How To Create Curls That Last In 3 Steps, From A Pro Stylist

If you’ve curled your hair in the morning just to have the ringlets drop by mid-afternoon, keep reading. Fallen curls are a common misfortune, especially for those with thinner or straighter hair textures. Of course, you could apply heaps and heaps of hairspray, but that may result in an uncomfortable (and often unsightly) crunch. 

Prepping the hair is like stretching before a workout: You may not see or feel an instantaneous benefit, but the lasting result is worthwhile. To start, you’ll want to use a heat protectant to prevent damage—here are some of our favorites if you’re in the market. Opt for a spray-in product rather than oil to encourage minimal slip.  

Then you’ll want to go in with styling products. “Use mousses or styling creams to create hold,” Spino says. Once you apply your styling product of choice, be sure to let it sit for a few minutes before applying heat. This way, you’ll avoid the wet-hair-meets-hot-tool singe. 

“For curls that will hold up, take smaller sections and use a smaller barrel,” Spino tells mbg. You want to make the curls tighter to begin with if you’re prone to fading shape, as they’ll naturally loosen throughout the day. (The same logic applies to heatless curls: Wrap the damp strands around thinner rollers for tighter ringlets.)

Once you curl your entire head, let it cool for a few minutes. “Letting curls cool in the curled position allows the hair to take shape,” Spino says. After this cooling period, go in with a bit of hairspray for extra layer of hold. 

If you’re going for a looser, lived-in look, then you’ll probably want to shake out the curls a bit. Instead of using a brush, Spino recommends your own digits (consider them built-in tools). “You can now rake your fingers through to separate each curl,” she says. Only separate what you need and remember that the curls will fall a bit as the hours pass.