How to Curl Hair with Flat Iron

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always have to use a curling iron to create beautiful curls.

Your trusty flat iron can give you gorgeous waves and curls with just a few simple techniques.

In fact, curling your hair or hair bundles with a flat iron is one of the easiest ways to create beautiful, bouncy waves or tight curls without needing an extra tool.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about curling your hair with a flat iron, step by step.

Basic Tools You’ll Need

You'll need a high-quality flat iron with smooth ceramic or titanium plates, preferably one inch wide for most hair types.

You’ll also need heat protectant spray to prevent hair damage, and a fine-tooth comb to section your hair evenly.

Prepping Your Hair

Before you apply any heat, it’s important to prep your hair properly.

This helps protect it from damage and makes your curls last longer. You’ll want to start with clean, completely dry hair.

Any moisture left in your hair can cause uneven heating and reduce the longevity of your curls. Once that’s sorted, apply a heat protectant spray from mid-length to ends, avoiding the roots to prevent greasiness.

If your hair is particularly fine or prone to falling flat, consider using a light-hold mousse before heat styling. Set your flat iron to the appropriate temperature for your hair type.

Fine or damaged hair should use lower temperatures between 250-300°F, while thick or coarse hair can handle higher temperatures up to 400°F. Always start with a lower temperature and increase gradually if needed.

Basic Flat Iron Curling Technique

The fundamental technique for curling with a flat iron involves creating a twist motion as you glide the iron down your hair.

Start by sectioning your hair into manageable pieces, typically one to two inches wide. Working with smaller sections creates tighter kinky curls, while larger sections produce looser waves.

Start near the roots, clamping the flat iron around your hair section. Instead of pulling straight down, rotate your wrist away from your face while simultaneously gliding the iron down the hair shaft.

The key is maintaining consistent movement. Too slow and you'll create kinks, too fast and the curl won't set properly. Practice this twisting motion several times without heat to get comfortable with the movement.

Your wrist should rotate approximately 180 degrees as you move down the hair section. The faster you move, the looser your curls will be, while slower movements create tighter curls.

Step-by-Step Curling Process

The secret to curling your hair with a flat iron lies in the motion of your wrist.

Start by clamping the flat iron near the root of a small section of hair, placing it close to your scalp, but not so close that you risk burning yourself.

With the plates clamped over your hair, twist the flat iron 180 degrees away from your face so the hair wraps around the outside of the iron.

Once the twist is in place, slowly and steadily glide the flat iron down the length of your hair.

The slower you move, the more defined your curl will be. After you reach the ends and release the hair, allow the curl to cool completely before touching it. This cooling time helps the curl set properly and last longer.

Continue curling your straight hair section by section, making sure to curl away from your face for a more natural, open look.

If you want a more voluminous or tousled style, alternate the direction of the curls as you go around your head.

Style and Set

Once all your hair is curled, it’s time to finish the look. Start by gently running your fingers through the curls to loosen them and create soft, beachy waves.

If you prefer a sleeker, more polished style, use a soft-bristle brush instead. To help your curls hold their shape throughout the day or night, lightly mist your hair with a flexible-hold hairspray.

Be sure to avoid heavy formulas that can make your curls feel stiff or crunchy. For a final touch, add a bit of shine or texture depending on your desired finish.

If your hair feels dry, apply a drop of lightweight hair oil to the ends. You can use a texturizing spray or a bit of dry shampoo at the roots for added volume or a more lived-in look.

Different Styles You Can Try

Once you get the hang of curling with a flat iron, you can play around with different styles depending on how you hold the iron and glide it down your hair.

Beach Waves

To achieve this style, clamp the hair, twist the iron halfway, then glide down quickly.

Looser sections and faster gliding create soft, relaxed waves.

Spiral Curls

Twist the iron a full 360 degrees and go slowly down the strand.

This will give you tighter, more defined curls.

S-Waves

Instead of twisting, press the flat iron down on an “S” shape in your hair (using your fingers to guide the shape).

This gives a subtle, old-Hollywood body wave effect.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your curls fall flat quickly, you may need to use a higher heat setting or move more slowly through each section.

This will largely be determined by your hair type. Fine hair often requires lower heat but longer contact time, while thick hair needs higher temperatures for effective styling.

Frizzy or damaged-looking curls usually indicate too much heat or insufficient heat protection, which is why you should always use a quality heat protectant and lower your temperature setting when necessary.

If sections appear kinked rather than curled, you're likely moving too slowly or applying too much pressure.

Uneven curl patterns, on the other hand, are usually a sign of inconsistent sectioning or technique. 

To combat this, take time to create uniform sections and maintain the same speed and pressure throughout each pass.

Practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first attempts aren't salon-quality.

Maintaining Your Curled Style

If you want to extend the life of your flat iron curls, sleep with your hair in a loose bun or a plaited braid to prevent flattening.

Silk or satin pillowcases can also help reduce friction that can disturb your curl pattern. You can refresh day-two curls by lightly misting with water and scrunching gently, then applying a small amount of curl-enhancing cream.

You can also touch up individual sections with your flat iron if needed.

Practice Makes Perfect

With practice and patience, curling your hair with a flat iron becomes second nature.

With just a little practice and the right prep, you can create anything from soft, natural waves to tight, defined curls.

So go ahead and give it a try.

If you want an easy solution, you can get a Curly Headband Wig and wear it right away.