Have you ever spent what felt like forever curling your hair, only to have it fall flat before you even leave the house? It’s frustrating, right? One minute you’re rocking perfect curls, and the next, your hair is as straight as it was before you even plugged in your curling iron. It’s enough to make anyone give up on curls altogether!
But don’t throw in the towel just yet, there are simple solutions! In this post, we’re going to discuss why your hair might be letting you down and give you 7 easy fixes to make those curls last all day (and maybe even through the night). So grab your curling iron (but don’t plug it in just yet), and let’s figure this out together!
Solution #1 – Start with Clean Hair
Let’s face it—dirty hair and curls are not the best of friends. You may have heard that “day-old” hair is better for styling, but that advice doesn’t always apply when it comes to curling. When your hair is too oily, your curls will struggle to stay lifted and defined.
When your scalp produces natural oils, they travel down the strands of your hair, making it smoother, shinier—and also heavier. This extra weight makes it hard for your curls to stay intact, especially if you’re going for volume or height.
But clean doesn’t mean squeaky clean. You don’t want your hair to be completely stripped of natural oils because that can make your hair too soft and too smooth for curls to grab onto. The trick is finding balance.
How to Get a Clean Hair That Curls Well
- Use a clarifying shampoo once in a while to remove heavy buildup. Regular shampoos can leave behind residue, which accumulates over time, weighing your hair down.
- Avoid over-conditioning, especially near your roots. Condition only the ends to keep your hair light and bouncy.
- Try a dry shampoo before styling to soak up excess oils if you’re working with second-day hair. It adds grip and texture, which helps curls stay put.
Solution #2 – Use the Right Products
I know, I know—hair products can be a mystery. The shelves are full of mousses, sprays, gels, and serums, all promising perfect curls. But here’s the thing: if you’re using the wrong products (or too many of them), you might actually be sabotaging your style.
Why Product Choice Matters
Your hair’s ability to hold a curl often comes down to how well it grips onto the new shape. Some products can give your hair that perfect amount of texture and hold, while others weigh it down, leaving it too slippery to keep a curl.
Mousse and lightweight products are your best friends here. They add texture, provide volume, and give your hair that slight roughness it needs to maintain its new shape. Hairsprays and texturizes can help lock everything in place, but too much product can backfire.
- Use a lightweight mousse before blow-drying to give your hair a bit of grit. Mousse helps create a solid foundation for the curl to form.
- Heat protectants are non-negotiable. These sprays not only shield your hair from damage but also help set the curl.
- Finish off with a light, flexible hairspray after curling. Avoid heavy-duty sprays that can make your hair stiff and crunchy—unless you’re going for that 80s rockstar vibe.
Solution #3 Don’t Exclude Heat Tools Completely
Heat styling is a love-hate relationship. We love the results but cringe at the thought of heat damage. However, the reality is that heat is essential for long-lasting curls. The trick is finding the right balance of heat to set your style without causing damage.
Why Heat Is Crucial
Your hair holds shape through the hydrogen bonds in its strands. When you apply heat, you temporarily break those bonds, allowing your hair to mold into the shape you want (in this case, a curl). But if the heat isn’t high enough, your hair won’t “reset” into that curl. If it’s too high, you risk damaging your hair to the point that it can no longer hold any shape at all.
How to Use Heat Tools Correctly
- Find the right temperature for your hair type: Fine hair should use a lower heat setting (around 300°F), while thick or coarse hair can handle more heat (350-400°F).
- Never curl damp hair. Your hair should be completely dry before using a curling iron. Wet or even slightly damp hair is much more susceptible to heat damage.
- Don’t overdo it: Hold the curling iron in place for about 5-10 seconds per section. Any longer and you’re risking damage that will make your hair frizz rather than curl.
Solution #4: Use the Right Curling Technique
You might think there’s no “right” way to curl your hair—it’s all about rolling it around a hot iron, right? Well, not exactly. Your curling technique plays a big role in how well your curls hold up. The size of the sections you curl, the direction you curl in, and even how you handle your hair post-curling can affect how long your style lasts.
Curl too much hair at once, and the heat won’t distribute evenly. Curl in the same direction every time, and you’ll end up with a flat, uniform look that can quickly fall out.
- Curl smaller sections of hair. I know, it takes longer, but the results are worth it. One-inch sections are ideal for holding a curl.
- Alternate the direction of your curls. Curl one section away from your face, the next towards it. This creates a more natural, voluminous look.
- Don’t touch your curls immediately after you release them from the iron. Let them cool down in their curled shape before running your fingers through or brushing them out.
Solution #5 – Invest in Quality Tools
If you’re still using a curling iron you bought ten years ago, it might be time for an upgrade. The right tools make all the difference when it comes to curling your hair.
Not all curling irons are created equal. Some distribute heat more evenly, while others allow you to adjust the temperature more precisely. The material of the curling iron barrel also affects how your hair holds a curl.
| Material/Type | Best For | Key Benefits |
| Ceramic or Tourmaline Barrel | Most hair types | Heats evenly, reduces frizz |
| Titanium Barrel | Thicker or coarser hair | Reaches higher temperatures quickly |
| Smaller Barrel (~¾ inch) | Tighter curls | Creates well-defined, tighter curls |
| Larger Barrel (1.25-1.5 inch) | Looser waves | Produces looser, more relaxed waves |
Solution #6: Let Those Curls Cool
Here’s a pro tip that many people overlook: your curls need time to cool down and set. When your hair cools down, the hydrogen bonds reset in their new shape. If you mess with your curls while they’re still warm, you’re disrupting this process, and the curls will loosen or fall out completely.
After curling, leave each section alone until it’s completely cool to the touch. Pin up each curl as you go. Use bobby pins or small hair clips to hold the curls in place while they cool. This will help your curls hold their shape for longer.
Once your hair has cooled down, you can gently finger-comb through the curls for a softer, more natural look.
Solution #7 – Lock It In with Pins and Time
If you’re looking for maximum hold, especially for an event or a long day, pinning your curls and letting them set is a pro-level move. This extra step can make the difference between curls that last a few hours and curls that last all day (and night).
Pro Tips for Pinning
- Use metal clips or bobby pins to secure each curl after you release it from the iron. Let your hair fully cool before removing them.
- Let your hair sit in the pins for at least 10 minutes (or longer if you have time). The longer the curls stay pinned, the better they’ll hold.
- Once you remove the pins, give your hair a light mist of flexible hairspray to lock in the style without weighing it down.
To Wrap Things Up
Everyone’s hair is different, so don’t stress if it takes a little trial and error to get it just right. But once you find what works for you, your curls will be staying put from morning till night (and maybe even into the next day!).