How to Curl Hair
Turn your head into a cascade of curls with these instructions.
Up next in Haircuts & Hair Styling (63 videos)
Get the look of a professional haircut or hairstyle without the salon prices by watching the videos in this hair styling series from Howcast.
You Will Need
- Unwashed hair
- Hot rollers
- Hair spray
- Comb
- Blow-dryer (optional)
- Velcro rollers (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Prepare your hair
Start with hair that hasn't been washed for a day or two -- the curls hold better that way. Plug in your hot rollers.
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Step 2
Roll up the top
Starting with the hair on the top center of your head, closest to your forehead, wrap one-inch sections of hair around each roller, rolling it back away from the face, from ends to roots, and secure with a clip. Continue until the center strip of your scalp is done, like a Mohawk.
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If your rollers come in different sizes, use the biggest ones for the top of your head, the middle ones on the side, and the smallest ones on the bottom pieces.
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Step 3
Wrap the sides
Wrap the hair on each side of your head, angling the rollers vertically to create spiral curls.
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Step 4
Gather bottom pieces
Use the remaining rollers on the bottommost layers of hair. Lightly spray your entire head with hair spray.
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No hot rollers? Use Velcro rollers, and give each one a five-second blast of hot air from your dryer after you roll it into the hair to set. Leave them in for about 15 minutes.
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Step 5
Wait until they're cool
Wait until the hot rollers are completely cool -- about 20 minutes -- before carefully removing them.
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Step 6
Finger-style
Gently arrange the curls with your fingertips; then freeze the desired style with hair spray. If the curls are too tight, run a wide-tooth comb through them to loosen.
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In 2009, Australian medical researchers discovered the gene that influences whether people of European descent have curly or straight hair.
