A hair straightener is, without a doubt, one of our most coveted beauty essentials. Whilst the tool is designed to, well, straighten your locks, it also comes in handy on those days when you’re after a bouncier ‘do. Oh, how we love a multi-tasking beauty product!
But, like all good things, knowing how to curl your hair with a hair straightener requires a particular technique and a bit of practice. So we spoke to hairstylist and ghd ambassador Natalie Anne (@natalieannehair) for some expert tips on creating red carpet-worthy curls.
From voluminous ’80s-inspired hair to beachy waves, let this be your guide to perfecting your curl game.
What is the best curling technique?
First things first — hair prep. As Natalie explains, heat protectant is essential when styling with hot tools. “Spray liberally through each section of hair at an arm’s-length before using heat.”
How to create bouncy Hollywood curls
“Start with clean, dry hair and divide your hair into 2 sections – top and bottom,” Natalie says. “Starting with the bottom section, take a small piece of hair and run it through the straightener, twisting and flicking away from the face to create a beautiful bouncy curl. Always ensure you are curling away from the face. Repeat again on the top section of hair, moving from the back to the front, alternating direction as you go.”
How to create beachy waves
According to Natalie, “It’s all about the angle at which you hold your hair straightener. Holding the flat iron horizontally will result in a classic, bouncy curl. Holding the iron in a downwards direction and pulling the hair down as you move through the tool will result in more of a ‘cool girl’ beachy wave.”
Natalie suggests using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to separate the hair for beachy curls, or run a brush through your hair for a more classic, bouncy vibe. We love the TONI&GUY Tools Bamboo Brush Collection Detangling Comb ($5 at Woolworths) for an effortless comb-out.
Is it better to curl hair with a thin or wide straightener?
“That all depends on your hair type and your skill level,” Natalie explains. “For most people and most hair types, we recommend using a standard size straightener, like the ghd platinum+ styler ($395 at ghd).”
For thicker or long hair, Natalie suggests opting for a wide plate styler. We love Cloud Nine’s The Wide Styler ($339 at Adore Beauty) to help achieve picture-perfect curls in thick hair for any occasion.
What temperature should be used for curling hair?
“185ºC and nothing cooler or hotter! ghd scientists have proven that 185ºC is the optimum temperature for long-lasting styles. This will also leave you with healthy, shiny hair with less damage. Any hotter will cause irreversible damage to the hair and anything cooler won’t give you the hold you’re after.”
For best results, finish your stylish session with a texturising or hold spray to lock your curls into place. Our top picks? The Virtue Labs Create Texturizing Spray ($54 at Sephora) for beachy texture and Hask’s Curl Care Curl Shaping Jelly ($15.99 at Priceline) for all-day hold.
Have you ever tried curling your hair with a straightener?
yes! Wish it lasted though =)
Me too. So much effort and it doesn’t last.
Yes, but I am not very good at it. But I am trying
oh yes looks easy once you know how lol
Yes and I fail every single time.
Me too, I need more practice
My hair looks weird when I try to curl it with a straightener. I get better results with a proper curling iron.
It’s because we are not experts like she is.
I can’t do it. Tried so many times and I just give up. I find doing the back of my head hard too.
yes Izzy09 i have the same problem
It is so hard! Even with instructions like the above, it’s hard.
Yes back is hard to do. My shoulders are bad so even harder to get to the back
they make it look so easy, I need a literal second by second instruction!
I need someone else to do it !!
Yes and I need to see it a few times, practice and have someone correct me and then in my own personal time, practice lots and lots.
I have tried but my hair is really thick and strong so result was not great
Yes, mine doesn’t hold, unless I use a whole can of hairspray and that destroys my hair.
I have a straightener/curler combo and have fun with both functions.
Great tips, but I have no idea how to do it myself. I find the curls on the right side and left side are always different!
Never tried that, thank you for sharing the good tips .
Oh my word what do you have to do to keep your hair looking like this?
A whole can of hairspray
My hairstylist is always curling my hair this way, but as many times as I’ve tried it at home it doesn’t always work ;( it’s also really hard to do the hair sections at the back using this technique…
I’m not good with hair.
I always use my straightener when creating curls and waves!
Give us tips please!!
In the first photo, does anyone know how she creates the difference in the curls?
Lovely to look at, but too much effort. I have fine short hair and I just wash and go.
Im getting better at curling my hair with a straightener.
I’ve never mastered it but really want to!
I never knew that 185 was the optimum temperature
Have seen hairdressers do it but haven’t tried it myself.
I would love to master this and such a helpful read, thanks.
love these tips! 185 for me from now on!
can you getg volume aswell when using a straightener, or just smoother flatter hair?
Really love the beautiful long waves with long hair really love the beachy look.
Prefer to use heatless curlers now.
There’s not a curl to be seen on me.
I like the wavy hair look
I have enough trouble with a curling iron let alone this lol
My hair would never do that!
I often use my straightener to curl my hair.I am happy with the results.
I have no faith in my own ability to master this, which is a shame.
It’s look awesome ! but not everyone can have the same kinds of hair because it vary from women to women depending upon the nature of hair most the women are facing hair loss and they are looking for hair loss treatment its better to go for best FUE hair transplant center Pakistan
What is this link?
It’s tricky at first but once you get the hang of it it gets easier
My hair is already curly 🙂