Curls tutorial

Hey everyone! So glad you're here looking for tips on getting those gorgeous loose curls, especially if you have straight hair like mine. I know the struggle is real when your hair just wants to stay flat! My initial tutorial showed you the basics, but I've got so many more tricks up my sleeve to share, especially after my own trial and error with getting curls to actually hold in straight hair. First things first, prep is key. For straight hair, you really need to give it some grip. I always start with clean, dry hair. Before any heat, a good heat protectant is non-negotiable – seriously, don't skip this! Then, I like to spray a volumizing mousse or a texturizing spray all over, focusing on the roots and mid-lengths. This gives your hair some oomph and helps the curls latch on. Sometimes, if my hair is freshly washed and too silky, I'll even use a little dry shampoo just for that extra texture. Now, for the actual curls tutorial! When you have straight hair and want loose curls, the tool you use makes a big difference. I've found that a larger barrel curling iron (1.25 to 1.5 inches) or even a flat iron works best for that relaxed, wavy look. Smaller barrels tend to give tighter curls which might not be what you're going for, and they can also fall out faster if your hair isn't prepped right. Here's my personal technique for loose waves: I take larger sections of hair, about 1-2 inches wide. Instead of wrapping the hair super tightly around the iron, I hold the iron horizontally or slightly angled and wrap the hair away from my face. Make sure to leave the last inch or so of your ends out – this creates that modern, lived-in loose curl look rather than perfect ringlets. Hold for about 8-10 seconds, depending on your hair's thickness and how well it holds a curl. If you're using a flat iron, you can gently glide it through, twisting it away from your face as you go. Once each curl is done, here's a game-changer: don't touch it! Let it cool completely in its coiled shape. You can even pin each curl up with a bobby pin while it cools. This step is crucial for straight hair because it allows the hair to set. Once all the curls are cool, then you can gently release them. Now, about brushing them out – this is where I totally understood my own mistake from the original post! If you want truly loose curls, a wide-tooth comb or your fingers are your best friend. Brushing with a paddle brush can sometimes flatten them too much, turning them into a regretful frizz. I gently run my fingers through, shaking them out at the roots for volume. If I want a bit more polish, I'll use a very wide-tooth comb. To make these beautiful loose curls last all day (or even two!), a flexible hold hairspray is essential. Spray it evenly, but don't overdo it, or you'll end up with crunchy hair. For an extra boost of shine and to tame any flyaways, a tiny bit of hair serum on the ends works wonders. I truly hope these extra tips help you achieve the gorgeous straight hair with loose curls look you're dreaming of! It took me a while to perfect, but now it's one of my go-to looks. Happy curling!