hair styling · women
How to Curl Hair With a Straightener: Stepby Step
How to curl your hair with a flat iron, for loose waves or defined curls, on short, medium, or long hair, plus the heat settings and mistakes to avoid.
Hairover Team
To curl hair with a straightener, clamp a small section near the root, twist the straightener half a turn away from your face, and glide it slowly down to the ends. The twist creates the curl, and the slower you move, the tighter it gets. Work on fully dry hair with a heat protectant, and let the curls cool before touching them.
What you need
- A straightener with rounded edges (1 inch / 2.5 cm wide works for most lengths)
- Heat protectant
- Sectioning clips
- A light hairspray
Step by step
- Start with dry hair. Never use a straightener on damp hair.
- Apply heat protectant through the lengths.
- Section. Clip the top half up and start underneath.
- Take a 1-inch section. Smaller sections curl better.
- Clamp near the root, a few inches down, with the iron horizontal.
- Twist half a turn away from your face.
- Glide slowly down to the ends, keeping the twist.
- Let it cool. Don’t touch the curl until it’s cool, or it drops.
- Repeat, alternating direction on the back for a natural look, and always curling away from the face at the front.
- Finish. Run your fingers through and mist with hairspray.
Waves vs. curls
- Loose waves: bigger sections, a faster glide, leave the ends straight.
- Defined curls: smaller sections, a slower glide, a full twist.
- Flat “S” waves: clamp, bend the iron down, move down an inch, bend it up, and repeat.
By length
- Short hair: use a thin iron, small sections, and only a half twist. Leave the ends straight to look modern.
- Medium hair: the easiest length. See medium-length haircuts for women.
- Long hair: start further down and work in more sections, or the weight pulls the curls out.
Common mistakes
- Moving too fast: no curl.
- Stopping mid-glide: a dent in the hair.
- Too much heat: damage and dull hair.
- Big sections: only the outside curls.
Keep the heat down
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends limiting flat irons and curling irons, using low or medium heat, and a heat protectant. Our heat protectant guide explains how to use one. For a no-heat option, try heatless curls.
Related guides
See which cut shows curls best
Curls look better on a cut with some layers. Hairover lets you upload a clear photo, get a hair analysis, and try hairstyles on your own face in Style Studio.
FAQ
Can you curl hair with a straightener?
Yes. Clamp a section near the root, twist the straightener half a turn away from your face, and glide it slowly down to the ends. The twist and the slow glide create the curl.
Why won't my hair curl with a straightener?
Usually the iron is moving too fast, the sections are too big, or the hair isn't fully dry. Use smaller sections and a slower, steady glide.
What temperature should I use to curl with a straightener?
Use the lowest setting that holds a curl on your hair. Fine hair usually needs less heat than thick or coarse hair. Always use a heat protectant.
Can you curl short hair with a straightener?
Yes, if it's at least chin length. Use a thin straightener and small sections, and only twist half a turn.
