Curling Iron Do's & Don'ts

Curling irons are one of the more elusive beauty tools that we have at our disposal. They aren’t like flat irons, which are pretty self-explanatory in terms of directions and results. We use a flat iron to get chic and straight. But, curling irons open a whole new world of possibilities.

You can achieve beachy waves, tight ringlets, or effortless volume with a curling iron. But, if you aren’t taking care of your curling iron properly or using it in the right way, your desired beautiful salon-worthy curls might be falling flat! If this sounds like you, check out our list of curling iron do’s and don’ts. They might surprise you.

Do get a titanium, ceramic, or gold iron

These are the materials that are safe for heated hair tool use, period. If you are using a curling iron, make sure it’s made with professional-grade materials for the safety and longevity of your hair health. Not to mention, these materials have beneficial properties that add smoothing effects to your curls, which is why curlers made of either titanium, ceramic, or gold provide more clean results than others.

Don’t get one from a drug store

From materials, to wattage, to heat settings, drug store curling irons are more than likely failing you in some department. Not only are these curlers unsafe, but they also wear out very quickly. If you want your curling iron to last, make sure to get one that would fit in at a salon. This doesn’t mean it has to be expensive! FHI Heat curling irons are professional-grade, and they start at just $30!

Do get multiple sized irons

If you are someone who likes to mix it up, you will probably want to invest in curling irons of a variety of sizes. One curling iron is not going to be able to provide you with the wide array of curl-types that you are probably looking for. As you can imagine, the smaller the diameter of the barrel, the tighter the curl!

Don’t use your iron every day

Using heated tools on your hair every day is not great for the health of your locks. It’s a lot of head spread over a very long period of time. If you want styled hair daily, you can achieve your desired look without picking up the iron. Try styling every other day and stashing a bit of dry shampoo nearby to get through the days when you don’t wash your hair.

Do use heat protectant

As with any heated tool, you are going to want to use heat protectant. This is non-negotiable. For one, it’s so easy to find, use, and apply. There’s no reason why you wouldn’t. Stylus is a line of hair care products that protects against thermal damage across the board. From the mousse to the shine mist, you know you’re protected when using Stylus.

Don’t use too much heat

Heat settings on a curling iron is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Pay attention to your hair type, and never go over 450 degrees. Thinner strands can handle heat maxing at about 300-350 degrees, while thicker hair needs a bit more heat to get the job done.

Do clean your curling iron

This is a must! When you style your hair with a curling iron, you are using heat protectant. Then, you might even use hairspray and re-style. All of that product, though meant to help you, can hurt your iron. Especially if it’s left on for a long time and re-heated through cycles of styling. Clean your iron each time you use it with product.

Don’t clamp your ends

Some people attempt to curl their hair by clamping the ends and curling upwards. This is not going to yield your desired results, and it applies a ton of heat to your ends which can result in split ends. Instead, make sure to hold the clamp open while winding your locks around the barrel.

Do hold the curl in the iron for 8 seconds

It takes about 8 seconds for the average section of hair to acquire enough heat from the curling iron to hold a curl in place. It’s a part of the practice that requires a bit of patience, but it’s worth it in the end. Sometimes, people try to rush the process and hold the hair in the iron for less than 8 seconds a pop. This lends itself to sloppy curls and even more time spent restyling sections.

Don’t brush out the curls too soon

You spend tons of time curling your hair to perfection and decide you want to brush it out for more of a bouncy look. Then, you end up brushing through the curl, undoing your hard work, and creating a frizzy mess. We’ve all been there. This can be easily fixed by waiting until the curls are 100% cooled off before brushing through!

Do curl in different directions

Natural curls twist in different directions and it’s part of the beauty in the curled-look. That’s why it makes sense to style your hair in different directions while you are curling. Unless you are looking for a manicured look in which all the hair moves in one direction, make sure to vary the direction as you move through the hair.

Don’t burn your fingers

Seems like a no-brainer, right? That is, until you’ve burnt your hair several times during one styling session. When we are looking in the mirror to style and getting the back of the head curled, it can be all too easy to accidentally burn our fingers. We suggest getting thermal-protectant finger gloves to use while styling or making sure to exercise extreme caution rather than rushing through.

Do part your hair before you start curling

If you forget to part your hair before you start curling, you could end up cramping your own style! Once the hair is firmly curled, it’s hard to get it to move in the direction you want. When you part your head after curling, you end up with some jagged, unnatural looking sections in an attempt to force a part. The simple solution? Part before you style.

Don’t forget hairspray

Hair isn’t built to hold unnatural curls for a long period of time. Your hair is used to sitting at its natural state. So, if you want your curls to last, don’t forget hairspray!

FHI Heat curlers: https://www.fhiheatpro.com/pages/curlers