Let’s Get Curly: Curl your hair with these top products
Curls are in this spring and summer, so set your flatiron aside. But your beachy waves can easily look like an ’80s spiral perm or frizzy wig if you don’t take the right approach. Here are a few tricks to get the perfect wave every time.
If you have naturally straight, long hair…
Don’t curl from the bottom, but do bring out the ol’ curling iron; just be sure to start an inch or so from the bottom of your hair. Loosely curl hair back and away from your face, and stop at least an inch from your scalp. Only hold the iron there for a moment (spritz lightly with hairspray if your curls tend to fall out), and then simply open the barrel and let your hair drop.
This should create the trendy waves of 2015, instead of the root-to-tip spirals from the ’80s.
Top products: Go with a one-inch barrel curling iron, like The Bombshell, $130, at sephora.com. And try (pictured above) Aveda Brilliant medium-hold hairspray, $19, nordstrom.com.
If you have naturally wavy hair …
After showering, apply Aveda’s Be Curly curl enhancer, $24, at nordstrom.com. Increase your curl with a hair dryer diffuser, like this special Bed Head Curlypops ionic diffuser, $34.99, at ulta.com, or if you’re on a budget, pop a diffuser on the end of your hair dryer.
Top products: Although Bed Head’s ionic diffuser is stylish, it doesn’t work much better than an inexpensive, simple diffuser. Instead, spend your money on quality hair styling products. Conair volumizing diffuser attachment, $9.99, target.com (pictured above)
If you have naturally curly hair …
You may want to tone it down a bit; so, instead of scrunching and using a diffuser, apply a curl tamer with your fingers. Comb through and down and let air dry. Because naturally curly hair also tends to be super dry, make sure you leave in a conditioning hair mask at least once a week, like the Carol’s Daughter Monoi repairing hair mask, $32, ulta.com. Avoid washing every day, and use shampoo sparingly.
Top products: DevaCurl, $24, at sephora.com, works great on unruly curls. Other curly-heads swear by Moroccanoil. Although it’s more commonly used for straightening curly hair, it can reduce frizz and improve softness when you let your duds air dry, too. Moroccanoil, $14.80, nordstrom.com (pictured above)