How to Get Your Hair to Hold Curls

Co-authored by Brianna Bowling

Last Updated: August 22, 2024 References

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If you have fine, straight hair, it can be difficult to hold a curly style for more than a few hours. Prepping your hair with a curl cream product will get you off to the right start. After curling your hair, pin it up to let it cool in a curled position, and finish with a firm-hold hairspray that will keep your curls intact throughout the day.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Starting with Dry Hair

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1
Start with hair you haven't shampooed in a day or two. When you wash your hair, you rinse away the natural oils your scalp produces. These oils add texture and hold to your hair, much like a pomade or gel would do. Day-old hair is less likely to drop curls, since the natural oils in your hair will help the curls retain their shape.^{[1]
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- If it's too late, and you already washed your hair, you can still use this method. Just rough dry your hair with a blow dryer or let it completely air dry before you curl it.
2
Add texture to your hair. There are several products you can use to add some texture to fine, straight hair so it keeps its curly shape longer than just an hour or two. Try smoothing one of the following products into your hair from the roots to the tips:^{[2]
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- Dry shampoo. This is great to use if your hair looks a little oily at the roots. Sprinkle it around your roots, wait a minute, then comb it from the roots to the tips.
- Curl-enhancing cream.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Brianna Bowling
  Hair Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.} Use a dime or quarter-sized amount (depending on the length of your hair) and comb in it from the roots to the tips to distribute the product evenly.
- Gel or pomade. If you don't have curl-enhancing cream, hair gel or pomade will work. Don't use so much your hair gets weighed down; you want just enough to lightly coat your hair.
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3
Spray your hair with hairspray.^{[4]
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Brianna Bowling
Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.} Again, it's all about adding texture. Spray a light coating of light to medium hold hairspray a few inches from your hair, then comb it through from roots to tips to distribute it evenly.^{[5]
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- Avoid using firm-hold hairspray, since it's designed to keep your hair locked in place. It could result in a stiff, crispy look.
4
Curl your hair.^{[6]
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Brianna Bowling
Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.} Now that your hair is prepped, use a curling iron, hot rollers or another curling device of your choice to add the curl you crave. Even if your hair is fine and straight, it should be able to hold any curly style if you prep it right. Here are a few fun styles to try:
- Beachy waves
- Spiral curls
- Big, soft, sexy curls
As you complete each curl, coil it against your head and use a bobby pin to pin it up. Repeat until all of your curls are pinned against your head. Let your hair fully cool down before removing the pins and letting your curls drop.^{[7]
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Brianna Bowling
Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.} Use a medium to firm-hold spray to keep your curls in place after you take them down. For a looser look, run your fingers through your hair before spraying; for tighter curls, spray away and avoid touching them.^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Starting With Wet Hair

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Conditioner makes hair smooth and silky, but when you're trying to hold curls, you want a rougher, dryer texture. If your hair is too slippery, it won't hold curl. When you wash your hair, rinse out the shampoo and skip the conditioner altogether.^{[10]
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2
Apply curl cream. This product is actually made for people with curly hair, but it works great for straight-haired people who want to add curl, too. Use a dime or quarter-sized amount, depending on the length of your hair. Comb it through your hair from the roots to the tips to distribute the product evenly.^{[11]
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- If you don't have curl cream, you can use gel or mousse instead. Don't add too much product to your hair, since you could end up weighing it down. Too much product will cause the curls to fall out instead of staying in place.
3
Put up your hair in curls. There are many methods used to curl wet hair without using any type of heat. You can have shiny, glossy, well-shaped curls or waves without using a curling iron; you just need some extra time. Try one of these popular methods to get the look you want:^{[12]
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Let your hair completely dry.^{[13]
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Brianna Bowling
Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.} No matter which curling method you use, the secret is to let your hair completely dry. You can help it along by blowing the pinned-up curls with a blow dryer. Alternatively, sleep on the curls and let them dry overnight.^{[14]
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- Unpin one curl to test and see if they're dry. If the curl is still wet inside, pin it back up and wait few more hours, then try again.
Remove the pins, t-shirt-strips or socks that helped you curl your hair, and let your curls down gently. Avoid combing or brushing them, since this can cause them to fall out right away.
Use a medium or strong-hold spray to finish the look and hold your curls in place for the rest of the day. Remember to avoid touching your hair too much, since puling on the curls can make them fall out faster.

Expert Q&A

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What is the best way to curl hair without damaging it?

Brianna Bowling
Hair Stylist
Brianna Bowling is a Hair Stylist and the Co-Owner of The CRAFT Salon in Glendora, California. With more than 11 years of experience, she specializes in balayage, blonding, and vivid colors. Brianna has received years of in-depth training on advanced color techniques.

Brianna Bowling

Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Always spritz a heat protecting hairspray that has a hold onto your hair before you start curling it.

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What can you use instead of hairspray?

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You can buy a curling cream at your local salon or drug store. You can put it in before curling and it will hold as long as hairspray.

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The hairspray makes my hair turn white. What should I use instead?

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If the hairspray is turning your hair white, it's either a bad hairspray, or you're holding the hairspray too close to the hair. You should hold the hairspray about 20-30 cm away from your hair.

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Tips

If the ends of your hair won't hold curl, it might be time for a trim. Damaged, split ends don't hold curl well.

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Try braiding it while your hair is damp or even dry. You can apply gel and leave it in too. Make about four braids, one in the front right, front left, back left, and back right then spin each braid into its own bun. For best results, leave these (fairly tight) braids in over night.

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