This post featuring 5 tips to make your loose curls last is sponsored by TRESemmé. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’ve always had naturally straight thick hair that is a challenge to curl. My hair has always been the type that doesn’t take to curling on the first try, and without the right products and steps taken in advance, it doesn’t hold a curl.
I love wearing my hair curly though, so I decided I wasn’t about to give up and let my straight hair win! Instead, I found a way to make those curls loose curls last!
Loose curls are my favorite, but they’re probably the worst for my hair type, which doesn’t like to hold a curl in the first place! After many consultations with my favorite hair stylists and salons over the years, I’ve finally found a routine to follow that helps make your loose curls last.
These steps have worked for me, and if you struggle to get your hair to hold a curl, hopefully these hair curling tips will help you too!
5 TIPS TO MAKE YOUR LOOSE CURLS LAST
Texturize / Dirty Up Your Hair
If your hair type is on the fine and silky side, dirty hair is the best type of hair to work with! This means you’ll get much better results with hair that hasn’t been washed in a day! But if you’re the type of person that absolutely can’t stand going a day without washing your hair (yep I’m that girl), you can use hair products to texturize and dirty it up! Mousse works great when your hair is wet. Once it’s dry, I recommend spraying your hair with a weightless hairspray in small sections right before curling.
This is my favorite texturizing hairspray to use before curling! It’s a fine, weightless mist that provides a flexible hold ideal for curls!
Use a Smaller Barrel Size
The best curling iron barrel size for you will depend on your hair type. I prefer a barrel size no bigger than 1 1/4″ for loose wavy curls. I have straight thick hair and this size barrel usually works well when I follow all the steps I’m sharing with you in this post! Smaller barrels are more ideal for loose curls, even though it may seem like the opposite. If you have a hard time getting your hair to hold a curl, the key is to make tight curls rather than big from the start. Big curls tend to fall much faster.
Allow Your Curls to Cool
As soon as you release your curls from the hot iron, you should let them cool before letting them fall. Allowing your curls to cool before falling and getting weighed down will help lock in the style, which will prolong the life of your curl. You can do this by either immediately pinning up your curl as soon as you release it from the iron, or simply hold the curl high in your hand until it cools, then let it fall.
Use a Finishing Spray to Lock in the Curl
The right hairspray can go a long way! I like to use either the same texturizing hairspray I use before I curl to dirty up my hair or a smoothing hairspray to finish and lock in the curl. My favorite, TRESemmé Compressed Micro-Mist Hair Spray, uses superfine micro-mist particles to give hair a smooth, lightweight, and moveable hold without stiffness, which is the most ideal finish for loose curls! It’s humidity and frizz resistant, which is great for all climates, especially during the summer!
Get the best finishing spray for under $5 online!
Maintain Healthy Hair
Fact: Healthy hair curls much better than unhealthy hair. Damaged hair and split ends can be the culprit of flat curls. Using a heat protectant is a great way to be proactive and prolong the health of your hair. Regular hair trimmings also help. Also, the more dimension, the better. Layers work wonders for naturally straight, hard to curl hair!
Is your hair hard to curl? Share your tips on how you make your loose curls last in the comments below!
Stephanie says
I’m going to have to try this! I have the straightest of straight hair and curls never last in my hair! I had so much hair spray and bobby pins in my hair the night of my wedding, it was crazy!!
kate Werthmann says
this is fortuitous timing for m as i have a shoot sunday and was looking to do loose curls- my hair is naturally curly so I would have to straighten it first, let that relax and then curl it! I don’t do it much, MAYBE once a year or two myself- so these are great refreshers!
Paula says
I have short hair so I can’t have loose curls, but definitely forwarding this to a few friends.
Marjie Mare says
I have never used a spray to my hair maybe that’s why the curls don’t last. Thanks for sharing, I will try to get that one.
Angela Tolsma says
I have seen these new bottles of tresseme but I have never tried it. I am lucky that my hair does whatever I want it to and holds it forever.
Tonya says
Naturally straight AND thick hair?! JEALOUS! lol. Thanks for sharing though, these are great tips!
Jillian says
So jealous of your thick hair. I had thick hair until I had my second baby and then that all ended. But I do wear my hair curly. Thanks for the tips sweetie!
Cynthia says
To this day I thought there was only one kind of hairspray! If I need to texturize my hair I use dry shampoo; I cannot live without it now! My hair is crazy by nature so I prefer to straighten it than to curl it, but to be honest I haven’t even tried to have beachy waves like yours! Love the tips, very easy to follow!
April says
Such good tips! I always struggle with my curls lasting all day.
April
Vyom says
You have such pretty tresses. I have super thick and coarse hair so my curls definitely last longer but great tips for those who have sleek straight hair.
David Elliott says
My daughter and I have naturally curly hair. When we use things its mostly to straighten the hair and not the other way around. But this is very useful information.
Jazmin says
Love these tips! My hair is naturally curly but too curly for my liking so I straighten my hair and add in some loose curls.