5 Ways to Curl Your Hair

When it comes to different hairstyles, there’s no style that’s quite as stunning and timeless as curls. It doesn't matter if you create loose spirals or tight ringlets, or whether you have short hair or long hair—there’s no denying the beauty of curled hair! Of course, there’s more than one way to curl your mane to get the look. From curling irons to heat free alternatives, keep reading to learn about five ways to curl your hair.

Curling Technique #1: Hot Rollers

Chances are you’ve seen pictures of women applying makeup with a dozen hot rollers in their hair since you were a kid. This classic hair curling technique has truly stood the test of time! The best thing about hot rollers is that they’re a hands-free curling option—which means you can multitask and create a killer makeup look or paint your nails while your curls form. Follow the steps below to curl away!

Step #1: Heat your rollers

Before you get to curling, you want to heat your rollers to the appropriate temperature. Make the most out of waiting for your rollers to heat up by applying a heat protectant throughout your mane.

Step #2: Get rolling

Take about a one-inch section of hair and place the roller a few inches away from your roots, at the bottom of the section, making sure to hold the roller by the edges to avoid burning yourself. Slowly wrap your hair evenly around the roller, then gently roll the roller toward your scalp and clip it into place.

Step #3: Section and repeat

Continue to make one-inch sections and place hot rollers throughout your hair.

Editor’s note: While we’re recommending you use one-inch sections of hair, you can use larger or smaller sections depending on how tight you’d like your curls to be.

Step #4: Take your rollers out

Once your rollers have been in your hair for their allotted amount of time (there should be guidelines on the packaging they came in), remove them to reveal your gorgeous curls. Gently brush through your curls with your fingers for a softer look, then finish your ‘do with a spritz of the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Fine Control Hairspray.

Curling Technique #2: Curling Wand

A curling wand is one of the most popular ways to curl your hair—and you’re about to understand why. Here’s how to use one:

Step #1: Use heat protectant

Spray a heat protectant spray throughout your hair to avoid any heat damage.

Step #2: Curl your hair

Take a section of hair and place your curling wand at the root. Slowly wrap the section of hair around the wand and wait a few seconds to allow your hair to heat. When time is up, release the strand to reveal your curl! The size of your section determines the size of your curl. For looser curls, use larger sections and for tight curls, use small sections—it’s that simple.

Step #3: Repeat, repeat, repeat

Repeat the process of sectioning, wrapping, and releasing throughout your mane for a full head of curls.

Step #4: Secure your style

Keep your curls in place by spritzing the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Weather Control Hairspray over your hairstyle.

Curling Technique #3: Foam Rollers

Hot rollers aren’t the only form of rollers that can be used to curl your hair. If you want to skip the heat and achieve a heat-free hairstyle, try using foam rollers to add some curl to your locks.

Step #1: Brush your hair

Before grabbing your rollers, make sure to brush your hair to get rid of any knots and tangles.

Step #2: Get rolling

Good news: If you’ve already mastered hot rollers, you’ll find foam rollers to be no challenge at all—they’re pretty similar to use. Take a small section of hair and place your foam roller at the end. Slowly roll the roller up your section of hair until you get to the root, making sure your hair wraps around the roller smoothly and evenly. Clip the roller into place and you’re good to go!

Step #3: Roll and repeat

Continue sectioning, rolling, and clipping until you have foam rollers throughout your hair.

Step #4: Choose your method

To give your curls time to form, you can choose one of two methods to complete your foam roller curls. If you’re getting ready for a night out, put your curlers in during your morning routine and allow them to set throughout the day. When you take them out before you go out at night you’ll have gorgeous curls! If you want your hair to be curled for a day of work, put your rollers in at night and sleep on them. While this may not be the most comfortable option, you’ll be left with beautiful curls and no heat damage. It’s also a good idea to sleep with a silk pillowcase to avoid frizz and flyaways.

Step #5: Seal in your style

Finish your curls by spraying the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Bold Control Hairspray over your ‘do. 

Curling Technique #4: Flat Iron

Desperately want curls but only have a flat iron on hand? You’re in luck—that straightener is a multipurpose hair tool. Find out how to use it to create curls in our step-by-step tutorial, How to Curl Your Hair with a Flat Iron.

Curling Technique #5: Overnight Twists

Overnight twists are another easy, heat free option for curling your hair. This is also the perfect method for those who don’t want to spend time in the morning styling their hair. Here’s how to do it:

Step #1: Brush and detangle

Brush through your hair to smooth out your strands.

Step #2: Section and twist

Take a one-inch section of hair and twist it from the ends. Once you have a full twist formed, twist that twist (that’s a tongue-twister!) into a tiny bun on your head. Pin the twist into place with a bobby pin or two.

Step #3: Twist, twist, twist

Repeat step two until you don’t have any stray strands left.

Step #4: Get some shut-eye

And now for the easiest step: go to sleep! Wrap your hair in a silk scarf to keep your twists from coming out while you catch some shuteye.

Step #5: Take out your twists

When you wake up, take your twists out to reveal lots of spirals! You can loosen your curls by gently combing through them with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.

Step #6: Complete your ‘do

Finish your curled hairstyle by spritzing the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Strong Hold throughout your mane.

Can’t get enough of curly locks? Consider rocking one of The 4 Best Hairstyles for Curly Hair.