How to Do Curls with a Straightener? | Easy Heat-Styling Method

Curls with a straightener are made by clamping dry, heat-protected hair, rotating the iron, and gliding it down the strand.

For the full breakdown, see our best 2-In-1 Straightener And Curler guide.

Your flat iron isn’t just for straightening. With the right motion, it creates bouncy curls and loose waves without needing a second tool. The technique takes a little practice, but the results look salon-finished. Here’s the method that works.

What You Need Before You Start

Start with completely dry hair. Using a straightener on damp strands causes serious heat damage and uneven results. Brush through first to remove tangles, then apply a heat protectant spray or serum evenly from mid-lengths to ends.

The size of each section controls your result. Smaller sections create springy, defined curls, while larger sections make loose, beachy waves. For a full head of curls, clip the top half of your hair up and work from the bottom layers upward.

The Curling Technique, Step by Step

Take a small strand — about one to two inches wide — and clamp the straightener near the root. Hold the iron vertically or at a slight diagonal, depending on how tight you want the curl.

Rotate the straightener roughly 180 degrees, then glide it down the strand in one smooth, steady motion. Release near the ends for a looser finish, or carry through to the tips for a tighter ringlet. Let the curl cool in your hand for a few seconds before dropping it.

• Clamp near the root for volume; start at mid-lengths for a calmer wave.
• Rotate toward your face for front sections, away from your face for a more natural, lived-in look.
• Alternate the direction of each curl so they blend together instead of forming rows.
• Keep the motion smooth — stopping mid-glide creates kinks and creases.

Work through the rest of your hair in the same way. If you’re after loose waves instead of tight curls, take wider sections and don’t hold the iron closed as firmly.

Finishing and Setting Your Curls

Let all your curls cool completely before touching them. This is the step most people skip, and it’s why curls fall flat within an hour. Once cool, flip your head over and gently separate the curls with your fingers, or run a wide-tooth comb through for softer waves.

Set the style with hairspray or a texturizing spray. A light mist holds the shape without making strands stiff or crunchy. For extra staying power on fine hair, spray each curl individually as you release it, before moving to the next section.

If you’d rather not switch between two tools, a 2-in-1 straightener and curler does both jobs with interchangeable plates or barrels. Worth checking out if you’re shopping for a versatile styling tool.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most frequent error is curling hair that isn’t fully dry. Even slightly damp sections can sizzle and sustain lasting damage. Always check that every layer is dry before clamping down.

Taking sections that are too large is the second biggest mistake. Big chunks might seem faster, but they create uneven, loose waves that fall quickly and frustrate you halfway through. Smaller sections take more time but hold their shape far better.

Rushing the cool-down phase also sabotages the curl. Curls need those few seconds to set their new shape; brushing or separating them while warm makes them droop. And if you pull the straightener down too fast or stop mid-strand, you’ll get kinks instead of smooth curves.

Fine or color-treated hair needs a lower setting to avoid damage.