your hair, and curl your hair around and around the strip of cloth, ending it as close to your scalp as you'd like. It helps if you pinch the tip of the hair into the center of the rag and then roll up. This will make very tiny curls that look especially cute on children.
   
   If you would like to make larger curls, you can use a small bottle (or something round and as wide as you'd like your curls to be) as a guide. Pinch the hair with the rag, press the rag against the bottle and roll up. Tie the rag and pull the bottle out.
   
   You can make ringlets by twisting the hair before rolling the rag curl up.

5. 5
   
    
   whole head in rag curls

   Once your hair is curled enough, tie the strip ends together. Continue doing this all the way around your head until your whole head is in rag curls.

6. 6

   When you are finished, it's time to just let it set. The longer you leave the rags in, the curlier your hair will be. I recommend leaving them in for an hour or two and then testing it to see how the rag curl is coming along. You can also sleep in them. Unlike normal curlers, rag curls are surprisingly comfortable to sleep in.

7. 7

   Once your hair is dry, take the rags out slowly. Don't just pull them out, unwind them so that your hair doesn't get tangled. For ringlets, try to pull the rag down instead of out.

8. 8
   
    
   beautiful rag curls!

   Finish taking the curlers out, run your fingers through your hair, add a bit of hair spray, and voila! Beautiful!

Tips & Warnings

• Fleece works really well for your rags.
• It helps to have another person to do the back for you!
• Be careful taking out the rags so that you don't tangle your hair!

Resources

• In Style Getting Gorgeous

on 1/14/2010 I have never done this, but always wanted to. Thanks for the how to! 5*

on 3/4/2009 excellent article. 5*

on 3/2/2009 good article, thanx.

on 3/1/2009 I had totally forgotten about this. My mom did this to me when little. An old technique.

on 3/1/2009 One of grandma's techniques. I remember when she did this for me. Thanks! 5*