If your hair just won’t retain a curl no matter how you hold a curling iron, you are not alone. Uncertainty about using a curling iron is perfectly reasonable, but if you learn how to use a spiral curling iron, you can easily achieve precisely curled, shiny hair.
You might be used to using a spiral curling wand or a conventional curling iron with a clamp, however the spiral curling iron is special due to the grooves and spirals that direct your hair which will ensure that you obtain the greatest outcomes and stop your hair from snagging. We’ll explain how to use a spiral curling iron in this article so that you can achieve the best results.
Table Of Contents
How To Use A Spiral Curling Iron
1. Prepare Your Hair
Like with any other task, you’ll want to make sure your hair is prepared before you begin the curling process. Yes, you can achieve satisfactory results without preparation, but you don’t want “satisfactory” when you can have the best! After all, if you don’t perform the necessary preparation, even the greatest spiral curling irons will struggle to produce optimum results.
- Always start by making sure that your hair is well washed, shampooed and conditioned. Use products that are suitable for your hair type and that you can trust.
- In the meantime, avoid regular curling iron use or any curling process if you already have dry, brittle hair because this might lead to more harm.
- Completely dry your hair (either towel, blow or air dry is fine) before using the spiral curling iron.
- Whether you think you have normal hair or not, you should apply heat protectant products to your hair to prevent further damage. Before blow drying your hair, you can apply a range of solutions to wet or dry hair. The heat protectant is crucial because, despite your hair type, it is still vulnerable to heat damage.
2. Section Your Hair
The way you separate your hair can seem like a small element, but it actually has an impact on the final look.
- If you want volume, take a horizontal portion and curl it while lifting from the root.
- If you want a wavy effect, use a vertical part.
- For those with thick hair, it is better to use 1-inch sections at a time while curling their hair. 1.5-inch portions of hair work best for those with medium-to-fine hair types.
- Use larger sections to achieve softer curls and to accelerate the curling process.
3. Choose The Right Temperature
Determining the ideal temperature and heat setting for your hair type and preserving your hair’s general health are just a few of the many considerations that go into curling your hair successfully. Many spiral irons include heat settings that may be changed. This is a fantastic option because it enables you to adjust the temperature in accordance with the type of hair you have.
Thicker hair can safely withstand higher heat, but thin hair requires less heat to prevent damage.
4. Wrap It Up
Put the end of your hair in the spiral iron’s clamp and twist the barrel in the direction of the roots until it is almost at the top of your head. In order to wrap a section around the barrel of a spiral curling iron in the space between the grooves, you need to start curling from the roots. If you want to get tighter curls, hold the tool in for a bit longer. You should continue to work in tinier sections and build up until the curling is complete.
Your hair will merge together if you only curl in one direction. Changing the direction of each curl will give your hair a different appearance. You can try switching it up by curling your hair in the opposite direction for the next area if you curled it away from you in the previous section.
We advise you to use a glove and be extra careful when holding the tool near your head.
5. Don’t Brush Or Rush
You will then reach a crucial stage in this procedure after going over every single section of your hair: let your hair down and let it cool. You’ll need to stop touching your hair – all of your hard work will be undone if you begin playing with those freshly formed spiral curls too early. It would be a pity to lose the well-defined, bouncy curls that a spiral curling iron is known for because you were impatient.
If you got tighter curls but you actually want a looser look, then you can use a brush to make it happen. We advise you to wait until your spiral curls have cooled down before combing them. Naturally, this can differ depending on the hairstyle you want. It is preferable to brush your hair once each portion has cooled down as opposed to periodically combing each region. If you don’t feel the urge to brush it you can leave your spiral curls as they are.
6. Use A Good Hairspray
Use a quality hairspray to keep your curls in place, extend their life and let them shine. If you do everything perfectly, those curls should stay for a day or so without too much problem at all. Simply touch up any curls that have fallen loose to give your curls the appropriate definition. You can do it by applying a light touch-up, just like you did in the beginning.
You should be careful not to use too much spray. A little mist will work – a little bit goes a long way.
7. Clean Your Curling Iron
Your heated tools are similar to cosmetic brushes: if you don’t regularly wash them the germs and product buildup might damage your skin. The results can be equally harmful when using filthy spiral curling irons. We have put together a complete cleaning guide, which you can see here.
Cleaning will stop residue from collecting in the curling iron’s crevices. Wipe the product build up from your curling iron with a clean, moist towel. For safety reasons, make sure the equipment is already cold and disconnected. After cleaning, you should either put your spiral curling iron back in its box or in a clean and dry drawer. To extend its life you need to give it proper maintenance.
Spiral Curling Iron On Different Lengths
- Medium-length hair and naturally curly hair respond best to spiral curling irons.
- Thick, long hair can be difficult to curl, but if you have the patience, working with little pieces of hair will yield excellent results.
- If you have very short hair, using a spiral iron may be difficult since it may be difficult to wrap the hair around the barrel. Your hair should be at least chin length to define curls for optimal effects.
Conclusion
It can be challenging at first to learn how to use a spiral curling iron. Even so, with enough time and experience, you will undoubtedly become an expert user. Be aware that not all spiral curling irons are created equal, so make sure to conduct thorough research before selecting the best one for your hair type and desired haircut. Also keep in mind that the type, texture, length and thickness of your hair will have a big impact on how it curls. If you are ever unsure, follow the above instructions to get curls that endure and are defined.
