How to Curl a Short Bob

Easy methods to effortlessly curl your short bob

Last Updated: May 20, 2022 References

While there are plenty of ways to style a bob, curling your short strands might seem a little tricky. Luckily, you can try 1 of 2 techniques to see what works best for your hair type. The first involves heat-styling with a curling wand, using a few bob-specific techniques to give your shorter style lots of volume and texture. The second involves twisting your damp strands together and leaving them to set overnight. This can work well for hair that doesn't typically hold a heat-styled curl. However you choose to create curls, tousle them with your fingers and spray a texturizing product at your roots for an extra boost.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Curling Wand

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Spray a heat protectant onto your hair. This is an important first step since it will help your hair stay healthier and prevent heat damage.^{[1]
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Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} Mist it onto your strands and comb it through to distribute the product from root to tip.^{[2]
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- Choose a volumizing thermal protectant if you want additional lift.
2
Divide your hair into top and bottom sections and clip up the top half. Separate your hair into 2 sections by creating a horizontal part between the tops of your ears. Use an alligator clip or hair tie to pull up the top section and keep it secure.^{[3]
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- You'll start by curling the bottom half so it helps to keep the top layers up and out of your way.
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3
Heat up a 1 in (2.5 cm) barrel curling wand. Choose a curling wand with an adjustable heat setting. Set yours to the lowest possible temperature you can to create a curl in your hair. Pick a wand with a 1 in (2.5 cm) barrel and without a clamp. Anything smaller will create tight ringlets rather than bouncy curls.^{[4]
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- Short hair can be harder to manipulate using the clamp on a standard curling iron.
- For fine, fragile hair you may not need to go past 200 degrees.
- Thicker or healthier hair can withstand temperatures in the 300-degree range.
- Experiment with different temperature settings until you find what works best for your hair type. In most cases, avoid going past 400 degrees.^{[5]
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4
Wear a heat-resistant glove to protect your fingers from burns. Slip a heat-resistant glove designed for use with heat styling tools onto the hand you'll be using to manipulate your hair. If you're curling your right side, this would be your right hand, and for your left side, your left hand. Opt for a glove that either protects your entire hand if you're not used to operating a curling wand. Or, choose one that just slips onto your fingertips if you're more experienced.^{[6]
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- With a heat-resistant glove, you won't singe your fingers if you accidentally touch the hot barrel of the curling wand.
- Many curling wands come with a single heat-resistant glove that will cover your fingertips and thumb. If yours doesn't, pick one up at a local beauty supply store or order one online.
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Hold the curling wand vertically near 1 side of your head. To curl the right side, grip the wand's handle in your left hand (and vice versa). Hold the wand vertically with the handle upward and the barrel pointing down. Lift your arm up and over your head to get the best angle.^{[7]
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- This position may feel a little awkward at first, but with a little practice you'll get the hang of it!^{[8]
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Wrap 1 in (2.5 cm) sections of hair around the wand, away from your face. Pick up a 1 in (2.5 cm) section of hair from the bottom section. Position the wand close to your head and loop the strand around the barrel using your gloved hand. Keep it in place for about 5 to 10 seconds before releasing the wand and moving onto another section of hair.^{[9]
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- Make sure you're angling the hair away from your face, rather than bringing it toward your face, as you work around the wand.
- On the right side, you'll twist each strand around the wand in a clockwise manner. Then on the left side, you'll wrap it counter-clockwise around the wand.
- Some shorter pieces at your nape may not go all the way around, which is totally fine!
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Avoid wrapping the ends of each strand around the wand. When wrapping each strand around the curling wand, stop when you have about ¹⁄₂ to ¹⁄₄ in (1.27 to 0.64 cm) of hair left at the ends. Hold this out away from the heated barrel. You can gently tug on it to keep the rest of the hair tightly around the wand.^{[10]
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- If your short bob features blunt ends or piecey layers, you can highlight this by leaving the ends straight. The ends will sit straight in an effortless-looking style.
- If you do curl the ends, they may coil out in different directions and look untidy, especially as your curls start to loosen up over the course of the day.
8
Finish curling the bottom strands and then move onto the top half. Unclip the hair at your crown and let it fall loose. Start curling the top section in a similar manner, by twisting 1 in (2.5 cm) pieces around the wand and away from your face.^{[11]
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Curl the top strands with the wand held at a 45-degree angle for more lift. Try holding the wand at more of an angle, rather than keeping it completely vertical, when curling the top half of your hair.^{[12]
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- If you pitch the tip of the barrel upwards about 45 degrees, you'll encourage your curls to lift up at the roots. This will give your curled bob a more natural shape.
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Hold the wand at your crown horizontally to prevent flatness. When you go to curl the shorter top layers at the back of your bob, angle the barrel horizontally. Wrap the strands up and over the wand rather than around it sideways.^{[13]
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- As you curl the pieces at the top and progress towards the sides and front of your head, transition from having the wand completely horizontal to holding it at a 45-degree angle to create a natural shape.
- If you try this trick, you'll get more volume at your roots.
- This can help you avoid the triangular bob look, with your hair sitting limp and flat at the crown but poofing out at the sides.
11
Allow your curls to cool before manipulating them. Once you've curled your whole head of hair, it's okay to go back and re-curl some strands for more definition. But try not to start finger-combing your curls or adding any product until they've completely cooled down.^{[14]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating Curls Without Heat

