Whether you’ve been rocking a pixie cut for years or you’ve just trimmed your tresses into a stylish crop or bob, short hair can flatter all face shapes and shed years from your overall appearance. But when it comes to styling short hair with curls, you might find yourself with more questions than answers. And since you have less hair to work with when it’s shorter, this impacts the techniques you can use to create everything from bouncy coils to loose spirals. That’s why we tapped two pro hairstylists for their tips on how to curl short hair. From heatless tricks to the best way to use a curling iron on short locks, you’ll find everything you need here to add gorgeous curls to short strands.
How curls enhance short hair
Curls can work wonders for all types of short hair, from adding texture and body to limper locks to playing up your best facial features with their placement. “Adding curls to shorter hair can really amp up your style by bringing in some movement and volume, giving off a more feminine and playful vibe,” says Rogerio Cavalcante, hairstylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York City. “This is awesome if you’re looking to boost thickness, especially for those with fine or thin hair.” Those with a short, thicker mane can also benefit from curls. “If you have thick hair, adding curls can help tame and gather the hair into place,” says Bridget Brager, hairstylist and Rodan + Fields ambassador, who’s worked with Sarah Paulson and Gwyneth Paltrow.
With the right prep and styling products, curls can also offer a way to look put-together and polished with minimal effort on, say, day two or day three after your initial styling session. “They make your daily routine a bit easier since curls can keep your hair looking styled even on days when you skip the wash,” says Cavalcante.
That said, if you’re looking to rock a short curly style, it’s very important to get the right haircut. “Your stylist must be sure to look at your best features and add layers and framing accordingly,” says Brager. Ideally, you want your styled curls to sit in such a way that they draw attention to your eyes, your cheekbones or whatever your favorite feature may be.
How to curl short hair
Whether you prefer going heatless with your hair styling or you love that a curling iron or wand offers a quick shortcut for bouncy ringlets and waves, there are plenty of ways how to curl short hair. These stylist how-tos and tricks will make you and your strands look stunning.
1. How to curl short hair with a curling iron
To get your short hair ready for curls, begin with damp, clean hair, and apply a volumizing mousse, like Authentic Beauty Concept Amplify (Buy from Amazon, $28), ensuring even distribution, says Cavalcante. “This mousse not only adds volume but also provides hold while keeping your hair manageable,” he says. Plus, it also functions as a heat protectant.
Next, blow-dry hair, then grab your curling iron or wand. “For short hair, a medium-sized wand, around 1 or 1¼ inches, works best since a larger barrel might not suit shorter lengths,” says Cavalcante. And he also cautions to “keep the temperature around 350 degrees to avoid damaging your hair.” As you work your way around your whole head, wrap each section of hair around the wand, leaving 1″ of hair at the ends unwrapped. Finish with a texturizing spray, especially if your hair is naturally thin or very straight. “This will add that extra oomph to your curls and complete your stylish, voluminous look,” he adds.
Another pro tip? “If you hold your wand horizontally and wrap your hair to curl it, your curls will appear wider,” says Brager. “If you hold your iron vertically, your curls will be skinnier and stay closer to the head. This is important to know so you can achieve the best shape and movement for your short hairstyle using a wand.” Play around with both techniques to get a sense of what end result you like better.
2. How to curl short hair with finger waves
Finger waves are very versatile but can be especially suited for those with really short styles. Start with clean, damp hair — no drying needed — and apply a styling mousse for hold and texture. Then, “use a fine-tooth comb to create deep waves, curving the hair in an ‘S’ pattern and securing each wave with clips as you go,” says Cavalcante. Let the waves set naturally for a few hours or overnight, or consider speeding up the process with a frizz-fighting Bonnet attachment, like Gold ‘N Hot Bonnet Dryer Attachment (Buy from Sally Beauty, $15.99), if desired. Once the waves have set, gently remove the clips. “Finish with a light hairspray for hold and smoothness, using your fingers to refine the waves as needed,” says Cavalcante.
For an in-depth tutorial on how to create finger waves, check out the below video from @Milabuco on YouTube.
If you thought this tried-and-true method was only for longer lengths, think again. A few tweaks can make it easy for those with short hair to achieve pin curls. To start, prep clean, damp hair with a leave-in treatment for smoothing, followed by applying a soft gel or mousse for hold. Then, part hair and divide strands into 2-inch sections. Wrap or curl each section, one by one, around one or two of your fingers. Roll the hair in the sections up to your scalp (or where you want the curls to start), then gently pull your finger(s) away and clip your section with a flat duckbill clip.
“I suggest wrapping all the hair away from the face and setting,” says Brager. If you want a super-retro look, she advises curling hair toward your face. Next, use a diffuser to dry your hair, or clip your curls flat to your head so you can sleep in them as they dry. After curls have set, remove the clips and brush hair using a boar bristle brush and mist with a workable hairspray to lock curls in place. “Depending on hair type, you might want to smooth a light cream or balm over the style and brush through to smooth the hair to a perfect finish,” adds Brager.
To see pin curls being created in action, watch the below pin curl tutorial from The Knit Yorker YouTube channel.
Since the weather is a factor in how curls can last, you can also up your product game if you know it’s likely to rain or be very hot, for example. “If you find yourself in a highly humid environment, use humidity-blocking products before styling,” says Cavalcante.
Finally, try to keep your hands off your curls. Too much touching can make them fall flat and lose their shape.
Related:Pro Stylists’ Tricks for Curls That Last and Last So Hair Stays Lush + Voluminous All Day
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For more hair styling tips, click through these stories:
Hairstylists Reveal The Best Foolproof Ways to Keep Hair Straight Overnight
This Wavy Hair Routine Ensures Hair Looks Thick, Full and Bouncy Longer After Washing
How To Curl Hair With a Straightener: It Sounds Crazy But It Works Like a Charm
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This story was originally published December 25, 2023, 1:24 PM.
source: star-telegram
