How to Get Long-Lasting Curls at Home

Getting and keeping salon-style curls at home is not impossible. In fact, it's very simple with the right tools and time. Creating salon curls at home is less expensive than getting them done at a salon. Another benefit is that you can experiment with different styles without having to continuously explain the style you're thinking of. Getting long-lasting curls at home can be done within an hour or so, depending on the length and thickness of your hair.

Things You'll Need

• Curling iron
• Hair dryer
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Towel
• Hair brush
• Hair mousse
• Comb
• Hair styling clips
• Protective hair product

Instructions

1. Wash and condition your hair. Rinse well. Squeeze the water out of the hair from the top of the head to the ends, like you're slicking your hair back and making a ponytail.

2. Pat dry your hair with a towel. Do not wrap your hair in a towel or rub a towel on your head to dry it. This may cause your curls to look frizzy.

3. Brush your hair out. Turn on your hair dryer. Hold the hair dryer at a downward angle while combing your hair straight as it dries.

4. Turn on your curling iron. If your hair is already curly, use a low heat setting. If your hair is straight and harder to curl, use a high heat setting.

5. Apply a mousse to the ends of your hair. Spray about a quarter-sized amount of mousse into your hand, rub hands together and smooth the mousse onto the ends of the hair. Spray another quarter-sized amount on your hand, rub hands together, and do the same to the middle of your head.

6. Comb the hair out again. Divide the hair into three layers, a top layer, middle layer and a bottom layer. Clip the top two layers up in order to work with the bottom layer first.

7. Gather the bottom layer of hair into one-inch sections. Spray a protective hair product onto each section before applying heat to it. Spritz the section of hair with hairspray, as well.

8. Place the ends of your hair into the curling iron. Twist the curling iron up close to the scalp, being careful not to touch the iron to the hair. Unwind the hair after about 15 to 20 seconds on a high heat setting for hard-to-curl hair. Keep the iron on the hair longer (about 20 to 25 seconds) for lower heat settings.

9. Spritz the section with hairspray. Unclip the second layer of hair and repeat the curling process. Do the same for the third layer.

10. Allow the hair to cool and turn your head upside down. Spritz your entire head of hair with hairspray. Run your fingers through your hair gently in order to separate the curls.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure not to touch the head with the curling iron.

References

• Make Curls Last
• Curls that Last for Days