The number one mistake that people make with curling irons involves accidental skin contact — the hot surfaces can burn the skin. Once you master how to handle your curling iron without leaving burn marks around, however, you need to make sure that you use the tool the right way on your hair. What follows are examples of common mistakes that people make with curling irons, and tips on how to avoid them.
Putting on hairspray before you try to curl your hair
It can seem as if spritzing a little hairspray on can help your hair hold the style that you shape it into. It does work, too. The only problem is that spraying before curling can damage your hair. Hairspray, like curling irons, can dry the hair out. You don’t want your hair to be dried out when you put heat on it. Heat protectant is the only product that you should spray on your hair before you curl.
Neglecting to use heat protectant
Research (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21635854) shows that heat protectant smooths the cuticles, forms a barrier over the keratin in hair, distributes heat more evenly, and keeps hair from drying out. It can be a mistake to skip using this product. Over the long-term, using heat protectant can help make sure that your hair stays undamaged through curling sessions.
Using a curling iron that’s years old
If you’ve had your curling iron for years, and curling seems to require more work now than it did before, it’s probably not your imagination. Irons and wands can lose their heating power over time. When this happens, they may feel hot when you turn them on, but they won’t heat up to the right degree. You will find yourself going over each section of hair multiple times to get it to curl correctly, and end up damaging the hair with heat in the process. Typically, it makes sense to replace curling irons once every couple of years.
Holding the iron to your hair for too long
If you aim to get small, intricate ringlets, you certainly will need to apply the curling iron to hair for extended periods. For most popular styles like beach waves, however, it’s adequate to hold the curling iron to each section of hair for no longer than five seconds. If you treat your hair to heat any longer, you’ll end up with curls that are too tight, and you’ll end up causing heat damage to your hair, as well.
Starting with the ends when you curl
The bottom of the hair often seems more accessible than the roots. For this reason, many women tend to start curling at the ends and work their way up to the roots. Hair tends to be more delicate around the ends than near the roots, however. When you begin curling at the ends, your curling iron is at its hottest and can overheat the hair. Leaving your ends for last protects them better.
Setting the iron excessively hot
Viral videos on YouTube show women attempting to style their hair with curling irons, only to realize that their tools are too hot. While heat for curling is a good idea, it’s important to make sure that your curling iron is set to 365°F, the optimal temperature. At this temperature, the hydrogen bonds in hair strands break and form again in the shape of the curls that you form your hair in. An iron that isn’t hot enough to curl your hair in this way is likely to only frizz it up. When it heats to over 365°F, however, the keratin in your hair melts and sustains heat damage. It’s important to set your iron at the correct temperature.
Fiddling with your hair
When you style your hair, it can be tempting to run your hand through your new curls to see how they feel. If you have straight hair that doesn’t hold curls easily, however, playing with your curls before your hair completely cools down can straighten the curls out. When you curl, it’s a good idea to avoid brushing or touching your hair until several minutes after you finish doing your whole head. You need to give your curls time to cool down and set.
Using the wrong size of iron
If you want big waves with plenty of volume, it may seem like the right idea to choose a large iron for the job. While many women favor such a look, they incorrectly assume that need a bigger iron or wand to do it. In reality, it makes more sense to use an iron that is no bigger than an inch across. Typically, curling irons produce curls that are three times their size. For this reason, in many cases, it makes more sense to look for thin, long curling irons, rather than flat, wide models. They tend to offer better control.
Finally, it’s important to not forget to clean your curling iron once you’re done using it. All you need to do is to allow it to cool, and wipe it down with a clean, damp cloth. Some people use alcohol, but it isn’t a good idea. It can cause damage to the components. Cleaning helps make sure that there is no buildup of black residue on your iron, and that it stays serviceable for as long as possible.
Recommended Products
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum
CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Night Pressed Serum
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Aveeno Calm + Restore Redness Relief Cream
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream Fragrance-Free
Check out the TopCashback offers available for these products. Shop as you normally would online and get paid by TopCashback. It’s free and easy to create an account. Plus, it’s a great way to get paid for your beauty obsession!
Beauty In Check utilizes some affiliate links that may generate a small commission from clicks that result in a purchase.
You May Also Like …
- TikTok Beauty Trend: Understanding “Underpainting”
Although it is not a new technique and has been used by many makeup artists, it is now making the rounds on TikTok. So what is it exactly and will it give you the look you’re coveting? - Fragrance Check: Vanilla Scents Are Back And Here Are Our Top Picks
The fragrant smell of vanilla takes you back to a simpler time where cakes were in the oven baking and candles were freshly lit making the house smell clean and sweet. Many fragrance brands are taking advantage of that feeling of nostalgia and bottling the sentimental scent. Although vanilla fragrances have been around for some … Read more - When To Use Moisturizer: Different Needs For Day And Night
Women often use the same moisturizer, whether it’s morning or night. This may not be the best approach to take, however. The skin has different needs, depending on whether it’s day or night. For this reason, it’s a good idea to alter the treatment to match the time of day. Moisturizing during the day Daytime … Read more