How to Curl Your Hair Fast

A few quick methods for beautiful curls

Last Updated: May 25, 2022 References

Curling your hair is a great way to give yourself a new look. Each of these methods take less than 5 minutes to complete and they all create beautiful curls. Use a curling iron if you want to control the size of the curls or use a straightener for a quick, easy option. To quickly curl thick hair, tie it in a ponytail before you curl the ends. You'll be done in a snap!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making Quick Curls with a Curling Iron

1
Divide your hair into 4 sections. Use a comb to part your hair vertically down the middle of your head and then gather it into equal sections. Split each of these sections in half horizontally by creating another part going from ear to ear. Create 4 sections of hair in total. Do your best to make each section the size.^{[1]
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- This technique can be used on both natural hair and weaves.
2
Wrap all the hair in 1 section around the barrel of the curling iron. Clamp the ends of your hair under the clip and wind it up toward the roots. If your hair doesn’t have a clip, simply use your fingers to wrap the hair around the barrel of the curling iron. Roll the hair up horizontally for traditional pin-up curls, or wrap it vertically for ringlet-style curls.^{[2]
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- Set the curling iron to a low heat setting to avoid damaging your hair if it is thin or fine. If your hair is coarse or thick, then opt for a higher heat setting.
- If you aren’t confident using a curling iron with a clipless barrel, consider wearing heat-proof gloves to avoid burning your fingers.
- Any size barrel will work for this technique. Use a curling iron with a wide barrel to make big curls or use a small curling iron to make tight curls.
- If you have very thick, coarse, or curly hair, then this technique may not work for you. The heat needs to distribute evenly through all of your hair and wrapping it all around the curling iron at once might make this difficult.
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3
Leave the hair on the barrel for 15 seconds. This gives your hair time to heat up and sets the curl in place. Try to keep the curling iron still to ensure that the curls are a uniform shape and size.^{[3]
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- If you have very fine hair, leave it against the barrel for 10 seconds. If you have really thick hair, hold it in place for up to 20 seconds.
4
Release the curl and hold it in your palm for 5 seconds. Lift up the clip on the curling iron, if applicable, and slowly pull the barrel away from the hair. Support the curl in your hand and hold it for 5 seconds to allow it to set.^{[4]
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- If you have thick hair, allow the curl to set for 10 seconds.
5
Repeat the wrapping process on the other sections of hair. Once again, wrap the hair up the barrel of your curling iron and hold it in place for about 15 seconds. Try to wrap the hair at a similar angle to the first section so that all your curls look uniform. Repeat this process on all the remaining hair.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Straightener to Make Quick Curls

1
Separate your hair vertically into 2 even sections. This makes it quick and easy to curl your hair. Use a comb or your fingers to divide your hair vertically down the middle of your head into 2 similar sized sections. ^{[6]
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- It is easiest to make curls on hair that has been freshly brushed. Brush your hair thoroughly and make sure it is free from tangles.
- If you have really thick hair, divide each section in half vertically to create 4 sections in total.
- Keep in mind that your hair needs to be at least chin-length for this technique to work.
2
Twist 1 section of hair from the roots to the ends. Grip the entire section in your hands and twist it away from your face. Keep twisting the hair until the entire length of the section is tightly twisted.^{[7]
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- Hold the twist in place with your non-dominant hand to stop it from unraveling.
3
Clamp the straightener over the roots of the twisted hair for 5 seconds. Hold the straightening iron horizontally and clamp it over the top of the twist. Count to 5 and then release the straightening iron from the hair. Continue to hold the twist in place with your other hand.^{[8]
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- Set your straightening iron to the lowest setting if you have dry or damaged hair.
4
Repeat this process down the length of the twist. Move the iron down so it's just below the section you previously heated and grip the hair between the iron plates again. Once again, wait for 5 seconds and then release the hair. Continue this same process to heat the entire twist.^{[9]
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- Make sure to heat every part of the twist to create uniform curls.
5
Use this same technique on the rest of your hair. Take the other section of hair in your hand and twist it tightly. Then, clamp it over each area for 5 seconds. Once you get down to the bottom of the twist, allow it to unravel to reveal your beautiful curls.^{[10]
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- This process takes less than 5 minutes to complete and works on any hair type.
- If you have divided your hair into 4 sections, repeat this process 3 times.
6
Separate the curls once they are cold. Touch your curls to check that they have cooled down. This normally takes about 1 or 2 minutes. Then, use your fingers to pull apart the curls. This will add volume to your look and can help to make the curls look more natural.^{[11]
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- If the curls are too tight, brush them gently to make them looser.
- If desired, lightly mist the curls with hairspray.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Curling Your Hair in a Ponytail

1
Tie up all of your hair in a ponytail. This is a great option if you have thick hair and want to curl it quickly. Simply gather your hair into a ponytail and secure it with a hair tie. Tie your hair up high on your head to make it easier for you to reach it when you curl it.^{[12]
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- This method works best for long hair.
2
Curl 1 inch (2.5 cm) sections of hair at a time with a curling iron. Take a 1 inch (2.5 cm) section of hair in your hand and grip the ends under the clip on the curling iron. Hold the curling iron vertically and wrap the entire section of hair around the barrel.^{[13]
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- If your curling iron doesn’t have a clip, simply wrap the hair over itself on the barrel to keep it in place.
- Make sure the barrel of the curling iron doesn’t touch your head, as it will be hot.
3
Leave the curls to sit on the barrel for 10 seconds. This gives time for the heat to penetrate all the strands of hair and sets the curl in place. If you have really thick hair, wait 15 seconds before you release the curls.^{[14]
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- Avoid leaving the curls against the barrel for more than 15 seconds, as the extended exposure to heat can damage your hair.
4
Release the curl and hold it in your hand for 5 seconds. Release the clip and slowly pull the barrel of the curling iron away from your head to reveal the curl. Cup the fresh curl in your hand and push it toward your scalp. This helps to set the curl in place and makes it last longer.^{[15]
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5
Repeat the curling and releasing process on all of the hair in your ponytail. Curl each section of hair away from your face to make all the curls look uniform. Wrap the remaining hair around the barrel in 1 inch (2.5 cm) sections. Once again, allow the curl to set for 5 seconds before you release it.^{[16]
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6
Remove your hair tie once your curls are cool. Once you have curled all your hair, touch the curls to ensure that they are cold to touch. Then, gently pull out your hair tie to allow the curls to rest on your shoulders.^{[17]
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- The curls generally only take 1 or 2 minutes to cool.
7
Curl the top layer of your hair from the roots, if desired. If you are happy with how your hair looks, leave it as it is. Alternatively, use the same curling technique to curl the top layer of your hair. Gather the top layers of exposed hair in 1 inch (2.5 cm) sections and curl them away from your face.^{[18]
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- If desired, lightly spray your curls with hairspray.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you not damage your hair when curling it?

Madeleine Johnson
Hair Stylist & Hair Extensions Specialist
Madeleine Johnson is a Hair Stylist and Hair Extensions Specialist based in Beverly Hills, California. She is affiliated with Hair by Violet Salon in Beverly Hills. Madeleine has over six years of hairstyling experience as a licensed cosmetologist. She specializes in microbead extensions and tape-in extensions. She trained under celebrity extension artist Violet Teriti (Chaviv Hair) and earned her cosmetology license from Santa Monica College.

Madeleine Johnson

Hair Stylist & Hair Extensions Specialist

Expert Answer

When using heat to curl your hair, always apply a heat protectant first. This prevents the heat from damaging your hair and adds moisture.