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Start with damp hair. This technique works well after a shower, if you allow your hair to air-dry for a while. If you're working with dry hair, spritz your strands with water to dampen them. Comb through your hair to distribute the moisture.^{[15]
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- Make sure your hair isn't dripping wet. You'll just need a little moisture to help the curls lock into place as your strands dry.
2
Divide your hair into left and right sections. If you have a natural side-part, separate your hair down the middle. If you wear a natural middle-part, divide your hair with an off-center part.^{[16]
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Research source} Use a soft scrunchie or alligator clips to hold back 1 side so you can get to work on twisting the other side.
- Eventually you'll flip your curled tresses back over to your natural part for more volume.
3
Twist 2 small sections of hair together near your part on 1 side. Starting on 1 of the 2 sides of your hair, pick up a 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) strand at your hairline, near your part. Lift up another similarly-sized section from directly below the first. Twist 1 around the other to begin a coil, working towards your scalp.^{[17]
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- Do this by overlapping the bottom strand over the top, and then continuing the twist until the strands are locked together.
- By wrapping the twists towards your scalp, you'll end up with curls that angle away from your face.
4
Continue adding hair to your 2-strand twist as you proceed down your scalp. Once you've started the twist, pick up 1 more 2 in (5.1 cm) section from below. Add this to whichever of the 2 original strands is on the bottom. Coil the 2 pieces around each other once more, until the opposite strand is now at the bottom. Repeat this process until you've added all of the hair into the 2 sections while twisting them together.^{[18]
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- Use your thumb to lift up each new section of hair before adding it to the twist.
- Continue adding hair to the twist until you reach your nape.
- Instead of doing a 2-strand twist, you could instead do a 3-strand French braid if you prefer. This would create S-shaped waves rather than rounded curls, but it will definitely add volume and texture to your bob.
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Wrap the twisted ends into a small bun at your nape. When you run out of hair along your scalp, just keep wrapping the 2 pieces around each other until you reach the ends. Working in the same direction as the twist, coil the hair against your head in a small bun. Secure this with a soft scrunchie.^{[19]
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- Use a scrunchie instead of a regular hair tie, since the narrow elastic will crease your hair.^{[20]
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- If you have a layered bob, it's okay if some of the ends are poking out.
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Create a similar twist on the other side of your head. Once you've completed and secured the first twist, create another one in the same manner with the rest of your hair. On this second side, the direction of the twist should mirror that of the first twist. End this twist in a small bun and hold it in place with another soft scrunchie.
- Make sure to twist the curls towards your scalp so your curls area angled away from your face.
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Leave in both twists overnight. Once you finish one side, move onto the next. Then allow your hair to dry in with the twists in place. You'll eventually have soft, bouncy curls the next morning.^{[21]
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- This is a great technique for hair types that don't hold a curl created with heat-styling tools.
- If your hair started out pretty damp, feel free to blow-dry the twists. The extra heat will encourage the curls to set as well while drying your hair so you can sleep comfortably.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Setting and Styling Your Curls

1
Run your fingers through the curls to separate them out. If you used a curling wand, you can tousle your curls once they've completely cooled.^{[22]
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Research source} If you used the overnight twist method, take off the scrunchies and undo the twists with your fingers. Then finger-comb your tresses to separate the curls even more.
- Avoid brushing through your curls unless you want very soft and full waves.
2
Tease your roots for additional volume at the crown. Lift up 1 small section of hair at a time from your crown. [[Tease Your Hair|Backcomb the roots] lightly using a fine-toothed comb or a teasing comb to lift up the layers.^{[23]
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- To backcomb each section, gently push the comb down the strand from the middle toward the roots. to push back some of the individual hairs.
- Try teasing the back of your bob as well as either side of your part.
3
Set your curls with an aerosol hairspray. Rather than spritzing your strands from above, gently lift up individual curls and mist underneath them with a hairspray or finishing spray.^{[24]
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- For a more tousled look you can scrunch each curl to add texture and distribute the product throughout the strand.
- An aerosol product will get more evenly distributed and won't dampen and weight down your curls.
4
Boost your bob's volume with a texturizing spray. Try either a texturizing mist or a volumizing dry shampoo.^{[25]
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Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} Lift up the hair at your crown and spray the product directly into the roots. Massage it into your roots to lock in the extra volume and dimension.^{[26]
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- For an even more piecey look, rub a texturizing pomade on your ends.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I make my short bob wavy?

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.

Christine George

Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Answer

Sea salt spray is a good choice if you are looking for subtle, beach-y waves.
Question

How can I make my curly hairstyle last a few days?

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.

Christine George

Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Answer

To maintain your hairstyle, try using a pillow that doesn't have any friction when you sleep. Using a satin pillow can help maintain your hairstyle for a couple of days and not have it go frizzy.