Do you ever feel jealous just by seeing someone’s curly hair? Even though I have wavy hair, whenever I see someone’s luscious, lustrous curls I just can’t resist giving it a second look! It’s so gorgeous!
Are you someone who always dreamed of bouncy, beautiful curls but was born with straight or wavy hair? Fret not! In this article, I am going to share 5 quick and easy ways to get curly hair. Whether you are looking for a temporary change or something for a prolonged time, here’s a guide to help you. But before proceeding to the solution of how to get curly hair, let’s first understand the curl pattern of your hair.
Understanding Your Curl Pattern
What if I tell you that not all curls are the same? Like many of you, I used to think whether it’s straight or it’s curly. I never thought of something in between. But during my hair care journey, I have come to know that I actually have 2a hair type. Now you may ask me what on earth this 2a hair type is. Relax my friend, that’s exactly what I am going to talk about.
Well…you know about straight hair. When you can’t find any waves in your hair and it tends to lay flat against the scalp that means you have type 1 or straight hair type.
If your hair pattern falls between straight and curly hair, congratulations! You have the best of both worlds. Wavy hair falls in the type 2 category where you also find two different patterns of waves. It can be loose or beachy waves (Type 2a) or more defined waves (2b).
Here comes our favourite one, type 3 or curly hair type. It also can range from loose, well-defined curls (type 3a) to tighter, springy (type 3c) curls.
If you are thinking that this is where to stop, no dear. Let me tell you that there’s something more twisted than curly hair! And, here it is! The last one, type 4 or coily hair type.
Still confused? Wait, here’s one video from one of my favourite YouTubers Joy Before Her. She explained it beautifully. I am sure you will find it helpful.
How to get curly hair?
There are several ways to get curly hair. Whether you are looking to enhance your natural waves or create them from straight hair, here are 5 easy ways to help you achieve your desired look.
Maintain A Curl Enhancing Routine
If you have naturally wavy hair type, you may not need to reach for the curling iron all the time. Let’s discuss a curl-enhancing technique without applying any heat.
First, clean your hair by applying a gentle cleanser and then use a good, nourishing conditioner for your hair strands.
Detangle your hair with your finger or with a wide-tooth comb. Normally I don’t prefer combing wet hair. But if you want a more defined curl and to avoid frizz, you should comb your hair when it’s still wet.
Time to be a little playful. Now apply a curl cream to your hair and distribute it evenly throughout your entire hair and then scrunch. Scrunch it from the bottom to the ends and hold it for 10-15 seconds. Release and scrunch again!
Apply a mousse to your hair and repeat the scrunching process. Keep doing until you feel you are done.
Done with the products? Let’s dry your hair naturally, or you can also use a diffuser if you want.
Finally, you have your well-defined curl. But not soft enough? Relax, we have a solution for this, too. Take a few drops of oil and apply to your hair. And then gently scrunch your hair again. Okay, now you have soft, well-defined curls!
Use A Curling Iron Or Wands
This one sounds typical but is effective, right? If your hair is super straight, the natural curling process may not be able to give you a satisfactory curl pattern. Don’t worry. No harm in going for a curling iron or wand once in a while.
Both the curling iron and wand will apply heat to curl your hair, but you may choose either according to your preference.
Traditional curling irons come with a clamp and are great for creating defined curls. Choose the barrel size based on the curl size you want. Smaller barrels create tighter curls while larger barrels give looser waves.
Curling wands are clamp-free and can produce more natural-looking curls. Wrap sections of hair around the wand, hold for a few seconds and release.
Don’t forget to apply a heat protectant before using any heat styling tool to your hair.
Overnight Braids
If you want a more natural, heat-free method, overnight braiding is definitely a good choice. To ensure the best result, begin with clean hair. First, apply a leave-in conditioner and then divide your hair into several sections. For loose waves, divide your hair into larger sections and if you prefer tighter curls, divide your hair into smaller sections.
Now braid your hair and secure each properly to prevent them from unveiling overnight. Nothing left! Just go to sleep and unbraid your hair after waking up in the morning. Voila! The gorgeous, voluminous curly hair! Apply a light-hold hair spray to ensure the curls last throughout the day.
Overnight Robe Curls
This one works wonders for me! You will need a curling rope. A silk or satin scarf will also work well. First, dampen your hair and divide it into two sections. Now place the robe on your head and wrap the hair around the rope. Make sure the wrapping is tight and consistent to achieve uniform curls. Secure the ends with scrunchies. Now go to sleep and wait to see the magic in the morning.
If you are worried about the discomfort while sleeping, let me tell you that there’s none at all. Still, you can also wear a silk bonnet before bed to make it extra secure.
Use Flexi rods
This one is another popular method of heatless curling. You can easily get flexi rods at your nearest store.
Dampen your hair first. Take a small section of your hair, wrap it around the flexi rod and then bend the flexi rod into place. Repeat the process for your entire hair. (Don’t bother if It gives you the Medusa look, like a snake head.)
The smaller section of hair you take, the more defined and tight curls you will get. For the best result, blow-dry the hair with moderate heat. Wait for 1-2 hours and then see the result.
Wrapping Up
Experiment with different methods to find out what works best for you, and let’s add a touch of glamour to your everyday look. Happy curling!
