How to Curl Hair Naturally

People with straight hair can find it difficult to curl their hair and make the curls look natural. Heat can cause damage, and hairspray can make hair too stiff. By following this guide to curling hair without heat, you can have natural-looking curls with bounce and shine.

Preparing your hair
Although you can curl your hair when it is dry, you can achieve faster and better results by curling damp hair. The hair's flexibility as it is slightly wet will make it easier for you to shape it the way you want. To dampen your hair, fill a spray bottle with lukewarm water. Try not to soak the hair thoroughly. It should just be barely wet.

Using a fine-toothed comb, untangle your hair carefully, separating it into six sections using clips or bobby pins. The first section will be at the front of your head, close to the forehead. This section will extend almost to the middle of your scalp. The next two sections will be the parts closest to your temples. Each of these sections should go past your ears. The fourth section is the back of your scalp, extending about halfway down your head. The last two sections are the parts starting from the end of your ears to the back of your neck.

Curling technique
This no-heat curling technique only requires bobby pins. Although you can use any type or size of bobby pin depending on your hair's thickness or fineness, it is best to use long bobby pins. They are easier to use and they will stay put.

Always start with the first section close to your forehead. Depending on how thick your hair is, each section can have very few or very many curled parts. Take about a half-inch thick handful of hair from this first section. Comb it out to remove any tangles. Spritz it lightly with your spray bottle if the hair has dried.

Starting from the tips, roll this section toward your head. The empty space or "circle" that forms as the roll is made should be about 1"-2" in diameter. The tighter the roll or the smaller the empty "circle," the tighter or smaller the curl. Once the curl reaches your head, use a bobby pin to secure it snugly to your head. The curl should lay flat against your scalp, especially if you are curling your hair before bed. Repeat this process for this first section of hair until the whole section has been curled. Then, repeat this technique with the rest of the sections.

Releasing and keeping the curls
Let your hair curl for at least four to six hours. Curling your hair overnight is the best choice if you have the time or if you don't have the patience during the day. When you're ready to release your hair and see what kind of curls you've made, start from the first section and go on to the consecutive sections. Carefully remove the bobby pins and unroll each curl. Once you have finished unrolling all the sections of hair, do not brush the curls. Instead, use slightly damp fingers to comb through each section. However, don't use very wet hands or you may undo the curls. You can also use a dry wide-toothed comb.

To keep your curls, only use two or three spritzes of hairspray. Spray slightly away from you, and then walk through where the sprays fall. By using this hairspray technique, you will reduce the stickiness and stiffness that results from spraying directly onto the hair. Also, your curls will only get a light coating of hairspray, which is all that they need.