How To Make Straight Hair Curly

Going from straight to curly hair can seem easier said than done, especially if you have naturally pin-straight locks. Sure, it’s nice when you want to go for a sleek look, but getting any sort of wave to stay in your tresses is a battle you’ve likely fought (and lost) time and time again. Fortunately, knowing how to make straight hair curly isn’t an unsolved mystery—it’s all about putting the right hairstyling products and tools to use. Ahead, find a step-by-step guide on going from straight to curly hair.

Step #1. Prep Your Strands

When curling straight hair, using a smoothing, straightening shampoo and conditioner is far from what you want. Instead, make sure to prep your sleek locks by using a duo that will add a bit of texture to your mane, like our L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Conditioner. This pair will give your strands long-lasting volume that’s a must for a curly ‘do.

Step #2. Apply Heat Protectant

To prevent any heat damage from occurring when curling your mane, follow by spritzing on a heat protectant. Use the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BLOW DRY IT Quick Dry Primer Spray before roughly drying your hair with a blow-dryer. This heat protectant will not only shield your strands, but it’ll also help speed up your hair-drying time.

Editor’s tip: Before blow-drying your hair, you can give your locks a volume boost by applying the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse throughout.

Step #3. Curl and Pin

The trick to getting straight hair to hold curls is all in the way you curl your hair. (Typically, pin-straight hair tends to lose curl as time goes on, with the curls gradually becoming looser.) Start by gathering a one-inch section of hair. Opt for a tighter curl so you have a bit of wiggle room if it does fall a bit. Ideally, you’ll want to use a curling iron with a barrel that’s about a half-inch in size. (To learn more, here’s How to Pick the Right Curling Iron Size.) 

After releasing the curl, gather the spiral and pin it flat to your head with a bobby pin or two. Repeat this process until your entire mane is curled and pinned.

Step #4. Spray and Set

Pinning your curls will help set their shape, since they will be cooling in their spiral form. To further set them, mist the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold over your head while the pins are still in place. Then, move on to your makeup for a bit while giving your hair more time to set.

Step #5. Let Your Hair Down

You can probably guess what comes next. Gently remove the bobby pins from your hair and untangle each ringlet to reveal a tight, perfectly set curl. Continue to do this until you have a head full of bouncy spirals. Then, give your not-so-straight hair some extra staying power (and volume) with our L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold Volume. If you want, you can use your fingers to carefully separate your curls for a fuller, more voluminous appearance—just be sure not to go overboard.

Step #6. Add Extra Hold

If you’re still worried about your straight hair maintaining its curl, you can give your strands some extra hold with the help of a pomade or paste. Apply a dime-sized amount of the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Thickening Medium Hold Cream Paste to the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, and carefully work the product throughout your mane to define your curls. This pomade provides medium hold and control with a matte finish.

Next up: You don’t have to limit yourself to a curling iron to add wavy texture to your strands. Check out our article, 5 Ways to Curl Your Hair, to explore some alternate hair curling options.