How to Curl Hair Without Hairspray

Last Updated: November 9, 2022 References

Curls are one of those styles that seem to make every type of hair look good. But hairspray is usually necessary to keep your hair curled all day, which can leave your hair feeling stiff and crunchy. If you want to keep your curls in place all day without any hairspray, you have to prep your hair in the right way. That means not washing it or using a curl enhancing cream to add texture. Choosing the right curling iron, pinning your curls after you use the iron, and allowing them to cool are also key steps if you're curling your hair sans hairspray.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing Your Hair

1
Avoid washing your hair for a day or two. The natural oils in your hair can actually help curls hold better so you don’t want to wash them away. Skip shampoo for a couple of days before you plan to curl to allow the oils to build up for added grip.^{[1]
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- If your scalp gets too oily, use some dry shampoo at the roots to soak up the grease. Leave the length of your hair alone, though.^{[2]
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2
Apply a curl enhancing product if you wash your hair. If you must wash your hair before curling it, it helps to add a curl enhancing cream afterward while your hair is still wet. The cream will play up any natural texture in your hair to help it hold the curl more easily.
- You don’t necessarily have to use a curl enhancing cream. There are sprays, gels, and mousses that are also designed to prepare the hair for curling.
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3
Air dry washed hair completely before curling. If you wash your hair before you curl it, allow it to dry completely after you apply the curl enhancing cream. Hair is more fragile when it's wet so you can do serious damage if you try to use a curling iron when it's wet.
- Air drying your hair is best when you're curling it because you don't want to use any more heat than is necessary to style it.
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Put a heat protectant in your hair. Heat styling with a curling iron can damage your hair by drying it out and making it more prone to breakage. To prevent damage, apply a heat protectant product before you use your curling iron, which will coat the strands with moisture.^{[3]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Curling Your Hair

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Comb your hair to remove tangles. You can't curl your hair if it's knotted and tangled. Run a comb or brush through your hair to ensure that it's smooth and tangle-free before you start curling.
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Divide your hair into three or more sections. You want to make sure that you curl all of your hair, so there aren’t any stray straight pieces. To ensure that you don’t miss any pieces, it's best to section your hair. Separate it into three or more sections depending on how much hair you have, and clip the sections that you're not curling at the moment out of the way.
3
Choose a curling iron that's at least one size smaller than usual. The tighter your curls are, the longer they’ll usually hold -- and the smaller the curling iron barrel is, the tighter your curls will be. Opt for a curling iron with a barrel size that's one size or more smaller than you usually use. That way, if your curls start to fall, you’ll still be left with some wave and texture rather than just flat, straight strands.^{[4]
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- For example, if you usually use a 1 ½-inch (4-cm) curling iron, opt for a 1 ¼-inch (3-cm) barrel instead.
- If your curls look tighter than you’d like after curling, don’t worry. You can comb through them with your fingers once they’re cool to loosen them up.
4
Grab a small section of hair. When you’re ready to curl, take a 1-inch (2.5-cm) piece of hair from the section that you've left unclipped. Clamp the iron onto the end of it, holding the tool vertically. If you are using an iron that does not have a clamp, you can position it near the roots and work downward.^{[5]
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- You can curl your hair is sections that are a little larger than an inch (2.5-cm), but keep them around that size. That will ensure the curls are a little tighter so they don't fall out as easily.
- Try not to curl your hair in sections that are larger than the diameter of the tool you are using. Doing so could result in uneven curls.
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Wrap the hair around the iron. With the end of the hair clamped onto the iron, roll the tool towards your head. Be sure to stop far enough away from your scalp that you don't burn it.^{[6]
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- It’s best to start with curling with the section closest to your face.
- When you’re curling the hair around your face, wrap it around the iron in the direction away from your face for the most natural look.
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Hold the hair on the iron for several seconds. You don’t want to burn your hair, but you want to make sure that the curl holds. Hold each section of hair around the iron for 5 to 10 seconds before releasing the iron.^{[7]
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- If you have fine, thin, or short hair, 5 seconds is usually long enough. Be sure to keep the iron on a low to medium heat.
- For thick, coarse, or long hair, you’ll usually need to keep your hair on the iron for 10 seconds. This type of hair is best curled on a medium to high heat.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Styling Your Curls

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Pin up each curl immediately after curling it. As you release the curl from the iron, coil the curl back up with your fingers and pin it to your head with a bobby pin or a single prong hair clip. That will help the curl keep its shape as it cools.^{[8]
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Allow your curls to cool completely. To ensure that your curls stay in place without any hair spray, you must allow them to cool fully before you take out the pins. Let your hair cool for 10 to 15 minutes so the curls set completely.^{[9]
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- You can also use the cool setting on your blow dryer to hit the curls with cold air and help them set more quickly. Just know that this could cause some fly aways and frizz, and is best for a more beachy or effortless look.
3
Unpin your hair and shake them out. Once the curls are cool, remove the bobby pins to let them down. Use your fingers to gently shake them loose to give them a more natural look.^{[10]
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Style your hair with your fingers. Avoid using a brush to style your hair because it may pull out the curls and make it harder for them to last. Use your fingers to gently comb through the curls and position them as you’d like.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What is a setting spray for hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Setting spray is a lightweight spray that's designed to help wet-set styles like rollers or pin curls stay. Apply it before styling and let it air dry. It will hold a shape without drying hard.
Question

Can you curl thick hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

If you have natural curls, you can still use a curling iron to refine or reshape them. In fact, curly hair will hold a set better than straight hair.
Question

How do you make your hair naturally curly?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can't change your hair's natural texture intentionally. However, some people's hair changes during major hormonal shifts such as puberty and pregnancy.

Warnings

Without hairspray, it’s unlikely that curls will last all day and night. However, you should be able to get through a school or work day with your curls in tact.

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